📋 The AP Physics 1 equation sheet is a multi-page reference document provided during both the multiple-choice and free-response sections. It contains all the formulas, constants, and unit conversions you need—but knowing when and how to use them is what separates a 3 from a 5.
📑 What's in This Guide:
📄 Reference Sheet Overview
The AP Physics 1 equation sheet is provided to all students during the exam. Unlike some AP exams where you must memorize everything, Physics 1 gives you the formulas—your job is to know which one to use and how to apply it.
📝
Section I: MCQ
Reference sheet available in Bluebook testing app
✍️
Section II: FRQ
Physical reference booklet provided for scratch work
The reference sheet includes:
✓Constants — Gravitational constant (G), acceleration due to gravity (g), atmospheric pressure
✓Unit prefixes — From tera (10¹²) to milli (10⁻³)
✓Symbols — All variable definitions (a, F, m, v, ω, τ, etc.)
✓Equations — Organized by topic (mechanics, rotation, waves, fluids)
🔢 Constants & Conversions
These values are provided on your reference sheet—you don't need to memorize them.
Physical Constants
| Constant | Symbol | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Acceleration due to gravity | g | 9.8 m/s² (or N/kg) |
| Universal gravitational constant | G | 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg² |
| Atmospheric pressure | P₀ | 1.0 × 10⁵ Pa (or N/m²) |
Metric Prefixes
tera (T)
10¹²
giga (G)
10⁹
mega (M)
10⁶
kilo (k)
10³
centi (c)
10⁻²
milli (m)
10⁻³
🚀 Kinematics Equations (Unit 1)
These equations describe motion in one dimension with constant acceleration. They're the foundation of AP Physics 1.
The “Big Three” Kinematic Equations
v = v₀ + at
Final velocity equals initial velocity plus acceleration times time
x = x₀ + v₀t + ½at²
Position as a function of time (when you don't know final velocity)
v² = v₀² + 2a(x – x₀)
Relates velocity and position (when you don't know time)
💡 Pro Tip
Choose your kinematic equation based on what variable is missing from the problem. Each equation omits one variable (x, v, v₀, a, or t).
⚡ Forces & Newton's Laws (Units 2-3)
Forces cause changes in motion. These equations connect force, mass, and acceleration.
ΣF = ma
Newton's Second Law: Net force equals mass times acceleration
|Ff| ≤ μ|Fn|
Friction Force: Maximum static friction; kinetic friction uses = sign
Fs = -kx
Hooke's Law: Spring force is proportional to displacement (restoring force)
|Fg| = G(m₁m₂)/r²
Universal Gravitation: Gravitational force between two masses
ac = v²/r
Centripetal Acceleration: Acceleration toward center of circular path
⚡ Work, Energy & Power (Unit 4)
Energy is conserved in closed systems. These equations help you track energy transfers.
K = ½mv²
Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion
Ug = mgh
Gravitational PE (near Earth): Potential energy from height
Ug = -Gm₁m₂/r
Gravitational PE (universal): For objects far from Earth's surface
Us = ½kx²
Elastic PE: Energy stored in a spring
W = F·d·cos(θ)
Work: Force times displacement times cosine of angle between them
P = W/t = Fv
Power: Rate of energy transfer
🔑 Key Relationship
Work-Energy Theorem: Wnet = ΔK — The net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy.
💥 Linear Momentum & Collisions (Unit 5)
Momentum is conserved in all collisions (elastic and inelastic) when no external forces act on the system.
p = mv
Linear Momentum: Mass times velocity (vector quantity)
J = FΔt = Δp
Impulse-Momentum Theorem: Impulse equals change in momentum
⚠️ Common Mistake
Watch your signs! If a ball bounces off a wall, Δv = vfinal – vinitial. If it rebounds at the same speed, Δv = v – (-v) = 2v, not zero!
🔄 Rotational Motion (Units 6-7)
Rotational motion mirrors linear motion—every linear equation has a rotational counterpart.
