--- title: "AP Physics 1 Experimental Design FRQ Practice" description: "68 Experimental Design and Analysis questions written in the AP format, each scored part by part." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/experimental-design" type: "frq-type-practice" subject: "AP Physics 1" --- # AP Physics 1 Experimental Design FRQ Practice ## What the Experimental Design FRQ asks The Experimental Design and Analysis question is FRQ 3 on the AP Physics 1 exam. You design a procedure to answer a question about a physical system, then graph data from a similar experiment and use your best-fit line to find a physical quantity. - **25–30 min**: suggested on the exam - **10 points**: across parts A to D - **95 min**: for all four FRQs | Part | What it asks | Points | | --- | --- | --- | | A: Procedure | How to collect the data: what you vary, what you measure, and with what | 2 | | B: Analysis plan | How you would graph the data and what the graph tells you | 2 | | C: Graph | Choose quantities that give a straight line, plot the data, and draw a best-fit line | 4 | | D: Calculation | A value calculated from your best-fit line | 2 | ## How Experimental Design FRQ practice works 1. **Read the setup and data.** The lab scenario, the data table, and all four parts, A through D, laid out the way the exam shows them. 2. **Write on a 27-minute timer.** Inside the 25 to 30 minutes the exam suggests for this question. Pause it or turn it off, and your response saves as you go. 3. **Submit for a score out of 10.** Your response is scored against the scoring guidelines written for that question. Your first score is included. ## All 68 questions ### Unit 1: Kinematics (11) - [Cart velocity measurement using motion analysis](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6977e25bc85fd165a6d493b8&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Projectile motion, initial velocity determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a76ed7b1aa2313793dd2a&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Projectile motion, reference frames, initial velocity](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698aabb67c0d49fedeed5747&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Constant velocity motion, horizontal displacement measurement](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698aad3c7c0d49fedeed574f&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Projectile motion from moving cart platform](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698aae297c0d49fedeed5753&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Projectile motion initial velocity determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698aafe07c0d49fedeed5759&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Horizontal projectile motion launch speed determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698ab0d97c0d49fedeed575b&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Projectile motion analysis to determine gravitational acceleration](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698ab1877c0d49fedeed5761&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Motion measurement across inertial reference frames](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698ab4a97c0d49fedeed576e&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Projectile motion of cart leaving table](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698ab5847c0d49fedeed5772&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Puck acceleration measurement across reference frames](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698ab6bb7c0d49fedeed5778&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics (6) - [Kinetic friction coefficient determination through acceleration measurement](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6977eb0b9f1c477dcdd0c8f2&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Friction and circular motion coefficient determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8bcd7c0d49fedeed5636&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Atwood machine system mass determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6a95f9ca471c53536da8298d&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Static friction force versus normal force](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6a9612a6aab8e9e71b8f3aa8&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Block acceleration on inclined plane with friction](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6a961b2faf03bb215f5a24b3&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Tension, acceleration, mass, gravitational field determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6a961c695b90e061824a3426&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power (8) - [Spring constant determination through experimental data collection](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6977e361c5ddd24d1120ed97&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Friction's effect on mechanical energy systems](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a83ce7c0d49fedeed55ca&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring compression, cart speed, energy conservation](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a84b37c0d49fedeed55d7&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Cart-spring system constant determination methods](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a86827c0d49fedeed55ef&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Energy transfer and spring constant determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a877f7c0d49fedeed55fc&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Energy transfer in spring-cart systems](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8c3c7c0d49fedeed563d&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Energy transfer and kinetic friction on inclines](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8f387c0d49fedeed5654&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through energy transfer](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a92497c0d49fedeed566e&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 4: Linear Momentum (9) - [Momentum conservation in inelastic cart collisions](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6977e331c5ddd24d1120ed96&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Linear