Best AI for Physics? Gemini, ChatGPT and a Vertical Motion Test
Gemini scored 130/130 and ChatGPT 129/130 in a Polish school-level AI ranking. Here’s what the results mean for physics problems.
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Gemini is the best AI for physics in the Google AI Pro plan - Gemini 3.1 Pro scored 130 out of 130 in my school-level ranking, and even free models solve kinematics problems correctly. If you need graphs, integrals and precise calculations for university work, add Wolfram|Alpha.
This is one of the quick answers in my What is each AI best for? - 50 answers series. I checked on October 8, 2026.
Three options: free, best overall and advanced
| Option | Tool | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Gemini (free account) | High school homework: motion, forces, energy and electricity. Upload a photo of a problem and get a step-by-step explanation. |
| Best overall | Google AI Pro (Gemini 3.1 Pro) | Advanced high school exams and Olympiads: long, multi-step problems, analysis of exam-paper graphs and higher usage limits. |
| For advanced work | Wolfram|Alpha Pro - $9.99/month | Engineering studies: differential equations, integrals, graphs and calculations performed by an algorithm rather than a language model. |
The Wolfram|Alpha price is from its official dollar price list; I could not find a Polish price. Information checked on October 8, 2026. ChatGPT Plus with GPT-6.1 Sol scored 129 out of 130 in the same ranking, so if you already have it, you do not need to switch.
My test
In my AI for school ranking (9 models, 15 problems, October 3-4, 2026), all 9 models correctly solved a motion problem involving a conversion from km/h to m/s. To test something harder, I gave Gemini 3.8 Flash through the API a vertical throw upward from a 15 m-high roof at 72 km/h. The problem had two traps: converting the units and accounting for the stone falling below its starting point. The model correctly gave all three results: a maximum height of 35.00 m above the ground, a flight time of 2 + √7 ≈ 4.65 s, and a speed at ground level of 26.46 m/s. The test cost $0.01. The ranking and test were conducted in Polish; the figures are results from the original Polish-language tests.
How to use AI for physics problems
- List the known values with their units, then state what you need to find. Incorrectly written data can spoil an answer faster than the wrong formula.
- Ask for a solution using symbols first, and only then ask it to substitute the numbers.
- Ask the AI to check the result using units and common sense (could a stone really travel at 300 km/h?).
- Try solving a similar problem yourself with different numbers.
What to watch out for
- The value of g: schools use 10 m/s2, while university courses often use 9.81 m/s2. Specify it in the prompt, or results may differ in the second decimal place.
- Check force diagrams and circuit diagrams yourself. Models are better at calculations than drawing.
- For problems with a graph in an image, make sure the AI has read the axes and scale correctly.
Copy-ready prompt
This is a translation of the original Polish test material, not a prompt retested in English.
You are my physics tutor (level: [standard high school / advanced high school / university]). Problem: [paste the problem]. Use g = [10 / 9.81] m/s2, and ignore [air resistance / friction] unless the problem says otherwise. 1. List the known values with units (convert to SI) and the quantities to find. 2. Solve using symbols first, then substitute the numbers. 3. Check the result using units and assess whether it is realistic. 4. Give the result to [0.01] precision. 5. Write one similar problem with different numbers, without giving the answer.Google · Your sourcesQuantslant higher in your Google - one clickAdd to preferred sources →
Frequently asked questions
Which AI can solve a physics problem for free?
Free Gemini and free ChatGPT. In my ranking, all 9 models solved the kinematics problem correctly, including the free models in both apps. The ranking was conducted in Polish.
Can AI solve a physics problem from a photo?
Yes. Gemini and ChatGPT can read photos of problems. For diagrams and graphs, include the key numbers in text too, because image interpretation is a common source of mistakes.
ChatGPT or Gemini for physics?
In my test, the difference was 1 point out of 130: Gemini 3.1 Pro scored 130 and GPT-6.1 Sol scored 129. Choose the one you already have; the accuracy of the information you enter will determine the result. The test was conducted in Polish.
Find more quick answers in my What is each AI best for? roundup. I tested AI for math separately in my AI for math test. For a related subject, see which AI is best for chemistry.
