AP Prep
Last updated: April 2026 | Based on the AP Physics C: Mechanics Course and Exam Description
If you have two weeks before the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam, you need a different strategy than AP Physics 1 students use. AP Physics C is calculus-based. You're dealing with derivatives, integrals, and vector equations alongside the conceptual physics. You get an equation sheet and a calculator. Your job is to use them strategically.
Here's the key difference from AP Physics 1: On Physics C, you can't just memorize formulas and plug in numbers. You need to understand how those formulas come from calculus and why the equations have the shapes they do. That's where the real points are. The good news is that your calculator and equation sheet handle a lot of the heavy lifting. Your prep should focus on concept mastery, not formula memorization.
This plan gives you one focused topic per day, exam weights for every unit, and prompts you can paste into StarSpark to generate flashcards and calculus-focused quizzes. The exam rewards students who can apply calculus reasoning to physics problems, so practice that skill.
The AP Physics C: Mechanics exam is 1.5 hours long. It has two sections:
Section I: Multiple Choice — 35 questions in 45 minutes. All seven units are tested. Questions test both conceptual understanding and your ability to apply equations. You get a calculator and an equation sheet.
Section II: Free Response — 3 questions in 45 minutes. Each free-response question is worth about 15 points and tests your ability to set up physics problems, apply calculus reasoning (derivatives and integrals), and justify your answers. Most FRQs require you to show your work using calculus, not just substitute numbers into formulas.
Both sections allow a calculator and provide an equation sheet, but the equation sheet doesn't include every derivation. You need to know which equation to use and why. This plan builds in FRQ practice from Day 1 so you're comfortable with the format.
The AP Physics C: Mechanics course is organized into seven units. Here's the exam weight and what to focus on for each one.
This unit covers motion in one, two, and three dimensions. It's foundational but not heavily weighted. Focus on vector notation and derivatives.
What to focus on:
This is the heaviest unit. It covers Newton's laws, free-body diagrams, and applications to systems with various forces.
What to focus on:
This is another heavy unit. It covers kinetic energy, potential energy, work, and how they connect through calculus.
What to focus on:
Here is a lecture from the StarSpark platform on work and energy transfer by forces, a core part of this unit. It is an example of the interactive, guided lessons you work through inside StarSpark, where you can pause, ask questions, and practice as you go.
This unit covers momentum, impulse, and collisions. It's heavily computational.
What to focus on:
This unit covers rotational motion, torque, and rotational inertia. It parallels Unit 2 but in rotational form.
What to focus on:
This unit extends Units 3 and 4 to rotating systems.
What to focus on:
This unit covers simple harmonic motion and pendulums.
What to focus on:
The approach is simple. Each day:
Two more things that matter:
Don't skip the calculus. On AP Physics C, you get points for showing how you set up the derivative or integral, not just the final answer. Every quiz prompt is designed to test that skill.
Do mixed quizzes on Days 7, 10, and 14. These are cumulative on purpose. Mixing topics forces your brain to recognize when to apply each concept, which is exactly what the AP exam asks you to do.
