Overview
Archived College board FRQs by @Nullborne on Reddit.
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➜ AP Physics 1 2025 exam changes here
➜2026 PREDICTED FRQ questions at end of this post
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FRQ Types
Mathematical Routines
Calculates or derives symbolic expressions. Tip: Always show starting equations before plugging in variables.
14 Questions
Translation Between Representations
Connects graphs, diagrams, and math. Tip: Ensure your graph slopes/areas match your equations.
12 Questions
Experimental Design
Designs lab procedures and analyzes error. Tip: Mention specific equipment (e.g., motion sensor) and what variable it measures.
10 Questions
Qual/Quant Translation
Links concepts to math. Tip: Use the “Claim, Evidence, Reasoning” structure for paragraph responses.
13 Questions
Skills
Creating Representations
46 Total Appearances
1.A: Diagrams/Tables
Draw FBDs with correct relative lengths. (16)
1.B: Quantitative Graphs
Label axes with units and scale linearly. (9)
1.C: Qualitative Sketches
Focus on shape (linear, concave up/down). (21)
Mathematical Routines
69 Total Appearances
2.A: Symbolic Derivation
Only use allowed variables in final answer. (24)
2.B: Calculation
Estimate reasonable values to check work. (12)
2.C: Comparisons
Identify what stays constant vs changes. (18)
2.D: Prediction
Use functional dependence (e.g., square root). (15)
Scientific Argumentation
69 Total Appearances
3.A: Experimental Procedure
Step-by-step with independent/dependent variables. (10)
3.B: Apply Models
State the specific physical law first. (21)
3.C: Justify Claims
Link evidence directly to the principle. (38)
Units
Unit 1: Kinematics
Often tested via experimental design involving ramps and motion graphs rather than just calculation.
7 Questions
Unit 2: Dynamics
The heavyweight champion; expect systems of blocks, Atwood machines, and circular motion forces.
22 Questions
Unit 3: Energy
Crucial for analyzing changes in systems (springs, ramps) where time is not a factor.
18 Questions
Unit 4: Momentum
Look for collisions and explosions; center of mass motion is a frequent sub-topic.
8 Questions
Unit 5: Torque
Focuses on static equilibrium (beams) and rotational acceleration (pulleys with mass).
11 Questions
Unit 6: Rotational Energy
Often combined with Unit 3; rolling objects and angular momentum conservation are key.
9 Questions
Unit 7: Oscillations
Spring-mass systems appear frequently, often testing period dependence on mass/length.
5 Questions
Unit 8: Fluids
Newest addition; expect buoyancy and density comparisons in static fluids.
1 Questions
Unit 1 Kinematics
- 2023 Q2 – Experimental design, cart on ramp, linearization.
- 2021 Q1 – Biker jump, deriving range equation, motion graphs.
- 2015 Q4 – Linear kinematics, motion graphs.
Unit 2 Dynamics, forces
- 2023 Q2 – Experimental design, cart on ramp, linearization.
- 2023 Q3 – Spring, circular motion, FBD.
- 2021 Q2 – Experimental design, dynamics, forces on rod.
- 2019 Q2 – Atwood machine, FBD, Kinematics.
- 2017 Q2 – Experimental design, friction coefficient.
- 2016 Q3 – Bumpy incline, motion graphs.
- 2015 Q1 – 3 block pulley system. Atwood machine
Unit 2.5 Circular Motion and Gravitation
This unit is now combined with unit 2 in the 2025 revised AP Physics 1 curriculum.
- 2024 Q1 – (Part C) Velocity of block traveling around two loops.
- 2023 Q3 – Spinning block, FBDs, tangential speed.
- 2022 Q2 – Two orbiting moons, gravitation, circular motion.
- 2018 Q1 – Orbiting spacecraft, orbital period and velocity, circular motion.
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Unit 3 Energy
- 2025 Q2 – Finding velocity of block on inclined ramp with spring at bottom + energy bar charts.
- 2024 Q1 – Energy bar chart for block around two loops
- 2024 Q2 – 2 part experimental design, vertical spring + masses and horizontal spring + cart
- 2023 Q1 – Horizontal spring, block on cart collision, harmonic motion, energy graphs.
