2023

AP Physics 2:
®

Algebra-Based
Free-Response Questions

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 AP® PHYSICS 2 TABLE OF INFORMATION
CONSTANTS AND CONVERSION FACTORS
Proton mass, m p 1.67 – 10 27 kg Electron charge magnitude, e 1.60 – 10 19 C
Neutron mass, mn 1.67 – 1027 kg 1 electron volt, 1 eV 1.60 – 10 19 J
Electron mass, me 9.11 – 10 31 kg Speed of light, c 3.00 – 108 m s
Universal gravitational
Avogadro’s number, N0 6.02 – 1023 mol 1 G 6.67 – 10 11 m 3 kg <s2
constant,
Acceleration due to gravity
Universal gas constant, R 8.31 J (mol < K) g 9.8 m s2
at Earth’s surface,
Boltzmann’s constant, kB 1.38 – 10 23 J K
1 unified atomic mass unit, 1u 1.66 – 10 27 kg 931 MeV c 2
Planck’s constant, h 6.63 – 10 34 J<s 4.14 – 10 15 eV<s
hc 1.99 – 10 25 J < m 1.24 – 103 eV< nm
Vacuum permittivity, e0 8.85 – 10 12 C2 N < m 2
Coulomb’s law constant, k 1 4pe0 9.0 – 109 N< m 2 C2
Vacuum permeability, m0 4 p – 10 7 (T< m) A
Magnetic constant, k „ m0 4 p 1 – 10 7 (T< m) A
1 atmosphere pressure, 1 atm 1.0 – 10 5 N m 2 1.0 – 10 5 Pa

meter, m mole, mol watt, W farad, F

kilogram, kg hertz, Hz coulomb, C tesla, T
UNIT
second, s newton, N volt, V degree Celsius, ’C
SYMBOLS
ampere, A pascal, Pa ohm, W electron volt, eV
kelvin, K joule, J henry, H

PREFIXES VALUES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS FOR COMMON ANGLES

Factor Prefix Symbol q D D D D D D D
0 30 37 45 53 60 90
1012 tera T
sinq 0 12 35 2 2 45 3 2 1
10 9 giga G
10 6 mega M cosq 1 3 2 45 2 2 35 12 0

10 3 kilo k tanq 0 3 3 34 1 43 3 ‡
10 2 centi c
10 3 milli m The following conventions are used in this exam.
micro m I. The frame of reference of any problem is assumed to be inertial unless
10 6
otherwise stated.
10 9 nano n II. In all situations, positive work is defined as work done on a system.
10 12 pico p III. The direction of current is conventional current: the direction in which
positive charge would drift.
IV. Assume all batteries and meters are ideal unless otherwise stated.
V. Assume edge effects for the electric field of a parallel plate capacitor
unless otherwise stated.
VI. For any isolated electrically charged object, the electric potential is
defined as zero at infinite distance from the charged object.
 AP® PHYSICS 2 EQUATIONS
MECHANICS ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Ãx Ãx 0  a x t a = acceleration G 1 q1q2 A = area
FE
A = amplitude 4 pe0 r 2 B = magnetic field
x x0  Ãx 0 t 
1 2
at d = distance K C = capacitance
2 x E = energy K FE d = distance
E
F = force q E = electric field
Ãx2 Ãx20  2ax x  x0 f = frequency e= emf
G 1 q
G G I = rotational inertia E F = force
G
a
ÇF Fnet
K = kinetic energy
4 pe0 r 2
I = current
m m
k = spring constant DUE qDV A = length
G G
Ff m Fn L = angular momentum P = power
A = length 1 q Q = charge
V
à 2 m = mass 4 pe0 r q = point charge
ac P = power
r G R = resistance
G G p = momentum DV r = separation
E
p mv r = radius or separation Dr t = time
G G T = period U = potential (stored)
Dp F D t DV
Q
t = time C energy
1 2 U = potential energy V = electric potential
K mv
2 v = speed C ke0
A v = speed
W = work done on a d k = dielectric
DE W F&d Fd cos q
system Q constant
x = position E
DE e0 A r= resistivity
P y = height
Dt q = angle
a = angular acceleration UC
1
QDV
1
C DV
2
F= flux
1 m= coefficient of friction 2 2
q q0  w0 t  at 2
2
q = angle DQ
I
w w0  at t = torque Dt G G G
w = angular speed FM qv – B
x Acos wt Acos 2p ft rA
1 2 R
Us kx A G G G
2 FM qv sin q B
xcm
Ç mi xi
DUg mg Dy P I DV
Ç mi G G G
G G DV FM IA – B
G Çt t net 2p 1 I
a T R
I I w f G G G
FM I A sin q B
t rA F rF sin q m Rs Ç Ri
Ts 2p i G G
k FB B< A
L Iw 1
Tp 2p
A
Rp Ç R1i G G
DL t Dt g i FB B cos q A
1 2 G m1m2 Cp Ç Ci
K Iw Fg G i DFB
2 r2 e 
Dt
G G 1
Fs
G
kx G Fg Cs Ç C1i
g
m
i e BAv
Gm1m2 m0 I
UG  B
r 2p r
 AP® PHYSICS 2 EQUATIONS
FLUID MECHANICS AND THERMAL PHYSICS WAVES AND OPTICS
m A = area v d = separation
r l
V F = force f f = frequency or
h = depth focal length
F k = thermal conductivity c h = height
P n
A Ã
K = kinetic energy L = distance
P P0  rgh L = thickness n 1 sin q1 n 2 sin q2 M = magnification
m = mass m = an integer
Fb rVg n = number of moles 1 1 1 n = index of

