---
title: "AP Physics 2 Representations FRQ Practice"
description: "65 Translation Between Representations questions written in the AP format, each scored part by part."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-physics-2-revised/frqs/translation-between-representations"
type: "frq-type-practice"
subject: "AP Physics 2"
---

# AP Physics 2 Representations FRQ Practice

## What the Representations FRQ asks

The Translation Between Representations (TBR) question is FRQ 2 on the AP Physics 2 exam. You describe one scenario with a diagram, a derivation, and a graph, then reach a final result, usually one you indicate and justify.

- **25–30 min**: suggested on the exam
- **12 points**: across parts A to D
- **95 min**: for all four FRQs

| Part | What it asks | Points |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A: Representation | A diagram or other representation of the scenario | 3 |
| B: Derivation | An expression derived from a fundamental principle | 4 |
| C: Graph | Sketch how one quantity changes with another | 3 |
| D: Result | A final result, usually one you indicate and justify | 2 |

## How Representations FRQ practice works

1. **Read the full question.** The scenario, its figures, and all four parts, A through D, laid out the way the exam shows them.
2. **Write on a 27-minute timer.** Inside the 25 to 30 minutes the exam suggests for this question. Pause it or turn it off, and your response saves as you go.
3. **Submit for a score out of 12.** Your response is scored against the scoring guidelines written for that question. Your first score is included.

## All 65 questions

### Unit 9: Thermodynamics (7)
- [Piston equilibrium and gas pressure relationships](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=6977f0eec952ea280da43a20&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Monatomic ideal gas pressure equilibrium with movable piston](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698abd27e97825fc4c8a3ccc&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Monatomic ideal gas pressure equilibrium with movable piston](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac473e97825fc4c8a3d13&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Monatomic ideal gas, thermal conduction, piston equilibrium](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac84fe97825fc4c8a3d2a&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Ideal gas isothermal compression with movable piston](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad1b2e97825fc4c8a3d57&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Monatomic ideal gas thermal equilibrium with movable piston](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad4a0e97825fc4c8a3d60&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Monatomic ideal gas with movable piston equilibrium](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad836e97825fc4c8a3d69&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)

### Unit 10: Electric Force, Field, and Potential (10)
- [Electric field and charge in parallel plate capacitor](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=6977f31c1fb1cc32fbb25066&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Charged particle motion in uniform electric field](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698abf86e97825fc4c8a3ce5&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Electrostatic forces and potential in dielectric medium](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac0afe97825fc4c8a3cef&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Charged particle motion in parallel-plate capacitor](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac25ee97825fc4c8a3cfe&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Parallel-plate capacitor electric field and potential distribution](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac4d5e97825fc4c8a3d17&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Charged particle motion in uniform electric field](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac687e97825fc4c8a3d21&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Electrostatic forces between charged spheres in dielectric medium](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac892e97825fc4c8a3d2e&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Charged particle equilibrium in dielectric capacitor](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acd21e97825fc4c8a3d40&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Charged spheres, electric fields, potential distribution](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad0c1e97825fc4c8a3d53&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Parallel plate capacitor with charged particle motion](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad227e97825fc4c8a3d59&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)

### Unit 11: Electric Circuits (11)
- [RC circuit charging with parallel capacitors](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698abec9e97825fc4c8a3cdd&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Battery-capacitor circuit with parallel branches](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698abf97e97825fc4c8a3ce6&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Capacitor charging in multi-resistor circuit networks](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac07ee97825fc4c8a3cee&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [RC circuit with parallel and series capacitors](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac179e97825fc4c8a3cf5&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Resistor properties, circuit steady-state current behavior](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac353e97825fc4c8a3d09&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Capacitor charging in multi-branch circuit](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac742e97825fc4c8a3d25&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Battery, resistors, capacitors, and circuit behavior](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac857e97825fc4c8a3d2b&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Battery, resistor, capacitor network charging](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac96ae97825fc4c8a3d31&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Capacitor charging in resistor-capacitor circuit](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acae0e97825fc4c8a3d36&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Circuit current and capacitor charging behavior](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acdabe97825fc4c8a3d44&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Capacitor charging in multi-resistor circuit](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acf9ae97825fc4c8a3d4c&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)

