The Ultimate AP Physics Guide (2026 Exam Prep)
Master the College Board curriculum with free study guides, formula sheets, and FRQ practice for AP Physics 1, 2, and C.
Current for 2026: Fully aligned with the May 2026 exam format, including Fluids in AP 1 and the standard 4-question FRQ structure.
Quick Navigation
Unit 1: Kinematics
- 1D Motion & The “Big 4”Free fall, acceleration, and choosing formulas.
- Motion Graphs (x-t, v-t)How to read slope and area. The #1 MCQ topic.
- Vectors & Projectile Motion2D motion and angled launches.
⚠️ Hardest Concept: Remembering that horizontal and vertical motion are independent.
Unit 2: Dynamics
- Newton’s Laws & FBDsThe 3 Laws and Mass vs. Weight.
- Friction TypesStatic vs Kinetic. Slipping points.
- Tension & InclinesRamps, pulleys, and Atwood machines.
⚠️ Hardest Concept: Solving multi-body systems (tension) without getting signs mixed up.
Unit 3: Circular & Gravity
- Uniform Circular MotionCentripetal force and banked curves.
- Universal GravitationNewton’s Law and Field Strength (g).
- Orbits & Kepler’s LawsSatellite velocity and periods.
⚠️ Hardest Concept: Understanding that “Centrifugal Force” doesn’t exist in inertial frames.
Unit 4: Work & Energy
- Work, Power & EnergyCalculating Work (Fd cos θ) and Watts.
- Conservation of EnergySolving rollercoasters and springs (Ei = Ef).
⚠️ Hardest Concept: Open vs. Closed systems (Work vs. Conservation).
Unit 5: Momentum
- Momentum & ImpulseChange in momentum and F-t graphs.
- Conservation & CollisionsElastic vs. Inelastic collisions.
⚠️ Hardest Concept: When Kinetic Energy is lost (inelastic) vs. when Momentum is conserved (always).
Unit 6: SHM
- Springs & PendulumsFinding Period (T) and Frequency.
- Energy & GraphsPosition, velocity, and energy graphs.
⚠️ Hardest Concept: Interpreting restoring force graphs and phase shifts.
Unit 7: Rotation
- Torque & EquilibriumBalancing levers and seesaws.
- Rotational EnergyRolling motion (Iω²) and Inertia.
- Angular MomentumConservation for spinning systems.
⚠️ Hardest Concept: Conservation of Angular Momentum in collisions (e.g., bullet hitting a rod).
Unit 8: Fluids
- Density & PressureHydrostatic pressure and Pascal’s Principle.
- BuoyancyFloating objects and apparent weight.
- Bernoulli’s EquationContinuity and Energy conservation.
⚠️ Hardest Concept: Applying Bernoulli’s Principle when both height and speed change simultaneously.
Unit 9: Thermo
Heat, Temperature, and Kinetic Theory.
Unit 10: Electric Force
Electrostatics and Electric Fields.
Unit 11: DC Circuits
Unit 12: Magnetism
Fields, Forces, and Induction.
Unit 13: Geometrical Optics
Light, Mirrors, and Lenses.
Unit 14: Waves
Physical Optics and Interference.
Unit 15: Modern Physics
Quantum mechanics, atomic models, and nuclear reactions.
- Quantum Theory & Atomic Models Topics 15.1–15.6: Wave-particle duality, the Bohr model, and the photoelectric effect.
- Nuclear Physics & Radioactivity Topics 15.7–15.8: Mass-energy equivalence, fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
AP Physics C
Advanced Calculus-Based Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism (Updated 13-Unit Curriculum).
⚡ View Cheat SheetUnit 1: Kinematics
Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
Unit 4: Linear Momentum
Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
Unit 7: Oscillations
Unit 8: Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss’s Law
Unit 9: Electric Potential
Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
Unit 11: Electric Circuits
Unit 12: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism
Essential AP Physics Study Tools (2026 Edition)
Don’t go into the exam without these. Download our custom formula sheets and calculator guides.