AP Physics 1 7-Day Cram Plan

You have one week until the AP Physics 1 exam. This schedule assumes ~3-4 hours per day of focused work. Each day targets one unit (or two related units), then wraps with mixed practice to glue the week together.

Weekly study schedule

Monday: Unit 1 — Kinematics

Review: Kinematics equations, $v$ vs $t$ graphs, $x$ vs $t$ graphs, projectile motion setup, relative velocity.

Key equations:

• $v = v_0 + at$
• $\Delta x = v_0 t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$
• $v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a\Delta x$

Practice (90 min):

• 5 problems on constant acceleration (finding $v$, $\Delta x$, $a$).
• 5 problems interpreting kinematic graphs (slope = rate of change).
• 2 projectile motion problems (separate $x$ and $y$ components).

💡 Focus: Projectile motion trips students because $v_x$ stays constant but $v_y$ changes. Redo this setup 5 times until automatic.

Tuesday: Unit 2 — Translational Dynamics & Newton's Laws

Review: Newton's three laws, free body diagrams, normal force, friction (static and kinetic), Atwood machines, tension, inclined planes.

Key formulas:

• $\Sigma F = ma$ (net force = mass × acceleration)
• $f_s \leq \mu_s N$ (static friction)
• $f_k = \mu_k N$ (kinetic friction)
• Incline: $N = mg\cos\theta$, $F_{\parallel} = mg\sin\theta$

Practice (90 min):

• 5 FBD problems (label every force, resolve components).
• 3 incline problems (with and without friction).
• 2 Atwood machine / pulley problems.

⚠️ FRQ trap: If you don't draw a clear FBD, you lose justification points even if your calculation is right. Draw it every time.

Wednesday: Unit 3 — Work, Energy, and Power

Review: Work (force × displacement), kinetic energy, gravitational PE, spring PE, energy conservation, power.

Key formulas:

• $W = F \cdot d \cos\theta$ (work = force component times displacement)
• $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$
• $PE_{\text{grav}} = mgh$
• $PE_{\text{spring}} = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$
• $E_{\text{total}} = KE + PE = \text{constant}$ (conservation)
• $P = \frac{W}{t}$ (power in watts)

Practice (90 min):

• 4 energy conservation problems (springs, heights, speeds).
• 3 work-energy theorem problems (net work = change in KE).
• 2 power problems (work per unit time).

💡 Highest leverage: Energy conservation appears on almost every exam. If a problem involves height or spring compression, reach for $E_{\text{initial}} = E_{\text{final}}$.

Thursday: Unit 4 — Linear Momentum & Collisions

Review: Momentum, impulse, collision types (elastic vs inelastic), conservation of momentum, two-dimensional collisions.

Key formulas:

• $p = mv$ (momentum)
• $J = F\Delta t = \Delta p$ (impulse = change in momentum)
• $\vec{p}_{\text{before}} = \vec{p}_{\text{after}}$ (conservation, always true)
• Elastic: $KE$ conserved; Inelastic: $KE$ not conserved

Practice (90 min):

• 4 momentum conservation problems (1D collisions).
• 2 impulse-momentum problems (force over time).
• 2 elastic vs inelastic classification problems.

⚠️ FRQ trap: When asked "Is it elastic?" do the calculation. Don't guess. Compare $KE_{\text{before}}$ and $KE_{\text{after}}$. If equal, cite "Kinetic energy conserved; collision is elastic."

Friday: Unit 5 — Rotational Dynamics & Torque

Review: Rotational kinematics, torque, moment of inertia, rotational dynamics ($\tau = I\alpha$), rotational KE, rolling without slipping, angular momentum.

Key formulas:

• $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ (torque = force × perpendicular distance)
• $\Sigma \tau = I\alpha$ (Newton's 2nd law for rotation)
• $I = \sum m_i r_i^2$ (moment of inertia, specific formulas on sheet)
• $KE_{\text{rot}} = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$
• $L = I\omega$ (angular momentum)

Practice (90 min):

• 4 torque and equilibrium problems (balanced and rotating systems).
• 3 rotational kinematics problems.
• 2 angular momentum problems (conservation when no external torque).

💡 Focus: $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ — the $\sin\theta$ is the perpendicular angle. Misapplying $\sin$ vs $\cos$ costs real points.

Saturday: Unit 6 — Oscillations & Waves

Review: Simple harmonic motion (SHM), springs, simple pendulums, energy in oscillators, period and frequency.

Key formulas:

• Spring: $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$, $f = \frac{1}{T}$
• Pendulum: $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$ (small angle approximation)
• $x(t) = A\cos(\omega t)$ or $A\sin(\omega t)$ (displacement in SHM)
• $E_{\text{total}} = \frac{1}{2}kA^2$ (energy in spring oscillator)

Practice (90 min):

• 4 period and frequency problems (springs and pendulums).
• 3 SHM energy problems (what's the max speed? max potential energy?).
• 2 qualitative oscillation problems (how does period change if mass doubles?).

⚠️ FRQ trap: Period of a pendulum depends on $L$ and $g$, not on mass or amplitude. Many students confuse this. Say it out loud: "Pendulum period is independent of mass."

Sunday: Mixed Review + 2 Full FRQs

Review (120 min):

• Skim the last-minute review checklist — formulas, common traps, calculator tips.
• Make a one-page cheatsheet of your personal weak spots from the week.

Full FRQ practice (120 min, strictly timed):

• 1 full FRQ from any unit (15 min reading + writing).
• 1 mixed-concept FRQ that combines two units (the College Board loves these).
• Score both using the rubric. Note what you missed: was it the setup, the math, or the justification?

💡 Pro tip: After grading, rewrite the FRQ you got wrong. This time, understand where your reasoning broke. Don't just redo the calculation.

Cross-links to deep dives

• Need more on free body diagrams? Mastering FBDs →
• Energy conservation stuck? Energy & conservation →
• Momentum troubles? Momentum & impulse →
• Rotation confusing? Torque & rotational dynamics →

Exam day readiness

After Sunday, you've touched all 8 units. Monday morning, review the last-minute review one more time. Eat real breakfast. Bring your calculator and spare batteries. Breathe.

You've got this. 🎯