Physics guides
Each guide answers one question the way you would ask it, then shows the work: the formula, the steps, a worked example computed with g = 9.8 m/s² like the AP equation sheet, and the mistakes that cost points.
Fluids in AP Physics 1: Pressure, Buoyancy, BernoulliFluids is Unit 8 of AP Physics 1, worth 10-15% of the multiple-choice section. Pressure vs depth, buoyancy, continuity, and Bernoulli, with worked examples.AP Physics B Equation Sheet: What to Use NowAP Physics B is not a current AP course, so there is no current sheet. See what the AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 equation sheets cover, and which one you need.AP Physics 1 Bell Ringers: 30 Five-Minute Openers30 five-minute AP Physics 1 warm-ups by unit, from kinematics to fluids, each with the prompt and the one fact a correct answer must state.40 AP Physics Discussion Questions by TopicForty AP Physics discussion questions on force, Newton's third law, energy, momentum, gravity, waves, electricity, and models, plus how to run one.30 AP Physics 1 Exit Tickets by UnitThirty two-minute AP Physics 1 exit tickets by unit, each with the one line a correct answer must include, and a five-minute method for grading a stack.AP Physics 1 Pacing Guide: A 32-Week PlanA week-by-week AP Physics 1 pacing guide for all 8 units across 32 teaching weeks, with the page that fits each week and what to cut if you fall behind.12 AP Physics 1 Project Ideas for High SchoolTwelve AP Physics 1 projects with the deliverable, a one-line rubric, timing, unit, science practice, and a cheap materials list, plus grading advice.Ten AP Physics 1 Review Games That Are Not Just KahootTen AP Physics 1 review games for exam prep, from a diagram relay to a beat the sim round on the collision lab, with timing, prep, and unit fit for each.AP Physics 1 Sub Plans: 4 No-Prep LessonsFour ready-to-run AP Physics 1 sub plans for teachers: handouts, timing, plain instructions, a self-checking exit task, and an answer key for each.Centripetal Force and Acceleration, ExplainedCentripetal force is the net inward force in circular motion. Learn the mv^2/r formula, how real forces supply it, and why centrifugal force is a myth.Coefficient of Friction Table: Values and RangesTypical static and kinetic coefficient of friction values for common surface pairs, given as ranges, plus why tables disagree and what AP Physics gives you.Collision Lab Classroom Activity, 40 MinutesA 40 minute collision lab lesson: predict-then-reveal moves on mass, velocity, and elasticity, a check for understanding, and a no-tech coin variant.Conservation of Energy: How to Solve Energy ProblemsSolve conservation of energy problems with one equation: initial equals final plus losses. Formulas for K, Ug, and Us, plus worked examples.Conservation of Momentum: Elastic vs Inelastic CollisionsMomentum is conserved in all collisions; kinetic energy only in elastic ones. Formulas, a comparison table, and worked AP Physics 1 examples.Coulomb's Law: Electric Force Between Two ChargesCoulomb's law gives the electric force between two charges: F = kq1q2/r^2 with k = 9.0 x 10^9. Signs, inverse-square scaling, and worked AP examples.Electric Field and Electric Potential of a Point ChargeHow to find the electric field (E = kq/r^2) and potential (V = kq/r) of a point charge, why one is a vector and one is a scalar, with AP worked examples.First Day of AP Physics 1: A Complete Class PlanA full first day of AP Physics 1 plan: a ten-minute drop-timing hook with real uncertainty, what the course covers, and the first homework.Gauss's Law Explained with Worked Examples (AP Physics C)Gauss's law for AP Physics C: E&M: electric flux, closed surfaces, symmetry shortcuts, and worked sphere, line, and cube examples with arithmetic.How to Calculate Torque and Solve Rotational EquilibriumTorque is rF sin theta. Learn what the lever arm means, how the sign convention works, and how to set net torque to zero in seesaw and beam problems.How to Draw a Free Body Diagram (Worked Examples)Step-by-step method for drawing free body diagrams, with worked