Every AP Physics C (Mechanics) FRQ Sorted by Topic
UPDATED for the 2026-27 School Year. Below is every single AP Physics C: Mechanics (AP C Mech) FRQ from 2015-2026 sorted by topic.
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FRQ Types
Mathematical Routines
16 questions. Focuses on symbolic derivations and calculating specific values. Tip: Always start derivations with a fundamental law (e.g., ΣF=ma) before substituting variables.
Experimental Design
16 questions. Involves designing procedures and analyzing data. Tip: Explicitly state what equipment measures which variable and how you will linearize data to find constants.
Translation Between Representations
14 questions. Connecting graphs, equations, and diagrams. Tip: Check that the slope and area under the curve of your graphs match the physical equations you derive.
Qualitative/Quantitative Translation
4 questions. Linking concepts to math. Tip: Use “semiquantitative” reasoning—explain how changing a numerator or denominator in your derived equation affects the physical outcome.
Skills
Mathematical Routines
104 total questions.
2.A: Derive symbolic expressions
39 questions. Show every algebraic step clearly.
2.B: Calculate unknown quantities
29 questions. Watch units and significant figures.
2.C: Compare scenarios
21 questions. Use ratios or proportional reasoning.
2.D: Predict new values
15 questions. Analyze functional dependence (e.g., if radius doubles, inertia quadruples).
Creating Representations
59 total questions.
1.A: Diagrams & Schematics
22 questions. Free-body diagrams are the most common here.
1.B: Quantitative Graphs
18 questions. Plot data points accurately and draw best-fit lines.
1.C: Qualitative Sketches
19 questions. Sketch the shape of a curve based on a model.
Scientific Questioning
57 total questions.
3.C: Justify claims with evidence
37 questions. Reference specific data points or physical laws.
3.B: Apply laws to make claims
13 questions. Start with “According to Newton’s 2nd Law…”
3.A: Create procedures
7 questions. Detailed steps to reduce experimental error.
Units
Unit 1: Kinematics
18 questions. Rarely tested alone; usually combined with energy or forces in multi-step problems involving drag or projectile motion.
Unit 2: Force & Dynamics
33 questions. The most frequent topic. Mastering Free Body Diagrams (FBDs) and differential equations for drag is essential.
Unit 3: Work, Energy, Power
25 questions. Often the “bridge” unit connecting kinematics to springs and rotations through conservation laws.
Unit 4: Linear Momentum
13 questions. Critical for collision problems; pay close attention to impulse graphs and center of mass motion.
Unit 5: Torque & Rotation
16 questions. High difficulty. Requires understanding “rotational mass” (Inertia) and the parallel axis theorem.
Unit 6: Rotational Energy
12 questions. Often tested via rolling motion problems where friction does no work, but provides torque.
Unit 7: Oscillations
10 questions. Frequently appears as the final part of a mechanical problem (e.g., small angle approximation for pendulums).
Unit 1: Kinematics
- 2026 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Projectile explosion, center of mass motion, fragment trajectories.
- 2025 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Swinging block, friction coefficient, g determination.
- 2024 Set 1 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Falling cylinder, quadratic drag, linearization.
- 2023 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Cart collision, velocity-time graph, impulse.
- 2022 Set 2 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Sliding sled, constant tension, energy dissipation.
- 2022 Set 2 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Spring launch, block collision, momentum graphs.
- 2021 Set 1 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Fan cart, incline motion, motion detector.
- 2021 Set 2 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Vertical loop, projectile motion, compression graph.
- 2019 Set 1 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Fluid drag, falling object, velocity-dependent force.
- 2019 Set 1 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Pendulum collision, projectile motion, swing.
- 2019 Set 2 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Rocket launch, time-dependent acceleration, velocity sketch.
- 2018 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Falling sphere, gravity measurement, quadratic model.
- 2017 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Atwood machine, gravity acceleration, error analysis.
- 2017 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Incline slide, spring compression, resistive force.
- 2017 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rolling cylinder, table launch, projectile comparison.
- 2016 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Cart pull, force sensor, mass determination.
- 2015 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Ramp slide, motion graphs, friction analysis.
- 2015 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Ballistic pendulum, projectile dart, oscillation.
Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics
- 2026 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Cube held in a decelerating box by friction, force analysis.
