UPDATED for the 2026-27 School Year. Below is every single AP Physics 1 FRQ from 2015-2026 sorted by unit + resources to help you get a 5.
Overview
➜ FOUR FRQs in 95 minutes
➜2027 PREDICTED FRQ questions AND Full Length FRQ Set
Sorted by FRQ Atlas, where you can find every AP FRQ + free, lighting fast, FRQ grading. Or use Archived College board FRQs by @Nullborne on Reddit.
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FRQ Types
Mathematical Routines
Calculates or derives symbolic expressions. Tip: Always show starting equations before plugging in variables.
15 Questions
Translation Between Representations
Connects graphs, diagrams, and math. Tip: Ensure your graph slopes/areas match your equations.
13 Questions
Experimental Design
Designs lab procedures and analyzes error. Tip: Mention specific equipment (e.g., motion sensor) and what variable it measures.
11 Questions
Qual/Quant Translation
Links concepts to math. Tip: Use the “Claim, Evidence, Reasoning” structure for paragraph responses.
14 Questions
Skills
Creating Representations
50 Total Appearances
1.A: Diagrams/Tables
Draw FBDs with correct relative lengths. (17)
1.B: Quantitative Graphs
Label axes with units and scale linearly. (10)
1.C: Qualitative Sketches
Focus on shape (linear, concave up/down). (23)
Mathematical Routines
76 Total Appearances
2.A: Symbolic Derivation
Only use allowed variables in final answer. (27)
2.B: Calculation
Estimate reasonable values to check work. (13)
2.C: Comparisons
Identify what stays constant vs changes. (21)
2.D: Prediction
Use functional dependence (e.g., square root). (15)
Scientific Argumentation
73 Total Appearances
3.A: Experimental Procedure
Step-by-step with independent/dependent variables. (11)
3.B: Apply Models
State the specific physical law first. (22)
3.C: Justify Claims
Link evidence directly to the principle. (40)
Units
Unit 1: Kinematics
Often tested via experimental design involving ramps and motion graphs rather than just calculation.
8 Questions
Unit 2: Dynamics
The heavyweight champion; expect systems of blocks, Atwood machines, and circular motion forces.
24 Questions
Unit 3: Energy
Crucial for analyzing changes in systems (springs, ramps) where time is not a factor.
20 Questions
Unit 4: Momentum
Look for collisions and explosions; center of mass motion is a frequent sub-topic.
9 Questions
Unit 5: Torque
Focuses on static equilibrium (beams) and rotational acceleration (pulleys with mass).
12 Questions
Unit 6: Rotational Energy
Often combined with Unit 3; rolling objects and angular momentum conservation are key.
10 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.
2 Questions
Unit 1: Kinematics
- 2026 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Fountain water jet, projectile velocity graphs, volume flow rate.
- 2023 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Cart on ramp, gravity derivation, rotation error.
- 2022 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Collisions, clay, rubber sphere, momentum vectors.
- 2021 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Stunt cyclist ramp, jump distance derivation, velocity graph.
- 2019 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Spring launcher experiment, projectile motion, compression testing.
- 2017 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Block on slide, energy conservation, projectile distance.
- 2016 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Cart on inclined track, speed bumps, velocity graph.
- 2015 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Projectile motion, dropped vs thrown sphere, velocity graphs.
Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics
Circular motion and gravitation (the old “Unit 2.5”) is now part of Unit 2 in the 2025 revised AP Physics 1 curriculum. Need a refresher? Circular motion in 10 minutes.
- 2026 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Colliding disks, momentum vectors, center-of-mass position graphs.
- 2026 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Kinetic friction experiments, linearization, best-fit slope.
- 2025 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Block on ramp, spring compression, energy bar charts.
- 2025 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Submerged block, buoyant force, fluid density, acceleration.
- 2024 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Looped track, block sliding, energy charts, circular motion forces (Part C: loops).
- 2024 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Oscillating cart, spring constant experiment, velocity graphs.
- 2024 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Pendulum on planets, work comparison, elastic string.
- 2024 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Elastic collision, center of mass, position-time graph.
- 2023 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Cart on ramp, experimental gravity, motion graphs.
- 2023 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rotating spring-block system, circular motion FBDs, net force derivation, tangential speed.
- 2022 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Two-block spring system, displacement derivation, energy charts.
- 2022 Q2 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Two orbiting moons, gravitation, circular motion, force derivation.
- 2022 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Oscillating spring-mass, position-time graph, spring constant.
- 2021 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Rod breaking force experiment, static friction models.
- 2021 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Student pushing disk, block collision, momentum conservation.
- 2019 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Two-block friction, sphere angular momentum, center of mass.
- 2019 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Atwood machine with table, acceleration derivation, FBD.
- 2018 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Orbiting spacecraft, circular motion, orbital period and velocity derivation.
- 2017 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Static friction experiment, coefficient measurement, data analysis.
- 2016 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Rolling wheel, ramp, torque, sliding block comparison.
- 2016 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Cart on track, speed bumps, velocity graph.
- 2015 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Atwood machine, pulleys, FBD, system acceleration derivation.
- 2015 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Spring compression, rough track, energy graphs, stopping distance.
- 2015 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Projectile motion comparison, dropped vs horizontally thrown.
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Unit 3 Energy
- 2026 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Colliding disks, momentum vectors, center-of-mass position graphs.
- 2026 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Kinetic friction experiments, linearization, best-fit slope.
