AP Physics 1 review: 10 key topics to know

For students beginning AP Physics 1, the wide range of topics covered can seem challenging and unintuitive. Even experienced science students may encounter their first real exploration of physics concepts and applied mathematics in this course. You might already recognize the foundational ideas, such as Newton’s three laws of motion and the general impact of friction on speed. However, AP Physics 1 extends far beyond fundamentals, introducing you to new content areas such as:

• The comprehensive study of motion, including kinematics, force analysis, and translational dynamics
• Core relationships among work, energy, and power within different physical contexts
• Distinguishing features between linear momentum, torque, rotational motion, and the principles of rotational dynamics
• Exploration of fluids and substances that can flow or change shape, highlighting their shifting properties and dynamics

If these topics sound daunting, remember that many students find these subjects difficult to understand at first. Grappling with unfamiliar equations and abstract concepts can be intimidating. By breaking down each area using straightforward language, practical examples, and strong visuals, even advanced principles become accessible and fascinating. With these foundational tools, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the physical world operates all around you.

What makes AP Physics 1 unique?

AP Physics 1 is the foundational course in the AP Physics algebra-based sequence, introducing central topics before progressing to AP Physics 2. Unlike the AP Physics C classes, which are calculus-based, the AP Physics 1 curriculum focuses on building strong problem-solving skills using algebraic expressions. Students planning to pursue physics or related sciences in college often benefit from exposure to both algebra-based and calculus-based physics, but AP Physics 1 is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in physics and looking to strengthen their general math and technical abilities.

Whether you’re just beginning your studies or preparing for the AP Physics 1 exam, this guide highlights 10 high-yield AP Physics 1 topics that frequently appear on the final test. For each concept, you’ll find a concise overview, a real-world example, and, where they apply, the relevant equations to help solidify your understanding and improve your chances of achieving a high score.

10 topics to know for AP Physics 1

The concise guide below narrows down 10 major subjects under the AP Physics 1 umbrella, providing a starting point for more in-depth study and review:

Kinematics

Kinematics examines how objects move and how that motion can be represented. Within the broader study of motion, key ideas include speed, velocity, acceleration, and free fall. Interpreting data through charts and graphs is also an important skill developed within this topic. One of the most basic equations used is the speed equation, which is found by dividing distance by time (for velocity, divide displacement by time); however, it’s important to distinguish between motion in a straight line and motion along a curved path. We’ll go into projectile, circular, and rotational motion in more detail later on.

Work, energy, and power

These three terms make up the building blocks of all physics:

• Work: How energy is transferred
• Energy: The capacity to do work
• Power: The rate of energy transfer

The basic formula for work and related variables is:

W = F * d, where F = Force in the direction of motion and d = Displacement, or the net change of an object’s position.

Energy is described in terms of gravitational potential energy (energy from an object’s height) and kinetic energy (energy from an object’s motion). Kinetic energy is calculated by halving the result of mass multiplied by velocity to the power of two (KE = ½mv²), while gravitational potential energy is calculated by multiplying mass, gravitational field strength (g), and height (U = mgh). Think of a basketball: teetering on a storage room shelf, it has gravitational potential energy, while on the court, it has measurable kinetic energy.

Power is equal to work divided by time, or the rate at which work is done, or energy is transferred. This is often expressed in watts (joules per second), which lets you know, for example, how quickly a lightbulb uses energy.

Momentum

Momentum is the product of an object’s mass and its velocity. The science is intuitive: at the same velocity, a heavier object has more momentum, so it takes more force, or the same force for longer, to stop it or change its motion. The formula for momentum is p = mv, where m equals mass and v represents velocity. Think about the difference between a sedan and a giant truck moving at the same speed: the truck has far more momentum, so it takes much more braking force to bring it to a stop.

Rotational dynamics

Rotational dynamics builds on the concepts of force and linear motion by applying them to objects that spin or rotate. One of the most important ideas is torque, the twisting effect that causes rotation, such as the force that turns a wheel about its axis. To understand rotational dynamics, you also need to be comfortable using angles and geometry to describe how rigid bodies move and to calculate the linear motion of specific points on a rotating object.

Think of a car: even though a wheel rotates in a circle, the vehicle moves forward because the tire pushes against the ground through friction. At any point on the rim, the velocity relative to the axle is tangent to the circle and perpendicular to the wheel’s radius, which helps explain how rotational motion relates to linear motion.

Rotational motion

Rotational motion is closely connected to dynamics, but it focuses specifically on how objects move. It explains the motion of a rotating rigid body and shows how speed and velocity can be measured using angular quantities. Because rotational kinematics deals with motion along curved paths, standard linear measurements alone aren’t enough to fully describe an object’s speed or direction. Instead, angular measures based on circular motion provide a precise way to track movement. Concepts such as pivot points and centers of mass are also needed to thoroughly analyze rotation. Spinning tops (and how they balance at a certain speed) are a common example of rotational motion.

Circular motion

Circular motion is the motion of an object along a circular path. It occurs when a net force has a component perpendicular (or in any non-parallel direction) to the object’s velocity, producing centripetal acceleration that changes the direction of the velocity. If there is also a tangential component of net force, the object’s speed changes as well.

Centripetal acceleration describes how quickly the direction of the velocity changes, and always points toward the center of a circular path, calculated by:

a = v² / r

Some visual examples of circular motion are rotating ceiling fans and a satellite revolving around the Earth. There are two forms of circular motion:

• Uniform circular motion: An object moves at a constant speed around a circle
• Non-uniform circular motion: The speed of an object varies as it moves along the circle

Circular motion is described using the radius (the distance from the center of the circle to the object’s path), tangential speed (the object’s speed along the circular path), the period (the time required to complete one full revolution), and the frequency (the number of revolutions completed per second).