- 2023 Q5 – Spinning rod, energy, torque.
- 2022 Q1 – Pulley, spring, energy bar chart.
- 2022 Q3 – Experimental design, hanging block pulley, energy graphs.
- 2022 Q5 – Vertical spring, motion graphs, energy.
- 2021 Q1 – Biker jump, projectile, motion graph.
- 2021 Q4 – Rolling cylinder vs sliding block, conservation of energy.
- 2019 Q3 – Experimental design, spring launcher, projectile.
- 2017 Q4 – Block on different shaped ramps, energy conservation, projectile motion.
- 2016 Q2 – Energy, elastic collision.
- 2015 Q3 – Springs, friction, energy graph.
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Unit 4 Linear Momentum
- 2025 Q1 – Block dropped on moving cart. Deriving and graphing impulse.
- 2024 Q4 – Elastic collision and graphing the center of mass.
- 2023 Q4 – Wheel vs disk pulley, angular momentum.
- 2022 Q5 – Clay vs ball collision, velocity of center of mass, projectile.
- 2021 Q3 – Impulse, momentum, disk collision.
- 2019 Q1 – Collisions, velocity of center of mass, motion graphs.
- 2017 Q3 – Ball and rod collision, angular momentum.
- 2016 Q2 – Experimental design, bouncy ball.
- 2018 Q5 – Two blocks vertical collision and springs, linear momentum, period.
- 2019 Q1 – Spring pushing block, velocity of center of mass graph
Unit 5 & 6 Rotation
This includes rotational kinematics, torque, rotational energy, and angular momentum
- 2025 Q3 – Experimental. Finding mass of meter stick using a spring scale and two different pivot points.
- 2024 Q3 – Horizontal beam on wall suspended by tension at varying angles (static torque)
- 2023 Q4 – Single block moving pulley system, Newton’s law of rotation.
- 2023 Q5 – Spinning rod, energy, torque.
- 2023 Q4 – Wheel vs disk pulley, angular momentum.
- 2022 Q3 – Experimental design, hanging block pulley, energy graphs.
- 2021 Q5 – Pulley with mass, motion graph.
- 2021 Q4 – Rolling cylinder, sliding block, conservation of energy.
- 2019 Q1 – Angular momentum + friction (part b)
- 2018 Q3 – Rotating disk, frictional torque, rotational kinematics, motion graphs.
- 2017 Q3 – Disk-bar collision, angular momentum.
- 2016 Q1 – Rolling wheel, sliding block, rotational energy.
Unit 7 Simple Harmonic Motion
- 2024 Q4 – Pendulums on different planets, finding weight and period.
- 2023 Q1 – Horizontal spring, block on cart collision, harmonic motion, energy graphs.
- 2022 Q5 – Vertical spring, motion graphs, energy.
- 2018 Q5 – Two blocks vertical collision and springs, linear momentum, period.
Unit 8 – Fluids
Newest edition to the Exam.
- 2025 Q4 – Applying Archimedes principle to a submerged block in water of varying density
There are FRQs from past AP Physics TWO exams listed below (with direct links). Some parts of each question may not be applicable to AP Physics 1.
- 2023 Q3 – Torricelli’s equation, Bernoulli’s principle, and density
- 2019 Q4 – Height of air bubble
- 2018 Q4 – Boat in a river, bouncy and Bernoulli’s principle
- 2017 Q1 – Water flowing through a non-uniform pipe + air bubbles
2026 FRQ Topic Prediction (AI Analysis)
Phy AI says based on past frequency, here’s what we can expect for the 2026 FRQ section:
- Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics — 22 appearances. Expect a multi-object system problem (Atwood or connected blocks) requiring free-body diagrams and derived acceleration equations.
- Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power — 18 appearances. Highly likely to see an energy transformation problem involving springs or vertical loops where conservation laws must be applied.
- Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics — 11 appearances. Look for a rotational inertia problem involving a physical pendulum or a massive pulley system causing linear acceleration.
- Unit 8: Fluids — 1 appearance. As a newly added topic, expect increasing frequency, likely involving buoyancy forces or density comparisons.
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