TIPS AND STRATEGIES

FOR THE

AP PHYSICS I EXAM

Dolores Gende

WHAT TO BRING TO THE EXAM:

• Several sharpened pencils
• Calculator with fresh batteries
• Ruler
• GOOD ERASER!!

AP PHYSICS EXAM SECTION I

50 multiple choice questions | 90 minutes

• Discrete items
• Items in sets
• Multiple-correct items: Select two answers

Approximately 1.8 minutes/question

• Budget your time! If you are spending too much time in one question, move on and come back to it later
• Read each question carefully. Circle key words
• Think of physics principles before using equations: is this an energy scenario? is the object moving in a circle? etc.

• If the answer is too obvious (Mickey Mouse type), read the question again, the question might not be trivial!
• If you do not know the answer, try eliminating incorrect answers
• Use proportional reasoning if possible rather than plug & chug
• Watch out for the MULTIPLE CORRECT section and be sure to select two answers
• Do NOT leave any question blank!!

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AP PHYSICS EXAM SECTION II

5 Free-Response Questions| 90 minutes

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• Experimental Design 12 points ≈ 25 min

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• Quantitative/Qualitative 12 points ≈ 25 min

Translation

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• 3 Short Answer Questions 7 points ≈ 12 min each

Take a closer look at each FRQ to determine where to start. Answer the questions that you feel confident about first!

FREE RESPONSE TASK VERBS

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Calculate: Perform mathematical steps to arrive at a final answer, including algebraic expressions, properly substituted numbers, and correct labeling of units and significant figures. Also phrased as “What is?”

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Compare: Provide a description or explanation of similarities and/or differences.

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Derive: Perform a series of mathematical steps using equations or laws to arrive at a final answer.

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FREE RESPONSE TASK VERBS

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Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic.

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Determine: Make a decision or arrive at a conclusion after reasoning, observation, or applying mathematical routines (calculations).

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Estimate: Roughly calculate numerical quantities, values (greater than, equal to, less than), or signs (negative, positive) of quantities based on experimental evidence or provided data. When making estimations, showing steps in calculations are not required.

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FREE RESPONSE TASK VERBS

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Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning to support or qualify a claim. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas, explain “why” typically requires analysis of reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.

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Justify: Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim, and/or provide reasoning to explain how that evidence supports or qualifies the claim.

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FREE RESPONSE TASK VERBS

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Label: Provide labels indicating unit, scale, and/or components in a diagram, graph, model, or representation.

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Plot: Draw data points in a graph using a given scale or indicating the scale and units, demonstrating consistency between different types of representations.

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Sketch/Draw: Create a diagram, graph, representation, or model that illustrates or explains relationships or phenomena, demonstrating consistency between different types of representations. Labels may or may not be required.

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FREE RESPONSE TASK VERBS

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State/Indicate/Circle: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation. Also phrased as “What…?” or ”Would…?” interrogatory questions.

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Verify: Confirm that the conditions of a scientific definition, law, theorem, or test are met in order to explain why it applies in a given situation. Also, use empirical data, observations, tests, or experiments to prove, confirm, and/or justify a hypothesis.

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EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN QUESTION TIPS

• Write down a clear and concise procedure that anyone can follow, a numbered sequence might be a good idea!
• If a setup diagram is required, label each piece of equipment. This is not an art exam so don’t worry about the ‘looks’
• Identify the physical quantities that you will measure with each piece of equipment selected
• Name the quantities to be measured instead of just giving symbols (say mass instead of ‘m’)
• Do not confuse calculated values with measured values

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN QUESTION TIPS

• Always indicate that you need to do several trials i.e. repeat a measurement several times and average the results.
• Clearly explain how you will analyze your data:
• how will the variables be graphed?
• what information can be gathered from the slope of the line, or the area under the curve?
• what is the physical meaning of the intercept?

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN QUESTION TIPS

• Uncertainty: Every measuring instrument has an inherent uncertainty that is determined by the precision of the instrument.
• When asked to discuss uncertainties explain how the measurements might affect the result of your experiment i.e. measuring length with a meterstick, time with a stopwatch, using ammeters and/or voltmeters, electronic balances etc.

QUANTITATIVE/QUALITATIVE TRANSLATION TIPS

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QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

• Determine the physics principles in the question: Energy? Momentum? Simple harmonic motion? Forces?
• Qualitative does not mean writing an equation in words! You have to explain how the physics principles apply to the given scenario
• Write in complete sentences

QUANTITATIVE/QUALITATIVE TRANSLATION TIPS

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QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

• Derive all your expressions starting from physics principles (conservation laws, net force equations, etc.). Do not take shortcuts!

