--- title: "AP Physics C: Mechanics Representations FRQ Practice" description: "26 Translation Between Representations questions written in the AP format, each scored part by part." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/translation-between-representations" type: "frq-type-practice" subject: "AP Physics C: Mechanics" --- # AP Physics C: Mechanics Representations FRQ Practice ## What the Representations FRQ asks The Translation Between Representations (TBR) question is FRQ 2 on the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. You represent one mechanics scenario as a diagram, a derived equation, and a sketched graph, then describe and justify a feature of the motion. - **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: Diagram | Draw a bar chart, vector arrows, or a force diagram | 3 | | B: Derivation | Derive an expression for a key quantity, starting from a fundamental principle | 4 | | C: Graph | Sketch a graph of a related quantity, such as angular velocity versus time | 3 | | D: Reasoning | Describe a feature of the scenario, or how it would change, and justify it | 2 | ## How Representations FRQ practice works 1. **Read the full question.** The scenario, its figures, and 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 26 questions ### Unit 1: Kinematics (10) - [Projectile motion in moving reference frames](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abb6c95febec003839175&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion velocity and acceleration components](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abcc695febec00383917c&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion in different reference frames](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abdb895febec003839182&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion in moving reference frames](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abe7b95febec003839188&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion: velocity components and reference frames](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac0c595febec003839192&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion: drone package release](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac2b395febec00383919b&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion in different reference frames](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac45595febec0038391a7&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion trajectory and velocity analysis](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac58e95febec0038391ac&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion: velocity and displacement analysis](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac6e295febec0038391b2&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion in inertial and moving reference frames](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698acb2295febec0038391c7&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) ### Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics (3) - [Circular motion, friction forces, rotating turntable](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abd4195febec00383917d&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Pulley system with friction and spring forces](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac7c895febec0038391b7&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Orbital mechanics and gravitational force analysis](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a95e5ce94a92d88b83b246d&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) ### Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power (3) - [Variable force work and kinetic energy](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abfea95febec00383918f&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Spring-mass oscillations and energy conservation](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac95495febec0038391bd&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Friction forces and acceleration in coupled blocks](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a962923e5ffd44a3c37a547&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) ### Unit 4: Linear Momentum (5) - [Inelastic collision momentum and kinetic energy](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac38495febec0038391a1&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Inelastic collision momentum and impulse](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698ac55595febec0038391aa&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Elastic collision between unequal masses](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a95d41d17591ed0ed85a40f&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Elastic collision impulse and momentum change](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a95d4f817591ed0ed85a41d&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Projectile motion, inelastic collision, pendulum swing](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a96273d1982c6f42908e5f1&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) ### Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems (4) - [Rotational kinetic energy from external work and torque](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6977ced6e99f2b3a40debdbc&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Rotational motion, friction, energy dissipation](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6977ded3769723b47a16f8fa&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum of disk](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=698abf2195febec00383918c&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) - [Rotating rod energy conservation and angular acceleration](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a964a53ea7faf7013137f5a&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) ### Unit 7: Oscillations (1) - [Torsional oscillations and rotational energy conservation](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frq-practice?id=6a9640ebc5166916189914e7&type=frq-2-translation-between-representations) ## Sample question **Projectile motion in moving reference frames** A student stands on a platform that moves horizontally at a constant velocity of 3.0 m/s to the right relative to the