AP Physics 1 Practice Test 2027: 5 Full Model Papers + Solutions
Use these five original model papers for whole-exam simulation. Each paper contains 42 MCQs in an 85-minute Section I and 4 FRQs in a 95-minute Section II, matching the May 2027 exam structure. Every question has an answer or full solution.
How many full AP Physics 1 practice tests are included?
Five complete original AP Physics 1 model papers are included. Each paper uses the 2027 structure of 42 MCQs and 4 FRQs with answer keys and worked solutions.
- 5 full model papers.
- 210 model-paper MCQs and 20 model-paper FRQs.
- Current 2027 section counts and timing.
Full model papers and topic practice now have different jobs
Choose a model paper when you want a timed final-exam simulation. Choose the MCQ or FRQ subpages when you want focused practice on one exact syllabus topic.
42 MCQs + 4 FRQs per paper, current timing, weighted unit coverage, answers and full solutions.
Select a paper ↓Focused drillMCQ Practice by Topic42 original multiple-choice questions for each of all 43 official topics with direct explanations.
Open topic MCQs →Focused writingFRQ Practice by TopicFour original FRQs for each of all 43 official topics covering the four current response types.
Open topic FRQs →Choose your final-review paper
All five use the same official section lengths but different questions, contexts and FRQ combinations.
They are blueprint-based forecasts, not leaked or official exam questions. Each 42-question MCQ paper uses a balanced count inside the current College Board unit-weighting ranges: Unit 1 = 5, Unit 2 = 8, Unit 3 = 8, Unit 4 = 5, Unit 5 = 5, Unit 6 = 3, Unit 7 = 3, Unit 8 = 5. The four FRQs use one Mathematical Routines, one Translation Between Representations, one Experimental Design & Analysis, and one Qualitative/Quantitative Translation task.
| Unit | Model-paper MCQs | Share of 42 | Official MCQ range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Kinematics | 5 | 11.9% | 10–15% |
| 2 Force & Translational Dynamics | 8 | 19.0% | 18–23% |
| 3 Work, Energy & Power | 8 | 19.0% | 18–23% |
| 4 Linear Momentum | 5 | 11.9% | 10–15% |
| 5 Torque & Rotational Dynamics | 5 | 11.9% | 10–15% |
| 6 Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems | 3 | 7.1% | 5–8% |
| 7 Oscillations | 3 | 7.1% | 5–8% |
| 8 Fluids | 5 | 11.9% | 10–15% |
AP Physics 1 2027 Model Paper 4
For the most realistic attempt, use the equation/reference sheet allowed for the exam, keep solutions closed, and complete both sections under the current timing.
42 multiple-choice questions
Questions are intentionally mixed across units. Use the Check Answer button only after committing to a choice if you are simulating exam conditions.
A rotating platform carries sliding masses that move closer to the axis. With negligible external torque, what happens?
Correct answer: A. With negligible external torque, angular momentum L = Iω is conserved, so I and ω change inversely.
In water (ρ = 1000 kg/m³), what is the gauge-pressure increase 1.8 m below the surface? Take g = 10 m/s².
Correct answer: C. Hydrostatic pressure change is ΔP = ρgΔh = 18000 Pa.
Water flows steadily from a pipe of cross-sectional area 4.0 cm² at 2.8 m/s into a 2.0 cm² section. What is the speed in the narrower section?
Correct answer: A. For steady incompressible flow, A₁v₁ = A₂v₂. Halving the area doubles the speed.
A horizontal beam is in rotational equilibrium. A downward 20 N force acts 0.25 m left of the pivot. What downward force acting 0.50 m right of the pivot balances it?
Correct answer: B. For rotational equilibrium, clockwise and counterclockwise torques have equal magnitude: F_L r_L = F_R r_R.
For an ideal mass-spring oscillator, the mass changes by a factor of 16 while k stays constant. By what factor does the period change?