Rotational Kinematics
ω = ω₀ + αt — Angular velocity
θ = θ₀ + ω₀t + ½αt² — Angular position
ω² = ω₀² + 2α(θ – θ₀) — Angular velocity-position
Torque & Rotational Dynamics
τ = rF sin(θ)
Torque: “Rotational force” — depends on lever arm and angle
Στ = Iα
Newton's 2nd Law (Rotation): Net torque = rotational inertia × angular acceleration
L = Iω
Angular Momentum: Rotational inertia times angular velocity
Krot = ½Iω²
Rotational Kinetic Energy: Energy of spinning objects
Linear ↔ Angular Relationships
s = rθ
Arc length
v = rω
Tangential velocity
a = rα
Tangential acceleration
〰️ Simple Harmonic Motion (Unit 8)
SHM occurs when a restoring force is proportional to displacement (springs and pendulums).
x = A cos(2πft)
Position in SHM: Oscillates with amplitude A and frequency f
T = 1/f = 2π/ω
Period-Frequency Relationship: Period is inverse of frequency
Ts = 2π√(m/k)
Spring Period: Depends on mass and spring constant (not amplitude!)
Tp = 2π√(ℓ/g)
Pendulum Period: Depends on length and gravity (not mass or amplitude!)
💧 Fluids (Unit 9 — New for 2026!)
🆕 Updated Curriculum
Fluids were added to AP Physics 1 starting with the 2024-25 school year. These equations appear on the current reference sheet.
ρ = m/V
Density: Mass per unit volume
P = F/A
Pressure: Force per unit area
P = P₀ + ρgh
Pressure at Depth: Increases with depth in a fluid
Fb = ρVg
Buoyant Force: Weight of fluid displaced (Archimedes' Principle)
A₁v₁ = A₂v₂
Continuity Equation: Flow rate is constant in a pipe
P₁ + ρgy₁ + ½ρv₁² = P₂ + ρgy₂ + ½ρv₂²
Bernoulli's Equation: Conservation of energy in fluid flow
🚫 What's NOT on the Reference Sheet
The equation sheet gives you the formulas, but these important concepts must be understood and applied without explicit equations:
Newton's Three Laws (Conceptual)
You need to understand and apply the laws conceptually. The exam tests your understanding, not just formula recall.
Free-Body Diagrams
You must know how to draw and interpret FBDs. No formula can replace this skill.
Conservation Laws (When to Apply)
Knowing when energy or momentum is conserved requires understanding, not just equations.
Sign Conventions
Choosing positive direction, interpreting negative values—crucial skills not listed on the sheet.
Moments of Inertia Formulas
Specific I values for shapes (disk, sphere, rod) will be given in problems, not on the sheet.
🎯 How to Use the Reference Sheet Effectively
Having the equations isn't enough—here's how to actually use them on exam day:
Know the sheet BEFORE the exam
Familiarize yourself with where each equation is located. You don't want to waste time hunting during the test.
Identify what you know and what you need
List given quantities and what you're solving for. This helps you pick the right equation.
Understand what each equation means
Don't just plug and chug. Know the physics behind each formula so you can apply it correctly.
Practice with the actual sheet
Do practice problems using only the official reference sheet. Build this habit before exam day.
Check units to verify your answer
Use dimensional analysis. If your answer has wrong units, you used the wrong formula or made an algebra error.
📥 Download the Official Reference Sheet
Download the official AP Physics 1 equation sheet from College Board to practice with the exact document you'll have on exam day:
📄 Official AP Physics 1 Equation Sheet (PDF)
Download from College Board →📚 Related Resources
🎡 Best AP Physics 1 Review Books
🧪 AP Chemistry Formula Sheet
📅 2026 AP Exam Schedule
💲 AP Exam Fees
🔎 What Is an AP Score?
✅ View Your AP Scores
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get the equation sheet for both sections of the exam?
Yes! The reference sheet is available during both Section I (multiple-choice) and Section II (free-response). For the MCQ section, it's accessible in the Bluebook testing app. For FRQs, you'll receive a physical booklet.
Should I memorize the equations anyway?
Focus on understanding rather than memorizing. Through practice, you'll naturally learn the most common equations (F=ma, K=½mv², etc.). What matters more is knowing when and how to apply them.
Are moment of inertia formulas on the sheet?
No. Specific moments of inertia for shapes (disk, sphere, rod, etc.) are NOT on the reference sheet. When needed for a problem, they will be given in the question itself.
Is AP Physics 1 harder than AP Physics 2?
AP Physics 1 historically has a lower pass rate (around 45-50%) compared to Physics 2 (around 65-70%). Physics 1 covers more conceptual ground and requires strong problem-solving skills. Many students find Physics 1 more challenging.
What's new on the 2026 equation sheet?
The main addition is fluids content (density, pressure, buoyancy, continuity, Bernoulli's equation). These topics were added to the curriculum in 2024-25. The sheet also includes symbols and equations related to fluid mechanics.
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