AP Physics 1 Last-Minute Review (Night Before)

title: "AP Physics 1 Last-Minute Review (Night Before)" description: "The night-before AP Physics 1 checklist: must-know formulas, free body diagram rules, conservation laws, common traps, and score boundaries. Skim in 45 minutes." date: "2026-01-15" examDate: "May AP Exam" topics:

• Formula Sheet
• FBD Checklist
• Conservation Laws
• Common Traps

The exam is tomorrow. This is not the time to learn new content — it's the time to skim, reset, and sleep. Spend 30–45 minutes on this page, then put your notes away.

Must-Know Kinematics

| Scenario | Equation | |---|---| | Constant acceleration | $v = v_0 + at$ | | Displacement | $\Delta x = v_0 t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$ | | Velocity-independent | $v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a\Delta x$ | | Projectile: horizontal | $v_x = v_0 \cos\theta$ (constant) | | Projectile: vertical | $v_y = v_0 \sin\theta - gt$ |

Graphical kinematics: Slope of $x$ vs $t$ = velocity. Slope of $v$ vs $t$ = acceleration. Area under $v$ vs $t$ = displacement.

Must-Know Dynamics

| Concept | Formula | |---|---| | Newton's 2nd law | $\Sigma F = ma$ | | Weight | $F_g = mg$ | | Normal force (horizontal) | $N = mg$ | | Normal force (incline) | $N = mg\cos\theta$ | | Friction (kinetic) | $f_k = \mu_k N$ | | Friction (max static) | $f_s \leq \mu_s N$ | | Tension | $T$ (from $\Sigma F = ma$) |

Incline setup:

• Parallel to surface: $mg\sin\theta - f = ma$
• Perpendicular: $N = mg\cos\theta$

FBD non-negotiable: Draw it for every force problem. No FBD = no justification = lost points.

Must-Know Energy & Work

| Concept | Formula | |---|---| | Kinetic energy | $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$ | | Gravitational PE | $PE = mgh$ | | Spring PE | $PE_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$ | | Work | $W = F \cdot d \cos\theta$ | | Work-energy theorem | $W_{\text{net}} = \Delta KE$ | | Power | $P = \frac{W}{t}$ (watts) | | Energy conservation | $E_{\text{initial}} = E_{\text{final}}$ |

Highest-leverage rule: If a problem mentions height or spring compression, reach for energy conservation immediately.

Must-Know Momentum & Collisions

| Concept | Formula | |---|---| | Momentum | $p = mv$ (vector) | | Impulse | $J = F\Delta t = \Delta p$ | | Impulse-momentum theorem | $\vec{F}\Delta t = m\Delta v$ | | Conservation of momentum | $\vec{p}_{\text{before}} = \vec{p}_{\text{after}}$ | | Elastic collision | $KE$ conserved, $p$ conserved | | Inelastic collision | $KE$ not conserved, $p$ conserved |

Collision identification: Always calculate $KE$ before and after. If equal, collision is elastic. If not, inelastic.

Must-Know Rotation

| Concept | Formula | |---|---| | Torque | $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ (perpendicular distance) | | Rotational dynamics | $\Sigma \tau = I\alpha$ | | Rotational kinematics | $\omega = \omega_0 + \alpha t$ | | Rotational KE | $KE_{\text{rot}} = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$ | | Angular momentum | $L = I\omega$ | | Conservation: $L$ | $L_{\text{before}} = L_{\text{after}}$ (when $\tau_{\text{net}} = 0$) |

Critical reminder: $\sin\theta$ in $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ is the angle between force and the lever arm. $\sin\theta \neq \cos\theta$.

Must-Know Oscillations

| Concept | Formula | |---|---| | SHM displacement | $x(t) = A\cos(\omega t + \phi)$ | | Spring period | $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$ | | Spring frequency | $f = \frac{1}{T} = \frac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$ | | Pendulum period | $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$ | | Max velocity in SHM | $v_{\text{max}} = A\omega$ | | Max acceleration | $a_{\text{max}} = A\omega^2$ | | Energy: spring oscillator | $E_{\text{total}} = \frac{1}{2}kA^2$ |

Pendulum key: Period depends on $L$ and $g$, not on mass. This is tested every year.

Must-Know Fluids (Lower-Yield, Skim)

| Concept | Formula | |---|---| | Density | $\rho = \frac{m}{V}$ | | Pressure | $P = \frac{F}{A}$ | | Hydrostatic pressure | $P = P_0 + \rho g h$ | | Buoyant force | $F_B = \rho_{\text{fluid}} V_{\text{disp}} g$ | | Continuity | $A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2$ (flow rate) | | Bernoulli (skim, rarely tested) | $P + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 + \rho g h = \text{const}$ |

The Free Body Diagram Checklist

Do this for every force problem:

• ☐ Draw the object as a dot or box.
• ☐ Draw all forces acting on the object (not forces it exerts).
• ☐ Label each force: $N$, $F_g$ or $mg$, $f$, $T$, $F_{\text{applied}}$.
• ☐ If on an incline, resolve weight into $mg\sin\theta$ (parallel) and $mg\cos\theta$ (perpendicular).
• ☐ Include a coordinate system (+x, +y).
• ☐ Don't draw action-reaction pairs; focus on the system you're analyzing.

