AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

The Physics 1 equation sheet, annotated for 2026

Transcribed from the equations table of the official AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Course and Exam Description (Effective Fall 2024). College Board provides this sheet on both sections of the exam, so nothing here needs memorizing; knowing when each equation applies is the skill the exam actually tests. The geometry and math reference tables printed alongside the equations are not reproduced here.

For the units these equations belong to, see the Physics 1 course hub.

Constants and Conversion Factors

G=6.67×1011 m3/(kgs2)=6.67×1011 Nm2/kg2G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}\ \text{m}^3/(\text{kg} \cdot \text{s}^2) = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}\ \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2

Universal gravitational constant

1 atm=1.0×105 N/m2=1.0×105 Pa1\ \text{atm} = 1.0 \times 10^5\ \text{N/m}^2 = 1.0 \times 10^5\ \text{Pa}

1 atmosphere of pressure

g=9.8 m/s2g = 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2

Magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface

g=9.8 N/kgg = 9.8\ \text{N/kg}

Magnitude of the gravitational field strength at Earth's surface

Mechanics and Fluids (translational)

vx=vx0+axtv_x = v_{x0} + a_x t
x=x0+vx0t+12axt2x = x_0 + v_{x0} t + \frac{1}{2} a_x t^2
vx2=vx02+2ax(xx0)v_x^2 = v_{x0}^2 + 2 a_x (x - x_0)
xcm=miximi\vec{x}_{\text{cm}} = \frac{\sum m_i \vec{x}_i}{\sum m_i}
asys=Fmsys=Fnetmsys\vec{a}_{\text{sys}} = \frac{\sum \vec{F}}{m_{\text{sys}}} = \frac{\vec{F}_{\text{net}}}{m_{\text{sys}}}
Fg=Gm1m2r2\left| \vec{F}_g \right| = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}
FfμFN\left| \vec{F}_f \right| \leq \left| \mu \vec{F}_N \right|
Fs=kΔx\vec{F}_s = -k \Delta \vec{x}
ac=v2ra_c = \frac{v^2}{r}
K=12mv2K = \frac{1}{2} m v^2
W=Fd=FdcosθW = F_{\parallel} d = F d \cos\theta
ΔK=Wi=F,idi\Delta K = \sum W_i = \sum F_{\parallel, i}\, d_i
Us=12k(Δx)2U_s = \frac{1}{2} k (\Delta x)^2
UG=Gm1m2rU_G = -\frac{G m_1 m_2}{r}
ΔUg=mgΔy\Delta U_g = m g \Delta y
Pavg=WΔt=ΔEΔtP_{\text{avg}} = \frac{W}{\Delta t} = \frac{\Delta E}{\Delta t}
Pinst=Fv=FvcosθP_{\text{inst}} = F_{\parallel} v = F v \cos\theta
p=mv\vec{p} = m \vec{v}
Fnet=ΔpΔt=mΔvΔt=ma\vec{F}_{\text{net}} = \frac{\Delta \vec{p}}{\Delta t} = m \frac{\Delta \vec{v}}{\Delta t} = m \vec{a}
J=FavgΔt=Δp\vec{J} = \vec{F}_{\text{avg}} \Delta t = \Delta \vec{p}
vcm=pimi=mivimi\vec{v}_{\text{cm}} = \frac{\sum \vec{p}_i}{\sum m_i} = \frac{\sum m_i \vec{v}_i}{\sum m_i}

Mechanics and Fluids (rotational, oscillations, and fluids)

ω=ω0+αt\omega = \omega_0 + \alpha t
θ=θ0+ω0t+12αt2\theta = \theta_0 + \omega_0 t + \frac{1}{2} \alpha t^2
ω2=ω02+2α(θθ0)\omega^2 = \omega_0^2 + 2 \alpha (\theta - \theta_0)
v=rωv = r \omega
aT=rαa_T = r \alpha
τ=rF=rFsinθ\tau = r_{\perp} F = r F \sin\theta
I=miri2I = \sum m_i r_i^2
I=Icm+Md2I' = I_{\text{cm}} + M d^2
αsys=τIsys=τnetIsys\alpha_{\text{sys}} = \frac{\sum \tau}{I_{\text{sys}}} = \frac{\tau_{\text{net}}}{I_{\text{sys}}}
K=12Iω2K = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2
W=τΔθW = \tau \Delta\theta
L=IωL = I \omega
L=rmvsinθL = r m v \sin\theta
ΔL=τΔt\Delta L = \tau \Delta t
Δxcm=rΔθ\Delta x_{\text{cm}} = r \Delta\theta
T=1fT = \frac{1}{f}
Ts=2πmkT_s = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}
Tp=2πgT_p = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{\ell}{g}}
x=Acos(2πft)x = A \cos(2\pi f t)
x=Asin(2πft)x = A \sin(2\pi f t)
ρ=mV\rho = \frac{m}{V}
P=FAP = \frac{F_{\perp}}{A}
P=P0+ρghP = P_0 + \rho g h
Pgauge=ρghP_{\text{gauge}} = \rho g h
Fb=ρVgF_b = \rho V g
A1v1=A2v2A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2
P1+ρgy1+12ρv12=P2+ρgy2+12ρv22P_1 + \rho g y_1 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_1^2 = P_2 + \rho g y_2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_2^2

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