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AP Physics 1 MCQ Practice by Topic 2027

Choose a topic to open its full 42-question bank. The topic links from lesson pages land directly on the matching bank, so a student reviewing Topic 1.3 is not sent to a short generic diagnostic.

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How much AP Physics 1 MCQ practice is available?

There are 42 original multiple-choice questions for each of the 43 official AP Physics 1 topics, giving 1,806 topic MCQs with answers, explanations and lesson routing.

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43 topic banks.
42 MCQs per topic.
1,806 topic MCQs total.

Verified for 2026–27Updated August 31, 2026How this page is verified

All 43 topic banks

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.

Topic 1.1Scalars & Vectors in One Dimension42 MCQs Topic 1.2Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration42 MCQs Topic 1.3Representing Motion42 MCQs Topic 1.4Reference Frames & Relative Motion42 MCQs Topic 1.5Vectors & Motion in Two Dimensions42 MCQs Topic 2.1Systems & Center of Mass42 MCQs Topic 2.2Forces & Free-Body Diagrams42 MCQs Topic 2.3Newton’s Third Law42 MCQs Topic 2.4Newton’s First Law42 MCQs Topic 2.5Newton’s Second Law42 MCQs Topic 2.6Gravitational Force42 MCQs Topic 2.7Kinetic & Static Friction42 MCQs Topic 2.8Spring Forces42 MCQs Topic 2.9Circular Motion42 MCQs Topic 3.1Translational Kinetic Energy42 MCQs Topic 3.2Work42 MCQs Topic 3.3Potential Energy42 MCQs Topic 3.4Conservation of Energy42 MCQs Topic 3.5Power42 MCQs Topic 4.1Linear Momentum42 MCQs Topic 4.2Change in Momentum and Impulse42 MCQs Topic 4.3Conservation of Linear Momentum42 MCQs Topic 4.4Elastic and Inelastic Collisions42 MCQs Topic 5.1Rotational Kinematics42 MCQs Topic 5.2Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion42 MCQs Topic 5.3Torque42 MCQs Topic 5.4Rotational Inertia42 MCQs Topic 5.5Rotational Equilibrium and Newton’s First Law in Rotational Form42 MCQs Topic 5.6Newton’s Second Law in Rotational Form42 MCQs Topic 6.1Rotational Kinetic Energy42 MCQs Topic 6.2Torque and Work42 MCQs Topic 6.3Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse42 MCQs Topic 6.4Conservation of Angular Momentum42 MCQs Topic 6.5Rolling42 MCQs Topic 6.6Motion of Orbiting Satellites42 MCQs Topic 7.1Defining Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)42 MCQs Topic 7.2Frequency and Period of SHM42 MCQs Topic 7.3Representing and Analyzing SHM42 MCQs Topic 7.4Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators42 MCQs Topic 8.1Internal Structure and Density42 MCQs Topic 8.2Pressure42 MCQs Topic 8.3Fluids and Newton’s Laws42 MCQs Topic 8.4Fluids and Conservation Laws42 MCQs

Topic 5.4 · 42 MCQs

Rotational Inertia Practice

All questions are original. Check each answer for immediate feedback and explanation, then use the lesson link inside the explanation when a concept needs repair.

Topic 5.4 representation anchorUse the picture together with words and equations—not as decoration.

Question 1

A rigid object has rotational inertia I_cm about an axis through its center of mass. A new axis is parallel and a distance d away. Which relationship gives the new rotational inertia?

Topic 5.4 representation anchorUse the picture together with words and equations—not as decoration.

AI = I_cm − Md²BI = I_cm + Md²CI = MdDI = I_cm/d²

Question 2

A rigid body has I_cm=3 kg·m². A parallel axis is 2 m away and the body mass is 4 kg. What is I about the shifted axis?

A7 kg·m²B11 kg·m²C16 kg·m²D19 kg·m²

Question 3

The same net torque acts on two wheels. Wheel A has twice the rotational inertia of wheel B. How do their angular accelerations compare?

Aα_A=2α_BBα_A=α_BCα_A=α_B/2Dα_A=α_B/4

Question 4

A rod about its end has larger I than about its center. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

AParticle contributionBRotational analog of massCAxis dependenceDShape comparison

Question 5

Which statement best defines Axis dependence in Topic 5.4?

