AP Physics 1 equation sheet: What's not on it

AP Physics 1 is known for being one of the most challenging AP courses, and for good reason. The final, cumulative exam is rigorous, math-intensive, and focuses on your true understanding of physics concepts, not just your ability to recite formulas. While tackling the wide range of science-based topics can feel daunting, here’s some relief: you’ll receive an official College Board formula sheet during the official test, so you don’t have to memorize every equation.

But what core physics formulas and principles should you know? And why is it important to review these in practice, even if many formulas will be provided to you? We break down exactly which equations you should master to solve problems related to key topics, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the AP Physics 1 exam.

Why formulas matter when you get a sheet

AP Physics classes in general are very information-dense; luckily, though, the actual AP Physics 1 test isn’t about memorization. In fact, the exam is all about understanding fundamental concepts rather than simply recalling facts. You’ll receive a formula sheet during the AP Physics 1 test, so success comes from:

• Grasping the underlying theories behind each equation
• Making connections between related concepts
• Understanding what variables and symbols mean
• Being able to use algebraic operations and techniques (from substitution to elimination to factoring) with speed and accuracy
• Applying formulas to new contexts
• Knowing which equations are provided and which aren’t

Before diving into what you should study, let’s start with a quick overview of everything that appears on the test.

AP Physics 1 topics and the equation sheet

Everything you’ll encounter on the AP Physics 1 exam is algebra-based: no calculus is required, so you can breathe easy on that note! Key physics topics taught include:

• Kinematics: The study of motion, which covers displacement, velocity, and acceleration
• Forces: A push or pull that may cause an object to accelerate. Gravity is an example of a force.
• Energy: Work involves the transfer of energy through the application of force over a distance.
• Momentum: Momentum represents the quantity of motion an object possesses, calculated as mass times velocity.
• Rotation: The spinning of an object around an axis, a key concept for rotational and circular motion.
• Simple harmonic motion: A type of periodic motion where the restoring force is proportional to displacement and always points toward equilibrium, so the motion repeats in a regular cycle.
• Fluids: A substance that takes the shape of a container it's in, like a gas or liquid.

The AP Physics 1 equation sheet provides important physics formulas in one table, “Mechanics and Fluids,” that covers every unit of the course: kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, gravitation, friction and springs, circular motion, work, energy, power, momentum and impulse, rotation and torque, simple harmonic motion, and fluids. The reference guide also includes physical constants, conversion factors, geometric formulas, unit symbols and prefixes, and a trigonometry table.

This thorough formula sheet demonstrates how interdisciplinary physics truly is: you should have completed geometry and be taking Algebra II at the same time, and you’ll use basic trigonometry, which you can pick up in that math class or in AP Physics 1 itself. You can’t calculate the speed, velocity, and displacement of a rotating wheel, for example, without understanding how shape, mass, angular, and circular motion all relate to one another. All of these elements are foundational for solving problems related to linear and angular motion, forces (including friction, springs, and gravity), conservation laws (momentum and energy), rotational motion, and fluids.

Keep in mind, AP Physics 1 often expects you to derive (in algebraic terms) or apply equations that are not given directly, or use equations that aren’t listed but are still fundamental to the discipline. If a formula you need does not appear on the official sheet, you must demonstrate your reasoning, especially for those free-response questions that require a deeper understanding of complex relationships.

Below, we explain and highlight AP Physics 1 formulas that do NOT appear on the official equation sheet, plus a few that do but are easy to misuse. These foundational equations for kinematics, energy, and forces on inclines are worth knowing well. As College Board’s course framework notes, not every equation in the course is on the sheet, and many are meant to be derived from it:

Kinematics

• Average velocity (𝑣avg) (displacement Δ𝑥 divided by the time interval Δ𝑡): 𝑣avg = Δ𝑥/Δ𝑡
• Average acceleration (𝑎avg) (change in velocity over the change in time): 𝑎avg = Δ𝑣/Δ𝑡
• Displacement (Δ𝑥) (with average velocity, when acceleration is constant): Δ𝑥 = ½(𝑣𝑓 + 𝑣𝑜)Δ𝑡
  • 𝑣𝑓 = final velocity
  • 𝑣𝑜 = initial velocity
• Formulas for projectile motion, like horizontal range, are often derived.

Energy and power

• Kinetic energy (𝐾) (one-half of mass 𝑚 times velocity squared): 𝐾 = ½𝑚𝑣² (on the sheet)
• Change in gravitational potential energy (Δ𝑈𝑔) (mass times the gravitational field strength 𝑔 times the change in height Δ𝑦): Δ𝑈𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔Δ𝑦 (on the sheet)
  • Energy is measured in joules (J)
• Average power (𝑃avg): 𝑃avg = Δ𝐸/Δ𝑡 = 𝑊/Δ𝑡 (on the sheet)
• Efficiency (η), beyond the AP Physics 1 course framework but common in class: η = (useful output / total input) × 100%
• Work done by friction (𝑊𝑓): 𝑊𝑓 = Δ𝑀𝐸 (if no applied force)

Forces on inclines

• Gravitational force parallel (∥) to an incline: 𝐹𝑔∥ = 𝑚𝑔sin𝜃
• Gravitational force perpendicular (⟂) to an incline: 𝐹𝑔⟂ = 𝑚𝑔cos𝜃
  • The theta (𝜃) symbol is used as a stand-in for an angle

How to practice for AP Physics 1 math questions

Studying math-heavy subjects begins with knowing the formulas, but real proficiency comes from being able to apply concepts in different contexts. Here’s how you can improve your math skills:

• Skip passively reviewing or reading equation sheets. Use flashcards or quick-recall writing exercises to improve retention.
• Try to define each term in an equation. If you’re confused about terms like “useful output,” check your notes.
• Practice as many realistic, AP-style questions as possible. Answer several of the same style of problems using different numbers for full comprehension.
• Use the reference sheet in your practice. This will help you train your eyes on where to look when you need a specific item, and mimic the actual experience of the exam.
• Get familiar with your calculator. Learn how techniques like value storage can help speed up your process on the actual test. You can bring a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, and Bluebook also has a built-in Desmos calculator.

Math is a marathon, not a sprint. In classes like AP Physics 1, you have the ability to associate each mathematical equation with a tangible concept, rather than just learning random formulas in isolation. Making meaningful connections is the key to long-term understanding (and a high score on the test).

Final thoughts

There are only a select few fundamental physics formulas that are not listed on the official AP Physics 1 equation sheet, but these are often the building blocks of everything else. Understanding these key formulas will help you deeply comprehend the relationships found in the equations provided on the official equation sheet and on class assignments. By mastering these foundational concepts and seeing how they combine to form more complex applications, you’ll put yourself in a strong position for success in AP Physics 1.