How AP Physics 1 is organised
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based is a first-year, algebra-based physics course run by the College Board. Its official plan is the Course and Exam Description (CED). Everything on this page comes from the CED and the College Board's AP pages, with a link next to each fact. Courses and exams change; when in doubt, the College Board pages win.
The eight units
The current course (first taught in fall 2024) has eight units. The exam weight is each unit's share of the multiple-choice section; the class periods are the CED's rough pacing for 45-minute classes. [CED]
| Unit | Title | Topics | Exam weight | Class periods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinematics | 1.1 Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension · 1.2 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration · 1.3 Representing Motion · 1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion · 1.5 Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions | 10–15% | ~12–17 |
| 2 | Force and Translational Dynamics | 2.1 Systems and Center of Mass · 2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams · 2.3 Newton's Third Law · 2.4 Newton's First Law · 2.5 Newton's Second Law · 2.6 Gravitational Force · 2.7 Kinetic and Static Friction · 2.8 Spring Forces · 2.9 Circular Motion | 18–23% | ~22–27 |
| 3 | Work, Energy, and Power | 3.1 Translational Kinetic Energy · 3.2 Work · 3.3 Potential Energy · 3.4 Conservation of Energy · 3.5 Power | 18–23% | ~22–27 |
| 4 | Linear Momentum | 4.1 Linear Momentum · 4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse · 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum · 4.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions | 10–15% | ~10–15 |
| 5 | Torque and Rotational Dynamics | 5.1 Rotational Kinematics · 5.2 Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion · 5.3 Torque · 5.4 Rotational Inertia · 5.5 Rotational Equilibrium and Newton's First Law in Rotational Form · 5.6 Newton's Second Law in Rotational Form | 10–15% | ~15–20 |
| 6 | Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems | 6.1 Rotational Kinetic Energy · 6.2 Torque and Work · 6.3 Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse · 6.4 Conservation of Angular Momentum · 6.5 Rolling · 6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites | 5–8% | ~8–14 |
| 7 | Oscillations | 7.1 Defining Simple Harmonic Motion · 7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM · 7.3 Representing and Analyzing SHM · 7.4 Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators | 5–8% | ~5–10 |
| 8 | Fluids | 8.1 Internal Structure and Density · 8.2 Pressure · 8.3 Fluids and Newton's Laws · 8.4 Fluids and Conservation Laws | 10–15% | ~12–17 |
Each unit title links to its page on this site. Older books and courses also teach waves, sound and simple circuits; those are not part of the current AP Physics 1 course. [AP Central course page]
The three science practices
Besides the content, the course trains three skills, and the exam questions are built around them. [CED]
- Creating representations: drawing and using diagrams, graphs and free-body diagrams.
- Mathematical routines: choosing the right relationship, solving it, and checking units and sizes.
- Scientific questioning and argumentation: designing experiments, reading data and explaining with physics reasons.
The exam
| Section | Questions | Time | Share of score |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. Multiple choice | 42 | 85 min | 50% |
| II. Free response | 4 | 95 min | 50% |
About 3 hours in all. [CED, Exam Information] [AP Central exam page]
- The four free-response questions are always the same four kinds: Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design and Analysis, and Qualitative/Quantitative Translation. [CED]
- A four-function, scientific or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections, and an equation sheet is provided. [CED] See the equation sheet explained on this site.
- The exam is taken in the College Board's Bluebook app; check the exam page for how free-response answers are written in the current year. [AP Central exam page]
- Exam dates are published each year. [AP exam dates]
- Past free-response questions with scoring guidelines are free to download. [past exam questions]
Where motion graphs fit
Motion graphs are topic 1.3 Representing Motion. The slope of a position-time graph is velocity, the slope of a velocity-time graph is acceleration, and the area under a velocity-time graph is the change in position (displacement). When the acceleration changes (for example a ramp that bends), the CED asks you to describe and sketch the graphs qualitatively rather than calculate them. [CED, topic 1.3] Practise with the topic 1.3 page and the motion graphs practice.
Official links
- AP Physics 1 Course and Exam Description (PDF)
- AP Central: AP Physics 1 course page (for teachers, with the exam details)
- AP Students: AP Physics 1 (for students, with AP Daily videos and exam tips)
- Past exam questions
This site is an independent study aid. It is not made by or affiliated with the College Board. AP is a trademark registered by the College Board.