AP Physics 1 exam topics overview

The AP Physics 1 exam topics span seven core areas: kinematics, forces and Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations, and electric charge and circuits. According to expert tutors at My Physics Buddy, the exam tests both conceptual reasoning and quantitative problem-solving. Mastering each unit builds the foundation you need for the full course.

A Complete Breakdown of AP Physics 1 Exam Topics

The AP Physics 1 exam is algebra-based, meaning you do not need calculus — but you do need a strong command of physical reasoning and mathematical relationships. The College Board organizes the course into seven units, each carrying a specific exam weighting. Think of the course like building a house: kinematics and forces form the foundation, energy and momentum are the walls, and rotation, oscillations, and circuits are the roof that ties everything together.

Here is a clear overview of every unit tested on the exam, along with its approximate weighting in the multiple-choice and free-response sections:

Unit	Topic	Exam Weight
1	Kinematics	12–18%
2	Forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion	16–20%
3	Work, Energy, and Power	20–28%
4	Linear Momentum	12–18%
5	Torque and Rotational Motion	12–18%
6	Electric Charge, Force, and Energy; DC Circuits	16–20%
7	Mechanical Waves and Sound	6–12% (if tested)

Note: The College Board revised the AP Physics 1 curriculum starting in 2025. Fluids and some oscillation content have been moved to AP Physics 2. Always confirm the current exam description directly on the College Board AP Physics 1 page.

Unit 1 — Kinematics

This unit covers motion in one and two dimensions. You will work with displacement, velocity, and acceleration using the kinematic equations. Projectile motion is a key two-dimensional application. The core equations are:

• v = v₀ + at — final velocity, where v₀ is initial velocity, a is acceleration, t is time
• x = x₀ + v₀t + ½at² — position as a function of time
• v² = v₀² + 2aΔx — velocity-displacement relationship

Unit 2 — Forces and Newton’s Laws

Newton’s three laws underpin nearly every mechanics problem. Drawing a free-body diagram before writing equations is non-negotiable. Friction, tension, normal force, and gravity all appear here. Newton’s second law, F_net = ma, is the engine of this unit.

Unit 3 — Work, Energy, and Power

Energy is arguably the single highest-weight topic on the exam. The work-energy theorem connects net work to change in kinetic energy: W_net = ΔKE. Conservation of energy problems — where you track kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and spring potential energy — are extremely common. Power is defined as P = W/t or equivalently P = Fv.

Unit 4 — Linear Momentum

Impulse-momentum theorem and conservation of momentum govern collisions. Both elastic and inelastic collisions appear. A useful intuition: momentum is harder to change when mass is large or velocity is high — like trying to stop a freight train versus a bicycle.

Unit 5 — Torque and Rotational Motion

This is where many students feel challenged. Torque is the rotational analogue of force: τ = rF sin θ, where r is the lever arm, F is the applied force, and θ is the angle between them. Rotational inertia, angular momentum, and rolling motion all appear. As a PhD physicist, I can tell you that the rotational-linear analogy (swap m for I, v for ω, F for τ) is one of the most powerful tools in physics.

Unit 6 — Electric Charge, Force, and Circuits

Coulomb’s law governs electrostatic force, and basic DC circuit analysis using Ohm’s law (V = IR) and power (P = IV) is tested here. Series and parallel resistor combinations are essential skills. For deeper circuit work, see our guide on AP Physics topics.

Unit 7 — Mechanical Waves and Sound

Wave properties including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and wave speed (v = fλ) are tested, along with standing waves and the Doppler effect.

One pattern I consistently see in students: they study each unit in isolation and then struggle on free-response questions that blend two or three topics — for example, a rolling object problem that requires both energy conservation and rotational dynamics simultaneously. Practice cross-unit problems deliberately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ Mistake: Ignoring exam unit weightings and spending equal time on every topic.
✓ Fix: Prioritize Units 2, 3, and 6 — they collectively account for over 50% of the exam. Allocate study time proportionally to exam weight.

✗ Mistake: Confusing mass and weight, or treating g as a force rather than an acceleration.
✓ Fix: Always write gravitational force as F_g = mg explicitly. Mass (kg) and weight (N) are different quantities with different units.

✗ Mistake: Skipping free-body diagrams on force and torque problems to save time.
✓ Fix: Draw the free-body diagram first, every time. It takes 30 seconds and prevents sign errors that cost you the entire problem.

Exam Relevance: These topics are tested on the AP Physics 1 exam administered by the College Board, and overlap significantly with content in IB Physics SL, the SAT Physics Subject Test (retired), and introductory college physics courses.

💡 Pro Tip from Vandna G: Map each practice problem you attempt to its unit and track your accuracy per unit. Your weakest unit by score deserves double the review time.