The more you use your equations, the more comfortable you will be with them, and that comfort level will
help you on the AP test.
The reason you should try solving homework problems without looking up equations is that this will
alert you to trouble spots. When you can look at an equations sheet, it’s easy to fool yourself into a false
sense of confidence: “Oh, yeah, I knew that spring potential energy is ½kx 2 .” But when you don’t have an
equations sheet to look at, you realize that either you know an equation or you don’t. So if you solve
homework problems without looking up equations, you’ll quickly figure out which ones you know and
which you don’t; and then you can focus your studying on those equations that need more review.
Tip 2: Use mnemonic devices.Use whatever tricks necessary to learn an equation. For example, it is often hard to remember that the
period of a pendulum is
and not
So make up some trick, like “The terms go in backward alphabetical order: T wo-pi r oot L over g .” Be
creative.
Tip 3: The Four-Minute Drill.Practice speed. Say the equations as fast as you can, then say them faster. Start at the top of the AP
equations sheet 2 and work your way down. Have someone quiz you. Let that person give you a lead, like
“Period of a pendulum,” and you respond “Two-pi root L over g .” See how many equations you can
rattle off in four minutes. We call it the Four-Minute Drill.
This is much more fun with a group; for example, try to persuade your teacher to lead the class in a
four-minute drill. Not only will you get out of four minutes of lecture, but you may also be able to bargain
with your teacher: “Sir, if we can rattle off 50 equations in the Four-Minute Drill, will you exempt us
from doing tonight’s problems?” 3