AP Physics 1 1-Month Study Plan

You have one month until the AP Physics 1 exam. This schedule gives you time to learn each unit deeply, practice thoroughly, and build confidence before test day.

Each week targets 2 units (or 1 complex unit with extras). Dedicate 1–2 hours per day to this plan, mixing concept review with practice problems. This leaves room for your other classes and life.

Week 1: Kinematics & Translational Dynamics

Monday-Tuesday: Unit 1 — Kinematics

Topics to master:

• Constant acceleration equations: $v = v_0 + at$, $\Delta x = v_0 t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$, $v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a\Delta x$
• Kinematic graphs: slope of $x$ vs $t$ is velocity; slope of $v$ vs $t$ is acceleration
• Projectile motion: horizontal and vertical components are independent

Daily routine:

• Read the concept summary (30 min).
• Work 8–10 representative problems (60 min).
• Review one worked example video (15 min).

Check yourself: Can you identify which kinematics equation to use for each problem type without hesitation? Can you interpret a velocity-time graph instantly?

Wednesday-Thursday: Unit 2 — Translational Dynamics

Topics to master:

• Newton's three laws (state them verbatim).
• Free body diagrams: draw every force, label magnitudes and angles.
• Friction: static ($f_s \leq \mu_s N$) vs kinetic ($f_k = \mu_k N$).
• Inclined planes: resolve weight into components ($N = mg\cos\theta$, $F_{\parallel} = mg\sin\theta$).
• Tension and Atwood machines.

Daily routine:

• Concept summary (30 min).
• Draw 15 free body diagrams, labeling forces (90 min total).
• Solve 4 dynamics problems using FBDs as justification (60 min).

Check yourself: Can you draw a correct FBD for a complex scenario (block on an incline with friction, connected masses, etc.)?

Friday-Sunday: Cumulative + FRQ Practice

• Friday: Review Units 1 & 2 (30 min). Work 5 mixed problems from both units (90 min).
• Saturday: Attempt 1 full kinematics FRQ + 1 dynamics FRQ (timed, 30 min each). Score and review errors.
• Sunday: Light review. Rework any problems you stumbled on.

Week 2: Energy, Power, and Momentum

Monday-Tuesday: Unit 3 — Work, Energy, and Power

Topics to master:

• Work: $W = Fd\cos\theta$ (force component times displacement).
• Kinetic energy: $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$.
• Gravitational PE: $PE = mgh$ (choose a reference point).
• Spring PE: $PE = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$.
• Energy conservation: $E_{\text{initial}} = E_{\text{final}}$.
• Power: $P = \frac{W}{t}$ (watts).

Daily routine:

• Concept summary (30 min).
• 8–10 energy problems, emphasizing conservation setups (90 min).
• 1 worked example: energy conservation with a spring (30 min).

Check yourself: When you see a problem with a spring or height change, do you automatically reach for energy conservation?

Wednesday-Thursday: Unit 4 — Linear Momentum & Collisions

Topics to master:

• Momentum: $p = mv$ (a vector).
• Impulse-momentum theorem: $J = F\Delta t = \Delta p$.
• Conservation of momentum: $p_{\text{before}} = p_{\text{after}}$ (always true).
• Elastic collisions: $KE$ conserved.
• Inelastic collisions: $KE$ not conserved; $p$ always conserved.

Daily routine:

• Concept summary (30 min).
• Solve 6 collision problems (90 min): mix elastic and inelastic, 1D and 2D.
• Analyze one FRQ that distinguishes elastic from inelastic (30 min).

Check yourself: Can you explain why momentum is always conserved, but kinetic energy is not?

Friday-Sunday: Cumulative Practice

• Friday: Review Units 3 & 4 (30 min). Solve 5 mixed energy and momentum problems (90 min).
• Saturday: Attempt 1 energy FRQ + 1 collision FRQ (timed). Score; identify what broke your reasoning.
• Sunday: Revisit any conceptual gaps. Redo one problem you missed.

Week 3: Rotation and Oscillations

Monday-Tuesday: Unit 5 — Rotational Dynamics

Topics to master:

• Rotational kinematics: $\omega = \omega_0 + \alpha t$, $\theta = \omega_0 t + \frac{1}{2}\alpha t^2$ (parallels linear).
• Torque: $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ (perpendicular distance matters).
• Rotational dynamics: $\Sigma\tau = I\alpha$ (Newton's 2nd law for rotation).
• Moment of inertia: $I = \sum m_i r_i^2$ (use formulas for standard shapes).
• Rotational KE: $\frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$.
• Angular momentum: $L = I\omega$; conserved when net torque = 0.