### Unit 12: Magnetism and Electromagnetism (10)
- [Magnetic forces on moving charge near wire](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=6977f3e61fb1cc32fbb25069&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic field and charged particle forces in solenoid](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac325e97825fc4c8a3d04&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic field in solenoids with variable cores](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac3f7e97825fc4c8a3d0e&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic field generation in solenoids with different cores](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac607e97825fc4c8a3d1e&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic field from current-carrying wire](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac728e97825fc4c8a3d23&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Electromagnetic induction in solenoid circuits](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad090e97825fc4c8a3d51&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic force on current-carrying wire segment](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad176e97825fc4c8a3d56&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic flux through conducting loop near current-carrying wire](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad2e1e97825fc4c8a3d5b&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic field in solenoids with and without core](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad422e97825fc4c8a3d5e&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Magnetic flux through coil around current-carrying wire](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad586e97825fc4c8a3d62&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)

### Unit 13: Geometric Optics (12)
- [Lens refraction, mirror reflection, image formation](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ac880e97825fc4c8a3d2c&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Light refraction and reflection at boundaries](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acbb3e97825fc4c8a3d3a&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Lens and mirror image formation through refraction and reflection](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acca7e97825fc4c8a3d3e&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Light refraction, reflection, and image formation](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acda7e97825fc4c8a3d43&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Image formation using mirrors and lenses](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad002e97825fc4c8a3d4f&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Light reflection at mirror and lens image formation](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad0e4e97825fc4c8a3d54&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Lens refraction, mirror reflection, image formation](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad1dde97825fc4c8a3d58&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Light refraction through lens, mirror reflection, image formation](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad426e97825fc4c8a3d5f&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Mirror reflection and lens refraction image formation](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad56ae97825fc4c8a3d61&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Light refraction through mirror and glass slab](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad808e97825fc4c8a3d68&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Mirror reflection, image formation, ray optics](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad8fee97825fc4c8a3d6a&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Light refraction through glass slab and lens](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698adb79e97825fc4c8a3d6d&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)

### Unit 14: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics (7)
- [Sound wave interference and pressure standing waves](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698aa19be97825fc4c8a3bd1&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Acoustic resonance in closed-end tube](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698aa63ae97825fc4c8a3bf1&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Wave reflection and superposition on a string](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698aac20e97825fc4c8a3c26&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Standing waves in fixed-end string apparatus](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698aaeabe97825fc4c8a3c3a&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Standing waves on a tensioned string](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ab02de97825fc4c8a3c45&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Wave reflection at fixed and free boundaries](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ab240e97825fc4c8a3c5b&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Double-slit interference pattern and fringe positions](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=6ab2a28f9b75b15e9f9297fd&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)

### Unit 15: Modern Physics (8)
- [Electromagnetic radiation interaction with matter](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698acd6ee97825fc4c8a3d42&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Photoelectric effect and stopping potential](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad106e97825fc4c8a3d55&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Photoelectric effect stopping potential and electron energy](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad2abe97825fc4c8a3d5a&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Particle-wave duality of radiation and matter](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad3eee97825fc4c8a3d5d&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Photoelectric effect and atomic energy transitions](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad6c2e97825fc4c8a3d66&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Electromagnetic radiation interactions: photoelectric effect, atomic transitions](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698ad7b9e97825fc4c8a3d67&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Photoelectric effect, photon emissions, radiation interactions](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698adbfde97825fc4c8a3d6e&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)
- [Blackbody radiation and photoelectric effect](/ap-physics-2-revised/frq-practice?id=698adf37e97825fc4c8a3d70&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations)

## Sample question

**Piston equilibrium and gas pressure relationships**

A sample of a monatomic ideal gas is sealed in a vertical cylinder by a movable piston of mass 2 (see Figure dot).00 kg and area 4.00×10^−3 m², as shown in Figure 1. The pressure of the air above the piston is 1.01×10⁵ Pa, and g = 9.80 m/s². At the instant shown, the piston is at rest and the gas occupies a volume of 2.40×10^−3 m³.