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TRANSLATION

• Look for relationships among variables, are they directly proportional? Inversely proportional?
• Check for a clear correlation between your qualitative statements and your quantitative expressions

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS TIPS

• These FRQs have a maximum of 3 sections (a-c)
• If the question has a checkbox be sure that your explanation corresponds to what you checked!
• Points are not awarded for checkboxes alone
• Write your explanations in complete sentences

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SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS TIPS

• One Short Answer question will ask for a paragraph length explanation.
• Your response should be a coherent, organized, and sequential description of the analysis of a situation.
• The response should argue from evidence, cite physical principles, and clearly present your thinking to the reader.
• The presentation should not include extraneous information. It should make sense on the first reading!

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS TIPS

• The style of the exposition is to explain and/or describe, like a paragraph, rather than present a calculation or a purely algebraic derivation, and should be of moderate length, not long and elaborate
• A paragraph-length response will earn points for correct physics principles
• Full credit may not be earned if your response contains any of the following: principles not presented in a logical order, lengthy digressions within an argument, or primarily equations or diagrams with little linking prose

GRAPHING TIPS

• Always include: scale, variables, units
• Bring a ruler to draw best-fit lines. Never connect the dots!
• When data is not linear, draw a smooth curve through the data
• If two curves are on the same graph clearly label each curve

GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

• Use the graph to determine information: slope, area under the curve and/or intercepts
• When calculating a slope use a pair of points directly from your best-fit line
• If the graph is unfamiliar, look at the units of slope and/or area to determine if it represents a physical quantity
• If a graph or a set of data is given, look for outliers which should be examined to determine if they are bad data points that should be omitted

Most common SLOPES:

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• The slope of a position-time graph gives the velocity

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• The slope of a velocity-time graph gives the acceleration

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• The slope of a momentum-time graph gives the exerted force

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• The slope of a force-elongation graph gives the spring constant

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• The slope of a torque-angular acceleration graph gives the rotational inertia

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Most common AREAS under the curve:

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• The area under the curve of a velocity-time graph gives the displacement

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• The area under the curve of an acceleration-time graph gives the change in velocity

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• The area under the curve of a force-time graph gives the impulse (change in momentum)

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• The area under the curve of a force-distance graph gives the work done

FBDs

• Use a ruler to draw the forces: the tip of the arrow shows direction
• Start your arrows on the center of the dot given (point particle model)
• Do NOT draw components in an FBD
• The forces on extended objects (rotational motion) should be drawn at the point of application of the force. Do not use the point particle model!
• Label the forces appropriately: F_G, F_N, F_F, F_T, F_S

FBDs and NET FORCE

• Never write F_C (centripetal force) on an FBD! Write the actual forces that keep the object in circular motion
• If there are two forces exerted in the same direction, draw TWO arrows: one for each force!
• Write the net force (ΣF) for each coordinate axis
• Always write what the net force is equal to: either zero or equal to ‘ma’, or ‘mv²/r’

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FRIENDLY ADVICE:

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• Be familiar with what is and what isn’t on the equation sheet

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• Answer the question that is being asked

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• Write legibly. If we can’t read it, we can’t grade it!

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• Do NOT use ‘it’ or ‘they’ in an explanation. Use the specific noun: ‘ball’, ‘carts’ etc.�
• When answering a question, do NOT restate the question in your answer!

FRIENDLY ADVICE:

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• When describing physical quantities be specific:

for motion: use velocity or speed or acceleration

for energy: use gravitational or elastic or kinetic...

for force: gravitational, normal, tension, friction...

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• For symbolic answers, use the symbols given, not your own

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• Show all of your work, even if it’s obvious!

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FRIENDLY ADVICE:

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• Don’t forget units on your numerical answers

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• Organize your work in the space provided. The space should be enough for your answer but if you need more space, clearly indicate where the extra work is

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• If you scratch out your work or erase it, it will not be examined.

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• On the other hand, putting down a wrong answer together with a correct answer most likely will negate the correct answer

FRIENDLY ADVICE:

• Don’t assume the grader knows what you’re talking about. Leave nothing to the imagination!
• Even if you’re not sure how to do a problem, write down what you can in words (if it’s relevant). You might get a few points, but leaving it blank won’t get you anything
• It bears repeating: No Immaculate Answers! Maximize your chances of earning points by showing ALL YOUR WORK!

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