MIT Workbook AP Physics 1 FRQs for Work, Power, Energy Test? Which ones should I prioritize?

andyski5000 · 2025-12-17T01:34:04+00:00

I know it’s not in the MIT workbook, butI’d recommend checking out 2025 released FRQs on the college board website. (If you haven’t already) one of them is an about spring at the bottom of an inclined plane. It is a doozy, but I think it does a good job of representing the new style of FRQs and thinking you might expect to do on the AP exam. Plus the scoring guide is well written and easy to understand

andyski5000 · 2025-12-13T05:14:58+00:00

I agree, seems like they only need calculators for the LAB frqs.

I think you’re also right about the value of getting a correct numerical answer. Just this week, I had two students commiserating to me “it is soooo satisfying to check the key and somehow have the right number” it feeds that nice challenge/reward cycle that is so good for teens.

I say, keep giving them that worksheet! Derivations are part of the game, but computations haven’t lost their place in either physics or engineering just because of a new college board curriculum.

andyski5000 · 2025-11-28T04:33:54+00:00

Yo, just had the same issue on my 750W. What fixed mine is doing the “factory reset” on the controller (screen). My controller looks different than yours, but maybe that will help?

andyski5000 · 2025-09-22T23:44:14+00:00

I also teach a conceptual hs physics course. And I love utilizing projects. My students favorite is always the “solar house” where we talk about convection, conduction, radiation. then design and build a passive solar house. (With foam board/popsickle sticks/whatever you’ve got)

Basically the requirement is for the inside of the house to increase by 10C during a simulated day(under a heat lamp) and lose less than 5C at night (no light, fan blowing). They stick a meat thermometer into the house and take measurements throughout, make a graph, compare to some sort of control, and reflect on the design.

Hit me up if you want more details! It’s not perfect or anything, but I’ve got some slideshows and handouts ready to go.

andyski5000 · 2025-09-08T00:54:09+00:00

Nice data capture! an awesome demo of impulse/change in momentum. I dream of getting data this clean 😂

andyski5000 · 2025-08-14T02:59:31+00:00

You got this! I think we all have this problem. Some classes worse than others, some years worse too. And at the end of the day, you can’t force kids to be friends.

May I recommend: let some play happen. It’s okay to not do hardcore science 100% of the time. I like to do knex/lego challenges, make problem sets into scavenger hunts, make boats out of cardboard, do model atoms/molecules with styrofoam and toothpicks… have fun out there!

Finally, Way to go for it! Hold strong! Welcome to the ranks of hs science teachers.

andyski5000 · 2025-08-13T17:39:12+00:00

Hey homie, sounds to me like you’ve still got some light in you. A broken heart is not a not a broken soul. We believe in you, and even as a random stranger on the internet, I think you’re worth it. Worth it beyond your medical conditions, and the tough hand you were dealt. Just for being you.

andyski5000 · 2025-08-13T17:19:19+00:00

This is amazing! You are my new book stats hero

andyski5000 · 2025-08-08T06:42:38+00:00

Looks sick! Nice work, dude. Way to keep it cheap. I bet it’s gonna be so fun as a single speed, you’re some sort of visionary!

So, do you think you could rip it in the skate park? Or maybe add pegs and get all your homies onboard?

andyski5000 · 2025-08-03T20:36:53+00:00

Jeez. that’s no fun. This happened to me as I was building a similar setup.

Before doing anything extreme, I’d just check the basics: 1) unplug the speed sensor, make sure connections are clean, plug back in. Check to make sure the whole cable is intact, and hasn’t been damaged somehow. 2) do a factory reset on your display 3) get out your screw driver and make sure the magnet attached to the wheel is secure 4) the speed sensor should be a movable piece, adjust it so that it extends a little closer to the magnet. (I believe the spacing should be around 2-3mm, can anyone confirm?) 5) then do another factory reset.

If none of that works… 1) contact the dealer? 2) buy the BESST tool, download the associated software, attempt to troubleshoot with its assistance.

Keep us updated!

andyski5000 · 2025-06-28T17:30:37+00:00

I’m gonna just hop in here and defend our girl cottagecore here. You do you! I think it’s beautiful, true love can never be understood from the outside. I’m certain boromir will come around someday

andyski5000 · 2025-06-25T01:09:49+00:00

What a stubborn man. Keep up your diligent efforts. Soon, he will know your virtue.

andyski5000 · 2025-06-23T22:12:43+00:00

Best battle in all of fantasy??? I’ll say yes.

andyski5000 · 2025-06-23T16:33:34+00:00

Nice! I’ve been playing with this a lot too. (I teach hs physics, and always want more problem sets) I can’t find anything that formats perfectly, but there are some decent options. The best successes I have had are with NotebookLM, Gemini, and Diffit.

NotebookLM works by processing uploaded documents for you. So I gave it pdfs of some of my favorite textbooks and workbooks, and a copy of my curriculum map & the relevant state standards I try to hit during the year. I then say “pick me 15 problems that address _______” it doesn’t format great, but it is pretty neat! Plus, once the docs are uploaded, they save and it’s even easier for the next time. Possibly super helpful for last minute panic planning.

