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Fall 2026AP Physics C: Mechanics is the calculus-based AP mechanics course for students preparing for the College Board exam.
The course follows the current AP Physics C: Mechanics unit sequence: Kinematics; Force and Translational Dynamics; Work, Energy, and Power; Linear Momentum; Torque and Rotational Dynamics; Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems; and Oscillations.
Use this path when students need calculus-based mechanics practice with AP-style representations, mathematical routines, experimental reasoning, and free-response explanations.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Learning Outcomes
AP Unit 1: Kinematics
10-15% of exam
• Use derivatives and integrals to connect position, velocity, acceleration, and time.
• Move between motion graphs, vector functions, parametric descriptions, and component equations.
• Treat one-dimensional and two-dimensional motion as one coherent mathematical model.
AP Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics
20-25% of exam
• Build free-body diagrams and turn them into Newton's second-law equations.
• Analyze constraints, tension, friction, normal forces, drag-style reasoning, and coupled-object systems.
• Use calculus to reason about changing motion, not just constant-acceleration special cases.
AP Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
15-25% of exam
• Compute work from force integrals and force-position graphs.
• Track kinetic energy, potential energy, conservative forces, nonconservative work, and power.
• Use energy methods when they simplify otherwise difficult force-based problems.
AP Unit 4: Linear Momentum
10-20% of exam
• Connect impulse, force-time relationships, center of mass, and system momentum.
• Apply momentum conservation to collisions, explosions, recoil, and multi-object systems.
• Combine momentum and energy when classifying elastic and inelastic interactions.
AP Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
10-15% of exam
• Translate between linear and angular descriptions of motion.
• Use torque, rotational inertia, and rotational Newton's second law to analyze rotating systems.
• Model rolling, pulleys, static equilibrium, and coupled translation-rotation scenarios.
AP Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
10-15% of exam
• Track rotational kinetic energy, rolling constraints, torque-position work, and changing moment of inertia.
• Use angular momentum conservation in collisions, orbital-style motion, and spin systems.
• Connect torque-time graphs and angular momentum change across representations.
AP Unit 7: Oscillations
10-15% of exam
• Model simple harmonic motion with restoring forces, energy, period, frequency, and phase.
• Use calculus-based differential-equation reasoning where it clarifies oscillator behavior.
• Analyze springs, pendulums, and small-oscillation approximations.
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