Figures:
  Type: force_diagram_dot
  Caption: Force diagram of piston
  URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-2-revised/6bb5b787-dc19-493b-a078-9a5ed563934e_figdot.jpg
  Placement: after-background

Figure 1:
  Type: setup_diagram
  Caption: Figure 1. Vertical cylinder with monatomic ideal gas
  URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-2-revised/6bb5b787-dc19-493b-a078-9a5ed563934e_fig1.jpg
  Placement: after-background

Part A (3 points):
  Prompt: On the dot shown, representing the piston, draw and label the forces that are exerted on the piston. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing away from, the dot.
  Verb: draw and label

Part B (4 points):
  Prompt: **Derive** an expression for the pressure Pgas of the gas in terms of Patm, M, A, and g. Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the reference information, and show the intermediate steps that lead to your final expression.
  Verb: derive

Figure 2:
  Type: PV_diagram_axes
  Caption: Figure 2. Blank axes for thermodynamic process
  URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-2-revised/6bb5b787-dc19-493b-a078-9a5ed563934e_fig2.jpg
  Placement: before-part
  Part Letter: C

Part C (3 points):
  Prompt: On the axes provided in Figure 2, **sketch** the expected relationship between the pressure P and volume V of the gas for the thermodynamic process the gas undergoes from the initial equilibrium state to the final equilibrium state. Draw an arrow on your sketch to represent the direction of the process.
  Context: A 1.50 kg block is slowly placed on top of the piston, and the piston moves until it comes to rest in a new equilibrium position. During this process, the cylinder remains in thermal contact with the 320 K water bath so that the gas temperature remains constant.
  Verb: sketch

Part D (2 points):
  Prompt: **Indicate** whether the change in entropy of the gas, ΔSgas, is greater than, less than, or equal to zero.
______ ΔSgas > 0
______ ΔSgas < 0
______ ΔSgas = 0

Briefly justify your answer by referencing at least one feature of your answers to parts B or C.
  Context: Consider the process in part C. Assume the initial and final equilibrium states are at the same temperature of 320 K.
  Verb: indicate and briefly justify

Image URLs (3):
  - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-2-revised/6bb5b787-dc19-493b-a078-9a5ed563934e_figdot.jpg
  - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-2-revised/6bb5b787-dc19-493b-a078-9a5ed563934e_fig1.jpg
  - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-2-revised/6bb5b787-dc19-493b-a078-9a5ed563934e_fig2.jpg

## Questions

**How many responses can I get scored?**

You can read every question without a plan. Your first scored response is included. A plan unlocks unlimited scoring.

**How do I draw the diagrams and graphs?**

Open the drawing tool in the editor and draw them there. You can also switch to handwrite and add a photo of your page.

**How is the TBR different from the Mathematical Routines question?**

Both include a derivation. The TBR also asks for a diagram and a graph, and ends with a result you justify. It’s worth 12 points instead of 10.

**How do I type equations and symbols?**

Use the subscript, superscript, and special-character buttons in the editor toolbar. Or write your derivation on paper, switch to handwrite, and add a photo.

**Are these real College Board questions?**

No. We wrote them in the AP format, with the same four parts, and wrote scoring guidelines for each one.

## Related

- [Representations FRQ exam guide](/ap-physics-2-revised/ap-physics-2-exam/ap-physics-2-ap-phys-2-frq-translation-between-representations/study-guide/ap-physics-2-ap-phys-2-frq-translation-between-representations)
- [AP Physics 2 Mathematical Routines FRQ practice](/ap-physics-2-revised/frqs/mathematical-routines)
- [AP Physics 2 Experimental Design FRQ practice](/ap-physics-2-revised/frqs/experimental-design)
- [AP Physics 2 Qualitative/Quantitative FRQ practice](/ap-physics-2-revised/frqs/qualitative-quantitative-translation)
- [AP Physics 2 FRQs](/ap-physics-2-revised/frqs)
- Any question by id: the `get_frq` tool on the [Fiveable MCP server](/mcp/docs)

## About This Document

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