AThe same object has different rotational inertia about different axes.BA point mass contributes mr².CI plays in rotational dynamics a role analogous to mass in translation.DDifferent shapes with equal M and R can have different I because mass is distributed differently.

Question 6

A second situation is observed: A door rotates more easily about its hinge axis than some distant parallel axis. Which concept is being applied?

AShape comparisonBAxis dependenceCParticle contributionDRotational analog of mass

Question 7

Moving a 1 kg mass from 1 m to 2 m radius multiplies its I contribution by four. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

ARotational analog of massBShape comparisonCParticle contributionDMass distribution

Question 8

Which statement best defines Particle contribution in Topic 5.4?

AA point mass contributes mr².BI plays in rotational dynamics a role analogous to mass in translation.CDifferent shapes with equal M and R can have different I because mass is distributed differently.DMass farther from the axis contributes more strongly to I.

Question 9

A second situation is observed: Two masses on opposite sides add their mr² contributions. Which concept is being applied?

AMass distributionBParticle contributionCRotational analog of massDShape comparison

Question 10

For the same torque, a larger-I wheel has smaller angular acceleration. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

AShape comparisonBMass distributionCRotational analog of massDAxis dependence

Question 11

Which statement best defines Rotational analog of mass in Topic 5.4?

AI plays in rotational dynamics a role analogous to mass in translation.BDifferent shapes with equal M and R can have different I because mass is distributed differently.CMass farther from the axis contributes more strongly to I.DThe same object has different rotational inertia about different axes.

Question 12

A second situation is observed: A heavy-rim flywheel is harder to spin up than a compact one. Which concept is being applied?

AAxis dependenceBRotational analog of massCShape comparisonDMass distribution

Question 13

Ring vs solid disk. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

AMass distributionBAxis dependenceCShape comparisonDParticle contribution

Question 14

Which statement best defines Shape comparison in Topic 5.4?

ADifferent shapes with equal M and R can have different I because mass is distributed differently.BMass farther from the axis contributes more strongly to I.CThe same object has different rotational inertia about different axes.DA point mass contributes mr².

Question 15

A second situation is observed: Long rod vs compact sphere about comparable axes. Which concept is being applied?

AParticle contributionBShape comparisonCMass distributionDAxis dependence

Question 16

Which relationship best represents this Topic 5.4 idea: Particle system about a chosen axis?

Aτ_net = IαBI = Σm_i r_i²CI = I_cm + Md²DNo quantitative relationship applies

Question 17

In Topic 5.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with I = Σm_i r_i²?

AFor I = I_cm + Md²: I, I_cm: kg·m²; M: kg; d: mBFor τ_net = Iα: τ: N·m; I: kg·m²; α: rad/s²CFor I = Σm_i r_i²: I: kg·m²; m: kg; r: mDAll quantities are unitless

Question 18

For Topic 5.4, consider this real application: Two 1 kg masses at 0.5 m give I=0.5 kg·m². Which relationship supports that result?

AI = Σm_i r_i²BI = I_cm + Md²Cτ_net = IαDOnly a verbal rule with no relationship

Question 19

Which relationship best represents this Topic 5.4 idea: Connect rotational inertia to angular acceleration?

AI = I_cm + Md²Bτ_net = IαCI = Σm_i r_i²DNo quantitative relationship applies

Question 20

In Topic 5.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with τ_net = Iα?

AFor I = Σm_i r_i²: I: kg·m²; m: kg; r: mBFor I = I_cm + Md²: I, I_cm: kg·m²; M: kg; d: mCFor τ_net = Iα: τ: N·m; I: kg·m²; α: rad/s²DAll quantities are unitless

Question 21

For Topic 5.4, consider this real application: Same τ yields smaller α for larger I. Which relationship supports that result?

Aτ_net = IαBI = Σm_i r_i²CI = I_cm + Md²DOnly a verbal rule with no relationship

Question 22

Which relationship best represents this Topic 5.4 idea: Parallel-axis theorem for an axis parallel to a center-of-mass axis?

AI = Σm_i r_i²BI = I_cm + Md²Cτ_net = IαDNo quantitative relationship applies

Question 23

In Topic 5.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with I = I_cm + Md²?