- 2025 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Moving cart, dropped block collision, kinetic energy.
- 2025 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Block on ramp, spring compression, energy bar charts.
- 2024 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Looped track, sliding block, circular motion forces.
- 2024 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Spring constant experiment, oscillating cart, force graphs.
- 2024 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Pendulum work, different planets, elastic string period.
- 2024 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Elastic collision, center of mass, position graph.
- 2023 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Spring-cart oscillation, kinetic vs potential energy graphs.
- 2023 Q5 (Translation Between Representations) — Rod-sphere rotation, maximum acceleration, kinetic energy derivation.
- 2022 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Two-block spring system, energy bar charts, friction.
- 2022 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Falling block, rotating wheel, experimental rotational inertia.
- 2021 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Cyclist ramp jump, distance derivation, parameter changes.
- 2021 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Rolling cylinder, sliding block, energy conservation graph.
- 2019 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Spring launcher experiment, projectile motion compression distance.
- 2019 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Motor power, circuit resistor, block lifting time.
- 2017 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Blocks on slides, launch distances, energy conservation.
- 2016 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Rolling wheel on ramp, energy methods, force diagrams.
- 2016 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Bouncing ball experiment, collision speed, elasticity testing.
- 2015 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Compressed spring, rough track, stopping distance derivation.
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Unit 4 Linear Momentum
- 2026 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Colliding disks, momentum vectors, center-of-mass position graphs.
- 2025 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Dropped block, moving cart collision, kinetic energy change.
- 2024 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Spring constant, oscillating cart, velocity and force graphs.
- 2024 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Elastic collision, center of mass, position-time graph.
- 2022 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Clay, rubber sphere collisions, momentum vectors, landing distances.
- 2021 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Disk and block collision, impulse, momentum conservation.
- 2019 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Two-block collision, center of mass speed, sphere momentum.
- 2018 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Block collision on spring, period ratio, amplitude change.
- 2016 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Elastic collision experiment, bouncing ball, data analysis.
Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
- 2026 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Spinning toy tops, rotational inertia, work-energy derivation.
- 2025 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Balancing meterstick, torque experiment, unknown mass.
- 2024 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Hinged beam, supporting string, tension derivation, rotational kinematics.
- 2023 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Falling block, pulley angular acceleration, disk vs hoop.
- 2023 Q5 (Translation Between Representations) — Rod-sphere system, rotation, maximum acceleration, kinetic energy.
- 2022 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Falling block, rotating wheel, rotational inertia experiment.
- 2021 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Coupled pulleys, hanging masses, net torque, acceleration direction.
- 2019 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Sphere angular momentum change, center of mass speed.
- 2019 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Atwood machine, massive pulley effect, acceleration derivation.
- 2018 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Spinning disk, friction, rotational inertia, variable torque model.
- 2017 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Disk and rod collision, angular speed derivation, bouncing.
- 2016 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Rolling wheel on ramp, torque, acceleration derivation.
Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
- 2026 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Spinning toy tops, rotational inertia, work-energy derivation.
- 2023 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Cart on ramp, experimental gravity, rotation error.
- 2023 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Falling block, pulley angular acceleration, energy comparison.
- 2023 Q5 (Translation Between Representations) — Rod-sphere system rotation, kinetic energy derivation.
- 2022 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Falling block, rotating wheel, kinetic and potential energy.
- 2021 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Rolling cylinder, sliding block, energy graph comparison.
- 2019 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Sphere angular momentum, two-block system friction.
- 2018 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Spacecraft circular orbit, orbital period, force analysis.
- 2017 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Pivoted rod collision, angular speed derivation, momentum.
- 2016 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Rolling wheel, ramp, torque, force vs energy methods.
Unit 7: Oscillations
- 2024 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Oscillating cart, spring constant experiment, force graphs.
- 2024 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Pendulum on planets, elastic string period changes.
- 2023 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Spring-cart oscillations, kinetic vs potential energy graphs.
- 2022 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Oscillating spring-mass, position-time graph, spring constant.
- 2018 Q5 (Mathematical Routines) — Spring-block system, collision, period ratio, amplitude.
Unit 8 – Fluids
Newest edition to the Exam.
- 2026 Q1 – Volume flow rate from a fountain nozzle, and droplet max height with a narrower nozzle
- 2025 Q4 – Applying Archimedes principle to a submerged block in water of varying density
There are FRQs from past AP Physics 2 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
2027 FRQ Topic Prediction (AI Analysis)
We used Phy AI + the frequency of topics above to make an educated guess on what you might see on the upcoming 2027 AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Exam FRQ:
- Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics — 24 appearances. Still the heavyweight. The 2026 exam devoted an entire question to a kinetic friction lab, so expect FBDs, friction, circular motion, and system acceleration derivations again.
- Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power — 20 appearances. Energy threaded through both major 2026 derivations. Highly likely to see energy bar charts or conservation equations bridging into rotational motion.
- Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics — 12 appearances. The 2026 exam hit rotational work-energy with spinning tops, but conservation of angular momentum has not been tested since 2024 — be ready for a rotational collision style question.
- Unit 7: Oscillations — 5 appearances. Absent in both 2025 and 2026 after appearing twice in 2024. Spring-mass period analysis and SHM energy graphs are due for a return.
- Unit 8: Fluids — 2 appearances. Now confirmed as a recurring topic: buoyancy in 2025, volume flow rate in 2026. Expect continuity/Bernoulli reasoning or another buoyant force derivation.
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