AP Physics 2 FRQ Practice by Topic 2027
Every topic has four substantial free-response tasks: Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design and Analysis, and Qualitative/Quantitative Translation. Select one topic, write the response before opening guidance, then use the evidence checklist or self-grader to find what your reasoning is missing.
What do the four AP Physics 2 FRQ practice modes test?
The four sets force you to calculate, translate representations, design/analyze experiments, and connect qualitative predictions to quantitative relationships. That prevents FRQ practice from becoming four copies of the same algebra problem.
One topic at a time keeps the page focused
Lesson pages link directly to the matching set; the base FRQ page remains a directory rather than rendering all 184 prompts at once.
Diffraction FRQ Set
Diffraction is wave spreading produced by an opening or obstacle, and it becomes most pronounced when the opening size is comparable to the wavelength. A single slit produces a broad central maximum and dark minima whose positions depend on slit width, wavelength, and screen distance.
Use the single-opening diffraction model here. Use the small-angle screen-position approximation only for θ<10°; otherwise use the angular relation directly.
Situation: A student analyzes this Diffraction situation: Red light creates a wider single-slit diffraction pattern than shorter-wavelength blue light through the same slit.
- State the governing model and define the system or physical quantities that matter.
- Starting from a sinθ_m = mλ, derive a symbolic expression for a requested target quantity before substituting numbers.
- Explain how the result changes when one relevant variable is multiplied by a factor while the other model conditions remain fixed.
- Give one units, sign/direction, limiting-case or order-of-magnitude check that could expose an incorrect result.
Open reasoning and scoring evidence
- The response must select a sinθ_m = mλ only when single-slit diffraction minima.
- Symbols should be consistent with: a slit width (m); θ_m dark-minimum angle; m=1,2,…; λ wavelength (m).
- The proportional comparison must follow the functional dependence of the selected relationship rather than an unrelated equation.
- The final check must be physically interpretable, not just a calculator repeat.
Situation: Consider Making a slit narrower increases diffraction spreading rather than creating a narrower central maximum. The same physics must be represented verbally, graphically and mathematically.
- Draw or describe a labeled physical representation showing the important objects, directions, boundaries or measured quantities.
- Sketch the graph or spatial representation that best displays the predicted behavior; label axes, signs and important features.
- Write a relationship consistent with the representation, using y_m ≈ mλL/a when its condition “single-slit small-angle geometry” is satisfied.
- Explain one explicit connection among the diagram/graph, the equation and the physical meaning of diffraction.
Open reasoning and scoring evidence
- The representation must encode the actual physical situation rather than act as decoration.
- Graph features such as slope, area, intercept, curvature, maxima/minima or direction must be linked to the relevant model.
- A valid equation must use variables/units consistently: y_m dark-minimum position from center (m); λ wavelength (m); L screen distance (m); a slit width (m).
- diffraction means wave spreading associated with passage through an opening or around an obstacle; the explanation should use that meaning to connect the representations.
Situation: Design an investigation for this target: Project monochromatic light through several slit widths, measure first-minimum positions and central widths, and test the predicted λL/a scaling with uncertainty.
- State the independent variable, dependent variable and at least two quantities that must be controlled or measured.
- Describe a feasible apparatus/procedure that produces repeated measurements across a useful range of the independent variable.
- Choose a graph or linearization whose slope/intercept/shape tests a relationship such as central maximum width ≈ 2λL/a and explain the expected trend.
- Explain how repeats, uncertainty and one plausible systematic effect influence the strength of the conclusion.
Open reasoning and scoring evidence
- The procedure must vary one intended cause while controlling plausible competing causes.
- Measurements must be sufficient to test a relationship rather than produce one isolated value.
- The graph choice must follow the expected functional dependence and connect a graph feature to a physical quantity.
- Uncertainty discussion must affect the evidence claim; simply saying “human error” is not enough.
Situation: Compare two valid Diffraction scenarios based on Red light creates a wider single-slit diffraction pattern than shorter-wavelength blue light through the same slit. In the second scenario, one relevant variable changes while the model remains valid.
- Predict whether the target physical quantity increases, decreases or remains unchanged before doing algebra.
- Justify the prediction using the physical meaning of aperture (an opening through which a wave passes).
- Use a sinθ_m = mλ or another appropriate relationship from this topic to determine a symbolic factor or ratio.
- State the model boundary that must remain satisfied: Use the single-opening diffraction model here. Use the small-angle screen-position approximation only for θ<10°; otherwise use the angular relation directly.
Open reasoning and scoring evidence
- The qualitative prediction should appear before the quantitative calculation and should not depend on hindsight.
- The justification must name a physical cause/model, not simply restate that one variable became larger or smaller.
- The symbolic ratio must follow the correct functional dependence and preserve what is held fixed.
- A complete answer states the boundary/assumption so the comparison is not overgeneralized.
Use the FRQ Self-Grader to check evidence quality, then switch to a different topic or a full model exam. Do not improve the response merely by copying phrases from the scoring guide.
AP Physics 2 FRQ practice questions
How many FRQs are available per topic?
Four original multipart FRQs per topic, for 184 topic FRQs across all 46 topics.
Why are there four different FRQ modes?
They deliberately exercise different physics actions: mathematical reasoning, representation translation, experimental/data reasoning and qualitative-to-quantitative reasoning.
Should I open the reasoning guide while writing?
No. Finish a defensible response first. Open the guide only after you have committed to your model, representation and evidence.
Are drafts uploaded or stored on a server?
No server submission is used. The optional response workspace stores drafts only in your own browser when local storage is available.
How should I score my response?
Use the task-specific reasoning guide plus the separate FRQ Self-Grader. Look for explicit evidence, not just a correct final number.
When should I move to full practice exams?
After you can produce complete topic-level responses without relying on the guide. Full exams test whether you can identify the model without a topic heading.