Correct answer: C. Because T = 2π√(m/k), the period follows the square root of m and the inverse square root of k.
A 65 kg rider stands on a scale in an elevator accelerating upward at 2 m/s². Take g = 10 m/s². What does the scale read?
Correct answer: B. For upward acceleration, N − mg = ma, so N = m(g+a) = 780 N.
A 6 kg cart experiences a constant net horizontal force of 18 N. What is the cart's acceleration?
Correct answer: B. Newton’s second law gives a = F_net/m = 3 m/s².
A wheel of radius 0.32 m rolls without slipping with angular speed 8 rad/s. What is the center-of-mass speed?
Correct answer: B. For rolling without slipping, v = ωR = 2.56 m/s.
A 6 kg object speeds up from 2 m/s to 4 m/s. What is the net work done on it?
Correct answer: D. The work-energy theorem gives W_net = ΔK = ½m(v_f²−v_i²) = 36 J.
An ideal spring oscillator is instantaneously at x = −A/3, where x=0 is equilibrium. In which direction is its acceleration?
Correct answer: D. For SHM, a ∝ −x, so acceleration always points from the displaced position back toward equilibrium.
A cart undergoes constant acceleration. Its velocity changes from +10 m/s to +2 m/s in 8 s. What is its displacement during the interval?
Correct answer: C. For constant acceleration, average velocity is (v_i+v_f)/2. Multiplying by time gives Δx = 48 m.
A cart starts from rest and descends a frictionless track through a vertical height of 2.6 m. Take g = 10 m/s². What is its speed at the bottom?
Correct answer: B. Conservation of mechanical energy gives mgh = ½mv², so v = √(2gh) = 7.21 m/s.
An object moves along the x-axis from x = -6 m to x = +15 m. What is its displacement?
Correct answer: A. Displacement is final position minus initial position: Δx = x_f − x_i = 21 m.
For energy accounting of a pendulum bob moving downward, which system choice allows gravitational potential energy to be treated as internal energy of the system?
Correct answer: A. Gravitational potential energy is associated with the interaction between Earth and the object, so the useful system contains both.
Two rotating objects have the same total mass and outer radius. Object B has the same mass but a more outward mass distribution. Which has the greater rotational inertia?
Correct answer: A. Rotational inertia weights each mass element by r², so placing more mass farther from the axis increases I.
Earth pulls downward on an apple gravitationally. What is the corresponding third-law force?
Correct answer: C. Newton’s-third-law forces are the same interaction on two different objects and have equal magnitude with opposite direction.
An object moves in a circle of fixed radius. Its speed changes by a factor of 4 while mass and radius stay constant. By what factor does the required centripetal net force change?
Correct answer: D. Because F_c = mv²/r, the force scales as the square of speed. The factor is (4)² = 16.
A rotating object has I = 2 kg·m² and ω = 7 rad/s. What is its rotational kinetic energy?
Correct answer: D. Rotational kinetic energy is K_rot = ½Iω² = 49 J.
A moving object’s speed changes by a factor of 4 while mass stays constant. By what factor does its kinetic energy change?
Correct answer: C. K = ½mv², so kinetic energy scales with the square of speed: factor = 16.
For an ideal cart oscillating on an ideal spring, at what position is the magnitude of velocity greatest?
Correct answer: A. At equilibrium the spring potential energy is minimum and kinetic energy is maximum, so speed is greatest there.
A fluid sample has mass 1 kg and volume 5.0×10⁻⁴ m³. What is its density?
Correct answer: B. Density is ρ = m/V = 2000 kg/m³.
A 1.8 kg cart moving at +8 m/s sticks to a 2.0 kg cart initially at rest. Neglect external impulse. What is their common velocity?
Correct answer: D. Conservation of momentum gives m₁v₁ = (m₁+m₂)v_f, so v_f = +3.79 m/s.
A constant horizontal force of 18 N acts in the direction of motion while an object moves 7 m. How much work does the force do?
