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.
Types of Radioactive Decay FRQ Set
Alpha, beta-minus, beta-plus and gamma decay are distinguished by the emitted particles and by how proton number, nucleon number, charge and lepton number are conserved; the specific isotope’s decay mode or half-life is not something to memorize.
Do not require memorization of which specific isotope uses which decay mode or its half-life. Neutron emission and electron capture are outside the course framework; detailed neutrino types and weak-force mechanisms are also outside scope.
Situation: A student analyzes this Types of Radioactive Decay situation without introducing a numerical relationship that exceeds the topic scope: In alpha decay the daughter nucleus has A reduced by 4 and Z reduced by 2 because a helium-4 nucleus is emitted.
- State the governing qualitative model and define the system, comparison, or physical quantities that matter.
- Represent the conclusion symbolically using an inequality, ordering, direction statement, or labeled cases based on alpha: A→A−4, Z→Z−2 + ⁴₂He.
- Compare a second valid case in which the relevant physical condition changes and state how the predicted ordering or direction changes.
- Give one consistency check using the model boundary, limiting behavior, direction, or a physical representation.
Open reasoning and scoring evidence
- The response should use the qualitative model alpha: A→A−4, Z→Z−2 + ⁴₂He only under the condition alpha-decay nuclear bookkeeping.
- Symbolic reasoning can use inequalities, ordering, arrows, or labeled cases; it must not invent an out-of-scope numerical formula.
- The comparison must name which physical condition changed and why that changes or preserves the predicted result.
- The final check must respect this boundary: Do not require memorization of which specific isotope uses which decay mode or its half-life. Neutron emission and electron capture are outside the course framework; detailed neutrino types and weak-force mechanisms are also outside scope.
Situation: Consider Gamma emission can follow another decay and lowers nuclear energy without changing the proton number or nucleon number. The same qualitative physics must be represented verbally, graphically or schematically, and symbolically.
- Draw or describe a labeled physical representation showing the important objects, directions, boundaries, states, or measured quantities.
- Sketch a qualitative graph, ordering, or spatial representation that displays the predicted behavior; label axes or cases where applicable.
- Write the model statement β−: n→p + e− + anti-ν; β+: p→n + e+ + ν when its condition “beta-minus or beta-plus decay with charge, nucleon and lepton bookkeeping” is satisfied.
- Explain one explicit connection among the representation, the symbolic statement, and the physical meaning of alpha particle.
Open reasoning and scoring evidence
- The representation must encode the physical situation rather than act as decoration.
- A qualitative graph or ordering still requires labeled quantities/cases and a defensible trend.
- Do not replace the stated model with a numerical relationship that the topic boundary excludes.
- alpha particle means a helium-4 nucleus containing two protons and two neutrons with charge +2e; the explanation should use that meaning to connect the representations.
Situation: Design an investigation for this target: Use cards, dice/simulation events, or supplied nuclear equations to classify alpha, beta-minus, beta-plus and gamma processes; verify nucleon number, charge and lepton-number bookkeeping for each event.
- State the independent variable, dependent observation, and at least two quantities that must be controlled or measured.
- Describe a feasible procedure that produces repeated observations across a useful range of the independent variable.
- Choose a graph, category comparison, or representation whose trend tests the qualitative model gamma: excited nucleus → lower-energy same nucleus + γ and state the expected direction/order.
- Explain how repeats, uncertainty, resolution, 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/observations must distinguish the predicted qualitative cases rather than produce one isolated demonstration.
- The analysis must connect the observed trend or ordering to the physical model without fitting an excluded numerical equation.
- Uncertainty discussion must affect the evidence claim; simply saying “human error” is not enough.
Situation: Compare two valid Types of Radioactive Decay scenarios based on In alpha decay the daughter nucleus has A reduced by 4 and Z reduced by 2 because a helium-4 nucleus is emitted. while keeping the treatment within the topic boundary.
- Predict whether the target quantity or state is greater, smaller, equal, increases, decreases, or remains unchanged.
- Justify the prediction using the physical meaning of beta-minus decay (a process in which a neutron changes to a proton while an electron and antineutrino are emitted).
- Translate the prediction into a symbolic inequality, ranking, or direction statement using alpha: A→A−4, Z→Z−2 + ⁴₂He rather than an excluded numerical formula.
- State the model boundary that must remain satisfied: Do not require memorization of which specific isotope uses which decay mode or its half-life. Neutron emission and electron capture are outside the course framework; detailed neutrino types and weak-force mechanisms are also outside scope.
Open reasoning and scoring evidence
- The qualitative prediction should appear before any symbolic ordering and should not depend on hindsight.
- The justification must identify the physical mechanism or model, not merely restate that one case is larger.
- For a qualitative-only topic, a correct symbolic inequality/ranking is the appropriate quantitative-style translation; do not manufacture a numerical factor.
- 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.