AP Physics C: Mechanics
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About the Course
Explore concepts such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; rotation; oscillations; and gravitation. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work and in-class activities to investigate phenomena and use calculus to solve problems.
Note: Save your lab notebooks and reports; colleges may ask to see them before granting you credit.
Skills You'll Learn
Interpreting and describing visual representations of physical situations
Coming up with a hypothesis and designing an experiment to test it
Creating graphs and diagrams to represent data and physical situations
Analyzing data shown in a graph
Determining the relationship between physical qualities
Solving physics problems using mathematical relationships
Developing and supporting a scientific claim with evidence
Equivalency and Prerequisites
College Course Equivalent
A semester-long, introductory calculus-based college course in physics
Recommended Prerequisites
You should have taken calculus or be taking calculus at the same time as this course
Exam Date
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Tue, May 9, 2023,
12 PM LocalAP Physics C: Mechanics Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam.
About the Units
The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.
Course Content
Unit 1: Kinematics
You’ll begin your study of motion and the quantities associated with the motion of an object: position, velocity, acceleration, and time.
Topics may include:
- Kinematics in one dimension
- Kinematics in two dimensions
On The Exam
14%–20% of multiple-choice score
Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion
You’ll investigate Newton’s laws of motion, which describe the relationship among moving objects and the forces acting on them.
Topics may include:
- Newton’s laws of motion: first and second law
- Circular motion
- Newton’s laws of motion: third law
On The Exam
17%–23% of multiple-choice score
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
You’ll learn to define and calculate work, energy, and power and become familiar with the principle of conservation as a foundational model of physics.
Topics may include:
- Work–energy theorem
- Forces and potential energy
- Conservation of energy
- Power
On The Exam
14%–17% of multiple-choice score
Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
You’ll be introduced to the concepts of center of mass, impulse and momentum, and the conservation of linear momentum.
Topics may include:
- Center of mass
- Impulse and momentum
- Conservation of linear momentum, collisions
On The Exam
14%–17% of multiple-choice score
Unit 5: Rotation
You’ll gain an in-depth comprehension of rotational motion by investigating torque and rotational statics, kinematics, and dynamics.
Topics may include:
- Torque and rotational statics
- Rotational kinematics
- Rotational dynamics and energy
- Angular momentum and its conservation
On The Exam
14%–20% of multiple-choice score
Unit 6: Oscillations
You’ll explore the forces that cause objects to repeat their motions with a regular pattern.
Topics may include:
- Simple harmonic motion, springs, and pendulums
On The Exam
6%–14% of multiple-choice score
Unit 7: Gravitation
You’ll investigate gravitational forces and the relationships shared between planets, satellites, and their orbits.
Topics may include:
- Gravitational forces
- Orbits of planets and satellites
On The Exam
6%–14% of multiple-choice score
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Course Resources
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AP Classroom Resources
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AP Physics C: Mechanics Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and laboratory requirement and describes the exam and the AP Program in general.
See Where AP Can Take You
AP Physics C: Mechanics can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors
Career Areas
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Majors
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