How to Answer AP® Physics 1 Free-Response Questions And Examples

General Tips for Writing FRQ Responses

Your ability to approach the questions logically and make efficient use of time will greatly impact your success in this section of the AP Physics 1 exam. In this section, you will learn strategies that will help you earn maximum points on the FRQs and achieve your goal on the AP Physics 1 exam!

Understand how the FRQs are scored

A group of AP Physics 1 teachers and college instructors are carefully trained to use specific scoring standards when assigning points for correct responses to grade the FRQs. Points are awarded by the reader when responses contain specific details, as described in the scoring standards. Therefore, the key to earning maximum points is to positively demonstrate your understanding of each part of the question. Below are a few tips that will come in handy:

• You should write your responses as if you are explaining the concepts to someone who doesn't know much about physics. This way, you’ll be sure that you explained your answer with the scientific laws and reasoning to support it.
• The readers are not allowed to award points unless they can positively determine that you have met the criteria as explained in the scoring standards. So, make sure you write legibly (using a pencil or a pen with dark blue or black ink) and only write in the space provided for the answer. Readers will ignore any responses you cross out with your pen. If you do not want something scored, or if you make a mistake, just mark a line through the designated part of the response. Don't waste time by scribbling everything out or trying to erase them completely.
• Make sure you complete your thoughts as you explain a concept. Do not leave out anything that is essential for demonstrating your understanding. For example, if you were asked to explain the result of an experiment, you would need to list all the relevant factors and the associated reasoning for why each factor affects the experiment. Simply writing the list may not be sufficient to earn points.
• Incorrect answers have no penalty on your overall score. Therefore, even if you are unsure about the correct answers, you should attempt to answer all questions as time permits. You will likely know something about the topics assessed, and there are multiple ways to earn a point for a particular part of a question. The only way to definitely earn zero points is by not attempting to answer the question! So, give it your best shot!

Budget your time wisely

You have 90 minutes to complete Section II of the AP Physics 1 exam. The key to making efficient use of time is to start by answering the questions you feel best equipped to handle. Doing this can earn you the most points in the shortest amount of time. You do not need to answer the questions in a particular order.

On the AP Physics 1 exam, there are two long FRQs and three short FRQs. Each of the long FRQs should take about 25 minutes to answer, and each of the short FRQs should take about 13 minutes. However, these questions may show up on the exam in any order, so don’t assume that the first two questions are the long FRQs.

• Keep in mind that only what is written in the designated space (i.e., within the box around the question) will be scored.
• If you get stuck writing an answer to part of a question, skip to the next part of the question or to the next question you plan to answer. Come back to the unfinished question if you have time at the end of the exam.
• If you finish answering all the questions with time to spare, go back and read your responses. Double check that you have answered all parts of each question and that you have done everything asked of you in each question.

Be concise, but write in complete sentences

If you want to score well on the FRQ section of the exam, you need to make sure that you focus on answering the main question as clearly as possible. Don’t worry about writing an answer that would make your English teacher proud; instead focus on demonstrating to the reader that you understand the concept being tested. However, for questions requiring paragraph-length responses, you do need to write in complete sentences, although outlines or bulleted lists are not acceptable. You must demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the topic if you wish to score all of the points available. Therefore, resist the urge to use a lot of words in the hope of mentioning that one word that will earn you a point. It does not work this way, and could hurt your overall argument.

• Address the question directly! You don't want to write anything that is not directly related to the question. Do not restate the question or write an introduction, just specifically answer what is being asked.
• After you have answered the question, stop writing. Writing redundant information could run the risk of contradicting something you said that would have otherwise earned a point.
• If you don’t know how to spell a word you want to use, just do your best. You earn points by demonstrating your conceptual understanding. If you cannot recall a particular term, just try to explain the idea as best you can.
• If the question asks you to “briefly” explain something, keep your answer short and to the point.

Common Task Verbs and Their Meanings

There are several task verbs that are commonly used in AP Physics 1 FRQs. In order to write an effective answer, you need to know the expectations associated with the wording of each question. Some task verbs are not terms that are commonly used, and some of the task verbs used in FRQs overlap somewhat with one another. Understanding this terminology will help you earn the maximum number of points for each question. Let’s look at the most common task verbs used in FRQs:

Calculate:

To calculate means to apply mathematical steps (basic algebra, formulas from the provided AP Physics 1 formula and equation sheet) to arrive at a final calculated answer (including correct units and significant figures). This may also be phrased as “What is?”

Example: Using Figure 1, calculate the average rate of change in growth in the control group.

• Remember to double-check all the calculations you make, either in your head or on your calculator
• Make sure your final answer is easy for your reader to pick out; you can achieve this by boxing your answer.

Compare

You will describe or explain aspects that are similar and/or different between the things being compared.

Example: Compare the change in potential energy of the ball-Earth system to the change in kinetic energy of the ball-only system while the ball is in the air.

• Find relationships between the two things that are being compared
• Use physical laws to reinforce your claims regarding the relationship between them

Derive

This involves using equations or laws and carrying out mathematical steps in a proper sequence to produce a final answer.

Example: Derive an equation that represents the position x of the car as a function of time t.

• Be sure to include all initial equations and/or data that are used to derive the final equation
• Show each step of the derivation and be sure to identify variables as needed

Describe

You will provide relevant information about a particular topic.

Example: Describe the immediate motion of the electron after it is released.

• Be sure to focus on simply describing the topic provided first
• Reasoning that supports your description may not be needed but should only be added after your basic description is written.

Determine

Here, you will come to a decision or conclusion after evaluating the given information in the question. These types of questions test your critical thinking skills.

Example: Using the experimental data, determine the net force acting on the cart.

• You should provide reasoning or evidence to show how you arrived at your determination.