- 2026 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Projectile explosion, center of mass motion, fragment trajectories.
- 2026 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Friction coefficient and spring constant experiments, linearization.
- 2025 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Swinging block, friction coefficient, g determination.
- 2025 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rolling disk, ring, static vs kinetic friction.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Ramp slide, collision, spring compression.
- 2024 Set 1 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Falling cylinder, quadratic drag, linearization.
- 2024 Set 2 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Drag force, falling sphere, differential equation.
- 2024 Set 1 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Rod pivot, static equilibrium, non-uniform mass.
- 2024 Set 2 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Disk with clay, tension derivation, torque.
- 2023 Set 1 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Nonlinear springs, ramp slide, collision.
- 2023 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Cart collision, velocity-time graph, impulse.
- 2023 Set 2 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Oscillating block, parallel springs, period analysis.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Rod collision, sphere sliding, rolling without slipping.
- 2022 Set 1 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Motor pull, friction derivation, work calculation.
- 2022 Set 2 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Sliding sled, constant tension, energy dissipation.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Pivoting board, spring equilibrium, SHM graphs.
- 2021 Set 1 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Fan cart, incline motion, motion detector.
- 2021 Set 2 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Connected blocks, pulley, friction coefficient.
- 2021 Set 1 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Vertical loop, spring compression, minimum height.
- 2021 Set 2 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — L-shaped object, rotational inertia, falling rod.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Triangular rod, pivot, center of mass.
- 2021 Set 2 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Vertical loop, projectile motion, compression graph.
- 2019 Set 1 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Fluid drag, falling object, velocity-dependent force.
- 2019 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Incline blocks, hanging mass, equilibrium.
- 2019 Set 1 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Pendulum collision, projectile motion, swing.
- 2019 Set 2 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Rolling sphere, loop track, mass distribution.
- 2017 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Atwood machine, gravity acceleration, error analysis.
- 2017 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Incline slide, spring compression, resistive force.
- 2016 Q1 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Cart pull, force sensor, mass determination.
- 2016 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Nonlinear spring, block collision, max compression.
- 2016 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rotating platform, movable rod, angular momentum.
- 2015 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Ramp slide, motion graphs, friction analysis.
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
- 2026 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Friction coefficient and spring constant experiments, linearization.
- 2025 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Oscillating block, energy bar charts, friction.
- 2025 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Swinging block, friction coefficient, g determination.
- 2024 Set 1 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Spring launch, collision, pendulum swing.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Ramp slide, collision, spring compression.
- 2023 Set 1 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Nonlinear springs, ramp slide, collision.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Rod collision, sphere sliding, rolling without slipping.
- 2022 Set 1 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Motor pull, friction derivation, work calculation.
- 2022 Set 2 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Sliding sled, constant tension, energy dissipation.
- 2022 Set 1 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Cart collision, impulse, momentum graphs.
- 2022 Set 2 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Spring launch, block collision, momentum graphs.
- 2021 Set 1 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Vertical loop, spring compression, minimum height.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Triangular rod, pivot, center of mass.
- 2021 Set 2 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Vertical loop, projectile motion, compression graph.
- 2019 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Incline blocks, hanging mass, equilibrium.
- 2019 Set 1 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Pendulum collision, projectile motion, swing.
- 2019 Set 2 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Rocket launch, time-dependent acceleration, velocity sketch.
- 2019 Set 2 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Rolling sphere, loop track, mass distribution.
- 2018 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Cart collision, spring storage, impulse graph.
- 2018 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Hoop-rod system, rolling motion, rotational inertia.
- 2017 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Incline slide, spring compression, resistive force.
- 2017 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rolling cylinder, table launch, projectile comparison.
- 2016 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Nonlinear spring, block collision, max compression.
- 2015 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Ballistic pendulum, projectile dart, oscillation.
- 2015 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Rotating rod, pivot, gravity acceleration.
Unit 4: Linear Momentum
- 2026 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Projectile explosion, center of mass motion, fragment trajectories.
- 2025 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Block collision, momentum vectors, varying force.
- 2024 Set 1 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Spring launch, collision, pendulum swing.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Ramp slide, collision, spring compression.
- 2023 Set 1 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Nonlinear springs, ramp slide, collision.
