AP Physics 1 Formula Sheet 2026 — Complete Equation Reference
The AP Physics 1 exam provides an equation sheet. But the sheet only lists formulas — it does not tell you when or how to use them. Here is the complete reference with context for every equation.
AP Physics 1 Equation Sheet (Provided on Exam Day)
Mechanics
Kinematics (constant acceleration):
| Equation | Variables |
|---|---|
| $v = v_0 + at$ | no displacement |
| $x = x_0 + v_0 t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$ | no final velocity |
| $v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a(x - x_0)$ | no time |
| $x = x_0 + \frac{v + v_0}{2}t$ | no acceleration |
Newton's second law: $$\vec{F}_{net} = \sum \vec{F} = m\vec{a}$$
Weight: $$W = mg$$
Friction: $$|f_s| \leq \mu_s |F_N| \qquad |f_k| = \mu_k |F_N|$$
Gravitational force (universal): $$|\vec{F}_g| = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$$
Uniform circular motion: $$a_c = \frac{v^2}{r} \qquad |\vec{F}_c| = m\frac{v^2}{r}$$
Work and Energy:
$$W = F d \cos\theta$$
$$K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$$
$$\Delta E_{mech} = W_{ext}$$
$$P = \frac{\Delta E}{\Delta t} = Fv$$
Spring potential energy: $$U_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 \qquad \vec{F}_s = -k\vec{x}$$
Gravitational potential energy (near surface): $$U_g = mgh$$
Momentum and Impulse:
$$\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$$
$$\vec{J} = \vec{F}_{avg} \Delta t = \Delta \vec{p}$$
Conservation of momentum: $$\vec{p}_{total} = \text{constant}$$
Rotation:
$$\theta = \theta_0 + \omega_0 t + \frac{1}{2}\alpha t^2$$
$$\omega = \omega_0 + \alpha t$$
$$x = r\theta \qquad v = r\omega \qquad a = r\alpha$$
$$\tau_{net} = \sum \tau = I\alpha$$
$$L = I\omega$$
Rotational kinetic energy: $$K_{rot} = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$$
Torque: $$|\tau| = r_\perp F = rF\sin\theta$$
Simple Harmonic Motion:
$$T_s = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$$ (spring-mass)
$$T_p = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$$ (simple pendulum)
$$x(t) = A\cos(2\pi ft)$$
$$|a_{max}| = \frac{k}{m}A \qquad |v_{max}| = A\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$$
Waves and Sound
$$v = \lambda f$$
$$f_n = \frac{n}{2L}v \quad (n = 1,2,3...)$$ (standing wave, both ends fixed/open)
$$f_n = \frac{n}{4L}v \quad (n = 1,3,5...)$$ (one end fixed, one open)
Electricity
$$|q| = Ne$$
$$I = \frac{\Delta q}{\Delta t}$$
$$R = \frac{\rho L}{A}$$
$$V = IR$$
$$P = IV = I^2R = \frac{V^2}{R}$$
Series circuit: $$R_s = \sum R_i \qquad I_{series} = \text{same}$$
Parallel circuit: $$\frac{1}{R_p} = \sum \frac{1}{R_i} \qquad V_{parallel} = \text{same}$$
Constants Provided
| Constant | Value |
|---|---|
| g (near Earth's surface) | 9.8 m/s² |
| G (gravitational constant) | 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg² |
| e (electron charge) | 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C |
What's NOT on the Formula Sheet (Must Memorize)
| Concept | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Projectile motion | Horizontal: constant velocity; Vertical: free fall (a = -g) |
| Newton's 3rd law | Forces are equal and opposite on the two objects |
| Conservation of energy | KE + PE = constant (no friction); add W_friction if not |
| Conservation of momentum | Always holds in isolated systems |
| Moments of inertia | Ring: I = mr²; Disk: I = ½mr²; Rod (center): I = 1/12 mL² |
| Wave interference | Constructive: path difference = nλ; Destructive: (n+½)λ |
| Doppler effect | Source approaching: higher frequency; receding: lower |
| Ohm's law for circuits | V = IR — know how V, I, R change in series vs. parallel |
| Charge conservation | Total charge is conserved in any interaction |
How to Use the Formula Sheet Effectively
Step 1 — Identify what's changing and what's constant. For kinematics, determine which variable is missing — that tells you which equation to use.
Step 2 — Draw a free body diagram first. Every Newton's law problem requires a FBD before touching the equations. The equation sheet won't help you if you haven't identified all forces.
Step 3 — Pick an axis. For 2D problems, break vectors into components. The formula sheet gives you vector equations — you apply them in each direction separately.
Step 4 — Show units. AP graders award points for work shown with units, even if the final answer is wrong.
Most Tested Topics on AP Physics 1
| Unit | % of Exam | Key Equations |
|---|---|---|
| Kinematics | 10–16% | All 4 kinematic equations |
| Newton's Laws | 16–21% | F=ma, friction, FBD |
| Energy | 20–28% | Work-energy theorem, conservation |
| Momentum | 12–18% | Impulse-momentum, conservation |
| Rotation | 10–16% | Torque, I, angular momentum |
| Waves | 12–18% | v=λf, standing waves |
| Circuits | 12–18% | V=IR, power, series/parallel |
Energy (Unit 3) is the highest-weight single unit — conservation of energy appears in almost every multi-part FRQ.
AP Physics 1 vs AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet
AP Physics 2 provides additional equations for:
- Fluid statics (pressure, buoyancy)
- Thermodynamics (ideal gas law, heat engines)
- Electrostatics (Coulomb's law, electric field, capacitors)
- Optics (Snell's law, lens/mirror equation)
- Modern physics (photoelectric effect, nuclear)
See the AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet for the full reference.