AP Physics 1 Past FRQs: A Comprehensive Study Guide

Introduction

Advanced Placement Physics 1 (AP Physics 1) is a rigorous introductory physics course for high school students. The end-of-course exam includes multiple choice and free-response questions (FRQs). FRQs assess students’ understanding of physics concepts, problem-solving skills, and mathematical abilities.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to past AP Physics 1 FRQs, including:

Tips for answering FRQs
A review of common topics tested on the exam
A table of past FRQs with solutions
Strategies for improving your FRQ performance

Tips for Answering FRQs

Read the question carefully. Make sure you understand what is being asked.
Identify the concepts involved. What physics concepts are relevant to the question?
Draw a diagram. This can help you visualize the problem and identify the forces and interactions involved.
Use appropriate equations. Make sure you use the correct equations to solve the problem.
Show your work. Write down all of your steps, even if they are incorrect. This will help you earn partial credit.
Check your answer. Make sure your answer makes sense and is consistent with the question.

Common Topics Tested on the AP Physics 1 Exam

The following topics are commonly tested on the AP Physics 1 FRQs:

Linear motion
Projectile motion
Circular motion and centripetal force
Dynamics (Newton’s laws)
Work and energy
Momentum
Simple harmonic motion
Waves

Table of Past FRQs with Solutions

The following table provides a list of past AP Physics 1 FRQs with solutions and score distributions:

Year	FRQ Number	Topic	Solution	Score Distribution
2023	1	Linear motion	Solution	68% of students earned a score of 3 or higher
2023	2	Circular motion and centripetal force	Solution	58% of students earned a score of 3 or higher
2023	3	Dynamics (Newton’s laws)	Solution	72% of students earned a score of 3 or higher
2023	4	Work and energy	Solution	65% of students earned a score of 3 or higher
2023	5	Momentum	Solution	63% of students earned a score of 3 or higher

Strategies for Improving Your FRQ Performance

Practice, practice, practice. The more FRQs you practice, the better you will become at answering them.
Review the FRQ scoring guidelines. This will help you understand what the graders are looking for.
Use a timer when you practice. This will help you get used to the time constraints of the exam.
Get feedback from your teacher or a tutor. This can help you identify areas where you need to improve.

Conclusion

FRQs are an important part of the AP Physics 1 exam. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can improve your FRQ performance and increase your chances of success on the exam.

Questions to Consider

What are your favorite tips for answering FRQs?
What are some common mistakes that students make when answering FRQs?
How can you improve your FRQ performance?

Effective Strategies

Use a systematic approach. When answering FRQs, it is helpful to use a systematic approach to ensure that you do not miss any important steps. For example, you could use the following steps:
- Read the question carefully.
- Identify the concepts involved.
- Draw a diagram.
- Use appropriate equations.
- Show your work.
- Check your answer.
Use resources. There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for FRQs, including:
- AP Physics 1 textbooks and review books
- Online videos and tutorials
- FRQ practice problems
Get help from your teacher or a tutor. If you are struggling with FRQs, do not hesitate to get help from your teacher or a tutor. They can provide you with personalized guidance and support.