AP® Physics 1 - Section II - Time 1 hour and 40 minutes - Free-Response Questions

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan

AP® Physics 1 Section II provides instructions and timing for a free-response portion lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes, consisting of four questions. The directions specify how to write scored work in the free-response booklet, label parts, and use appropriate pen or pencil, with permitted tools including a calculator, ruler, and reference information. The questions include projectile motion of a water droplet from a fountain with graphing and derivation tasks, plus a collision-momentum problem using conservation laws to connect momentum vectors and kinetic energy outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Section II: Time – 1 hour and 40 minutes

Instructions and permitted resources

Question 1 (Version J)

Question 2 (Version J)

2026 AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based Free-Response Questions © 2026 College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered [trademarks of College Board. Visit College Board on the web: collegeboard.org](trademarks of College Board. Visit College Board on the web: collegeboard.org). AP Central is the official online home for [the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org](the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org). PHYSICS 1 SECTION II TIME – 1 HOUR AND 40 MINUTES Directions: Section II has 4 questions and lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes. You may use the available paper for scratch work and planning, but only work written in the freeresponse booklet will be scored. Any work done on scratch paper will not be scored. Label parts (e.g., A, B, C) and sub-parts (e.g., i, ii, iii) as needed. Use a pencil or a pen with black or dark blue ink to write your responses. A calculator is allowed in this section, as well as a ruler and straightedge. You may use a handheld four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, or the calculator available in this application. Reference information, including lists of equations, can be used throughout the exam. A digital version is available in this application. All final numerical answers should include appropriate units when applicable. Credit for your work depends on demonstrating that you know which physical principles to apply in a particular situation. Credit will be awarded only for work that is clearly designated as the solution to a specific part of a question. Credit also depends on the quality of your solutions and explanations. Therefore, you should show your work for each part in the space provided for that part. If you need more space, be sure to clearly indicate where you continue your work. When constructing a graph or diagram, use only one color of ink or pencil. You may pace yourself as you answer the questions in this section, or you may use these optional timing recommendations: It is suggested that you spend about 25 minutes each on Questions 1 and 3, about 30 minutes on Question 2, and about 20 minutes on Question 4. You can go back and forth between questions in this section until time expires. The clock will turn red when 5 minutes remain—the proctor will not give you any time updates or warnings. Note: This exam was originally administered digitally. It is presented here in a format optimized for teacher and student use in the classroom. During the AP Exam administration, students have access to reference information. To see the reference information for this course, please visit AP Central: [https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/administering-exams/](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/administering-exams/)[ ](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/administering-exams/)[subject-specific/reference-information](subject-specific/reference-information) Question 1: Version J 1. Water exits the nozzle of a fountain at an angle i0 above the horizontal. At time t = 0 , a droplet of water exits the nozzle and follows the path shown in Figure 1. The droplet reaches a maximum height h1 above the nozzle. Figure 1 At t = tf , the droplet returns to the same height at which the droplet exited the nozzle. Part A i. On the axes shown in Figure 2, sketch graphs ofthe horizontal and vertical components of the velocity of the water droplet as functions of t from t = 0 to t = tf . Figure 2 ii. Derive an expression for the speed of the water exiting the nozzle. Express your final answer in terms of i0 , h1 , and physical constants, as appropriate. Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the reference information. iii. The nozzle has a circular cross-section with radius r0 . Derive an expression for the volume flow rate of the water exiting the nozzle. Express y

FAQs

How much time is allotted for Section II, and how many questions are included?

Section II lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes and contains 4 questions.

What work is scored in Section II, and what should students do about scratch work?

Only work written in the free-response booklet is scored. Any work done on scratch paper is not scored.

What tools and reference information may be used during Section II?

A calculator is allowed, along with a ruler and straightedge. Reference information, including lists of equations, can be used throughout the exam.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan