AP EXAM SUPPLEMENT

Specifically developed for this year’s AP Exam*

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 AP Physics 1 Sheet

1 Kinematics

Linear Angular

or
#»
v avg = ∆x#»
ωavg = ∆θ
∆t ∆t
#»
a avg = ∆ #»
v
αavg = ∆ω

ut
∆t ∆t

x = x0 + vx0 t + 12 ax t2 θ = θ0 + ωx0 t + 12 αx t2
vx = vx0 + ax t ωx = ωx0 + αx t
eT
vx2 = vx0
2
+ 2ax (x − x0 ) ωx2 = ωx0
2
+ 2αx (θ − θ0 )
v
ω= r
a
h
α= r
kT

2 Force/Torque Problems
ic

Steps for a force problem: Steps for a torque problem:

1. Draw free body diagrams 1. Draw free body diagrams

N

2. Choose a positive and negative direc- 2. Choose a positive and negative direc-
tion for x and y tion for clockwise/counterclockwise

3. ΣF = ma for the x and y directions 3. Στ = Iα

4. Solve! 4. Solve!

1
2.1 Common forces
Centripetal:
Fc = mac where ac is centripetal acceleration,
v2
ac =
r
For uniform circular motion,
2πr
T =
v

or
Gravity:
Close to Earth’s surface,
#»
F g = m #»
g

ut
Two gravitationally attracted objects
#» Gm1 m2
|F G | =

Friction:
r2
eT
#» #»
| F f | ≤ µ| F n |
h
Spring:

|Fs | = k∆x
kT

Charge:
#» q1 q2
| F e | = k| 2 |
r
Like charges repel, opposite charges attract
ic

2.2 Torque
N

τ = r⊥ F = rF sin(θ)
τ = Iα

2.3 Common moments of inertia (I)

For a point mass m rotating a distance r around an axis, its moment of inertia is I = mr2

2
 or
ut
Figure 1: Moments of inertia from Hyperphysics

3 Energy
eT
Kinetic Potential
h
K = 12 mv 2 for linear motion ∆Ug = mg∆y near Earth’s surface
kT

−Gm1 m2
K = 21 Iω 2 for rotational motion UG = r for gravitational potential
Us = 21 kx2 for a spring
ic

3.1 Work
W = F|| d = F d cos(θ)
N

3.2 Power
∆E
P = ∆t

3
4 Momentum
4.1 Linear momentum
In a collision where no external forces act on the system, momentum is conserved!
Initial momentum = final momentum in each direction.
In an elastic collision, kinetic energy is also conserved.
#»
p = m #»v
∆p = F ∆t

4.2 Angular momentum

or
In a collision where no external torques act on the system, angular momentum is conserved!
Initial angular momentum = final angular momentum.
L = Iω

ut
∆L = τ ∆t

5 Simple Harmonic Motion

eT
Systems such as pendulums and objects attached to springs undergo simple harmonic mo-
tion.
h
Period of motion:
For a pendulum:
kT

s
l
Tg = 2π
g

For a mass attached to a spring:

ic

r
m
Ts = 2π
k
N

The total energy in a system in simple harmonic motion remains constant. At maximum
height of a pendulum or stretch of a spring, all of the energy is potential energy. At the
minimum height of the pendulum or no stretch of the spring, all of the energy is kinetic
energy.

4
6 Electricity
6.1 Electric Charge
∆q
Electric charge is conserved. Moving charges create a current: I = ∆t

6.2 Electric Force

#» q1 q2
| F e | = k| 2 |
r
Like charges repel, opposite charges attract

or
7 DC Circuits
7.1 Resistors

ut
The resistance of a material depends on its resistivity (ρ), length (l), and cross sectional
area (A):

R=
ρl
A
eT
Resistors placed in series have a larger equivalent resistance - the current must go through
both resistors. These resistors all have the same current flowing through them, but can
have different potentials across them.
h
Reqseries = R1 + R2 + ...
kT

Resistors placed in parallel have a smaller equivalent resistance - the current can choose
either path. These resistors all have the same potential difference across them, but can
have different currents flowing through them.
1 1
=
Reqparallel R1 + R2 + ...
ic

7.2 Kirchoff ’s Rules

N

Kirchoff ’s Loop Rule:

Energy is conserved in a circuit - the sum of the potential differences about any closed
loop must equal zero.
∆V = IR

Kirchoff ’s Junction Rule:

Charge is conserved in a circuit - the sum of all currents entering a junction must equal
the sum of the currents leaving a junction

5
7.3 Power
∆V 2
P = I∆V = I 2 R = R

8 Waves
8.1 Periodic waves
The period (T ) of a wave is the number of seconds before the wave repeats. The frequency
(f ) is the number of waves per second.

or
1
T =
f
The wavelength (λ) of a wave is the distance a wave travels before repeating. It is related

ut
to the velocity (v) and the frequency (f ) of the wave.
v
λ=
f eT
8.2 Standing waves
When two waves interfere, they can create a wave that looks like it’s standing still. Nodes
are parts of the wave where destructive interference has occurred and the incident waves
have cancelled each other out. Antinodes are parts of the wave where constructive inter-
h
ference has occurred and the incident waves perfectly add together.

In a tube of length L that is open on both ends, the antinodes must be at the ends of the
kT

tube. The wavelengths that can fit in the tube are:

2L
λ=
n
ic

where n is an integer.

In a tube of length L that is closed on one end, a node must be at the closed end, and an
N

antinode must be at the open end of the tube. The wavelengths that can fit in the tube
are:
4L
λ=
n
where n is an odd integer.

6
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