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.
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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.
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.
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.
Unit 4: Work & Energy
- Work, Power & EnergyCalculating Work (Fd cos θ) and Watts.
- Conservation of EnergySolving rollercoasters and springs (Ei = Ef).
Unit 5: Momentum
- Momentum & ImpulseChange in momentum and F-t graphs.
- Conservation & CollisionsElastic vs. Inelastic collisions.
Unit 6: SHM
- Springs & PendulumsFinding Period (T) and Frequency.
- Energy & GraphsPosition, velocity, and energy graphs.
Unit 7: Rotation
- Torque & EquilibriumBalancing levers and seesaws.
- Rotational EnergyRolling motion (Iω²) and Inertia.
- Angular MomentumConservation for spinning systems.
Unit 8: Fluids
- Density & PressureHydrostatic pressure and Pascal’s Principle.
- BuoyancyFloating objects and apparent weight.
- Bernoulli’s EquationContinuity and Energy conservation.
AP Physics 2
Thermodynamics, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics.
🚧 Course Coming SoonUnit 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: Optics
Light, Mirrors, and Lenses.
Unit 14: Waves
Physical Optics and Interference.
Unit 15: Modern
Quantum and Nuclear Physics.
Mechanics (C)
Advanced kinematics, Newton’s Laws, Work/Energy, Momentum, Rotation, and Oscillations.
E & M (C)
Electrostatics, Gauss’s Law, Circuits, Magnetic Fields, and Maxwell’s Equations.
Essential AP Physics Study Tools (2026 Edition)
Don’t go into the exam without these. Download our custom formula sheets and calculator guides.
