About Physics Guide
Physics Guide is a free learning platform built by students, for students. Whether you are stepping into introductory mechanics or pushing your problem-solving limits toward the national Olympiad stage, we provide structured practice tailored for middle and high schoolers.
Every problem comes with instant feedback and clean, human-written solutions designed to build real physical intuition. To keep your daily grind engaging, you can track your journey, customize your profile, and earn XP as you level up your physics skills.
AP Physics 1 Exam Overview
The AP Physics 1 exam, administered annually each May by the College Board, evaluates foundational, algebra-based classical mechanics. It emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, experimental design, and mathematical modeling rather than plug-and-chug formulas.
- Format: 3 hours total, divided into two 90-minute sections.
- Section I: 40 multiple-choice questions (50% of total score).
- Section II: 4 free-response questions (50% of total score), including mathematical routines, translating representations, experimental design, and qualitative/quantitative analysis.
- Scoring: Standard 1 to 5 scale, where scores of 4 and 5 frequently grant college course credit or advanced standing.
- Permitted tools: Graphing calculators and an official formula sheet are permitted throughout the entire exam.
AP Physics C (Mech) Exam Overview
The AP Physics C (Mech) exam, administered annually each May by the College Board, evaluates advanced, calculus-based mechanics. It emphasizes intensive mathematical derivation, differential and integral calculus applications, and laboratory data analysis.
- Format: 90 minutes total, divided into two equal 45-minute sections.
- Section I: 40 multiple-choice questions (50% of total score, 45 minutes).
- Section II: 4 free-response questions (50% of total score, 45 minutes), testing mathematical derivations, graph creation and analysis, experimental design, and quantitative physics problem-solving.
- Scope: Kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, power, linear momentum, circular motion, rotational dynamics (including moment of inertia derivations), and simple harmonic motion.
- Scoring: Standard 1 to 5 scale, widely recognized by engineering and physical science programs for rigorous collegiate course credit.
- Permitted tools: Approved graphing or scientific calculators and an official calculus-based formula sheet are permitted throughout both sections.
The F=ma Competition Overview
Organized annually in February by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the F=ma contest is the premier national high school physics competition in the United States. It serves as the official qualifying exam for the United States Physics Team (USAPhO).
- Format: 75 minutes to solve 25 challenging multiple-choice questions.
- Scope: Strictly mechanics, covering kinematics, Newton's laws, work and energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, simple harmonic motion, gravitation, and fluid statics.
- Difficulty: Highly rigorous. While standard calculus is not strictly necessary, solving problems requires advanced algebraic manipulation, dimensional analysis, spatial reasoning, and rapid elimination techniques under tight time constraints.
- Scoring and Progression: 1 point per correct answer, with 0 points deducted for blank or incorrect answers. The top ~400 scorers nationwide earn an invitation to sit for the semi-final USAPhO exam.
- Permitted tools: Handheld scientific or graphing calculators are permitted, but formula sheets are not provided; formulas must be known by heart.