AP Physics C: Mechanics
Physics C: Mechanics, unit by unit
AP Physics C: Mechanics is the calculus-based mechanics course. It runs on the new course description, effective Fall 2024 and first examined in May 2025. Its seven units carry the same numbering and titles as the mechanics units of Physics 1, and add material Physics 1 does not cover, including resistive forces (topic 2.9) and simple and physical pendulums (topic 7.5).
On the May 2025 exam, 73.1% of the 66,267 students who took Physics C: Mechanics scored a 3 or higher, with a mean score of 3.30 (official score distributions).
The seven units
Weighting is each unit's share of the multiple-choice section.
| Unit | Title | Weighting | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinematics | 10-15% | 1.1 Scalars and Vectors · 1.2 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration · 1.3 Representing Motion · 1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion · 1.5 Motion in Two or Three Dimensions |
| 2 | Force and Translational Dynamics | 20-25% | 2.1 Systems and Center of Mass · 2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams · 2.3 Newton's Third Law · 2.4 Newton's First Law · 2.5 Newton's Second Law · 2.6 Gravitational Force · 2.7 Kinetic and Static Friction · 2.8 Spring Forces · 2.9 Resistive Forces · 2.10 Circular Motion |
| 3 | Work, Energy, and Power | 15-25% | 3.1 Translational Kinetic Energy · 3.2 Work · 3.3 Potential Energy · 3.4 Conservation of Energy · 3.5 Power |
| 4 | Linear Momentum | 10-20% | 4.1 Linear Momentum · 4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse · 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum · 4.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions |
| 5 | Torque and Rotational Dynamics | 10-15% | 5.1 Rotational Kinematics · 5.2 Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion · 5.3 Torque · 5.4 Rotational Inertia · 5.5 Rotational Equilibrium and Newton's First Law in Rotational Form · 5.6 Newton's Second Law in Rotational Form |
| 6 | Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems | 10-15% | 6.1 Rotational Kinetic Energy · 6.2 Torque and Work · 6.3 Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse · 6.4 Conservation of Angular Momentum · 6.5 Rolling · 6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites |
| 7 | Oscillations | 10-15% | 7.1 Defining Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) · 7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM · 7.3 Representing and Analyzing SHM · 7.4 Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators · 7.5 Simple and Physical Pendulums |
Exam format
- Length: 3 hours
- Section I: 42 multiple-choice questions, 85 minutes, 50% of exam score
- Section II: 4 free-response questions, 95 minutes, 50% of exam score: Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design and Analysis, Qualitative/Quantitative Translation
- Calculator: A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections of the exam.
Guides for this course
The kinematic equationsThe constant-acceleration toolkit and when each equation applies.How to find net forceFrom free-body diagram to Newton's second law, without sign errors.How to calculate torqueLever arms, sign conventions, and rotational equilibrium.Rotational kinematicsThe linear equations, translated to angles.Simple harmonic motionSprings, pendulums, and the motion they share.The Physics C: Mechanics equation sheet, annotatedEvery constant and equation from the official sheet, rendered cleanly.