| Day | Topic | Key Concepts | Flashcard Prompt | Quiz Prompt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unit 1: Kinematics | Vectors, position, velocity, acceleration, derivatives | Create 20 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 1 (Kinematics). Cover scalars vs. vectors, vector components, displacement vs. distance, velocity from position using derivatives, acceleration from velocity, 2D motion. Include cards on vector notation and relative velocity. | Create a 10-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Unit 1. Include scenario-based questions about velocity and acceleration in multiple dimensions, using calculus derivatives. Ask students to relate position functions to velocity and acceleration. |
| 2 | Unit 2: Newton's Laws Part 1 | Forces, free-body diagrams, Newton's First and Second Law, systems | Create 24 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 2 topics 2.1-2.5. Cover systems and center of mass, forces, Newton's three laws, free-body diagrams, and net force. Include cards on F=ma applied to real systems and how to draw correct FBDs. | Create a 12-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Unit 2 (first half). Use FBD scenarios and ask students to apply Newton's Second Law to find acceleration. Include questions on systems with multiple forces. |
| 3 | Unit 2: Newton's Laws Part 2 | Gravity, friction, springs, resistive forces, circular motion | Create 26 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 2 topics 2.6-2.10. Cover gravitational force, kinetic and static friction, spring forces (F=-kx), air resistance, and circular motion (centripetal acceleration). Include vector cards for forces at angles. | Create a 14-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Unit 2 (second half). Use scenarios with inclined planes, friction problems, spring systems, and circular motion requiring centripetal force. |
| 4 | Unit 3: Work and Energy Part 1 | Work, kinetic energy, work-energy theorem | Create 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 3 topics 3.1 and 3.2. Cover translational kinetic energy (KE=0.5mv^2), work as an integral (W = integral of F dot dx), the work-energy theorem, and how work relates to acceleration through calculus. Include cards on variable forces. | Create a 12-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Unit 3 (first half). Include questions about work done by different forces, work-energy theorem applications, and calculating work when force varies. Use calculus reasoning. |
| 5 | Unit 3: Work and Energy Part 2 | Potential energy, conservation of energy, power | Create 24 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 3 topics 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5. Cover gravitational and spring potential energy, conservation of energy, energy diagrams, and power (P = dW/dt). Include cards on how kinetic and potential energy trade off. | Create a 13-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Unit 3 (second half). Use energy conservation problems with gravitational and spring forces. Include power calculation questions. Then create 1 short AP Physics C FRQ (15 points) about energy conservation on an inclined plane or in a spring system. |
| 6 | Unit 4: Linear Momentum | Momentum, impulse, collisions | Create 25 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 4. Cover linear momentum as a vector, impulse and impulse-momentum theorem, conservation of momentum, elastic vs. inelastic collisions, and 2D collisions. Include cards on momentum before and after collisions. | Create a 14-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Unit 4. Include collision problems in 1D and 2D, impulse calculations, and conservation of momentum questions. Then create 1 short AP Physics C FRQ (15 points) on a collision scenario requiring momentum analysis and vector components. |
| 7 | Unit 5: Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics Part 1 + cumulative | Angular quantities, rotational inertia, Newton's Second Law (rotational) | Create 23 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 5 topics 5.1-5.4. Cover rotational kinematics (angular position, velocity, acceleration), connecting linear and rotational motion, torque, and rotational inertia (moment of inertia). Include cards on how rotational quantities parallel linear ones. | Create a 12-question mixed AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on rotational dynamics (first half). Then create a 6-question cumulative quiz pulling from Units 1-4 to keep earlier material fresh. Include at least one question connecting circular motion from Unit 2 to rotational kinematics. |
| 8 | Unit 5: Rotational Dynamics Part 2 | Rotational equilibrium, Newton's Second Law in rotational form | Create 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 5 topics 5.5 and 5.6. Cover rotational equilibrium (sum of torques = 0), Newton's Second Law in rotational form (tau = I * alpha), and applying these to systems like rods and disks. Include cards on calculating torque as a cross product. | Create a 13-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Unit 5 (second half). Use scenarios about rotating objects, torque, rotational acceleration, and equilibrium. Then create 1 short AP Physics C FRQ (15 points) on torque and rotational acceleration for a disk or rod. |
| 9 | Unit 6: Angular Momentum and Rotational Energy | Angular momentum, rotational kinetic energy, conservation laws | Create 24 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 6 topics 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4. Cover rotational kinetic energy (KE_rot = 0.5 * I * omega^2), angular momentum (L = I*omega), angular impulse-momentum theorem, and conservation of angular momentum in systems like spinning ice skaters and colliding rotating objects. | Create a 12-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on angular momentum and rotational energy. Then create 1 longer AP Physics C FRQ (15 points) on a scenario where angular momentum is conserved (like a disk collision or a falling rod). Require calculus reasoning about torque and angular acceleration. |