Correct answer: B. For a force parallel to displacement, W = Fd = 126 J.
A constant +40 N force acts for 0.4 s. What impulse is delivered?
Correct answer: C. Impulse is J = FΔt for a constant force, so J = +16 N·s.
A train moves +26 m/s relative to the ground. A passenger walks toward the front at 3 m/s relative to the train. What is the passenger's velocity relative to the ground?
Correct answer: D. Use signed relative velocities: v_P/G = v_P/T + v_T/G = 29 m/s.
A spring with k = 200 N/m is stretched 0.050 m beyond its relaxed length. What is the magnitude of the spring force?
Correct answer: C. Hooke’s law gives |F_s| = k|x| = 10 N.
A spring with k = 280 N/m is compressed 0.10 m. How much elastic potential energy is stored?
Correct answer: A. Spring potential energy is U_s = ½kx² = 1.4 J.
An object displaces 0.0028 m³ of water. Take ρ_water = 1000 kg/m³ and g = 10 m/s². What is the buoyant-force magnitude?
Correct answer: D. Archimedes’ principle gives F_B = ρ_fluid g V_displaced = 28 N.
A cart has velocity +8 m/s and acceleration -3 m/s² at an instant. What is happening to its speed?
Correct answer: B. Velocity and acceleration have opposite signs, so the acceleration opposes the motion and the speed decreases.
A motor transfers 1000 J of energy in 9 s. What is its average power?
Correct answer: C. Average power is energy transferred per time: P = ΔE/Δt = 111.11 W.
For two rail cars coupling during a short impact, why can total system momentum be approximately conserved during the short interaction?
Correct answer: A. Internal forces transfer momentum between system parts; negligible external impulse keeps the total momentum nearly constant.
A 6 kg object is lifted vertically by 7 m near Earth’s surface. Take g = 10 m/s². What is the increase in gravitational potential energy?
Correct answer: D. ΔU_g = mgΔy = 420 J.
A force-time graph is a triangle with base 0.8 s and peak height 50 N. What is the impulse magnitude?
Correct answer: B. Impulse equals the area under F(t). The triangle area is ½(base)(height) = 20 N·s.
In a level pipe carrying ideal fluid through a narrow throat, the fluid speed is greater in the narrower region. How does the static pressure there compare with the wider region?
Correct answer: B. For steady ideal flow at equal height, Bernoulli’s relation pairs greater speed with lower static pressure.
A point on a rotating disk is 0.38 m from the axis and the disk rotates at 8 rad/s. What is the point's tangential speed?
Correct answer: C. Tangential speed and angular speed are related by v = rω.
Two masses attract gravitationally. Their separation changes by a factor of 4 while both masses remain constant. By what factor does the force change?
Correct answer: A. Gravitational force follows F ∝ 1/r², so changing r by factor 4 changes F by 1/(4)² = 0.063.
A 7 kg block rests on a horizontal surface with μ_s = 0.40. Take g = 10 m/s². What is the maximum static-friction magnitude?
Correct answer: D. Maximum static friction is f_s,max = μ_s N = μ_s mg = 28 N.
Two toy cars drive off the same horizontal ledge together, one moving faster than the other. Ignoring air resistance, which statement is correct?
Correct answer: A. Horizontal and vertical motions share the same time. With identical vertical initial conditions and the same gravitational acceleration, the flight time is independent of horizontal speed.
A force of 18 N is applied perpendicular to a wrench 0.28 m from the pivot. What is the torque magnitude?
Correct answer: C. For a perpendicular force, τ = rF = 5.04 N·m.
A frictionless block slides down an incline at 45°. Use sin(45°) ≈ 0.71 and g = 10 m/s². What is its acceleration along the incline?
Correct answer: A. Along the incline, ma = mg sinθ, so a = g sinθ = 7.1 m/s² down the incline.
A rigid object has rotational inertia 2.8 kg·m² and experiences net torque 10 N·m. What is its angular acceleration?