N = number of molecules si so f refraction
A1v1 A2 v2
P = pressure s = distance
hi si
1 Q = energy transferred to a M v = speed
P1  rgy1  rv12 ho so
2 system by heating l = wavelength
1 T = temperature DL ml q = angle
P2  rgy2  rv 2
2 2 t = time
d sin q ml
U = internal energy
Q kA DT
V = volume
Dt L
v = speed GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY
PV nRT NkBT W = work done on a system
Rectangle A= area
y = height
3 A bh C= circumference
K k T r = density
2 B V= volume
Triangle S = surface area
W  P DV 1 b = base
A bh
2 h = height
DU QW
A= length
Circle w= width
A pr 2 r = radius
C 2 pr
MODERN PHYSICS
E hf E= energy Rectangular solid Right triangle
f = frequency V Awh
K max hf  f K= kinetic energy c2 a 2  b2
m= mass Cylinder a
h sin q
l p = momentum V pr 2 A
c
p l= wavelength b
S 2 pr A  2 pr 2 cos q
f= work function c
E mc 2
a
Sphere tan q
b
4 3
V pr c
3 a
2
S 4 pr q 90°
b
 AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Begin your response to QUESTION 1 on this page.

PHYSICS 2
SECTION II
Time—1 hour and 30 minutes
4 Questions

Directions: Questions 1 and 4 are short free-response questions that require about 20 minutes each to answer and are
worth 10 points each. Questions 2 and 3 are long free-response questions that require about 25 minutes each to
answer and are worth 12 points each. Show your work for each part in the space provided after that part.

1. (10 points, suggested time 20 minutes)

A rectangular tank with a mirrored bottom is filled with water (index of refraction n w ). A beam of light passes
from air (index of refraction na ) into the water at angle qi from the normal, as shown in Figure 1. Index of
refraction n w is greater than index of refraction na .

(a) On the following diagram, sketch the entire path of the beam as the beam enters, travels through, and then exits
the water.

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AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 1 on this page.

Sugar is then added to the water, resulting in a mixture that has a different index of refraction than water.
A student considers two models, Model A and Model B, for how the sugar mixes with water. The models are
shown in Figure 2 .

Model A: The sugar is uniformly mixed throughout the water, resulting in a mixture with index of refraction n m
such that n m > n w .