| 10 | Unit 6: Rolling Motion and Orbital Mechanics + cumulative | Rolling without slipping, satellite motion, orbital energy | Create 20 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 6 topics 6.5 and 6.6. Cover rolling without slipping (v_cm = R*omega, KE_total = KE_trans + KE_rot), orbital motion, orbital velocity, and orbital energy. Include cards on how energy and momentum conservation apply to orbits. | Create a 10-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on rolling and orbits. Then create a 6-question cumulative quiz pulling from Units 2-7 to mix all major concepts. Include at least one problem requiring energy and momentum analysis. |
| 11 | Unit 7: Simple Harmonic Motion Part 1 | Defining SHM, frequency, period, equations of motion | Create 25 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 7 topics 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3. Cover the definition of SHM using calculus (a = -omega^2 * x), angular frequency, frequency and period, and writing equations of motion (x(t), v(t), a(t)). Include cards on phase and amplitude. | Create a 14-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on SHM fundamentals. Use scenarios about springs and pendulums, asking students to write equations of motion and find velocity and acceleration at specific positions. |
| 12 | Unit 7: SHM Energy and Pendulums + FRQ | Energy in oscillations, simple and physical pendulums | Create 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on Unit 7 topics 7.4 and 7.5. Cover energy in SHM (E = 0.5*k*A^2 = constant), how kinetic and potential energy oscillate, restoring force in pendulums, period of simple pendulums (T = 2*pi*sqrt(L/g)), and physical pendulum period. | Create a 12-question AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on SHM energy and pendulums. Then create 1 longer AP Physics C FRQ (15 points) on a mass-spring system or pendulum, requiring energy analysis, calculus reasoning about derivatives, and calculations of amplitude and frequency. |
| 13 | Unit 3-7 Review + cumulative | Energy, momentum, rotational systems, oscillations | Create 20 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards covering the most-tested concepts from Units 3-7: energy conservation, momentum conservation, angular momentum, torque, and SHM equations. Focus on concepts you've found tricky this week. | Create a 12-question mixed AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz on Units 3-7. Then create a 8-question cumulative quiz pulling from all units. Mix kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, and oscillations. Ask students to choose which concept applies to each scenario. |
| 14 | Full Review and Test-Taking Strategy | All seven units, free-response technique, equation sheet strategy | Create 18 AP Physics C: Mechanics flashcards on formulas you're least confident with. Include cards on when to use derivatives, when to use integrals, and how to read the equation sheet. | Create a 15-question cumulative AP Physics C: Mechanics quiz covering all 7 units. Then create 1 longer AP Physics C FRQ (15 points) that requires multiple steps: set up using Newton's laws or energy, apply calculus to find relationships, and justify with physics reasoning. This simulates the real exam. |
On the night before the exam, stop learning new material. Instead, flip through your StarSpark flashcards one more time, focusing on the ones you've been getting wrong. Make sure you can quickly recall the key calculus relationships: v = dx/dt, a = dv/dt, F = ma, tau = I*alpha, and W = integral of F*dx. Read through the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam page on AP Central for any last-minute details about format and timing.
On exam morning, eat breakfast, bring your calculator (a graphing calculator that can store equations), and bring a pencil. The equation sheet and calculator are your tools. Trust your prep.
This plan is built on how AP Physics C actually tests you.
Calculus reasoning is rewarded. Every free-response question on AP Physics C: Mechanics tests your understanding of how calculus relates to physics. When you set up a derivative or integral, you're earning points even if your arithmetic is wrong. This plan builds that skill from Day 1.
Conceptual understanding before computation. You need to know whether a problem asks for work (integral of F*dx) or power (dW/dt), whether momentum or energy is conserved, and whether to use linear or rotational equations. That conceptual choice is more important than the calculation.
Spaced repetition keeps earlier material fresh. The cumulative quizzes on Days 7, 10, 13, and 14 bring back earlier units so they don't fade. Physics C is cumulative in the sense that rotational dynamics (Unit 5) uses the same Newton's laws you learned in Unit 2.
Free-response practice from the start. This plan includes FRQ prompts on Days 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, and 14. That's not accident. Real AP Physics C students need to be comfortable showing their work, setting up equations, and justifying their reasoning.
Active problem-solving beats passive review. Every quiz prompt is designed to generate calculus-based, scenario-driven questions that force you to apply concepts. That's what the exam does.
You don't have to wait until tomorrow to start. Open StarSpark, paste the Day 1 flashcard prompt, and start quizzing yourself in under a minute.
The AP Physics C: Mechanics exam rewards students who understand calculus, apply it to physics problems, and practice that skill under time pressure. Two weeks is enough if every study session is focused, active, and built around how this exam actually tests you.
Good luck. You've got this.
This study plan is aligned with the AP Physics C: Mechanics Course and Exam Description published by the College Board. AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of this guide.
Want more AP study plans? Check out our full collection of cram plans for AP exams.
Start learning with StarSpark today.
Free for 14 days, no credit card needed.
