Multiple Choice Questions
MCQs
- Time: 45 minutes
- 35 multiple – choice questions (core)
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed
- 50% weight
Free-Response Questions
- Time: 45 minutes
- 3 Questions
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed
- 50% weight
Unit 1: Kinematics
- 1.1 Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension
- 1.2 Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions
Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion
- 2.1 Newton’s Laws of Motion: First and Second Law
- 2.2 Circular Motion
- 2.3 Newton’s Laws of Motion: Third Law
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
- 3.1 Work-Energy Theorem
- 3.2 Force and Potential Energy
- 3.3 Conservation of Energy
- 3.4 Power
Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
- 4.1 Center of Mass
- 4.2 Impulse and Momentum
- 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum, Collisions
Unit 5: Rotation
- 5.1 Torque and Rotational Statics
- 5.2 Rotational Kinematics
- 5.3 Rotational Dynamics and Energy
- 5.4 Angular Momentum and Its Conservation
Unit 6: Oscillations
- 6.1 Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, and Pendulums
Unit 7: Gravitation
- 7.1 Gravitational Forces
- 7.2 Orbits of Planets and Satellites
Free-Response Questions(FRQs)
MCQs
- Time: 45 minutes
- 35 multiple – choice questions (core)
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed
- 50% weight
Free-Response Questions
- Time: 45 minutes
- 3 Questions
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed
- 50% weight
Unit 1: Kinematics
- 1.1 Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension
- 1.2 Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions
Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion
- 2.1 Newton’s Laws of Motion: First and Second Law
- 2.2 Circular Motion
- 2.3 Newton’s Laws of Motion: Third Law
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
- 3.1 Work-Energy Theorem
- 3.2 Force and Potential Energy
- 3.3 Conservation of Energy
- 3.4 Power
Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
- 4.1 Center of Mass
- 4.2 Impulse and Momentum
- 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum, Collisions
Unit 5: Rotation
- 5.1 Torque and Rotational Statics
- 5.2 Rotational Kinematics
- 5.3 Rotational Dynamics and Energy
- 5.4 Angular Momentum and Its Conservation
Unit 6: Oscillations
- 6.1 Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, and Pendulums
Unit 7: Gravitation
- 7.1 Gravitational Forces
- 7.2 Orbits of Planets and Satellites
Course Content
The AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam assesses student application of the science practices and understanding of the learning objectives outlined in the course framework. The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes long and includes 35 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions. A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections of the exam.
Exam Weighting for the Multiple-Choice Section of the AP Exam
Units Exam Weighting
Unit 1: Kinematics 14–20%
Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion 17–23%
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power 14–17%
Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum 14–17%
Unit 5: Rotation 14–20%
Unit 6: Oscillations 6–14%
Unit 7: Gravitation 6–14%
About Advanced Placement(AP) Exams: Conducted annually in May, APs are college-level courses which enable you to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both while you are still in high school
About AP Physics exams
- AP Physics 1
- AP Physics 2
- AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- AP Physics C: Mechanics