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.
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.
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.
C1: Kinematics (Mech)
1D & 2D Motion with Calculus.
, 
, 
.C2: Newton’s Laws (Mech)
Differential equations for forces.
).C3: Work & Energy (Mech)
Line integrals and potential energy curves.
)
)
graphs.C4: Momentum (Mech)
Center of mass integration and rocket equations.
, 
).C5: Rotation (Mech)
Rotational inertia integration.
)C6: Oscillations (Mech)
Second-order differential equations.
C7: Gravitation (Mech)
Orbital energy and escape velocity.
C8: Electrostatics (E&M)
Charge distributions and geometric symmetry.
C9: Conductors (E&M)
Capacitance integration and polarized fields.
C10: Circuits (E&M)
Kirchhoff’s rules and transient calculus.
).C11: Magnetism (E&M)
Biot-Savart and Ampere’s Law.
) in 3D space.C12: Electromagnetism (E&M)
Maxwell’s equations and induction.
) over time.Essential AP Physics Study Tools (2026 Edition)
Don’t go into the exam without these. Download our custom formula sheets and calculator guides.