AFor τ_net = Iα: τ: N·m; I: kg·m²; α: rad/s²BFor I = Σm_i r_i²: I: kg·m²; m: kg; r: mCFor I = I_cm + Md²: I, I_cm: kg·m²; M: kg; d: mDAll quantities are unitless

Question 24

For Topic 5.4, consider this real application: Moving a rigid body’s rotation axis a distance d from its center of mass increases I by Md². Which relationship supports that result?

AI = I_cm + Md²Bτ_net = IαCI = Σm_i r_i²DOnly a verbal rule with no relationship

Question 25

In Topic 5.4, analyze this situation: A skater pulls arms inward. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?

AHoop mass is farther out, so hoop has larger I.BI increases proportional to r² contribution.CMass moves closer to axis, so I decreases.DThere is not enough information to use any Topic 5.4 idea

Question 26

Which Topic 5.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Mass moves closer to axis, so I decreases”?

AWeights on rodBSkater armsCDisk vs hoopDNone of the listed physical situations

Question 27

A student is deciding how to begin the “Skater arms” situation. What is the best first move?

ASubstitute numbers before identifying the modelBIdentify the relevant Topic 5.4 concept/relationship and its assumptionsCIgnore units and directionsDUse every formula in the unit

Question 28

In Topic 5.4, analyze this situation: Same M and R rotate about centers. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?

AI increases proportional to r² contribution.BMass moves closer to axis, so I decreases.CHoop mass is farther out, so hoop has larger I.DThere is not enough information to use any Topic 5.4 idea

Question 29

Which Topic 5.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Hoop mass is farther out, so hoop has larger I”?

ASkater armsBDisk vs hoopCWeights on rodDNone of the listed physical situations

Question 30

A student is deciding how to begin the “Disk vs hoop” situation. What is the best first move?

ASubstitute numbers before identifying the modelBIdentify the relevant Topic 5.4 concept/relationship and its assumptionsCIgnore units and directionsDUse every formula in the unit

Question 31

In Topic 5.4, analyze this situation: Sliding masses outward on a rotating rod. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?

AMass moves closer to axis, so I decreases.BHoop mass is farther out, so hoop has larger I.CI increases proportional to r² contribution.DThere is not enough information to use any Topic 5.4 idea

Question 32

Which Topic 5.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “I increases proportional to r² contribution”?

ADisk vs hoopBWeights on rodCSkater armsDNone of the listed physical situations

Question 33

A student is deciding how to begin the “Weights on rod” situation. What is the best first move?

ASubstitute numbers before identifying the modelBIdentify the relevant Topic 5.4 concept/relationship and its assumptionsCIgnore units and directionsDUse every formula in the unit

Question 34

In Topic 5.4, a student claims: “Rotational inertia depends only on mass.” Which correction is best?

AThe claim is always correctBDistribution relative to the axis matters critically.CThe claim becomes correct if all numbers are positiveDThe claim cannot be checked experimentally

Question 35

Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 5.4 solution: “Rotational inertia depends only on mass.”?

ADistribution relative to the axis matters critically.BKeep the misconception because it is a definitionCIgnore the physical model and compare only unitsDThe opposite of the misconception is always numerically zero

Question 36

In Topic 5.4, a student claims: “I is an intrinsic fixed property of an object.” Which correction is best?

AThe claim is always correctBIt is defined relative to a chosen axis.CThe claim becomes correct if all numbers are positiveDThe claim cannot be checked experimentally

Question 37

Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 5.4 solution: “I is an intrinsic fixed property of an object.”?

AIt is defined relative to a chosen axis.BKeep the misconception because it is a definitionCIgnore the physical model and compare only unitsDThe opposite of the misconception is always numerically zero

Question 38

In Topic 5.4, a student claims: “Farther mass changes I linearly with r.” Which correction is best?

AThe claim is always correctBPoint-mass contribution scales as r².CThe claim becomes correct if all numbers are positiveDThe claim cannot be checked experimentally

Question 39

Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 5.4 solution: “Farther mass changes I linearly with r.”?

APoint-mass contribution scales as r².BKeep the misconception because it is a definitionCIgnore the physical model and compare only unitsDThe opposite of the misconception is always numerically zero

Question 40

What should a student identify before calculating in Topic 5.4?

AOnly the final numerical answerBCompare mass distributions, calculate I for particle systems, use the parallel-axis theorem when the rotation axis is shifted from the center-of-mass axis, and connect I to rotational dynamics.COnly whether the quantity is positiveDEvery equation on the reference sheet

Question 41

Which statement best describes the AP Physics 1 scope for Topic 5.4?

