Physics Calculators: Motion, Force, Energy & Waves

Physics calculator library

Work through motion, force, energy, waves and decay with clear units.

Browse 16 tools, including a related AP score estimate. Each physical model has assumptions: check the units and read the tool’s explanation before using its result for a real-world decision.

16tools including a study utility

6focused groups

SIcheck the units

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Showing 16 of 16 tools

Featured

8 tools

Start with motion, forces, energy, work and waves.

Acceleration CalculatorFind acceleration from a change in velocity and time. Force CalculatorCalculate force, mass or acceleration using Newton's second law. Power CalculatorFind the rate at which work is done. Projectile Motion CalculatorEstimate idealized range, flight time and maximum height. Velocity CalculatorRelate displacement, time and average velocity. Work CalculatorCalculate work from force, displacement and their angle. Kinetic Energy CalculatorFind the energy of motion from mass and speed. Wavelength CalculatorRelate wavelength, frequency and wave speed.

Mechanics

2 tools

Examine circular motion and idealized free fall.

Centripetal Force CalculatorEstimate inward force from mass, speed and path radius. Free Fall CalculatorExplore distance, time and speed under idealized gravity.

Energy & momentum

3 tools

Compare motion, forces over time and a selected height reference.

Gravitational Potential Energy CalculatorFind energy relative to a selected height reference. Impulse & Momentum CalculatorRelate force over time to a change in momentum. Momentum CalculatorFind linear momentum from mass and velocity.

Waves & oscillation

1 tool

Use the spring model within its elastic range.

Hooke's Law CalculatorRelate spring force, extension and spring constant.

Decay

1 tool

Explore exponential change through half-life.

Half-Life CalculatorExplore remaining quantity and elapsed half-lives.

A reliable workflow

Check the model before the answer

Identify the quantity

Choose the relationship that matches the problem: speed and time, force and mass, energy, momentum or frequency.

Convert the units

For SI calculations, convert quantities such as kilometers per hour to meters per second before entering them if the tool expects m/s.

Check assumptions

Introductory models may neglect drag, friction or nonconstant acceleration. Compare the result with the precision of your inputs.

A quick dimensional check

Units help catch a plausible-looking wrong answer. For example, velocity has units of distance divided by time (m/s), while acceleration has units of velocity divided by time (m/s²). Force equals mass times acceleration, giving newtons (kg·m/s²). If the result’s units do not match the requested quantity, revisit the inputs and the formula.

Frequently asked questions

Units, assumptions and the meaning of a model’s result.

Do the motion tools account for air resistance?

Check the assumptions on the individual tool. Free-fall and introductory projectile models commonly omit air resistance, so their estimates differ from real motion with significant drag.

What value of gravity should I use?

For introductory Earth problems, 9.81 m/s² is a common approximation. Use the value specified by your problem or supported by the calculator.

What is the difference between mass and weight?

Mass is measured in kilograms. Weight is the gravitational force on that mass and is measured in newtons; it varies with local gravity.

Why did I get an unexpectedly large result?

Check input units first. For example, 36 km/h equals 10 m/s; entering 36 in a field that expects m/s produces a different physical scenario.

Are these answers exact?

Arithmetic follows the entered values, but the model and measurements impose limits. Report a result with precision justified by the inputs and assumptions.

Does the AP Physics score estimator give an official score?

No. An estimated score depends on the selected scoring assumptions and does not replace the official score or scoring guidance.

Continue with a connected calculation.

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