2026, Question 1 · Mathematical Routines · 10 points · about 25 minutes
Heating gas and a sphere
Sketch a gas speed distribution, derive a sphere’s specific heat and compare temperature changes during thermal equilibrium.
This paper allotted 100 minutes to its four free-response questions. The current exam has 4 free-response questions in 95 minutes. The skills these questions practice still count.
1 Read the question
The question is College Board's, from the 2026 exam. It starts on page 3 of the PDF.
2 Write your answer
Answer each part the way you would on the exam, in full sentences, with your work shown. Your writing saves as you type.
3 Score it
Score your answer against College Board's scoring guidelines, one point at a time. Give yourself a point only when your answer says what the guideline asks for.
Scoring guidelines (PDF, page 2)
Question, scoring guidelines: College Board. The title, summary are ours.