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.
Newton’s First Law FRQ Set
Write a complete response before opening the reasoning guide. The four prompts deliberately use different response modes.
A 20 kg sign hangs motionless from two vertical supports that share the load equally. Take g = 10 m/s². Determine the tension in each support using translational equilibrium.
Reasoning and scoring guide
Weight is 200 N downward. For ΣF_y = 0, T_1 + T_2 = 200 N. Equal sharing gives 100 N in each support.
A velocity-time graph is a horizontal line at +8 m/s for 6 s. Translate this into a force statement for the object in an inertial frame and describe a compatible free-body diagram.
Reasoning and scoring guide
Constant velocity means a = 0 and net force = 0. A compatible FBD has balanced force components—for example equal upward normal and downward weight and no unbalanced horizontal force.
Design a low-friction-cart investigation that tests the claim “an object needs a continuous net force to keep moving.” State the observation that would refute the claim.
Reasoning and scoring guide
Give the cart a brief push, then let it coast on a level low-friction track while measuring velocity. A nearly constant velocity after the push ends, with no continuing applied force, refutes the claim.
A car travels at constant speed around a circular track. A student says Newton’s first law applies because the speed is constant and therefore the net force is zero. Explain the mistake.
Reasoning and scoring guide
Newton’s first law concerns constant velocity, not constant speed alone. The velocity direction changes around the circle, so acceleration and an inward net force are nonzero.