FRQs

This guide organizes advice from past students who got 4s and 5s on their exams. We hope it gives you some new ideas and tools for your study sessions. But remember, everyone's different—what works for one student might not work for you. If you've got a study method that's doing the trick, stick with it. Think of this as extra help, not a must-do overhaul.

📌 Overview

• The free response section tests students' ability to interpret data, design experiments, solve physics problems using mathematics, analyze physical phenomena, and create graphs and diagrams.
• Accounts for 50% of the exam score.
• You have 45 minutes to answer 3 free response questions, spending approximately 15 minutes on each.

💭 General Advice

• Practice Tests: Begin taking official AP practice exams under timed conditions about a month before the exam. Grade yourself honestly and keep track of frequently missed concepts.
• Expression Over Calculation: If running out of time, write down relevant equations or expressions. Partial credit is often awarded for correct formulas, even if calculations are incomplete.

🕐 Before You Write

• Skim and Prioritize: Quickly skim the entire exam to identify and prioritize easier questions.
• Formula Recall: Identify the unit/concept being tested and recall relevant formulas or laws before attempting a question.

💈 Question Styles

Experimental Design

• Design experiments that are clear, direct, and feasible. Mention all equipment and procedures explicitly.
• Remember to repeat trials for accuracy and reliability.
• Key concepts often include measurements of electric fields, magnetic fields, and circuit analysis.

Quantitative-Qualitative Translation

• Focus on deriving expressions and solving equations related to electric force, electric field, magnetic field, and potential difference.
• Be familiar with manipulating formulas to linearize data.

Short Answer

• For paragraph responses, clearly state your argument, apply general physics principles, connect these principles to the problem, and conclude succinctly.
• For general short answers, focus on accuracy in the initial parts to ensure correctness in subsequent questions.

📝 Using the Equation Sheet

• Understand the context and application of each equation. For example:
  • Coulomb's Law: $F = k \frac{{q_1 q_2}}{{r^2}}$ for electric force between two charges.
  • Electric Potential Energy: $U = k \frac{{q_1 q_2}}{{r}}$ for the potential energy between two point charges.
  • Electric Field: $E = k \frac{q}{{r^2}}$ for the electric field due to a point charge.
  • Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge: $F = qvB \sin(\theta)$ for the force on a charge moving in a magnetic field.
  • Ampère’s Law: $\oint B \ \text{d}l = \mu_0 I_{enc}$ for the magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor.
• Familiarize yourself with the equations but don't rely solely on the equation sheet. Trust your understanding and knowledge.