momentum conservation in collision experiments](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8c9f7c0d49fedeed563f&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Collision dynamics and mass determination methods](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8d547c0d49fedeed5646&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Linear momentum conservation in horizontal collisions](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a929e7c0d49fedeed5674&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Linear momentum conservation in cart collisions](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a947c7c0d49fedeed5683&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Two-cart collision momentum and mass determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a957d7c0d49fedeed568e&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Linear momentum conservation in one-dimensional collisions](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a989b7c0d49fedeed56ac&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Linear momentum conservation in collision experiments](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a99867c0d49fedeed56b5&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Linear momentum conservation in collision systems](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a9a337c0d49fedeed56bd&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics (8) - [Angular acceleration of rotating disk-pulley system](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6977ec41568a418710d53b5a&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Moment of inertia determination through rotational dynamics](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a90be7c0d49fedeed5661&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia and angular acceleration relationships](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a91707c0d49fedeed5666&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Torque, angular acceleration, rotational inertia](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a94ec7c0d49fedeed5687&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational dynamics and moment of inertia measurement](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a95dc7c0d49fedeed5691&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Net torque, angular acceleration, rotational inertia](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a97807c0d49fedeed56a2&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Net torque, angular acceleration, rotational inertia](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a98407c0d49fedeed56a8&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia determination through torque analysis](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a9ae27c0d49fedeed56c5&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems (9) - [Rotational inertia determination through torque application](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8ce87c0d49fedeed5642&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia determination through torque and angular momentum](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8eac7c0d49fedeed5650&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia determination through torque and angular acceleration](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a91a57c0d49fedeed5669&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Torque effects on angular momentum and rotational inertia](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a950b7c0d49fedeed5689&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Constant torque, rotational inertia measurement](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a96157c0d49fedeed5694&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Constant torque effects on rotational motion systems](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a97c57c0d49fedeed56a7&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Constant torque, angular momentum, rotational kinetic energy](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a999e7c0d49fedeed56b6&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Applied torque and angular acceleration relationships](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a9a487c0d49fedeed56bf&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia determination through torque and angular momentum](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a9ce87c0d49fedeed56d7&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 7: Oscillations (12) - [Spring constant determination through experimental procedures](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=6977e3bec5ddd24d1120ed98&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through oscillation analysis](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8cce7c0d49fedeed5640&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Simple harmonic motion, spring constant determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8e1c7c0d49fedeed564e&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Vertical mass-spring oscillator spring constant determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8f417c0d49fedeed5656&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Mass-spring system spring constant determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a90a27c0d49fedeed565e&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through oscillatory motion](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a929c7c0d49fedeed5673&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through harmonic motion](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a93bc7c0d49fedeed567b&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Mass-spring system period and amplitude measurement](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a97227c0d49fedeed569f&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Mass-spring system, spring constant determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a98c07c0d49fedeed56af&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Mass-spring oscillator, spring constant determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a99aa7c0d49fedeed56b7&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through oscillation analysis](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a9a527c0d49fedeed56c0&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through