Fiveable
🎡AP Physics 1
​

🎡AP Physics 1

FRQ 1 – Mathematical Routines
​
Unit 1: Kinematics
​
FRQ Types & Units

Each FRQ type tests specific skills taught in particular units. Here's why certain units appear for each question type:

This mapping reflects College Board's exam structure - each FRQ type tests specific skills that are taught in particular units.

Practice FRQ 1 of 171/17

1. A drone is flown at constant altitude above a straight road. An observer O stands on the ground next to the road, and an observer C rides in a car moving along the road, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Drone and observers: ground frame (observer O) with x–y axes along the road and vertical; car (observer C) moves to +x; drone velocity vector has magnitude 12 m/s at θ = 30° above +x.

Figure 1

Figure 2. Axes for sketching the drone’s vertical position y versus time t from 0 to 8.0 s (observer O).

Figure 2
A.
i.

On the axes shown in Figure 2, sketch a graph of the drone's vertical position yyy as a function of time ttt from t=0t = 0t=0 to t=8.0 st = 8.0\ \text{s}t=8.0 s as measured by observer O.

ii.

Derive expressions for the x- and y-components, vxv_xvx​ and vyv_yvy​, of the drone's velocity in observer O's frame in terms of v=12 m/sv = 12\ \text{m/s}v=12 m/s and θ=30∘\theta = 30^{\circ}θ=30∘. Begin your derivation by writing an equation for the perpendicular components of a vector.

iii.

Derive expressions for the drone's average velocity components, v‾x\overline{v}_xvx​ and v‾y\overline{v}_yvy​, from t=0t = 0t=0 to t=5.0 st = 5.0\ \text{s}t=5.0 s as measured by observer O. Express your results using vvv, θ\thetaθ, and the given time interval. Begin your derivation by writing a definition of average velocity.

B.

Indicate whether the x-component of the drone's velocity measured by observer C is positive, negative, or zero. At t=0t = 0t=0, observer C in the car passes directly below the drone's starting point. The car moves in the +x-direction with constant speed vc=8.0 m/sv_c = 8.0\ \text{m/s}vc​=8.0 m/s relative to observer O. The drone continues to move with constant velocity of magnitude 12 m/s12\ \text{m/s}12 m/s at angle θ=30∘\theta = 30^{\circ}θ=30∘ above +x as measured by observer O.

Positive
Negative
Zero
Justify your response by describing the reference frame of observer C and using a one-dimensional vector sum for the x-components.

Pep

essential ap study content awaits..

Features
Testimonials
Testimonials
start studying →
FRQ Directions
Free Response Question Practice

This practice environment simulates the AP AP Physics 1 Free Response Questions section. Here are some guidelines:

  • Read each question carefullybefore responding. Pay attention to command verbs like "identify," "explain," "analyze," or "evaluate."
  • Use the timer to practice time management. You can pause, restart, or hide the timer as needed.
  • Mark for Review if you want to come back to a question later.
  • Your responses are saved automatically as you type. You can also use the drawing tool for questions that require diagrams or graphs.
  • Use the toolbar for formatting options like bold, italic, subscript, and superscript.
  • Navigate between questions using the Previous and Next buttons at the bottom of the screen.

Tip: Answer all parts of each question. Partial credit is often available, so even if you are unsure, provide what you know.