Get Ready for the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam

Don't let the AP Physics C: Mech exam catch you by surprise! Our cram review chart, which covers all the important vocab and concepts you need to know, has you covered. Be sure to also check out our 

Don't forget to check with your teacher or AP coordinator which administration of the exam you'll be taking! The first and second administrations will be paper exams at your school on 

 The third and final administration will be a digital exam at your school or at home, on 

For more details about exam format, review our 


AP Physics C: Mechanics Cheat Sheet PDF & Review Chart

Our amazing teachers and students who have already taken and passed the exam have put together this cram sheet to help you on your studying journey!  

AP Physics C: Mechanics

Learn everything about unit 1 of AP Physics C: Mechanics using these resources. We cover an overview of kinematics, including motion in two dimensions, practice free response questions and review resources to help you fully understand this unit! 

Unit 1 – Kinematics

Learn all about unit 2 of AP Physics C: Mechanics with these resources. These resources cover a review of Newton's Laws of Motion, including a detailed explanation of Newton's Third Law of Motion and explanations and practice problems for circular motion. We cover everything you need to know for this unit!

Unit 2 – Newton’s Laws of Motion

Everything you need to know about unit 3 of AP Physics C: Mechanics can be found in these resources! We cover all of the important topics and formulas you need to know including conservation of energy, power, work, energy and more to help you fully understand this unit and prepare for your exam!

Unit 3 – Work, Energy, & Power

Take advantage of these resources to understand unit 4 of the AP Physics C: Mechanics course. This unit covers systems of particles and linear movement, and these resources will help you better understand center of mass, with practice problems and example calculations, as well as impulse, momentum, collisions and more!

Unit 4 – Systems of Particles & Linear Momentum

Head spinning about torque and rotational kinematics? Then check out these resources about unit 5 of AP Physics C: Mechanics unit 5. We cover everything you need to know about torque, rotational kinematics including angular momentum with practice problems, example calculations and detailed explanations. 

Unit 5 – Rotation

Check out these resources all about unit 6 of AP Physics C: Mechanics. We cover the important topics like oscillations, harmonic motion, springs, pendulums and more. With study guides, practice problems and helpful explanations, these resources will make sure you understand all of unit 6.

Unit 6 – Oscillations

Master the final unit of AP Physics C: Mechanics by using these resources. Explore gravitational forces and orbital motion, including practice problems, explanations and example calculations for moving planets and satellites. These resources ensure that you understand unit 7 of this course!

Unit 7 – Gravitation

Frequently Asked Questions

AP Cram Sessions 2021

Study Tools

Subject Guides

Previous Exam Prep

Introduction

Key Vocabulary

Practice Questions

1.1 Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

1.2 Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions

Applications of Kinematics

Conclusion

Unit 1 Overview: Kinematics

Overview

Big Idea

Exam Impact

Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension🚴

Practice Question:

Kinematics Overview and Motion in One Dimension

Kinematics: Motion in 2-D

Kinematics Practice Questions:

Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions 

2.1 Newton's Laws of Motion: First and Second Law

2.2 Circular Motion

2.3 Newton's Laws of Motion: Third Law

Unit 2 Overview: Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton's Laws of Motion: First and Second Law 🥏

Friction Force

Practice Questions:

Newton's Laws of Motion: First and Second Law

Circular Motion

Vertical Circles

Banked Curves 

Newton's Laws of Motion: Third Law

Atwood Machines

3.1 Work-Energy Theorem

3.2 Forces and Potential Energy

3.3 Conservation of Energy

3.4 Power

Practice Problems

Hooke's Law

Conservative Forces

Gravitational Potential Energy

Forces and Potential Energy 

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

Big Ideas

Work-Energy Theorem 💪

Work-Energy Theorem 

Conservation of Energy

Conservative Systems

Conservation of Energy 

Power and Work vs Time💡

Power 

4.1 Center of Mass

4.2 Impulse and Momentum

4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum and Collisions

Unit 4 Overview: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

Center of Mass and Linear Mass Density

Motion of the Center of Mass

Center of Gravity vs Center of Mass

Center of Mass 

Linear Momentum🥚

Impulse

Center of Mass Velocity

Impulse and Momentum 

Conservation of Linear Momentum in a System🎱

Conservation of Linear Momentum

Collisions

Conservation of Linear Momentum and Collisions 

Unit 5 Overview: Rotation

5.1 Torque and Rotational Statics

5.2 Rotational Kinematics

5.3 Rotational Dynamics and Energy

5.4 Angular Momentum and Its Conservation

Unit 5 Overview: Rotation 

Torque & Rotational Statics

Moment of Inertia

Torque and Rotational Statics

Translational VS Rotational Kinematics 

Rotational Kinematics

Rotational Dynamics Equilibrium and Rigid Body Diagrams

Rotational Dynamics

Rolling? Sliding? Rotating? What reaches the bottom first? 

Rotational Energy

Rotational Dynamics and Energy

Conservation of Angular Momentum 🛰️

Common Situations of Conservation of Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum and Its Conservation

Some questions that can be explored in this unit are:

6.1 Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, and Pendulums

Unit 6 Overview: Oscillations

SHM, Periodic Motion, and Examples 🕰️


Practice Questions 

Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, and Pendulums 

Key Questions

7.1 Gravitational Forces

7.2 Orbits of Planets and Satellites

Unit 7 Overview: Gravitation

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and Gravitational Forces 🍎

Unit 7.1 Practice Problems

Gravitational Forces

Circular Orbits

Elliptical Orbits

Kepler's Laws

Gravity Assists

Factors Affecting Orbits

Geostationary Orbits

Questions for Review

Orbits of Planets and Satellites

Your guide to the 2024 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam

How Should I Prepare for the Exam?

AP Physics C: Mechanics 2024 Study Plan

🚗 Unit 1: Kinematics

🚀 Unit 2: Newton's Laws of Motion

🎢 Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

🎳 Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

🚲 Unit 5: Rotation

🌊 Unit 6: Oscillations

🪐 Unit 7: Gravitation

More Resources to look into:

2024 AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam Guide