ground, as shown in Figure 1. At time t = 0, when the student is at position x = 0 relative to the ground, the student throws a ball upward with an initial velocity of 8.0 m/s at an angle of 53° above the horizontal, as measured in the reference frame of the platform. The ball is released from a height of 2.0 m above the ground. Take the +x direction to be to the right and the +y direction to be upward. Air resistance is negligible. Figures: Type: setup_diagram Caption: Figure 1: Student on a platform moving right at 3.0 m/s; ball released at height 2.0 m at t = 0 from ground position x = 0 URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig1.jpg Placement: after-background Figure 2: Type: coordinate_system Caption: Figure 2: Blank velocity-component axes for drawing the ground-frame initial velocity vector URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig2.jpg Placement: before-part Part Letter: A Part A (3 points): Prompt: On Figure 2, **draw** a vector arrow to represent the initial velocity of the ball as measured in the reference frame of the ground. The tail of the arrow should be placed at the origin. Use an appropriate scale so that the length and direction of the arrow accurately represent the magnitude and direction of the velocity components. Context: The student observes the ball from the reference frame of the ground (Scenario 1). Verb: draw Part B (4 points): Prompt: **Derive** an expression for the horizontal displacement Δx of the ball from its initial position when it reaches maximum height. Express your answer in terms of the platform velocity vₚ = 3.0 m/s, the initial speed of the ball relative to the platform v₀ = 8.0 m/s, the angle θ = 53°, the acceleration due to gravity g, and physical constants, as appropriate. Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the reference information. Context: The ball reaches its maximum height at time t₁ as measured from the ground reference frame. Verb: derive Figure 3: Type: graph_axes Caption: Figure 3: Vertical position y versus time t for the thrown ball (ground frame), from release until it hits the ground URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig3.jpg Placement: before-part Part Letter: C Figure 4: Type: graph_axes Caption: Figure 4: Axes for aₓ versus t in the moving-platform frame (Scenario 2), from release until the ball hits the ground URL: https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig4.jpg Placement: before-part Part Letter: C Part C (3 points): Prompt: On the axes in Figure 4, **sketch** a graph of the horizontal component of acceleration aₓ of the ball as a function of time t as measured in the reference frame of the moving platform (Scenario 2). The graph should begin at t = 0 and end when the ball hits the ground. Context: Figure 3 shows the vertical position y of the ball as a function of time t in Scenario 1 (ground reference frame). In Scenario 2, an observer in the reference frame of the moving platform analyzes the horizontal motion of the ball. Verb: sketch Part D (2 points): Prompt: **Describe** one kinematic quantity (position, velocity, or acceleration) that is the same for both balls throughout their motion, and one kinematic quantity that is different for the two balls throughout their motion. For each quantity you identify, briefly **justify** your answer with reference to the motion of the balls. Context: In Scenario 3, a second identical ball is dropped from rest at the same instant and from the same height (2.0 m) as the thrown ball. Both balls are observed from the ground reference frame. Verb: describe and justify Image URLs (4): - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig1.jpg - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig2.jpg - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig3.jpg - https://kcbwzropdukwhmmvdylp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/frq_stimulus/ap-physics-c-mechanics/4020f02d-9036-4612-aa0b-199951a5fa95_fig4.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. **What representations does the TBR ask for?** A diagram such as an energy bar chart, velocity vectors, or a force diagram, then a derivation, a graph of a related quantity, and a written description of a feature of the scenario. **How is the TBR different from the Mathematical Routines question?** Both include derivations. The TBR is built around linking a diagram, an equation, and a graph of the same scenario, and it is worth 12 points instead of 10. **How do I draw the bar chart or graph?** Use the drawing tool to draw on the question’s figure or on a blank graph. Your drawing is scored with the rest of your response. You can also switch to handwrite and add a photo of your page. **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-c-mechanics/ap-physics-c-mechanics-exam/ap-physics-c-mechanics-ap-phys-mech-frq-translation-between-representations/study-guide/ap-physics-c-mechanics-ap-phys-mech-frq-translation-between-representations) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics Mathematical Routines FRQ practice](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/mathematical-routines) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics Experimental Design FRQ practice](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/experimental-design) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics Qualitative/Quantitative FRQ practice](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs/qualitative-quantitative-translation) - [AP Physics C: Mechanics FRQs](/ap-physics-c-mechanics/frqs) - Any question by id: the `get_frq` tool on the [Fiveable MCP server](/mcp/docs) ## About This Document Canonical Fiveable pages are available as Markdown at the same path plus `.md`. - [llms.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms.txt): index of Fiveable's sections and URL patterns - [llms-full.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms-full.txt): complete subject and unit listing - [MCP server](https://fiveable.me/mcp): call Fiveable as tools instead of fetching pages (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp`) - [MCP server for AP teachers](https://fiveable.me/mcp/teachers): a teacher's classes, assignments and AP-rubric grading (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp/teacher`)