Course Units and Exam Weighting

The AP Physics C: Mechanics course is divided into units that follow a logical sequence, similar to college-level physics courses and textbooks. Each unit contributes a specific percentage to the multiple-choice section of the AP exam.

Unit

Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section)

Kinematics

10–15%

Force and Translational Dynamics

20–25%

Work, Energy, and Power

15–25%

Linear Momentum

10–20%

Torque and Rotational Dynamics

10–15%

Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

10–15%

Oscillations

10–15%

 

Unit 1: Kinematics

Unit 1 typically covers about 14 to 19 class periods and represents 10–15% of the AP exam. Key concepts in this unit include:
•    Scalars and Vectors
•    Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
•    Representing Motion
•    Reference Frames and Relative Motion
•    Motion in Two or Three Dimensions

Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics

This unit spans approximately 15 to 25 class periods and comprises 20–25% of the exam. Major topics include:
•    Systems and Center of Mass
•    Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
•    Newton’s Laws (First, Second, and Third)
•    Gravitational Force
•    Kinetic and Static Friction
•    Spring Forces
•    Resistive Forces
•    Circular Motion

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

Over 12 to 17 class periods, this unit accounts for 15–25% of the exam. Topics are:
•    Translational Kinetic Energy
•    Work
•    Potential Energy
•    Conservation of Energy
•    Power

Unit 4: Linear Momentum

This unit takes 11 to 15 class periods and is 10–20% of the exam. Focus areas are:
•    Linear Momentum
•    Change in Momentum and Impulse
•    Conservation of Linear Momentum
•    Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics

Covering about 14 to 20 class periods and comprising 10–15% of the exam, this unit includes:
•    Rotational Kinematics
•    Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion
•    Torque
•    Rotational Inertia
•    Rotational Equilibrium and Newton’s First Law in Rotational Form
•    Newton’s Second Law in Rotational Form

Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

Taking about 13 to 19 class periods and weighted at 10–15% of the exam, this unit features:
•    Rotational Kinetic Energy
•    Torque and Work
•    Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
•    Conservation of Angular Momentum
•    Rolling
•    Motion of Orbiting Satellites

Unit 7: Oscillations

This final unit, spanning 12 to 17 class periods and making up 10–15% of the exam, covers:
•    Defining Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
•    Frequency and Period of SHM
•    Representing and Analyzing SHM
•    Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators
•    Simple and Physical Pendulums