Model B: Layers are formed of varying concentrations of sugar in the water. There are three distinct layers of
equal volume. The top layer is only water (index of refraction n w ). The middle layer has the same concentration
of sugar as the mixture in Model A (index of refraction n m ). The bottom layer has the highest concentration of
sugar (index of refraction n b ).

(b) Consider Model A. Briefly describe how the observed wavelength of light changes, if at all, as the beam
travels from air into the mixture.

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 AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 1 on this page.

(c) Relevant angles between the beam and the normal for the various layers present in models A and B are
defined in the following table.

Model A Model B

qi Incident angle of the beam in air Ti Incident angle of the beam in air

Angle the beam makes with the normal in

T2
the top layer in Model B

Angle the beam makes with the normal in Angle the beam makes with the normal in
T1 T3
the mixture in Model A the middle layer in Model B

Angle the beam makes with the normal in

T4
the bottom layer in Model B

i. Determine an expression for T4 in terms of qi , na , and n b .

ii. Rank the angles from greatest to least, with 1 being greatest. If two angles are the same value, give them
the same ranking.

_____ T1 _____ T 2 _____ T 3 _____ T4

Briefly explain your reasoning using appropriate physics principles and/or mathematical models.

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AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 1 on this page.

For the original tank filled with water, the beam is observed to exit the surface of the water a horizontal
distance d w from the entry point. For models A and B, the horizontal distances are dA and dB, respectively.

(d) Determine whether dA and dB are each greater than, less than, or equal to d w . It is NOT necessary to
compare dA to dB. Briefly justify your answer.

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 AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Begin your response to QUESTION 2 on this page.

2. (12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)

Students are given an unknown circuit component that is connected in series to a resistor with known
resistance 500 Ω .
(a) The students are asked to experimentally determine whether the component is a resistor or an uncharged
capacitor.
i. Complete the following diagram to show how to use standard circuit equipment to determine whether the
component is a resistor or an uncharged capacitor.

ii. Describe an experimental procedure to determine whether the component is a resistor or an uncharged
capacitor. Refer to the circuit equipment in the diagram drawn in part (a)(i).

iii. What results would the students expect if the component is an uncharged capacitor? Support your answer
in terms of potential difference and charge.

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 AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 2 on this page.

The students conduct a different experiment to determine the emf Ɛ of a battery that is not ideal and has internal
resistance r = 30 Ω . The battery is connected to a variable resistor in a circuit, as shown. The students measure the
current I through the circuit for different values of resistance R var of the variable resistor that is connected to the
battery. The following table contains the data collected.

I (A) R var (Ω)

0.087 200

0.060 300

0.042 450

0.027 700

0.016 1200

(b)
i. Write an equation describing the circuit in terms of Ɛ, I , r , and R var.

ii. Which quantities could be graphed to yield a straight line that could be used to calculate a numerical value
for the emf Ɛ of the battery?

Horizontal Axis:_______________ Vertical Axis:_______________

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AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

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iii. Plot the data points for the quantities indicated in part (b)(ii) on the following graph. Clearly scale and
label all axes, including units. Draw a straight line that best represents the data.
You may use the blank columns in the table for any quantities you graph other than the given data.

iv. Using the graph from part (b)(iii), determine the emf Ɛ of the battery.

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 AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Begin your response to QUESTION 3 on this page.

3. (12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)

Tank X is a large cylindrical tank that is partially filled with water, as shown in Figure 1. The bottom of Tank X is
connected to a short horizontal pipe. A valve that is initially closed can be opened to allow water to flow through
the pipe and exit through the other end of the pipe.

(a) Two blocks, A and B, have identical dimensions and are placed in the tank. Both blocks float at rest and are
partially submerged in the water.
i. The water and air can be modeled as consisting of individual particles that are in continuous random
motion. In terms of interactions with both water and air particles, explain why there is an upward buoyant
force exerted on each block.

ii. The valve is then opened, and water flows out through the pipe. The surface of the water moves
downward. When Block A touches the bottom of Tank X, Block B is still above the bottom of Tank X.
Which block has a greater density? Briefly explain your reasoning.

