--- title: "AP Physics C: Mechanics Experimental Design FRQ Practice" description: "37 Experimental Design and Analysis questions written in the AP format, each scored part by part." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/experimental-design" type: "frq-type-practice" subject: "AP Physics C: Mechanics" --- # AP Physics C: Mechanics Experimental Design FRQ Practice ## What the Experimental Design FRQ asks The Experimental Design and Analysis question is FRQ 3 on the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. You plan a lab to find a quantity such as a spring constant or a moment of inertia, explain how to graph the data, then graph a data table and use a best-fit line to calculate the value. - **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 | Describe how to collect data with the equipment provided | 2 | | B: Analysis plan | Describe what to graph and how the graph gives the quantity | 2 | | C: Graph | Choose two quantities, graph the data table, and draw a best-fit line | 4 | | D: Experimental value | Calculate the quantity from your best-fit line | 2 | ## How Experimental Design FRQ practice works 1. **Read the setup and data.** The lab scenario, the equipment, the data table, and 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 37 questions ### Unit 1: Kinematics (3) - [Constant acceleration motion with photogate measurements](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a960d39205ea0a2f8eb6c18&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Projectile motion initial velocity components determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96133741c406f85fe603ec&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Constant acceleration kinematics from motion data](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a961d5e7f878b7bf739124a&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics (7) - [Inclined plane acceleration measurement from velocity data](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698aba4395febec003839172&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through elastic potential energy](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a727fbd2eeb775c066d2c24&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Kinetic friction on inclined plane using photogate measurements](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a95d739581d75ca736caed9&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rolling resistance and net force on moving cart](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96142dae995fc5be7ed047&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Falling sphere drag force constant determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9620f8850ab1f7d31d50a8&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Circular motion tension, velocity, mass, gravity determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9636f61ab486cd5b76673e&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Tension, acceleration, mass, gravitational field determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a963cdcfa37bccd33be96ab&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power (6) - [Spring constant determination using motion analysis](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6977da0bec36e05a5c692064&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant determination through energy conservation](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ab2b495febec003839160&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Energy-loss experiment using the intercept of speed squared versus release height.](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a95d2804263a7915cc0d9e2&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Mechanical power from constant-rate mass lifting](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9613b5fcb378f255983502&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring potential energy, friction, kinetic energy relationships](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96366ebefe44461e077042&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Constant power motor efficiency and energy dissipation](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a963d8429b4326ac51dcb8c&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 4: Linear Momentum (5) - [Collision coefficient of restitution determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6977d25e6eab82bdfdec8ec4&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Momentum conservation in elastic collisions](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ab38495febec003839162&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Momentum conservation with spring-driven cart separation](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a960e2bb58899e9779d6ecf&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Fan-thrust impulse on variable mass cart](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96163ccbaec5857599cd51&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Inelastic collision momentum and unknown mass determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9620619318b958ec60cc5c&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics (5) - [Rotational inertia determination using disk apparatus](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a8f8f9327b3b8eb8b88f9ea&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia and friction torque determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a960ea4045bc693ea37ab12&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Torque balance and unknown mass determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9618ad36b87091c2dfbda0&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rolling motion without slipping, rotational inertia determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9639199ed9d88544084e76&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Physical pendulum rotational inertia determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a963e8e9530b39ac86bd3fe&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems (5) - [Rotational inertia determination using linear graphing](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6977e2022dab5c2072b5ba34&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia of disk using falling mass](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ab01e95febec003839159&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rotational inertia determination through circular platform motion](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abbc095febec003839177&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Rolling object rotational inertia determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9606d3605cd4286571e370&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Inelastic collision momentum and pendulum energy conservation](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96241bc4b12599ee9db899&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ### Unit 7: Oscillations (6) - [Rotational inertia measurement using pendulum oscillations](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6977dbd1d900b15da9055677&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring-cart oscillation experiment: slope-based spring constant and unknown added mass](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a95be3a2daeb22177cd5c33&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Torsional oscillation period, rotational inertia, spring constant](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96120bd52e6cb44a9f9b82&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Pendulum period measurements determining gravity and bob radius](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96192ffec3080c5cdfa019&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Physical pendulum period and rotational inertia determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a963b9854f47c7d35a5b029&type=frq-3-experimental-design) - [Spring constant and gravitational field determination](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a963c7c46d0f4c4727c0dbb&type=frq-3-experimental-design) ## Sample question **Constant acceleration motion with photogate measurements** A cart moves in the positive x-direction on a straight horizontal low-friction track. At the marked start line, x = 0, the cart has an unknown nonzero speed v₀. After crossing the start line, its controller maintains an unknown constant acceleration a. A narrow flag on the cart passes through one movable photogate, which measures the instantaneous speed v at the gate. Figure 1 defines x as the measured distance from the start line to the photogate sensing line. Analyze the motion kinematically; no force model is needed. Figure 1: Type: apparatus_diagram_modified_setup Caption: Figure 1. Movable-photogate setup and position reference. URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/6be57b0b-f2f0-47f9-9a84-0c9b23dc4c34_fig1_vector_v1.png Placement: before-part Part Letter: A Part A (2 points): Prompt: **Describe** a procedure for collecting data that can determine both a and v₀ from a linear graph. State what is varied, what is measured, how x is referenced in Figure 1, and one way to reduce uncertainty. Verb: describe Part B (2 points): Prompt: **Derive** a linear relationship for the collected data. Identify the quantities on both axes and explain how the slope and intercept determine a and v₀. Verb: derive Figure 2: Type: blank_grid_graph Caption: Figure 2. Grid for student graph. URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/6be57b0b-f2f0-47f9-9a84-0c9b23dc4c34_fig2_vector_v1.png Placement: before-part Part Letter: C Data Table for Part C: Caption: Synthetic idealized measurements for one constant-acceleration motion, rounded to three decimals. Headers: Photogate position x (m) | Measured speed v (m/s) 0.200 | 0.825 0.400 | 1.000 0.600 | 1.149 0.800 | 1.281 1.000 | 1.400 Part C (4 points): Context: The measurements are shown in Table 1. i. **Indicate** the quantities that should be graphed. Vertical axis: ______ Horizontal axis: ______ (1 pt) Verb: indicate ii. On the blank grid in Figure 2, **create** the graph using Table 1. Label both axes with units and plot all five calculated points. (2 pt) Verb: create iii. **Draw** a single best-fit line for the plotted data. (1 pt) Verb: draw Part D (2 points): Prompt: **Calculate** experimental values for a and v₀. Context: Use the slope and intercept of the best-fit line from part C. Verb: calculate Image URLs (2): - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/6be57b0b-f2f0-47f9-9a84-0c9b23dc4c34_fig1_vector_v1.png - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/6be57b0b-f2f0-47f9-9a84-0c9b23dc4c34_fig2_vector_v1.png ## 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. **Do I need to have done the lab before?** No. The question describes the setup and the equipment you can use, and gives you a data table to graph in part C. **What should I plot?** Two quantities that give a straight line, so the slope or intercept leads to the value you need. Part C asks you to name them before you graph. **How do I make the graph?** Use the drawing tool to plot the data on the grid and draw a best-fit line. You can also graph on paper, switch to handwrite, and add a photo of your page. **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-c-mechanics/ap-physics-c-mechanics-exam/ap-physics-c-mechanics-frq-experimental-design/study-guide/ap-physics-c-mechanics-frq-experimental-design) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics Mathematical Routines FRQ practice](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/mathematical-routines) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics Representations FRQ practice](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/translation-between-representations) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics Qualitative/Quantitative FRQ practice](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/qualitative-quantitative-translation) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics FRQs](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/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`)