examples on flat ground, inclines, and ropes, plus the mistakes that cost AP points.How to Find the Coefficient of Friction (Static & Kinetic)Find the coefficient of friction with mu = Ff/FN. Covers static vs kinetic friction, the tan theta ramp method, and worked AP Physics 1 examples.How to Find Net Force and Acceleration with F = maFind net force by adding force components with signs, then get acceleration from F = ma. Worked two-force and multi-force AP Physics 1 examples.How to Find Normal Force: Flat Ground, Inclines, ElevatorsNormal force is not always mg. Learn to find it on flat ground, on inclines with N = mg cos(theta), and in accelerating elevators, with worked examples.How to Find Tension in a Rope (Single & Connected Masses)Learn how to find tension in a rope with Newton's second law: hanging masses, horizontal pulls, and two blocks connected by a string, with worked examples.How to Solve Projectile Motion Problems Step by StepSolve projectile motion problems by splitting x and y. Step-by-step recipes for horizontal and angled launches: time of flight, range, max height.Impulse-Momentum Theorem Explained (AP Physics 1)Impulse equals change in momentum: J = Favg Δt = Δp. See three ways to find impulse, how to read force-time graphs, and why airbags cut crash forces.How to Solve Inclined Plane Problems in PhysicsLearn the tilted-axes method for ramps: split gravity into mg sin theta and mg cos theta, run the static friction test, and find the acceleration.Is AP Physics 1 Hard? 2025 Pass Rates and How to PrepareAP Physics 1 pass rates jumped from 47.3% to 67.3% with the redesigned 8-unit course. See why the exam is still hard and how to prepare for it.Is g 9.8 or 10 in AP Physics 1? Both Earn CreditThe AP Physics 1 exam uses g of about 10, the equation sheet prints 9.8, and the CED boundary statement allows either. Quoted whole, with the 2 percent worked out.Kinematic Equations: The 4 Formulas and When to Use EachAll 4 kinematic equations, which one to pick by the missing variable, and why the AP Physics 1 sheet only prints 3. With worked examples using g = 9.8.Ohm's Law: How to Find Current, Voltage & ResistanceLearn Ohm's law for AP Physics 2: I = ΔV/R, all three rearrangements, power P = IΔV, a worked series circuit example, and when a resistor is ohmic.Projectile Motion Classroom Activity, 40 MinutesA 40 minute projectile launcher lesson: predict-then-reveal teacher moves, a check for understanding, an exit ticket, and a no-tech ball-toss variant.Rotational Kinematics and Moment of Inertia, ExplainedLearn the rotational kinematics equations, moment of inertia, and angular momentum conservation with worked examples for AP Physics 1 Units 5 and 6.Series vs Parallel Circuits: Equivalent ResistanceSeries vs parallel circuits: equivalent resistance rules, what stays constant in each, and a mixed-circuit example with every step shown.Simple Harmonic Motion: Pendulum and Spring PeriodThe spring period is T = 2 pi sqrt(m/k) and the pendulum period is T = 2 pi sqrt(l/g). See what does not affect each, plus energy trades and worked examples.Static vs Kinetic Friction: Which One Do You Use?Static friction adjusts up to a maximum and holds objects still. Kinetic friction is fixed and opposes sliding. Compare both, with the tan theta slip rule.Thermodynamics: PV Diagrams & the First Law (AP Physics 2)Master the AP Physics 2 sign convention: W = -PΔV is work done on the gas and ΔU = Q + W. Read PV diagrams, find work from area, and handle cycles.Wave Speed, Frequency, and Wavelength: How to Find EachUse v = f lambda to solve for wave speed, frequency, or wavelength. Worked examples, T = 1/f, and why only frequency stays fixed in a new medium.What Is Conserved in a Collision? Momentum vs EnergyMomentum is conserved in every collision when the system is isolated. Kinetic energy only in elastic ones. Total energy always. Comparison table and proof.Work-Energy Theorem Explained with ExamplesNet work equals the change in kinetic energy. Learn the Fd cos theta sign rules, three worked AP examples, and when to use energy instead of kinematics.