AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

The core document for each AP course is the course and exam description. Start by reviewing it to understand the objectives and expectations of the course and exam.

Download the AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Course and Exam Description (.pdf).

Your course must fulfill these requirements.

AP Physics 1 curricular requirements:

• Students and teachers have access to college-level resources including a college-level textbook and reference materials in print or electronic format.
• The course provides opportunities to develop student understanding of the required content outlined in each of the units described in the AP Physics 1 Course and Exam Description (CED).
• The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to the science practices:
  • Science Practice 1: Creating Representations
  • Science Practice 2: Mathematical Routines
  • Science Practice 3: Scientific Questioning and Argumentation
• Students spend a minimum of 25 percent of instructional time engaged in hands-on laboratory investigations.
• Students engage in hands-on laboratory investigations representative of the topics outlined in the AP Physics 1 Course and Exam Description.
• The course provides opportunities for students to record evidence of their scientific investigations in a portfolio of lab reports or a lab notebook (print or digital format).

AP Physics 1 resource requirements:

• The school ensures that each student has a college-level physics textbook (in print or electronic format) for individual use inside and outside the classroom. The textbook is supplemented when necessary to meet the curricular requirements.
• The school ensures that the teacher has a copy of the most recent edition of a college-level physics textbook or other appropriate materials to support instruction.
• The school ensures that students have access to scientific equipment/materials, all necessary resources, and adequate time to conduct hands-on, college-level physics laboratory investigations as outlined in the teacher’s course syllabus.

Current textbooks adequately address the material needed for the revised AP Physics courses launching in 2024-25. Textbook requirements have not changed: students and teachers should have access to a college-level textbook.

We’ve informed publishers of the changes. They’re working to update their materials to align with the revised course so that schools wishing to purchase textbooks aligned to the changes can do so.

The list below shows examples of textbooks that meet the curricular requirements of AP Physics 1. The list is not exhaustive and the texts listed should not be regarded as endorsed, authorized, recommended, or approved by College Board. Not using a book from this list does not mean that a course will not receive authorization. Syllabi submitted as part of the AP Course Audit process will be evaluated holistically, with textbooks considered along with supplementary resources to confirm that the course provides students with the content delineated in the curricular requirements of the AP Course Audit. 

The specified editions of the following textbooks meet the AP Physics 1 resource requirements. Earlier editions of these textbooks or other textbooks not listed here may meet the AP curricular requirements if published within the last 10 years. While every effort is made to keep this list current, it can take a few months for newly published titles and revised editions to be reviewed. 

For discussions regarding the usefulness of these texts and other teaching materials in the AP Physics 1 classroom, please consult the AP Physics Teacher Community. 

• Cutnell, John D., Kenneth W. Johnson, David Young, Shane Stadler. Physics (Physics 1). 10th edition. Wiley. 
• Etkina, Eugenia, Michael Gentile, and Alan Van Heuvelen. College Physics. 2nd edition. National Geographic Learning/Pearson. 
• Etkina, Eugenia, Michael Gentile, and Alan Van Heuvelen. College Physics: Explore and Apply, AP Edition. Pearson. 
• Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics: Principles with Applications. Pearson. 
• Ingram, Douglas and David Anderson. OpenStax College Physics for AP® Course 1. 1st edition. OpenStax. 
• Knight, Randall J., Brian Jones, and Stuart Field. College Physics: A Strategic Approach. 4th Edition. Pearson. 
• Knight, Randall J., Brian Jones, and Stuart Field. College Physics: A Strategic Approach, AP Edition. Pearson.  
• Serway, Raymond A. AP Edition, AP Physics 1. 1st edition. National Geographic.  
• Serway, Raymond A. and Chris Vuille. College Physics (AP Edition) 11th edition. National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. 
• Stewart, Gay, Roger A. Freedman, Todd Ruskell, and Philip R. Kesten. College Physics for the AP Physics 1 Course. 1st Edition. Bedford, Freeman, and Worth. 
• Stewart, Gay, Roger A. Freedman, Todd Ruskell, and Philip R. Kesten. College Physics for the AP Physics 1 & 2 Courses. 3rd edition. Bedford, Freeman, and Worth.

These annotated sample AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based syllabi shows how the curricular requirements can be demonstrated and what level of detail you’ll need to include.

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Sample Syllabus 1 (.pdf)

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Sample Syllabus 2 (.pdf)

Review this document for help creating your syllabus.

Syllabus Development Guide: AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based (.pdf)

This resource includes the guidelines reviewers use to evaluate syllabi along with three samples of evidence for each requirement. This guide also specifies the level of detail required in the syllabus to receive course authorization.