UPDATED FOR 2026. Below is every single AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based FRQ from 2015-2025 sorted by topic.
At the end is the predicted FRQs for the upcoming 2026 exam. Good luck!
PRO TIP: Links open in FRQ Atlas — You can also find other FRQs, scoring guidelines, and upload your working for free, instant AI grading based on scoring guidelines.
FRQ Types
Understand the four specific question formats used on the AP Physics 2 exam.
Mathematical Routines
Requires deriving symbolic expressions or calculating values. Tip: Always start with a fundamental law (e.g., Bernoulli’s Equation) before substituting variables.
12 Questions
Experimental Design
Involves creating procedures and analyzing data. Tip: Clearly state what you measure, what equipment you use, and how you analyze the graph (e.g., slope represents resistance).
10 Questions
Qual/Quant Translation
Connects words to math. Tip: Use the “because… therefore…” structure. Ensure your qualitative explanation matches the mathematical relationship (e.g., if r increases, B decreases).
10 Questions
Translation Between Reps
Moving between graphs, diagrams, and equations. Tip: Check for consistency; does the slope of the graph match the variable in your derived equation?
8 Questions
Skills
Drill down into specific scientific practices tested across all units.
Scientific Argumentation (64)
3.A: Create Procedures
Design a valid experiment to answer a specific question.
10 Questions
3.B: Apply Models
Use laws or theories to make a claim.
18 Questions
3.C: Justify Claims
Support your answer with evidence or physical principles.
36 Questions
Math Routines (65)
2.A: Derive Expressions
Create symbolic equations from known quantities.
18 Questions
2.B: Calculate Values
Compute specific numbers with correct units.
27 Questions
2.C: Compare Scenarios
Analyze changes between two different physical setups.
11 Questions
2.D: Predict Changes
Determine how changing one variable affects another.
9 Questions
Creating Representations (36)
1.A: Diagrams & Tables
Draw FBDs, ray diagrams, or fill in data tables.
19 Questions
1.B: Quantitative Graphs
Plot data points and lines of best fit accurately.
8 Questions
1.C: Qualitative Sketches
Sketch the general shape of a function or relationship.
9 Questions
Units
A complete breakdown of FRQs by the 7 major units.
Unit 9: Thermodynamics
Focus on PV diagrams and the First Law; often linked with fluid mechanics or experimental design.
9 Questions
Unit 10: Electric Force & Field
High frequency of particle motion in fields and equipotential mapping.
10 Questions
Unit 11: Electric Circuits
RC circuits are very common, especially analyzing behavior at t=0 vs steady state.
9 Questions
Unit 12: Magnetism
Key topics include induction (Faraday/Lenz) and forces on moving charges.
7 Questions
Unit 13: Geometric Optics
Often tests refraction, Snell’s Law, and ray diagrams for lenses/mirrors.
5 Questions
Unit 14: Waves & Physical Optics
Interference patterns (double-slit) and diffraction are the main focus here.
4 Questions
Unit 15: Modern Physics
Photoelectric effect and wave-particle duality appear frequently.
4 Questions
Unit 9: Thermodynamics
- 2025 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Gas-piston system, PV graph, internal energy.
- 2024 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Ideal gas, thermal conductivity, rigid chamber.
- 2023 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Draining tank, buoyancy, fluid speed.
- 2021 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Thermodynamic cycle, PV diagram, heat flow.
- 2021 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Thermodynamic cycle, PV diagram, heat flow.
- 2021 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Gas density, pressure experiment, ideal gas.
- 2019 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Thermal conductivity, plastic, energy transfer.
- 2019 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Air bubble, ray diagrams, drag energy.
- 2015 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Gas pressure, temperature relationship, data analysis.
Unit 10: Electric Force, Field, and Potential
- 2025 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — RC circuit, time constant, capacitance.
- 2024 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Charged particles, magnetic field, path sketching.
- 2023 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Electric field, point charges, potential energy.
- 2022 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Resistor circuits, capacitor linearization, series data.
- 2022 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Hydrogen atom, electron energy, photon absorption.
- 2022 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Electromagnetic forces, induced current, coil.
- 2019 Q1 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Particle motion, electric/magnetic fields, trajectories.
- 2018 Q1 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Induction, proton motion, magnetic force.
- 2017 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Four charges, square configuration, electric potential.
- 2015 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Parallel plates, electron motion, magnetic deflection.
Unit 11: Electric Circuits
- 2025 Q3 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — RC circuit, time constant, capacitance.
- 2024 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — DC circuit, power dissipation, internal resistance.
- 2023 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Component identification, EMF, internal resistance.
- 2022 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Resistor circuits, capacitor linearization, series data.
- 2021 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Magnetic force, induction, lightbulb circuit.
- 2019 Q2 (Translation Between Representations) — Internal resistance, current-potential graphs, energy.
- 2018 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — RC circuits, steady state, resistor measurement.
- 2017 Q2 (Experimental Design and Analysis) — Resistivity, conducting rods, uncertainty analysis.
- 2015 Q2 (Mathematical Routines) — DC circuit, capacitor, bulb brightness.
Unit 12: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- 2025 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Parallel wires, magnetic force, induced current.
- 2024 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Charged particles, magnetic field, path sketching.
- 2022 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Electromagnetic forces, induced current, coil.
- 2021 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Magnetic force, induction, lightbulb circuit.
- 2019 Q1 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Particle motion, electric/magnetic fields, trajectories.
- 2018 Q1 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Induction, proton motion, magnetic force.
- 2015 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Parallel plates, electron motion, magnetic deflection.
Unit 13: Geometric Optics
- 2023 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Refraction, water tank, light path.
- 2022 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Buoyancy, interference, prism refraction.
- 2019 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Air bubble, ray diagrams, drag energy.
- 2017 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Convex lens, image formation, ray diagrams.
- 2015 Q1 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Refraction, total internal reflection, glass bottom.
Unit 14: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
- 2025 Q4 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Double-slit interference, light frequencies, qualitative analysis.
- 2023 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Refraction, water tank, light path.
- 2022 Q1 (Translation Between Representations) — Buoyancy, interference, prism refraction.
- 2018 Q4 (Mathematical Routines) — Thin film interference, buoyancy, fluid speed.
Unit 15: Modern Physics
- 2024 Q1 (Mathematical Routines) — Photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelength, work function.
- 2022 Q3 (Qualitative/Quantitative Translation) — Hydrogen atom, electron energy, photon absorption.
- 2021 Q4 (Translation Between Representations) — Wave-particle duality, electron-positron annihilation.
- 2018 Q3 (Translation Between Representations) — Photoelectric effect, KE vs frequency graph.
2026 FRQ Topics Prediction
We used Phy AI + the frequency of topics above to make an educated guess on what you might see on the upcoming 2026 AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based Exam FRQ.
- Unit 10: Electric Force & Field — 10 appearances. Expect a question combining point charges with potential bar charts or mapping isolines of electric potential.
- Unit 9: Thermodynamics — 9 appearances. Highly likely to see a PV diagram analysis involving work, heat, and internal energy, possibly linked to a fluid mechanics scenario.
- Unit 11: Electric Circuits — 9 appearances. Look for an RC circuit question that focuses on the transient behavior at the instant a switch is closed versus the steady state.
- Unit 12: Magnetism — 7 appearances. Electromagnetic induction is a strong candidate, particularly a conducting loop entering or leaving a magnetic field (Motional EMF).
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