AP Physics 1 Cheat Sheet
Updated · For the May 2027 AP exam · Free PDFs
The whole course · 15 pages · 1.2 MB
AP Physics 1 Cheat Sheet: The Whole Course
The whole AP Physics 1 course, unit by unit, for the May 2027 exam: what the exam looks like, then every topic with its key idea, the formulas marked against the reference sheet, the common mistakes and worked examples.
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Every unit, in more depth
Unit 1
Kinematics
Vectors and signs, average and instantaneous velocity, motion graphs with their slopes and areas, the three constant-acceleration equations, free fall, linearized lab data, reference frames and projectile motion, with the traps and free-response moves the AP Physics 1 exam scores.
Unit 2
Force and Translational Dynamics
Systems and center of mass, free-body diagrams, Newton's three laws, gravitation and apparent weight, friction, springs and circular motion, with worked examples, exam traps and the formulas the equation sheet does and doesn't give you.
Unit 3
Work, Energy, and Power
Kinetic energy, work and the work–energy theorem, potential energy, conservation of energy with bar charts and energy graphs, friction, and power, with the derivations, lab graphs and traps the AP Physics 1 exam scores.
Unit 4
Linear Momentum
Momentum as a vector, impulse and force–time graphs, choosing a system, conservation of momentum, center-of-mass motion, and elastic and inelastic collisions, with every equation marked against the official equation sheet and the moves the AP exam scores.
Unit 5
Torque and Rotational Dynamics
Rotational kinematics, torque and lever arms, rotational inertia, rotational equilibrium and Newton's second law for rotation, with worked examples, common mistakes and what earns points on the free-response questions.
Unit 6
Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
Rotational kinetic energy, work done by a torque, angular momentum and angular impulse, conservation of angular momentum, rolling without slipping and orbiting satellites, with the derivations, comparisons and traps the AP Physics 1 exam scores.
Unit 7
Oscillations
Simple harmonic motion, period and frequency of springs and pendulums, position, velocity and acceleration graphs, and the energy of oscillators, with the free-response moves and traps the AP exam scores.
Unit 8
Fluids
Density, pressure at depth, buoyancy and floating, flow rate, continuity and Bernoulli's equation, with worked examples, the derivations the exam asks for and the mistakes that cost points.