- 2023 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Cart collision, velocity-time graph, impulse.
- 2022 Set 1 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Cart collision, impulse, momentum graphs.
- 2022 Set 2 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Spring launch, block collision, momentum graphs.
- 2019 Set 1 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Pendulum collision, projectile motion, swing.
- 2019 Set 2 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Rocket launch, time-dependent acceleration, velocity sketch.
- 2018 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Cart collision, spring storage, impulse graph.
- 2016 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Nonlinear spring, block collision, max compression.
- 2015 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Ballistic pendulum, projectile dart, oscillation.
Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
- 2026 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Unicycle wheel spun by crank arms, rotational work-energy.
- 2025 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rolling disk, ring, static vs kinetic friction.
- 2024 Set 1 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Rod pivot, static equilibrium, non-uniform mass.
- 2024 Set 2 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Disk with clay, tension derivation, torque.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Torsional pendulum, disk oscillation, error analysis.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Rod collision, sphere sliding, rolling without slipping.
- 2023 Set 2 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Wind turbine, rotational inertia, energy dissipation.
- 2022 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Rotating disk, spring block, SHM dynamics.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Pivoting board, spring equilibrium, SHM graphs.
- 2021 Set 2 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — L-shaped object, rotational inertia, falling rod.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Triangular rod, pivot, center of mass.
- 2019 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Rotating platform, angular momentum, kinetic energy.
- 2018 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Hoop-rod system, rolling motion, rotational inertia.
- 2017 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rolling cylinder, table launch, projectile comparison.
- 2016 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rotating platform, movable rod, angular momentum.
- 2015 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Rotating rod, pivot, gravity acceleration.
Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
- 2026 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Unicycle wheel spun by crank arms, rotational work-energy.
- 2025 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rolling disk, ring, static vs kinetic friction.
- 2023 Set 1 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Rod collision, sphere sliding, rolling without slipping.
- 2023 Set 2 Q3 (Mathematical Routines) — Wind turbine, rotational inertia, energy dissipation.
- 2021 Set 2 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — L-shaped object, rotational inertia, falling rod.
- 2021 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Triangular rod, pivot, center of mass.
- 2019 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Rotating platform, angular momentum, kinetic energy.
- 2019 Set 2 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Rolling sphere, loop track, mass distribution.
- 2018 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Hoop-rod system, rolling motion, rotational inertia.
- 2017 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rolling cylinder, table launch, projectile comparison.
- 2016 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Rotating platform, movable rod, angular momentum.
- 2015 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Rotating rod, pivot, gravity acceleration.
Unit 7: Oscillations
- 2025 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Oscillating block, energy bar charts, friction.
- 2024 Set 1 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Spring launch, collision, pendulum swing.
- 2024 Set 2 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Ramp slide, collision, spring compression.
- 2023 Set 1 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Torsional pendulum, disk oscillation, error analysis.
- 2023 Set 2 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Oscillating block, parallel springs, period analysis.
- 2022 Set 1 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Rotating disk, spring block, SHM dynamics.
- 2022 Set 2 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Pivoting board, spring equilibrium, SHM graphs.
- 2017 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Incline slide, spring compression, resistive force.
- 2016 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Nonlinear spring, block collision, max compression.
- 2015 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — Ballistic pendulum, projectile dart, oscillation.
2027 FRQ Topic Prediction
We used Phy AI + the frequency of topics above to make an educated guess on what you might see on the FRQ section of the upcoming 2027 AP Physics C Mechanics Exam:
- Force and Translational Dynamics — 33 appearances. Hit three times in 2026 (friction in an accelerating frame, the shared explosion problem, and the friction lab). Drag-force differential equations and connected blocks remain core material.
- Work, Energy, and Power — 25 appearances. High probability of a multi-stage problem converting potential energy to kinetic, often linked with springs — 2026 tested it through the spring-constant experiment.
- Torque and Rotational Dynamics — 16 appearances. The 2026 QQT spun toy wheels with crank arms; a rolling-without-slipping scenario or non-uniform beam equilibrium is due next.
- Oscillations — 10 appearances. Absent in 2026 after appearing in 2025 and twice in each of 2022–2024 — expect a spring-block or physical pendulum period analysis to return.
This article was written by Jason