A Note on Derivation
On the AP Physics 1 exam, memorizing formulas does NOT guarantee you can solve the questions.
Instead, the College Board will test whether you can derive formulas from scratch and use them to reach logical conclusions.
A simple example: What happens to the period of a satellite if its mass is doubled and its orbital radius tripled?
For this question, you’d first need to derive an equation showing the relationship between mass, period, and orbital radius. Then, you’d analyze how each variable affects the others based on the equation.
The equations in this post include both derived and base equations (ones you don’t need to derive).
For a more complete equation sheet, check out this download link.
Kinematic Formulas
The first set of formulas you need to know for AP Physics 1 are the FOUR kinematics formulas, which relate to the motion of objects. These include formulas for distance, displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
| Equation | Variables found in equation | Variables not in equation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equation 1 | \[ \Delta \vec{d} = \left( \frac{\vec{v_f} + \vec{v_i}}{2} \right) \Delta t \] | \(\Delta \vec{d}, \Delta t, \vec{v_f}, \vec{v_i}\) | \(\vec{a_{avg}}\) |
| Equation 2 | \[ \vec{v_f} = \vec{v_i} + \vec{a_{avg}} \Delta t \] | \(\vec{a_{avg}}, \Delta t, \vec{v_f}, \vec{v_i}\) | \(\Delta \vec{d}\) |
| Equation 3 | \[ \Delta \vec{d} = \vec{v_i} \Delta t + \frac{1}{2} \vec{a_{avg}} \Delta t^2 \] | \(\Delta \vec{d}, \vec{a_{avg}}, \Delta t, \vec{v_i}\) | \(\vec{v_f}\) |
| Equation 4 | \[ v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2 \vec{a_{avg}} \Delta \vec{d} \] | \(\Delta \vec{d}, \vec{a_{avg}}, \vec{v_f}, \vec{v_i}\) | \(\Delta t\) |
| Equation 5 | \[ \Delta \vec{d} = \vec{v_i} \Delta t – \frac{1}{2} \vec{a_{avg}} \Delta t^2 \] | \(\Delta \vec{d}, \vec{a_{avg}}, \Delta t, \vec{v_i}\) | \(\vec{v_i}\) |
Pro-tip: If you have more that four formulas memorized for Kinematics, you do not understand the underlying concepts. All other motion equations, are derived from the big four equations. And, you guessed it, the AP exam will test if you know how to derive the equations.
Here’s a simple question they might ask: If you double the angle of a projectile, by what factor does the range increase or decrease?
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Newton’s laws are crucial for understanding the behavior of objects in motion.
Be able to answer conceptual questions like the following:
- Why do you feel like you are being pushed back when accelerating forward?
- Do you need a force to jump off the ground? And if so, what is the force?
- Can an object have velocity but zero net force?
- When traveling at 30 m/s you throw a ball vertically. Where will the ball land?
Additionally, you must master Newton’s Second Law: \(F_{\text{net}} = ma \).
This will allow you to solve ANY problem involving forces on the AP Physics 1 Exam. Practice the simple problem solving framework for all force problems.
If you need a speed review all of forces and Newton’s laws, skim through this article.
Other useful formulas to memorize when it comes to forces:
The force of friction –
\[f = \mu N \]
Centripetal acceleration –
\[ a_c = \frac{v^2}{r} \]
Work-Energy Theorem
\[ W = Fd = \Delta KE \]
This theorem relates the work done on an object to its change in kinetic energy. It is essential for understanding the concepts of work and energy.
Important note: The force and displacement must be parallel.
Conservation of Energy
\[ E_i = E_f \]
In other words, the sum of initial types of energy = the sum of the final types of energy. This is used to solve every problem dealing with energy.
This principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. It is crucial for understanding the conservation of energy in physical systems.
Note that energy is NOT conserved in open systems (aka a system where there are external forces). Furthermore, note that energy is a scalar and has no direction.
Conservation of Momentum
\[ p_i = p_f \]
Simply put: Sum objects’ momentum before collision = Sum objects’ momentum after collision. This is used to solve every problem involving collisions in a closed systems.
Momentum is conserved in EVERY collision and explosion.
This principle states that the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces act on it. It is crucial for understanding the behavior of objects in collisions.
The AP Physics 1 Exam will test your knowledge on Linear and Rotational Momentum. This is generally the second most missed question on the AP exam, after circular motion.
Impulse Theorem
Impulse is used when momentum is not conserved.
\[ I = \Delta p = m \Delta v = Ft \]
In short, this theorem relates the force applied to an object to its resulting change in momentum. It is essential for understanding the concepts of impulse and momentum.
Important note: On the AP Exam the most common mistake is the +/- signs on velocity.
For example, what is ∆v if a ball hits a wall at speed v then rebounds at the same speed?
Show Answer
2v
Hooke’s Law
\[ F_{\text{spring}} = -kx \]
So \(k\) is the spring constant [how stiff a spring is] and \(x\) [how much the spring is compressed or stretched from the resting state]. Note the negative sign just means the spring force tends to act opposite to the direction stretched or compressed.
Since this is technically a part of Newton’s Second Law, we can set \(kx = ma\).
Note the negative sign is to show us that it a restoring force (displacement is opposite to force). You can ignore it in most cases.
Torque and Rotational Motion
Torque is a measure of the turning force applied to an object. Technically this is also a part of Newton’s second law.
\[ \Tau = I\alpha = Fd \]
- \(I\) = rotational inertia. Every object will have its own formula. Rotational inertia of a point mass
- \(I = mr^2\)
- Force and distance have to be perpendicular
Also note that ALL linear formulas mentioned previously can be converted to rotational formulas. So you don’t have to memorize any other formula for this section.
Gravitational force
This is the force between ANY two object. Two planets. A mass on a planet. A satellite and planet. One important thing to note is that r is the distance measured from the centers‘ of the masses.
\[ T_g = G \frac {m_1m_2}{r^2} \]
This is another example of Newton’s second law (forces). It can be used in combination of other forces or even centripetal acceleration (in the case of satellites).
Simple Harmonic Motion
Period (measure in seconds) is the time taken to make one complete oscillation.
Frequency (measured in s-1 aka hertz) is the number of oscillations in one second.
\[ T_{\text{spring}} = 2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}} \]
\[T_{\text{pendulum}} = 2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}} \]
Bernoulli’s Principle
\[P + \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 + \rho gh = \text{constant}\]
Simple Explanation:
- Bernoulli’s Equation says that in a moving fluid (like air or water), the total energy stays the same, which is exactly what conservation of energy says
- The three parts of the equation represent pressure energy \( P \), kinetic energy \( \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 \), and gravitational potential energy \( \rho gh \).
- If one of these changes, the others must adjust to keep the total constant.
- For example if fluid speeds up, its pressure drops. If it slows down, the pressure increases.
Archimedes’ Principle:
- \(F_b = \rho_f V_d g \)
- Archimedes’ Principle explains buoyancy, or why things float, based on displaced fluid.
Real-World Applications:
Beyond the AP Physics 1 exam, understanding these formulas has real-world applications. Physics is a fundamental science that helps us understand the world around us, from the motion of objects to the behavior of light. By understanding these formulas, you’ll be able to apply physics principles to solve real-world problems, from designing cars to launching satellites.