The $\sin\theta$ vs $\cos\theta$ trap:

• Weight component down the incline (parallel): $mg\sin\theta$
• Weight component into the incline (perpendicular): $mg\cos\theta$
• Normal force: $N = mg\cos\theta$

The Conservation Laws Cheatsheet

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

$KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f$

(Applies when no friction or air resistance; not true for inelastic collisions)

Conservation of Momentum

$\vec{p}_i = \vec{p}_f \quad \text{or} \quad m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2 = m_1 v_1' + m_2 v_2'$

(Always true for collisions; direction matters because it's a vector)

Conservation of Angular Momentum

$L_i = L_f \quad \text{or} \quad I_i \omega_i = I_f \omega_f$

(Applies when net external torque = 0; classic: spinning ice skater pulling in arms increases $\omega$)

The Top 12 Traps (That Cost Real Points)

1. Forgetting normal force on an incline. On an incline, $N = mg\cos\theta$, not $mg$. This trips up 30% of students.
2. Confusing $\sin\theta$ and $\cos\theta$ for weight components. Down the slope: $\sin\theta$. Into the slope: $\cos\theta$.
3. Forgetting friction acts opposite to motion. If the block slides down, friction points up the slope.
4. Momentum is a vector. If a cart is moving left (negative), its momentum is negative. Collisions can have cancellation.
5. Kinetic energy is always positive (no direction). $KE = \frac{1}{2}m v^2$ uses speed, not velocity.
6. Using KE formula with velocity squared. If $v = -10\text{ m/s}$, then $v^2 = 100\text{ m}^2/\text{s}^2$ (positive).
7. Forgetting $\frac{1}{2}$ in kinetic energy, spring PE, or rotational KE. It's a coefficient; it matters.
8. Energy conservation vs. momentum conservation. Elastic collisions conserve both. Inelastic: momentum always, energy never.
9. Pendulum period is independent of mass. $T = 2\pi\sqrt{L/g}$ doesn't include $m$.
10. Tension is not "how hard you pull." It's the force transmitted through a rope, found via $\Sigma F = ma$ for the system.
11. Forgetting $\sin\theta$ is the perpendicular angle in torque. $\tau = rF\sin\theta$ where $\theta$ is between $\vec{r}$ and $\vec{F}$.
12. Missing units on final answers. "10" earns partial credit. "10 meters" earns full credit.

Score Boundaries (Recent Years)

Out of 200 points total:

| Score | Approx. Points | Notes | |---|---|---| | 5 | 140+ | ~70% | | 4 | 112–139 | ~56–70% | | 3 | 84–111 | ~42–55% | | 2 | 60–83 | ~30–41% | | 1 | Below 60 | ~Below 30% |

Bottom line: You need about 70% correct to score a 5. You can leave some problems blank or partially wrong and still get the top score.

Morning-of Checklist

• ☐ 8 hours of sleep (non-negotiable).
• ☐ Real breakfast: protein + slow carbs (eggs, oatmeal, whole wheat toast). Not just coffee and pastry.
• ☐ 2 sharpened #2 pencils + erasers, blue/black pen (for FRQs).
• ☐ Graphing calculator (TI-83+ or TI-84 or equivalent) + 2 extra AA batteries.
• ☐ Photo ID + AP ID label sheet.
• ☐ Water bottle (unflavored water only).
• ☐ Snack for the break (banana, granola bar).
• ☐ Watch without an alarm (if room doesn't have a clock).
• ☐ Arrive 30 minutes early.

During the Exam: Section I (MCQ, 90 min)

First 30 min (no calculator):

• Mark any question that takes >90 seconds; skip and come back.
• Don't overthink. Wrong answers are usually sign errors or unit conversions gone wrong.
• Guess if you skip—no penalty for wrong answers on AP Physics 1.

Next 60 min (calculator allowed):

• Calculator-active questions usually involve numerical integration, graph interpretation, or multi-step algebra.
• Use nDeriv() and fnInt() sparingly; often the algebraic setup is clearer.
• Double-check one calculation per problem (e.g., "Is that really $\frac{1}{2} \times 1600 \times 0.25 = 200$?").

During the Exam: Section II (FRQs, 90 min)

1. Read all 5 questions first (5 min). Which are you most confident on? Start there.

2. FBD before calculation. If stuck, draw it. Clarity often follows.

3. FRQ structure:

   • Read and annotate the question (underline what's given, what's asked).
   • Set up the physics (equation or principle).
   • Solve.
   • Check units and reasonableness (does the answer make physical sense?).

4. "Explain" or "justify" = CER.

   • Claim: State your answer clearly.
   • Evidence: Show the math (numerical values).
   • Reasoning: Explain why the evidence supports the claim using physics principles by name.

5. Partial credit is real. If you can't solve part (a), use a placeholder value for part (b). You'll earn setup points.

6. Don't leave blanks. Write something. Write the integral. Write the variables you'd solve for. Partial credit beats zero.

One Last Thing

You've prepared. The work is done. Trust it.

Show up rested. Breathe. Draw your free body diagrams. State the physics principle by name. Check your algebra. Include units.

The rubric wants to give you points — your job is to write clearly enough that it can.

Good luck. You've got this. 🎯

Need more help? Browse the AP Physics 1 topic library → or revisit the FRQ practice guide → or 7-day plan →.