What's on the AP Physics 2 Unit 14 practice test
The standard version takes about 88 minutes and follows the timing and directions of the AP exam, sized to one unit:
- 20 Multiple Choice Questions (40 minutes)
- 1 FRQ – FRQ 1 – Mathematical Routines (24 minutes)
- 1 FRQ – FRQ 2 – Translation Between Representations (24 minutes)
Questions are drawn from 2483 multiple-choice questions and 48 FRQs written for Unit 14, Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics.
Sample AP Physics 2 Unit 14 question
A laser beam is vertically polarized with average power P_avg and cross-sectional area A. It passes through a polarizing sheet with a transmission axis at an angle φ to the vertical. Which expression represents the transmitted intensity I_t?
I_t = (P_avg/A) cos²φ
I_t = (P_avg/2A) cos²φ
I_t = (P_avg/A) sin²φ
I_t = (P_avg/A) cosφ
Explanation
Deriving the intensity requires defining initial intensity as Power/Area and then applying Malus's Law. Since the incident light is already polarized, the transmitted intensity is the initial intensity multiplied by the square of the cosine of the angle.
Practice AP Physics 2 Unit 14 FRQs
Answer the unit's free-response questions one at a time and get a score on every part.
- FRQ 1 – Mathematical Routines (6 questions)
- FRQ 2 – Translation Between Representations (7 questions)
- FRQ 3 – Experimental Design (18 questions)
- FRQ 4 – Qualitative/Quantitative Translation (17 questions)
Review Unit 14 before you start
- 14.1 Properties of Wave Pulses and Waves
- 14.2 Periodic Waves
- 14.3 Boundary Behavior of Waves and Polarization
- 14.4 Electromagnetic Waves
- 14.5 The Doppler Effect
- 14.6 Wave Interference and Standing Waves
- 14.7 Diffraction
- 14.8 Double-Slit Interference and Diffraction Gratings
- 14.9 Thin Film Interference