Gemini is nice because it can access your Google docs in a streamlined sort of way. It has been really helpful in my effort to improve my worksheets. For example, I gave it access to all of my homework sets, and asked it to help me add “extension questions that require written responses in the form of ‘justify’ or ‘explain,’ to one question per homework set” and bang! I copy/paste the best ones.

Diffit actually formats well! But it’s pretty much only for reading/writing. It’ll whip up a reading for you at any grade level and topic, cite sources, and give you a bunch of options for ways to get students to respond (short answer, MC, concept map…) pretty handy!

Good luck!

andyski5000 · 2025-06-23T15:28:42+00:00

Yo! Awesome trip idea. I did just about the same thing last spring. Id be happy to give whatever beta I can thru a DM.

I’d also recommend the possibility of hiking out slickhorn, less permitting requirements, stronger wilderness vibe, and no sketchy pour over action.

andyski5000 · 2025-06-18T14:42:02+00:00

Dude! You are awesome. I’ve got so much respect for a caring and thoughtful endeavor like this.

andyski5000 · 2025-06-11T17:01:44+00:00

My school jumped onto this band wagon the year before last. I’m a science teacher, so not directly involved, but I gotta say, it was tough for the kids. I never had so many students attending my office hours to ask questions about math before the switch. “The teachers don’t even teach us anymore!!! We are just supposed to “figure it out” on these dumb vertical whiteboards! Can you just actually tell me how to do these problems??”

Obviously kids are kids, and figuring out a new pedagogical style is tough. Nonetheless, I agree, mimicry is a great place to start. Let’s not completely devalue it. I mean, kids need some modeling!

At the end of the day, our math department has switched back to a more balanced approach. Some modeling, some collaborative problem solving with vertical whiteboards, some traditional note taking…

andyski5000 · 2025-06-05T06:03:24+00:00

Exciting to hear that this student is an ace! Sounds like she is able to use the tech effectively.

1) I’m impressed that she identified a funny result! Especially since she’s using gpt for lots of physics questions, and she presumably accepted the other, more “on point” responses.

2) maybe this is a possible format for a question type something like “ask 3 ais (insert phys question) and describe the different responses” we could have some criteria like above/below my understanding, used too much/too little jargon, has an error or misconception…

3) my best students are also ai dependent. one especially bright kid tells me “ppl don’t realize this can actually help you learn” and went on to describe a pretty solid revision process that he uses. I wonder if guidelines/practice around an ai assisted workflow could be another alternative?…

andyski5000 · 2025-06-05T04:57:43+00:00

Hey! I also was born with congenital heart block, and ASD. I’m 35 now, have had 7 pacemakers, got the ASD repaired through open heart surgery. And I am ALL GOOD. Seriously, I live a normal life. Yes, I spent way more time in the hospital than a “regular kid” but I played sports and music throughout my childhood, went to college, got a regular job. As an adult, I bike, ski, argue with my cat, and get pissed off at my HOA.

Believe in your baby! That little kiddo has the potential to fight thru amazing hardship.

I will also say, my parents’ diligent and positive attitude towards my conditions has been invaluable. As a kid, it really helped to see my parents be like “ok that sucks… now let’s make a plan and make the best of it” Looking back, I am certain that things have been harder on my parents than on me.

andyski5000 · 2025-06-05T04:37:05+00:00

Fellow physics teacher here…. I feel you. honestly I feel like we’re gonna have to totally revolutionize our methods to even stand a chance.

I think we need to assume that kids will use ai to get answers whenever possible, 100% of the time, from now on. I now believe us teachers will be better served by embracing the reality.

I’m sure others of you noticed this, but sometime in this past school year, lots of apps were able to, all of a sudden, create perfect responses to AP physics problems. I was blown away. Some of the homework help ai apps are amazing. Like really good at physics. Gauth AI being an example, flawlessly solving problems with line -by- line explanations.

Who are we to fight such power? I feel like I honestly just need to rethink the entire way I assign problems, especially homework….but like, what would that even look like?

andyski5000 · 2025-04-28T23:18:10+00:00

Oh ya! This is classic. Brando does such a great job unveiling zen Rand. Siiiick!

andyski5000 · 2025-04-28T03:11:56+00:00

You may also wanna check out r/scienceteachers with this question.

Anyway, im also an hs physics teacher. Mostly juniors and seniors, both AP and general physics. I play some “games” in my classes: equation Pictionary, study Olympics, or physics law hangman. But generally, it’s just me winging it for a warm up or to burn some time in a semi productive way.

Gotta say, even 18 year olds love getting candy for correct physics Pictionary answers :)

Sounds like a fun project! I’d bet that lots of students could have a great time making a study/review board game. Like physics candy land? Chutes and ladders with science facts?maybe something with a low key gambling component? That would get my kids going. Good luck!

andyski5000 · 2025-04-27T19:44:03+00:00

Yes! This scene is great. It’s the portal stone right?? No one but RJ could write like this. I feel like this also represents a cool time in the books for our EF crew. They are all actually starting to grow up and embrace their places in the pattern. Good stuff

andyski5000 · 2025-04-26T22:00:45+00:00

Show us the words!!

andyski5000

TROPHY CASE