AP Physics 1 FRQ Practice by Topic 2027
Choose a topic to practice four original free-response prompts: Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design & Analysis, and Qualitative/Quantitative Translation.
How much AP Physics 1 FRQ practice is available?
There are 4 original free-response questions for each of the 43 official AP Physics 1 topics, giving 172 topic FRQs across the four current AP response modes.
- 43 topic banks.
- 4 FRQs per topic.
- 172 topic FRQs total.
Choose the exact AP Physics 1 topic
All 43 official topics are available. Each MCQ bank contains 42 original questions and each FRQ bank contains four prompts aligned to the four current free-response task types.
Forces & Free-Body Diagrams FRQ Set
Write a complete response before opening the reasoning guide. The four prompts deliberately use different response modes.
A 5 kg crate is pulled horizontally right by 30 N while kinetic friction is 10 N left. The vertical forces balance. Draw the free-body diagram, determine the net force, and find the acceleration.
Reasoning and scoring guide
FBD: weight down, normal up, pull 30 N right, friction 10 N left. Net horizontal force = 20 N right, so a = 20/5 = 4 m/s² right.
A written description states that a box slides down a rough incline while a rope pulls it up the incline. Translate the description into a labeled free-body diagram and state a convenient coordinate choice.
Reasoning and scoring guide
Show weight vertically down, normal perpendicular to the incline, tension up the incline, and kinetic friction up the incline because the sliding is down the incline. Choose x along the incline and y perpendicular to it.
Using a spring scale and a block on a table, design a procedure to test whether the force arrow length in a free-body diagram can represent measured force magnitude consistently.
Reasoning and scoring guide
Calibrate the spring scale, apply several steady pulls, record force, and draw FBD arrows using a declared scale such as 1 cm = 1 N. Verify that arrow lengths are proportional to measurements and repeat trials.
A student draws both “Earth pulls book downward” and “book pulls Earth upward” on the same free-body diagram of the book. Explain the error and correct the diagram.
Reasoning and scoring guide
A free-body diagram of the book contains only forces exerted on the book. The Earth-on-book gravitational force belongs; the book-on-Earth partner force acts on Earth and belongs on Earth’s separate diagram.