AP Physics 1 Progress Check walkthroughs.
Unit-by-unit explanations of the MCQ and FRQ content on AP Classroom Progress Checks. Each unit page shows the topics tested, the most common student mistakes, and a tip from someone who scored a 5.
All units, expandable.
Click a unit to see MCQ topics, FRQ structure, common mistakes, and a tip from a student who scored a 5.
U01Kinematics
- 1-D motion
- 2-D motion
- Vectors
- Position-time graph FRQs
U02Force and Translational Dynamics
- Free-body diagrams
- Friction
- Circular motion & gravitation
- Connected-system and Atwood analysis
U03Work, Energy, and Power
- Work-energy theorem
- Conservation of energy
- Power
- Energy conservation in multi-stage scenarios
U04Linear Momentum
- Impulse
- Conservation
- Collisions
- Elastic vs. inelastic collisions
U05Torque and Rotational Dynamics
- Angular kinematics
- Rotational inertia
- Torque
- Rotational form of Newton’s second law
U06Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
- Rotational kinetic energy
- Angular momentum
- Conservation of L
- Conservation of angular momentum
U07Oscillations
- Springs
- Pendulums
- Energy in SHM
- Period derivation from F=ma
U08Fluids
- Density and pressure
- Buoyancy
- Continuity and Bernoulli
- Buoyant force and fluid-flow analysis
Pair the walkthrough with the calculator.
After each unit, plug your AP Classroom score breakdown into the calculator. You’ll see your trajectory in real numbers, not vibes.
Open Phys 1 calculatorGo deeper on a unit.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers — written by humans, not a chatbot.
What's the difference between Phys 1 Progress Checks and the real AP exam?
Progress Checks are unscaled — they’re unit-by-unit MCQ + FRQ practice that AP Classroom assigns. The real AP exam uses a curve to map your raw composite to a 1–5. The walkthroughs above explain the reasoning; the calculator estimates your exam score.
Should I do every Progress Check or skip around?
Do them in order the first time — each one builds on the last. If you’re reviewing in May, target the units where you’re weakest using the unit summaries above.
Why don't you publish exact answer keys?
AP Classroom assignments are graded as your own work. Posting raw keys would help cheaters and harm the students using Curve for actual studying. Our walkthroughs explain reasoning, not letter answers.