AP Physics: Why You Need to Memorise Every Derivation

AP Physics 1, 2, and C all reward derivation knowledge directly. The College Board explicitly tests "given F = ma, derive..." or "starting from kinematic equations, show that...". If you don't know the derivations, you can't answer.

The three-pass method

1. Pass 1: read the derivation in your textbook line by line. No copying yet. Just understand each line.
2. Pass 2: cover the page. Try to write it from memory. You will fail. Check.
3. Pass 3: redo it on a fresh page. Aim to derive in under 90 seconds.

Repeat until you can do it without thinking.

The derivations to know cold for AP Physics 1

• Kinematic equations from first principles
• Work-energy theorem
• Conservation of momentum
• Centripetal acceleration formula
• Period of a pendulum

For AP Physics 2

• Gauss's law
• Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor
• RC circuit charging/discharging
• Bragg's law for wave diffraction

For AP Physics C

• Everything above, but using calculus
• Maxwell's equations in integral form

Use AI to drill

Math Solver walks every line. Mock Exam generates AP-style derivation questions. Flashcards for the trigger lines.