AP Physics 1 Exam Review: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet (All Units)

Unit 1 Kinematics

📜 The Big 3 Equations

$v_x = v_{x0} + a_xt$

$x = x_0 + v_{x0}t + \frac{1}{2}a_xt^2$

$v_x^2 = v_{x0}^2 + 2a_x(x - x_0)$

Key Concept: Acceleration is the slope of a v-t graph. Displacement is the area under a v-t graph.

⚠️ Trap Alert Horizontal and Vertical motion are INDEPENDENT. In projectiles, $a_x = 0$ (constant speed) and $a_y = -9.8$ (gravity). Never mix x and y variables!

Unit 2 Dynamics (Forces)

💪 Newton’s Laws

$\Sigma F = ma$

$F_{f} \le \mu F_N$

$F_{spring} = -kx$

Key Concept: Draw the Free Body Diagram (FBD) first. Always breaks forces into components parallel and perpendicular to the ramp.

⚠️ Trap Alert Static Friction ( $F_s$ ) is “lazy.” It only pushes as hard as it needs to prevent slipping, up to a max of $\mu_s F_N$ . Kinetic friction is constant.

Unit 3 Circular Motion & Gravity

🪐 Making Turns

$a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}$

$F_g = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$

Key Concept: Centripetal force is not a “new” force. It is a role played by Tension, Friction, or Gravity pointing toward the center.

⚠️ Trap Alert In gravity formulas, $r$ is the distance between CENTERS (center of Earth to center of satellite), not the altitude above the surface.

Unit 4 Work & Energy

⚡ Conservation

$E_i = E_f$

$K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \quad U_g = mgh$

$W = Fd\cos\theta = \Delta E$

Key Concept: Work is the transfer of energy. If the force is perpendicular to motion (like a waiter holding a tray walking sideways), Work = 0.

⚠️ Trap Alert Is the system Open or Closed? If closed (Earth+Ball), Gravity is potential energy ( $U_g$ ). If open (Ball only), Gravity is an external force doing Work.

Unit 5 Momentum

🎱 Collisions

$p = mv$

$\Delta p = F\Delta t \text{ (Impulse)}$

$\Sigma p_i = \Sigma p_f$

Key Concept: Momentum is a vector! Direction matters (+/-). In graphs, Impulse is the area under the Force-Time curve.

⚠️ Trap Alert Momentum is ALWAYS conserved in collisions. Kinetic Energy is ONLY conserved in Elastic collisions.

Unit 6 Simple Harmonic Motion

〰️ Periods ( $T$ )

$T_{spring} = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$

$T_{pend} = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$

Key Concept: At equilibrium (center), speed is Max and Force is 0. At amplitudes (edges), speed is 0 and Force is Max.

⚠️ Trap Alert The period of a pendulum does NOT depend on Mass ( $m$ ). A heavy person and a light person swing at the same rate on a playground swing.

Unit 7 Torque & Rotation

🔄 The Spin

$\tau = rF\sin\theta$

$L = I\omega$

$K_{rot} = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$

Key Concept: Inertia ( $I$ ) depends on mass distribution. Mass far from center = High $I$ (hard to spin). Mass near center = Low $I$ .

⚠️ Trap Alert Angular Momentum ( $L$ ) is conserved when net torque is zero. Ice skater pulls arms in $\rightarrow$ $I$ drops $\rightarrow$ $\omega$ increases.

Unit 8 Fluids (New!)

💧 Flow & Pressure

$P = P_0 + \rho gh$

$F_b = \rho V_{sub} g$

$P + \rho gh + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 = \text{const}$

Key Concept: Archimedes: Buoyancy equals weight of displaced fluid. Bernoulli: Fast fluid = Low Pressure.

⚠️ Trap Alert Continuity ( $A_1v_1 = A_2v_2$ ) means if you block a hose (Area down), speed goes up. BUT, Bernoulli says if speed goes up, Pressure goes down.

AP Physics 1: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

AP Physics 1: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

Unit 1 Kinematics

📜 The Big 3 Equations

Unit 2 Dynamics (Forces)

💪 Newton’s Laws

Unit 3 Circular Motion & Gravity

🪐 Making Turns

Unit 4 Work & Energy

⚡ Conservation

Unit 5 Momentum

🎱 Collisions

Unit 6 Simple Harmonic Motion

〰️ Periods ( $T$ )

Unit 7 Torque & Rotation

🔄 The Spin

Unit 8 Fluids (New!)

💧 Flow & Pressure

Ready to Practice?

AP Physics 1: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

Unit 1 Kinematics

📜 The Big 3 Equations

Unit 2 Dynamics (Forces)

💪 Newton’s Laws

Unit 3 Circular Motion & Gravity

🪐 Making Turns

Unit 4 Work & Energy

⚡ Conservation

Unit 5 Momentum

🎱 Collisions

Unit 6 Simple Harmonic Motion

〰️ Periods ()

Unit 7 Torque & Rotation

🔄 The Spin

Unit 8 Fluids (New!)

💧 Flow & Pressure

Ready to Practice?

〰️ Periods ( $T$ )