AP Physics 2AP
Fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, and more.
Overview
AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based course covering fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Why it matters
Builds strong modeling and reasoning skills across multiple physics domains relevant to pre-med and engineering tracks.
Skills you’ll build
- Experimental design
- Graph/uncertainty analysis
- Modeling with equations
- Qualitative-quantitative translation
Topic Breakdown (Units)
Unit 1: Fluids
- Density & pressure
- Buoyancy
- Continuity & Bernoulli
Unit 2: Thermodynamics
- Kinetic theory
- Heat & work
- First law
Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential
- Coulomb's law
- Electric field
- Potential & equipotentials
Unit 4: Electric Circuits
- Ohm's law
- Series/parallel
- RC circuits
Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
- Magnetic forces
- Faraday's law
- Lenz's law
Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics
- Reflection/refraction
- Lenses & mirrors
- Interference & diffraction
Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics
- Photoelectric effect
- Atomic models
- Radioactivity
Lessons & Notes
Unit 1: Fluids
Analyze static and dynamic fluid behavior.
- Pascal's principle
- Archimedes' principle
- continuity
Unit 2: Thermodynamics
Energy transfer by heat and work; thermal processes.
- PV diagrams
- specific heat
- efficiency
Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential
Relate charge distributions to fields and potentials.
- E = kq/r²
- V = kq/r
Unit 4: Electric Circuits
Predict current, voltage, and energy in DC circuits.
- I = V/R
- Kirchhoff's laws
- τ = RC
Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
Fields from currents and changing flux drive induction.
- F = qvB
- ε = −dΦ/dt
Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics
Use wave and ray models to explain optical phenomena.
- Snell's law
- lens equation
- single/double-slit
Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics
Explore quantization and nuclear processes.
- E = hf
- half-life