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Calculus-based mechanics for students aiming at engineering and physics majors.

AP Physics C: Mechanics is the calculus-based analogue of Physics 1's mechanics half — same conceptual vocabulary, but with derivatives and integrals replacing kinematic equations. The exam is short (35 MCQs and 3 FRQs in 90 minutes) but dense, and FRQs frequently chain together kinematics, energy, momentum, and rotation in a single multi-part scenario.

We treat the rotational mechanics and angular momentum unit as the make-or-break section: it accounts for ~25% of points and trips up students who never built strong intuition for moment of inertia integrals. Every rotation lesson includes a parallel translational analogue so you can see the symmetry directly.

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Master AP Physics C: Mechanics

Calculus-based mechanics — from kinematics and Newton's laws to rotation, oscillations, and gravitation. Diagnostics, FRQ practice, daily questions, and competitive mode.

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Take the free AP Physics C: Mechanics diagnostic

It finds what you already know and builds your study plan: the topics to clear first, each a short lesson plus an exit quiz.

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Everything You Need to Score a 5

What You'll Master

Unit 1: Kinematics

  • Vectors & Scalars
  • Motion in 1D & 2D
  • Projectile Motion
  • Relative Motion

Unit 2: Newton's Laws of Motion

  • Newton's Three Laws
  • Free-Body Diagrams
  • Friction & Drag
  • Circular Motion

Unit 3: Work, Energy & Power

  • Work-Energy Theorem
  • Potential & Kinetic Energy
  • Conservation of Energy
  • Power

Unit 4: Systems of Particles & Linear Momentum

  • Center of Mass
  • Impulse & Momentum
  • Collisions (1D & 2D)
  • Conservation of Momentum

Unit 5: Rotation

  • Rotational Kinematics
  • Torque & Moment of Inertia
  • Angular Momentum
  • Rolling Motion

Unit 6: Oscillations

  • Simple Harmonic Motion
  • Springs & Pendulums
  • Energy in Oscillations

Unit 7: Gravitation

  • Newton's Law of Gravitation
  • Gravitational Potential Energy
  • Orbits & Kepler's Laws

About the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam

Format

  • • Section I: 40 MCQs in 80 minutes
  • • Section II: 4 FRQs in 100 minutes
  • • Calculus-based
  • • Total exam time: 3 hours
  • • Graphing calculator allowed

Scoring

  • • Score range: 1–5
  • • 5 = Extremely well qualified
  • • One of the highest 5-rates of any AP
  • • No penalty for guessing
  • • Most colleges accept 4+

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