AP Physics 1 MCQ Practice by Topic 2027
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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.
- 43 topic banks.
- 42 MCQs per topic.
- 1,806 topic MCQs total.
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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.
Frequency and Period of SHM 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.
A spring–mass oscillator keeps the same spring constant while its mass is multiplied by 4. What happens to its period?
Correct answer: C. T=2π√(m/k), so multiplying m by 4 multiplies T by √4=2.
A spring–mass oscillator has its mass multiplied by 9 with k unchanged. By what factor does its period change?
Correct answer: C. T∝√m, so a factor of 9 in mass gives a factor of 3 in period.
A small-angle pendulum’s length is multiplied by 4 while g stays constant. What happens to its period?
Correct answer: B. T=2π√(L/g), so a factor 4 in L gives a factor 2 in T.
A 5 Hz oscillator completes five cycles each second. Which Topic 7.2 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Frequency: Cycles per second in hertz.
Which statement best defines Frequency in Topic 7.2?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Cycles per second in hertz.
A second situation is observed: If T=0.25 s, f=4 Hz. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Frequency is the matching concept because Cycles per second in hertz.
An oscillator with T=0.20 s has f=5 Hz. Which Topic 7.2 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Reciprocal relationship: Period and frequency describe the same cycle rate in inverse ways: f=1/T and T=1/f.
Which statement best defines Reciprocal relationship in Topic 7.2?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Period and frequency describe the same cycle rate in inverse ways: f=1/T and T=1/f.
A second situation is observed: If an oscillator completes fewer cycles each second, its period is longer. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Reciprocal relationship is the matching concept because Period and frequency describe the same cycle rate in inverse ways: f=1/T and T=1/f.
Adding mass to a spring slows its oscillation. Which Topic 7.2 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Spring-mass dependence: T increases with mass and decreases with spring stiffness.
Which statement best defines Spring-mass dependence in Topic 7.2?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: T increases with mass and decreases with spring stiffness.
A second situation is observed: A stiffer spring oscillates faster with same mass. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Spring-mass dependence is the matching concept because T increases with mass and decreases with spring stiffness.
A longer pendulum swings more slowly. Which Topic 7.2 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Pendulum dependence: For small angles, T depends on length and g, not bob mass.
Which statement best defines Pendulum dependence in Topic 7.2?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: For small angles, T depends on length and g, not bob mass.
A second situation is observed: Two bobs of different mass on equal-length pendulums have the same ideal small-angle period. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Pendulum dependence is the matching concept because For small angles, T depends on length and g, not bob mass.
Which relationship best represents this Topic 7.2 idea: Frequency-period reciprocal?
Correct answer: B. Use f = 1/T. Frequency-period reciprocal.
In Topic 7.2, which variable-and-unit description belongs with f = 1/T?
Correct answer: C. For f = 1/T: f: Hz; T: s
For Topic 7.2, consider this real application: T=.5 s gives f=2 Hz. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is f = 1/T.
Which relationship best represents this Topic 7.2 idea: Ideal mass-spring oscillator?
Correct answer: B. Use T_spring = 2π√(m/k). Ideal mass-spring oscillator.
In Topic 7.2, which variable-and-unit description belongs with T_spring = 2π√(m/k)?
Correct answer: C. For T_spring = 2π√(m/k): T: s; m: kg; k: N/m
For Topic 7.2, consider this real application: Larger m gives longer T. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is T_spring = 2π√(m/k).
Which relationship best represents this Topic 7.2 idea: Small-angle simple pendulum?
Correct answer: B. Use T_pendulum = 2π√(L/g). Small-angle simple pendulum.
In Topic 7.2, which variable-and-unit description belongs with T_pendulum = 2π√(L/g)?
Correct answer: C. For T_pendulum = 2π√(L/g): T: s; L: m; g: m/s²
For Topic 7.2, consider this real application: Longer L gives longer T. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is T_pendulum = 2π√(L/g).
In Topic 7.2, analyze this situation: Mass doubles with same k. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. Period multiplies by √2, not 2.
Which Topic 7.2 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Period multiplies by √2, not 2”?
Correct answer: B. Mass added to spring: Mass doubles with same k.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Mass added to spring” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. Period multiplies by √2, not 2.
In Topic 7.2, analyze this situation: Length becomes four times larger. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. Period doubles because T∝√L.
Which Topic 7.2 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Period doubles because T∝√L”?
Correct answer: B. Pendulum length: Length becomes four times larger.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Pendulum length” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. Period doubles because T∝√L.
In Topic 7.2, analyze this situation: Ideal spring oscillator amplitude is doubled. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. Ideal period remains unchanged; energy changes, not T.
Which Topic 7.2 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Ideal period remains unchanged; energy changes, not T”?
Correct answer: B. Amplitude change: Ideal spring oscillator amplitude is doubled.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Amplitude change” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. Ideal period remains unchanged; energy changes, not T.
In Topic 7.2, a student claims: “Frequency and period increase together.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. They are reciprocals.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 7.2 solution: “Frequency and period increase together.”?
Correct answer: A. They are reciprocals.
In Topic 7.2, a student claims: “Heavier pendulum bob swings more slowly.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. Ideal small-angle pendulum period is independent of bob mass.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 7.2 solution: “Heavier pendulum bob swings more slowly.”?
Correct answer: A. Ideal small-angle pendulum period is independent of bob mass.
In Topic 7.2, a student claims: “Doubling spring mass doubles period.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. Period changes by square root of mass factor.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 7.2 solution: “Doubling spring mass doubles period.”?
Correct answer: A. Period changes by square root of mass factor.
What should a student identify before calculating in Topic 7.2?
Correct answer: B. Relate period T and frequency f, then compare how spring-mass and small-angle pendulum periods change when mass, spring constant, pendulum length, or gravitational field strength changes.
Which statement best describes the AP Physics 1 scope for Topic 7.2?
Correct answer: B. For the current AP Physics 1 scope, emphasize T and f plus the spring-mass and small-angle pendulum period relationships. The ideal period is independent of amplitude within the model; the pendulum relationship assumes small angular displacement.
Which study sequence best matches this Topic 7.2 lesson?
Correct answer: B. The lesson is intentionally definition-first and explains terminology on the same page before equations and practice.