Daily routine:

• Concept summary (30 min).
• 8 rotational problems (90 min): torque equilibrium, $\tau = I\alpha$, angular momentum.
• 1 rolling-without-slipping problem (real College Board favorite).

Check yourself: Do you remember that $\sin\theta$ in $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ is the angle between the force and the position vector?

Wednesday-Thursday: Unit 6 — Oscillations & Waves

Topics to master:

• Simple harmonic motion (SHM): $x(t) = A\cos(\omega t)$.
• Spring period: $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$.
• Pendulum period: $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$ (independent of mass).
• Energy in oscillators: $E_{\text{total}} = \frac{1}{2}kA^2$ (or $\frac{1}{2}mgh_{\text{max}}$ for pendulum).
• Maximum velocity in SHM: $v_{\text{max}} = A\omega$.

Daily routine:

• Concept summary (30 min).
• 6 SHM problems (90 min): period, frequency, energy, max velocity.
• Analyze what happens if mass or spring constant doubles (conceptual, not just calculation).

Check yourself: Can you explain why a heavier pendulum has the same period as a lighter one?

Friday-Sunday: Cumulative Practice

• Friday: Review Units 5 & 6 (30 min). Solve 5 mixed rotation and oscillation problems (90 min).
• Saturday: Attempt 1 torque FRQ + 1 SHM FRQ (timed). Score carefully.
• Sunday: Conceptual review. Make a one-page guide: "When to use $\tau = I\alpha$" and "When to use SHM equations."

Week 4: Fluids, Mixed Review, and Full Exam Simulation

Monday-Tuesday: Unit 7 & 8 — Fluids

Topics to master (light coverage — lower-yield):

• Density: $\rho = \frac{m}{V}$.
• Pressure: $P = \frac{F}{A}$ (and hydrostatic pressure: $P = P_0 + \rho g h$).
• Buoyancy: $F_{\text{buoy}} = \rho_{\text{fluid}} V_{\text{displaced}} g$ (Archimedes' principle).
• Continuity equation: $A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2$ (flow rate constant).
• Bernoulli's equation: $P + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 + \rho g h = \text{constant}$.

Daily routine:

• Concept summary (30 min).
• 6 fluid problems (60 min): pressure, buoyancy, continuity.
• Understand when Bernoulli applies (lower-yield; know the concept, skim the hard calculations).

Check yourself: Can you apply Archimedes' principle? Do you understand how continuity constrains fluid speed when the pipe narrows?

Wednesday-Thursday: Cumulative Review + Problem Bank

• Wednesday: Skim the last-minute review checklist.

• Make your personal "musts" list: the 5–10 concepts you find hardest. Drill one per hour.

• Solve 10 mixed problems (any unit, any style).

• Thursday: Another 10 mixed problems. Pay special attention to questions you would typically rush or skip.

Friday-Saturday: Full Exam Simulations

Friday (90 min, realistic timed conditions):

• Take the full AP Physics 1 section 1 (50 MCQs in 90 min, no calculator for the first 30).
• Grade immediately.

Saturday (90 min, realistic timed conditions):

• Take full AP Physics 1 section 2 (5 FRQs in 90 min).
• Grade using the official rubric.
• Analyze: Which unit hurt your score the most? Spend Sunday on that.

Sunday: Final Review & Confidence Build

• Rework your two lowest-scoring FRQs from the simulations.
• Read through the free body diagram checklist and formula sheet one more time.
• Get 8 hours of sleep.

Daily tips for staying on track

• Use the formula sheet. During practice, cover the formulas you haven't memorized yet. Get used to finding $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ in the sheet, not in your head.
• Draw diagrams for every problem. FBDs, energy bar charts, momentum vectors — physicists think in pictures.
• Timing: If a problem takes more than 10 min, you're either stuck on a concept or doing unnecessary algebra. Know the difference.
• Review your wrong answers before the next day. Understanding why you were wrong is worth 10 correct problems.

Week 4 cross-links

• Struggling with FBDs? Deep dive: Free body diagrams →
• Energy conservation confusing? Energy guide →
• Need FRQ strategies? FRQ practice guide →

You're ready

After this month, you've touched every unit multiple times. You've written real FRQs. You've checked your work. Exam day comes down to focus and confidence — both of which you've earned.

Trust your prep. Show up rested. You've got this. 🎯