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AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 3 on this page.

Tank Y is a large tank with the top open to the air, as shown in Figure 2 . The bottom of Tank Y is connected to a
short horizontal pipe of radius r with a closed valve. Tank Y is filled with water to height h 0 above the horizontal
pipe. Tank Y is specially designed so that when the valve is opened, the surface of the water moves downward at
constant speed vs .

(b) At time t = 0, the valve is opened.

i. Derive the relationship between the speed vp at which water exits the pipe and the changing height h of
the surface of the water above the pipe to show that vp = vs2 + 2gh .

ii. Derive the relationship between vp and the changing radius R of the top surface of the water to show
R2
that vp = vs .
r2

iii. When the radius R of the tank is sufficiently greater than r , the speed vp can be approximated
as vp = 2gh . Justify this claim.

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 AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 3 on this page.

Tank Z is a large tank whose top is open to the air and is shaped as shown in Figure 3. The bottom of Tank Z is
connected to a short horizontal pipe with a closed valve. Tank Z is filled with water to a height h 0 above the
horizontal pipe.

At time t = 0, the valve of Tank Z is opened.

(c) Does the speed vs at which the surface of the water moves downward increase, decrease, or remain the same
over time as water exits the other end of the pipe? Justify your answer by using or referencing equations from
both part (b)(i) and part (b)(ii).

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 AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Begin your response to QUESTION 4 on this page.

4. (10 points, suggested time 20 minutes)

Particles A and B each have positive charge +Q and are held fixed at two vertices of an equilateral triangle of
side length d , as shown. Point P is located equidistant from each vertex of the triangle.

Students Y and Z discuss the electric field and the electric potential at Point P after a third charged particle is
placed at the bottom-right vertex. The students make the following statements.

Student Y : “If a particle with positive charge +2Q is placed at the bottom-right vertex, the magnitude of the
electric field will be zero at Point P.”

Student Z: “To make the value of the electric potential zero at Point P, a particle with negative charge −Q should
be placed at the bottom-right vertex.”
(a) In a coherent, paragraph-length response, evaluate the accuracy of each student’s statement. If any aspect of
either student’s statement is inaccurate, explain how to correct the student’s statement. Support your
evaluations using appropriate physics principles.

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AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 4 on this page.

(b) Particles A and B are once again held in place at two vertices of the equilateral triangle. The students want to
represent the electric potential energy of a system of particles when a third charged particle is brought from
very far away to the bottom-right vertex. Scenarios 1 and 2 are considered.
i. In Scenario 1, a third particle with positive charge +Q is moved from very far away to the bottom-right
vertex and then held in place. A bar is shown on the following chart that represents the electric potential
energy Ui1 of the system consisting of all three particles when the third particle with positive charge is very
far away from the other particles.

In the grid provided, complete the bar chart.

• Draw a bar to represent the work W1 required to move the third particle with positive charge
from very far away to the bottom-right vertex.
• Draw another bar to represent the electric potential energy Uf 1 of the system consisting of all
three particles when the third particle with positive charge is held in place at the bottom-right
vertex.
The height of each bar should be proportional to the energy represented. If the quantity is zero, write a “0 ” in
that column.

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AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

Continue your response to QUESTION 4 on this page.

ii. In Scenario 2 , a particle with negative charge −Q is moved from very far away to the bottom-right vertex
and then held in place. A bar is shown on the following chart that represents the electric potential energy Ui2
of the system consisting of all three particles when the particle with negative charge is very far away from
the other particles.

In the grid provided, complete the bar chart.

• Draw a bar to represent the work W2 required to move the particle with negative charge from
very far away to the bottom-right vertex.
• Draw another bar to represent the electric potential energy Uf 2 of the system consisting of all
three particles when the particle with negative charge is held in place at the bottom-right vertex.
The height of each bar should be proportional to the energy represented. If the quantity is zero, write a “0 ” in
that column.

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AP® Physics 2 2023 Free-Response Questions

STOP

END OF EXAM

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