Simple harmonic motion

Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a repeating back-and-forth motion caused by a restoring force that is proportional to the object’s displacement from equilibrium. This kind of periodic motion appears in pendulums and swings (at small angles), spring systems, and other oscillating systems. Back-to-back oscillatory movements govern wave behavior, resonance, and energy transfer, providing important insight into how micro- and macro-energy systems work.

Key concepts to know include:

• Equilibrium position: The spot where the net force on the object is zero
• Restoring force: The force that pulls or pushes the object back toward its equilibrium position, as described by Hooke’s law for a spring
  • F = -kx, where F is the force exerted by the spring, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement from equilibrium
• Amplitude: The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position, or half the full range of motion of one cycle
  • Think of the height of a wave’s peak above its midline
• Displacement: The general distance and direction from the equilibrium position

Next time you see a working grandfather clock or hear your favorite song, you can thank SHM for making both of these things happen.

Projectile motion

When you throw a ball at a slightly upward angle, you’ve probably noticed that the ball eventually comes down at a similar angle you threw it at, with minimal wind resistance. This is projectile motion at work, or the curved path a launched object takes in both x- and y- directions as it’s pulled back down by gravity. The horizontal component of the object’s motion is independent of the vertical component, but putting them together allows you to measure the trajectory of motion. This helps us figure out things like how long it takes a fastball to reach the ground, or the direction and flow of a water jet in a fountain.

Translational equilibrium

Translational equilibrium is the crux of Newton’s first law of motion. It occurs when the net force acting on an object is zero, meaning the object is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity. All horizontal and vertical forces on the object must balance each other out, and any disruption to this equilibrium will cause the object to accelerate (either move from rest, speed up, slow down, or change direction). The formula is simple:

Fₙₑₜ = 0

Whenever you drive over a bridge or stand on the top of a tall building, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that translational equilibrium is hard at work keeping these impressive structures up and safe.

Fluids

Taught in the final unit of AP Physics 1, this topic covers forces, conservation laws, density, and pressure. Fluids are unique because they can take on many shapes: imagine a glass of water flowing into a container with a different shape. Buoyancy is a key concept, or the upward push a fluid exerts on an object, equal to the weight of the fluid that the object displaces. This is the principle that makes boats float and helium balloons rise in the sky, since the pressure at the bottom of these items is greater than at the top. AP Physics 1 treats fluids as ideal, with no viscosity (resistance to flow), and uses Newton’s laws and the conservation of mass and energy to describe how fluids move.

Key fluid equations to know:

• Bernoulli’s principle: States that for a fluid in motion, an increase in speed occurs with a decrease in pressure or potential energy

v² / 2 + gz + p/ρ = constant

v = Fluid flow speed

g = Acceleration due to gravity

z = Elevation of the point above the reference plane

p = Static pressure

ρ (rho) = Density of fluid at all points

• Continuity equation: Describes how the flow rate of an ideal fluid stays the same through a pipe, so the fluid speeds up where the pipe narrows

A₁v₁ = A₂v₂

A₁ = Cross-sectional area of region 1

v₁ = Flow velocity in region 1

A₂ = Cross-sectional area of region 2

v₂ = Flow velocity in region 2

Many of these concepts build on one another, so knowing the basic calculations and theories for one area will make understanding the discipline as a whole much easier.

How to study for the AP Physics 1 exam

AP Physics 1 is a challenging, computational, and vocabulary-intensive course, and the AP exam requires you to master both conceptual understanding and the ability to solve quantitative problems based on information provided in prompts. To excel on the test, follow these preparation strategies:

• Stay engaged with your AP Physics 1 course curriculum. Each unit is organized to build your comprehension and retention.
• Create vocabulary lists and flashcards. Document significant terms from every chapter in your AP Physics 1 class, then prioritize the most crucial concepts for your final review deck or summary sheet.
• Learn the core equations relevant to the AP Physics 1 test. You’ll get an equation sheet on exam day, so practice with the official AP Physics 1 equation sheet until you can quickly find and apply formulas such as Bernoulli’s equation, and learn the derived equations it leaves out.
• Strengthen your math skills. If you need to refresh your algebra skills, do so before tackling complex physics problems. Ask your teacher whether they plan to host math review sessions or form a study group.
• Use visual aids. The exam features many diagrams, charts, and other visual representations. You will need to learn how to interpret these visualizations and how they relate to the main concepts. Associating words with images can also help with memorization.
• Take practice tests and work through numerous sample questions. Familiarize yourself with the specific language and structure of the AP Physics 1 test to build confidence and improve your pacing.

Remember, learning physics is valuable far beyond just preparing for opportunities in the field; it opens doors in a variety of academic and career pathways:

• Medicine: Biophysics applies core principles to understand the physical mechanisms of the human body.
• Engineering, aerospace, and robotics: Foundational laws shape how engineers approach materials, structures, and safety in design projects.
• Astronomy: Mastering Newtonian physics is required for studying celestial phenomena and understanding the universe beyond Earth.
• Quantum computing: Advanced fields like quantum physics and computing are built upon many of the fundamental ideas introduced in AP Physics 1.

By taking a systematic approach throughout your high school course, you will not only be better prepared for the final exam but also develop lasting comprehension that supports future studies and exploration within physics (and related disciplines).

Final thoughts

Physics concepts can sometimes make your head spin on its axis. However, your AP Physics 1 test preparation does not have to be defined by confusion. The beauty of physics lies in its ability to describe the fundamental laws governing how everyday objects behave, from projectile motion to kinematics and momentum. While the exam demands considerable study time and sharpening your math skills, it is far from insurmountable. By building on this vocabulary sheet, you can efficiently review major topics, quickly reinforce your strengths, and identify the concepts that may require further review before test day.