AP Physics 1 · Reference

AP Physics 1 equation sheet every formula by unit (2026).

Here is the full AP Physics 1 equation sheet for 2026, organized by all eight units, including the new Fluids equations. The College Board gives you this reference on exam day, so the goal is to know what each formula does, not to memorize it.

Updated June 2026Part of AP Physics 1 Review

Is the equation sheet provided on the AP Physics 1 exam?

Yes. The official AP Physics 1 equation sheet is built into the Bluebook app for the multiple-choice section and printed in the free-response booklet, so you have it in front of you the whole time. That is why the exam rarely rewards pure recall — it rewards choosing the right relationship and explaining why it applies.

The version below is grouped the way the course is taught, unit by unit, so you can connect each formula to the topic it belongs to. The exact symbols and a few constants are also provided on the official sheet.

The AP Physics 1 equation sheet, unit by unit

Every relationship you are given on test day, with a plain-language note on when to reach for it.

Unit 1 — Kinematics

v = v₀ + at

Velocity after time t under constant acceleration.

x = x₀ + v₀t + ½at²

Position when you know time but not final velocity.

v² = v₀² + 2a(x − x₀)

Final velocity when you know displacement but not time.

Unit 2 — Forces and Newton’s laws

ΣF = ma

Newton’s second law: net force sets acceleration.

F_g = mg

Weight, the gravitational force near Earth’s surface.

F_f ≤ μF_N

Friction force from the normal force and the coefficient.

F_s = kx

Hooke’s law: spring force from stretch or compression.

F_grav = Gm₁m₂ / r²

Universal gravitation between two masses.

a_c = v² / r

Centripetal acceleration for circular motion.

Unit 3 — Work, energy, and power

K = ½mv²

Kinetic energy of a moving object.

U_g = mgy

Gravitational potential energy near Earth.

U_s = ½kx²

Elastic potential energy stored in a spring.

W = Fd·cosθ

Work done by a force over a displacement.

W_net = ΔK

Work-energy theorem.

P = W / t = Fv

Power as work over time, or force times velocity.

Unit 4 — Linear momentum

p = mv

Linear momentum.

J = FΔt = Δp

Impulse equals the change in momentum.

Σp_i = Σp_f

Conservation of momentum in a closed system.

Unit 5 — Torque and rotational dynamics

τ = rF·sinθ

Torque from a force applied at a distance.

Στ = Iα

Rotational form of Newton’s second law.

ω = ω₀ + αt

Angular velocity under constant angular acceleration.

θ = θ₀ + ω₀t + ½αt²

Angular position over time.

v = rω, a_t = rα

Linking rotation to tangential motion.

Unit 6 — Energy and momentum of rotating systems

K_rot = ½Iω²

Rotational kinetic energy.

L = Iω

Angular momentum.

ΔL = τΔt

Angular impulse changes angular momentum.

L_i = L_f

Conservation of angular momentum.

Unit 7 — Oscillations

T_s = 2π√(m / k)

Period of a mass on a spring.

T_p = 2π√(L / g)

Period of a simple pendulum.

f = 1 / T

Frequency is the inverse of period.

x(t) = A·cos(2πft)

Position in simple harmonic motion.

Unit 8 — Fluids (new for 2026)

ρ = m / V

Density: mass per unit volume.

P = F / A

Pressure as force over area.

P = P₀ + ρgh

Absolute pressure at depth in a fluid.

F_b = ρ_fluidV_dispg

Buoyant force (Archimedes’ principle).

A₁v₁ = A₂v₂

Continuity: flow rate is constant.

P₁ + ½ρv₁² + ρgy₁ = P₂ + ½ρv₂² + ρgy₂

Bernoulli’s equation along a streamline.

Constants, units, and geometry on the sheet

Alongside the formulas, the official sheet hands you the constants and shapes you need so you never have to remember a number.

g = 9.8 m/s²

Acceleration due to gravity near Earth’s surface.

G = 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg²

Universal gravitational constant.

P₀ = 1.01 × 10⁵ Pa

Atmospheric pressure at sea level.

Geometry & trig

Areas and volumes for rectangles, triangles, circles, cylinders, and spheres, plus right-triangle ratios and the Pythagorean theorem.

What’s new on the 2026 equation sheet

The biggest change is Unit 8, Fluids. The current sheet adds density, the pressure-at-depth relationship, the buoyant force from Archimedes’ principle, the continuity equation, and Bernoulli’s equation. If you are studying from a sheet that stops at oscillations and never mentions fluids, it predates the redesign and is missing a full unit of testable material.

How to actually use the equation sheet

Treat the sheet as a map, not a crutch. In your studying, practice naming which formula fits a situation and why, because that judgment is what the multiple-choice and free-response questions test. It also helps to learn the layout so you can find a relationship in seconds during the exam.

For a faster, concept-first version that pairs each unit with its key idea and the mistake to avoid, use our AP Physics 1 cheat sheet. When you want to check a practice raw score, the score calculator converts it to a 1–5.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers — written by humans, not a chatbot.

Is the AP Physics 1 equation sheet provided on the exam?

Yes. It is in the Bluebook app for the multiple-choice section and printed in the free-response booklet, so you have it the whole time.

What is new on the 2026 AP Physics 1 formula sheet?

The Fluids unit was added, bringing density, pressure at depth, buoyant force, the continuity equation, and Bernoulli’s equation.

Do I still need to memorize formulas for AP Physics 1?

Not the formulas themselves, since they are provided. You do need to know which one applies, what each symbol means, and how to justify your choice.

Can I use the equation sheet on the free-response section?

Yes. The same reference sheet is available for both the multiple-choice and free-response sections.

What is the difference between the equation sheet and a cheat sheet?

The equation sheet is the official list of formulas you are handed. A cheat sheet is a study tool that adds the key idea and common mistake for each unit — see our cheat sheet.