Marlbridge guide to AP® Physics C: Mechanics

Unit roadmap

Units and topics exactly as numbered in the 2026–27 Course and Exam Description (Units 1–7). Weightings are the official multiple-choice ranges. Marlbridge has written resources for 41 of 41 topics so far; the rest are planned and marked as such.

1. Unit 1: Kinematics 10–15% of multiple choice · 5 topics

   • 1.1 Scalars and Vectors Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 1.2 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 1.3 Representing Motion Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 1.5 Motion in Two or Three Dimensions Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • Kinematics: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 1)
   • Kinematics: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 1)
2. Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics 20–25% of multiple choice · 10 topics

   • 2.1 Systems and Center of Mass Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.3 Newton’s Third Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.4 Newton’s First Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.5 Newton’s Second Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.6 Gravitational Force Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.7 Kinetic and Static Friction Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.8 Spring Forces Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.9 Resistive Forces Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 2.10 Circular Motion Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • Force and Translational Dynamics: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 2)
   • Force and Translational Dynamics: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 2)
3. Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power 15–25% of multiple choice · 5 topics

   • 3.1 Translational Kinetic Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 3.2 Work Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 3.3 Potential Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 3.4 Conservation of Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 3.5 Power Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • Work, Energy, and Power: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 3)
   • Work, Energy, and Power: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 3)
4. Unit 4: Linear Momentum 10–20% of multiple choice · 4 topics

   • 4.1 Linear Momentum Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 4.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • Linear Momentum: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 4)
   • Linear Momentum: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 4)
5. Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics 10–15% of multiple choice · 6 topics

   • 5.1 Rotational Kinematics Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 5.2 Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 5.3 Torque Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 5.4 Rotational Inertia Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 5.5 Rotational Equilibrium and Newton’s First Law in Rotational Form Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 5.6 Newton’s Second Law in Rotational Form Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • Torque and Rotational Dynamics: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 5)
   • Torque and Rotational Dynamics: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 5)
6. Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems 10–15% of multiple choice · 6 topics

   • 6.1 Rotational Kinetic Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 6.2 Torque and Work Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 6.3 Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 6.4 Conservation of Angular Momentum Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 6.5 Rolling Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 6)
   • Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 6)
7. Unit 7: Oscillations 10–15% of multiple choice · 5 topics

   • 7.1 Defining Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 7.3 Representing and Analyzing SHM Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 7.4 Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • 7.5 Simple and Physical Pendulums Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
   • Oscillations: Unit Diagnostic (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 7)
   • Oscillations: Mixed Unit Review (Physics C: Mechanics Unit 7)

Exam skills

Guides that apply across every unit: what each task verb asks you to do, and how to set out answers so every step of your reasoning is visible.

• Representations, Derivations and Experimental Design: Exam Skills Guide (Physics C: Mechanics)

  How to draw free-body diagrams, motion graphs and energy charts, set out calculus derivations, check results with units and limits, and design and linearise experiments.

• Task Verbs and Free-Response Technique: Exam Skills Guide (Physics C: Mechanics)

  What each free-response task verb asks for in calculus-based mechanics, how much to write, how to plan the section and show working, with original worked examples, rubrics and practice.

Science practices

1. Creating Representations

Create diagrams, tables, charts, schematics, quantitative graphs and qualitative sketches that represent physical situations.

2. Mathematical Routines

Derive symbolic expressions, calculate or estimate quantities with units, compare quantities between scenarios and predict factors of change.

3. Scientific Questioning and Argumentation

Create experimental procedures, apply a law or model to make a claim, and justify claims with evidence.