Correct answer: D. Rotational dynamics gives τ_net = Iα, so α = τ_net/I = 3.57 rad/s².
A 6 kg cart moves at +7 m/s. What is its linear momentum?
Correct answer: B. Linear momentum is p = mv, including the velocity direction, so p = +42 kg·m/s.
Open quick MCQ answer key for Model Paper 4
Full reasoning remains available under each MCQ. The quick key is for scoring after a timed attempt.
4 free-response questions
One prompt is provided for each current AP Physics 1 FRQ task type. Write all parts before opening the solution.
Beam in equilibrium
A uniform 4.0 m beam of weight 200 N is hinged at its left end and supported by an upward cable force at the right end. A 300 N load hangs 3.0 m from the hinge.
- Taking torques about the hinge, determine the upward cable-force component.
- Determine the vertical hinge-force component.
- Explain why choosing the hinge as torque origin simplifies the first calculation.
Open full solution and scoring checkpoints
- Torque balance: F_c(4.0) = 200(2.0)+300(3.0)=1300, so F_c=325 N upward.
- Vertical force balance: H_y + 325 − 200 − 300 = 0, so H_y = 175 N upward.
- The hinge force has zero lever arm about the hinge, so it contributes no torque in that equation.
Practice scoring checkpoints only; these are not official College Board point allocations.
Torque diagram to graph
A wheel with constant rotational inertia experiences a net torque that is positive and constant from 0–2 s, zero from 2–4 s, and negative with the same magnitude from 4–6 s.
- Sketch τ_net versus time.
- Sketch α versus time.
- Sketch qualitative ω versus time for ω(0)=0.
- State the angular speed at 6 s relative to its maximum value.
Open full solution and scoring checkpoints
- The torque graph is +τ, then 0, then −τ in equal 2 s intervals.
- Because α=τ/I and I is constant, α has the same step shape scaled by 1/I.
- ω rises linearly for 0–2 s, stays constant for 2–4 s, then falls linearly for 4–6 s.
- The equal negative angular-impulse interval removes the angular speed gained in the first interval, so ω returns to zero at 6 s.
Practice scoring checkpoints only; these are not official College Board point allocations.
Rolling objects down a ramp
Design an experiment to compare the translational acceleration of a solid cylinder and a hoop of equal radius rolling without slipping down the same incline.
- Identify what should be held constant.
- Describe measurements needed to determine acceleration.
- State a graph or calculation for comparison.
- Predict which object accelerates more and justify.
Open full solution and scoring checkpoints
- Keep incline angle, start position, radius, and rolling-without-slipping condition the same.
- Measure travel distance and time from rest for several distances or use motion sensors.
- For each object, plot x versus t²; twice the slope gives acceleration.
- The solid cylinder accelerates more because less of its energy goes into rotation than for a hoop with larger I/(MR²).
Practice scoring checkpoints only; these are not official College Board point allocations.
Buoyancy and apparent weight
A metal object of volume 3.0×10⁻⁴ m³ is fully submerged in water while hanging from a scale. Its mass is 4.0 kg. Use ρ_water=1000 kg/m³ and g=10 m/s².
- Calculate the buoyant force.
- Calculate the scale tension while submerged.
- Predict how the scale reading changes if the object is submerged in a denser fluid.
- Explain the prediction using displaced-fluid weight.
Open full solution and scoring checkpoints
- F_B=ρgV=1000(10)(3.0×10⁻⁴)=3.0 N.
- Force balance gives T + F_B = mg, so T = 40−3=37 N.
- The scale reading decreases in a denser fluid.
- A denser fluid gives a greater weight of displaced fluid for the same displaced volume, increasing F_B and reducing required tension.
Practice scoring checkpoints only; these are not official College Board point allocations.
Do not repeat another full paper immediately if one topic caused most of the errors. Move to the focused banks first, repair the weakness, then return to a different model paper for transfer practice.