AP Physics C: Mechanics - Table of Information Summary
Constants and Conversion Factors
Universal Gravitational Constant (G): G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11} \frac{m^3}{kg \cdot s^2} = 6.67 \times 10^{-11} \frac{N \cdot m^2}{kg^2}
Acceleration due to Gravity at Earth's Surface (g): g = 9.8 \frac{m}{s^2}
Magnitude of Gravitational Field Strength at Earth's Surface (g): g = 9.8 \frac{N}{kg}
Prefixes
tera: 10^{12} (T)
giga: 10^9 (G)
mega: 10^6 (M)
kilo: 10^3 (k)
centi: 10^{-2} (c)
milli: 10^{-3} (m)
micro: 10^{-6} ($\mu$)
nano: 10^{-9} (n)
pico: 10^{-12} (p)
Unit Symbols
hertz (Hz)
newton (N)
joule (J)
second (s)
kilogram (kg)
watt (W)
meter (m)
Values of Trigonometric Functions for Common Angles
Angle | sin | cos | tan |
|---|---|---|---|
0^\circ | 0 | 1 | 0 |
30^\circ | \frac{1}{2} | \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} | \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} |
37^\circ | \frac{3}{5} | \frac{4}{5} | \frac{3}{4} |
45^\circ | \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} | \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} | 1 |
53^\circ | \frac{4}{5} | \frac{3}{5} | \frac{4}{3} |
60^\circ | \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} | \frac{1}{2} | \sqrt{3} |
90^\circ | 1 | 0 | - |
Assumptions for the Exam
The frame of reference of any problem is assumed to be inertial unless otherwise stated.
Air resistance is assumed to be negligible unless otherwise stated.
Springs and strings are assumed to be ideal unless otherwise stated.
Mechanics
a: acceleration
E: energy
f: frequency
F: force
h: height
J: impulse
k: spring constant
K: kinetic energy
ℓ: length
m: mass
M: mass
p: momentum
P: power
r: radius, distance, or position
t: time
T: period
U: potential energy
v: velocity or speed
W: work
x: position or distance
y: height
l: linear mass density
\mu: coefficient of friction
I: rotational inertia
L: angular momentum
\alpha: angular acceleration
\theta: angle
\tau: torque
\phi: phase angle
\omega: angular frequency or angular speed
Geometry and Trigonometry
Rectangle: Area A = bh
Triangle: Area A = \frac{1}{2}bh
Circle: Area A = \pi r^2, Circumference C = 2 \pi r
Rectangular Solid: Volume V = \ell wh
Cylinder: Volume V = \pi r^2 h, Surface Area S = 2 \pi r h + 2 \pi r^2
Sphere: Volume V = \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3, Surface Area S = 4 \pi r^2
Right Triangle:
Pythagorean Theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2
\sin \theta = \frac{a}{c}
\cos \theta = \frac{b}{c}
\tan \theta = \frac{a}{b}