AThe topic has no defined scopeBAP Physics 1 includes particle-sum reasoning and the parallel-axis theorem. Quantitative rotational-inertia calculations are limited to systems of five or fewer objects in two dimensions; rotational inertias of extended rigid bodies are provided when needed, while qualitative comparisons should use mass distribution and axis location.CCalculus is required for every questionDOnly memorized numerical values are assessed

Question 42

Which study sequence best matches this Topic 5.4 lesson?

AFormula first → ignore meaning → memorize answerBDefinition → physical model → real examples → equation conditions → reasoning/practiceCPractice only → skip definitions and examplesDSearch a different page for every unfamiliar term before continuing

How much AP Physics 1 MCQ practice is available?

Choose the exact AP Physics 1 topic

Rotational Inertia Practice

A rigid object has rotational inertia I_cm about an axis through its center of mass. A new axis is parallel and a distance d away. Which relationship gives the new rotational inertia?

A rigid body has I_cm=3 kg·m². A parallel axis is 2 m away and the body mass is 4 kg. What is I about the shifted axis?

The same net torque acts on two wheels. Wheel A has twice the rotational inertia of wheel B. How do their angular accelerations compare?

A rod about its end has larger I than about its center. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

Which statement best defines Axis dependence in Topic 5.4?

A second situation is observed: A door rotates more easily about its hinge axis than some distant parallel axis. Which concept is being applied?

Moving a 1 kg mass from 1 m to 2 m radius multiplies its I contribution by four. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

Which statement best defines Particle contribution in Topic 5.4?

A second situation is observed: Two masses on opposite sides add their mr² contributions. Which concept is being applied?

For the same torque, a larger-I wheel has smaller angular acceleration. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

Which statement best defines Rotational analog of mass in Topic 5.4?

A second situation is observed: A heavy-rim flywheel is harder to spin up than a compact one. Which concept is being applied?

Ring vs solid disk. Which Topic 5.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?

Which statement best defines Shape comparison in Topic 5.4?

A second situation is observed: Long rod vs compact sphere about comparable axes. Which concept is being applied?

Which relationship best represents this Topic 5.4 idea: Particle system about a chosen axis?

In Topic 5.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with I = Σm_i r_i²?

For Topic 5.4, consider this real application: Two 1 kg masses at 0.5 m give I=0.5 kg·m². Which relationship supports that result?

Which relationship best represents this Topic 5.4 idea: Connect rotational inertia to angular acceleration?

In Topic 5.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with τ_net = Iα?

For Topic 5.4, consider this real application: Same τ yields smaller α for larger I. Which relationship supports that result?

Which relationship best represents this Topic 5.4 idea: Parallel-axis theorem for an axis parallel to a center-of-mass axis?

In Topic 5.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with I = I_cm + Md²?

For Topic 5.4, consider this real application: Moving a rigid body’s rotation axis a distance d from its center of mass increases I by Md². Which relationship supports that result?

In Topic 5.4, analyze this situation: A skater pulls arms inward. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?

Which Topic 5.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Mass moves closer to axis, so I decreases”?

A student is deciding how to begin the “Skater arms” situation. What is the best first move?

In Topic 5.4, analyze this situation: Same M and R rotate about centers. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?

Which Topic 5.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Hoop mass is farther out, so hoop has larger I”?

A student is deciding how to begin the “Disk vs hoop” situation. What is the best first move?

In Topic 5.4, analyze this situation: Sliding masses outward on a rotating rod. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?

Which Topic 5.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “I increases proportional to r² contribution”?

A student is deciding how to begin the “Weights on rod” situation. What is the best first move?

In Topic 5.4, a student claims: “Rotational inertia depends only on mass.” Which correction is best?

Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 5.4 solution: “Rotational inertia depends only on mass.”?

In Topic 5.4, a student claims: “I is an intrinsic fixed property of an object.” Which correction is best?

Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 5.4 solution: “I is an intrinsic fixed property of an object.”?

In Topic 5.4, a student claims: “Farther mass changes I linearly with r.” Which correction is best?

Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 5.4 solution: “Farther mass changes I linearly with r.”?

What should a student identify before calculating in Topic 5.4?

Which statement best describes the AP Physics 1 scope for Topic 5.4?

Which study sequence best matches this Topic 5.4 lesson?

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