harmonic motion analysis](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a9b5f7c0d49fedeed56cb&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 8: Fluids (5) - [Water flow dynamics and nozzle area determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a8f377c0d49fedeed5653&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Fluid pressure, depth relationship, density determination](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a91c47c0d49fedeed566a&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Fluid pressure dependence on depth and density](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a92f07c0d49fedeed5676&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Density determination using buoyant force measurements](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a99b37c0d49fedeed56b8&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Fluid density determination using Venturi tube pressure differences](/ap-physics-1-revised/frq-practice?id=698a9e047c0d49fedeed56df&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ## Sample question **Cart velocity measurement using motion analysis** Students are investigating the motion of objects as observed from different reference frames. Part A (2 points): Prompt: Describe an experimental procedure to collect data that would allow the students to determine the velocity of Cart B relative to the track. Assume that Cart B moves with constant velocity in the positive direction along the track. Include any steps necessary to reduce experimental uncertainty. In your description, state what quantities would be measured and what equipment would be used to measure them. Verb: describe Part B (2 points): Prompt: Describe how the data collected in part (A) could be graphed and how that graph would be analyzed to determine the velocity of Cart B relative to the track. Verb: describe Figure 1: Type: apparatus_diagram Caption: Figure 1. Two carts on a straight track URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-1-revised/35f434cc-004f-4dc3-8254-a07af2209b23_fig1.jpg Placement: before-part Part Letter: C Figure 2: Type: blank_grid Caption: Figure 2. Grid for plotting a linearized graph URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-1-revised/35f434cc-004f-4dc3-8254-a07af2209b23_fig2.jpg Placement: before-part Part Letter: C Data Table for Part C: Headers: vA (m/s) | vBA (m/s) 0.20 | 0.95 0.35 | 0.80 0.50 | 0.65 0.65 | 0.48 0.80 | 0.35 0.95 | 0.18 Part C (4 points): Context: The students perform an experiment in which Cart A is set to various constant velocities vA in the positive direction along the track. Cart B moves with constant velocity in the positive direction along the track. For each trial, the motion sensor on Cart A measures the velocity vBA of Cart B relative to Cart A. Table 1 shows the measured values of vA and vBA. The students correctly determine that the relationship between vBA and vA is given by vBA = vB - vA, where vB is the velocity of Cart B relative to the track. The students create a graph with vA plotted on the horizontal axis. i. Indicate what measured or calculated quantity could be plotted on the vertical axis to yield a linear graph whose slope can be used to calculate an experimental value for vB. Vertical axis: ______ Horizontal axis: vA (1 pt) Verb: indicate ii. On the grid in Figure 2, plot the data points for the quantities indicated in part C(i). Use Table 2 to record any calculated quantities. Clearly label the vertical axis, including units as appropriate. (2 pt) Verb: plot iii. Draw a straight best-fit line for the data graphed in part C(ii). (1 pt) Verb: draw Part D (2 points): Prompt: Using the best-fit line that you drew in part C(iii), calculate an experimental value for the velocity vB of Cart B relative to the track. Verb: calculate Image URLs (2): - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-1-revised/35f434cc-004f-4dc3-8254-a07af2209b23_fig1.jpg - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-1-revised/35f434cc-004f-4dc3-8254-a07af2209b23_fig2.jpg ## Questions **How many responses can I get scored?** You can read every question without a plan. Your first scored response is included. A plan unlocks unlimited scoring. **How do I make the graph in part C?** Open the drawing tool in the editor and plot it there. You can also graph it on paper, switch to handwrite, and add a photo of your page. **What equipment can my procedure use?** Equipment a typical high school lab would have, like a meter stick, a stopwatch, or a motion sensor. Say what you vary, what you measure, and how you measure it. **Is the data in part C from my own procedure?** No. Part C gives you data from a similar experiment. Your analysis plan from part B still helps you choose what to graph. **Are these real College Board questions?** No. We wrote them in the AP format, with the same four parts, and wrote scoring guidelines for each one. ## Related - [Experimental Design FRQ exam guide](/ap-physics-1-revised/ap-physics-1-exam/ap-physics-1-frq-experimental-design/study-guide/ap-physics-1-frq-experimental-design) - [AP Physics 1 Mathematical Routines FRQ practice](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/mathematical-routines) - [AP Physics 1 Representations FRQ practice](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/translation-between-representations) - [AP Physics 1 Qualitative/Quantitative FRQ practice](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/qualitative-quantitative-translation) - [AP Physics 1 FRQs](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs) - Any question by id: the `get_frq` tool on the [Fiveable MCP server](/mcp/docs) ## About This Document Canonical Fiveable pages are available as Markdown at the same path plus `.md`. - [llms.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms.txt): index of Fiveable's sections and URL patterns - [llms-full.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms-full.txt): complete subject and unit listing - [MCP server](https://fiveable.me/mcp): call Fiveable as tools instead of fetching pages (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp`) - [MCP server for AP teachers](https://fiveable.me/mcp/teachers): a teacher's classes, assignments and AP-rubric grading (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp/teacher`)