AP Physics 2 · Science

AP Physics 2: free lessons and course outline

The second algebra-based physics course (thermodynamics, electric fields and circuits, magnetism and induction, optics, waves, and modern physics) taught unit by unit to the current College Board framework. Like Physics 1, the exam grades the reasoning as much as the arithmetic. Exam format from 2027: this is a hybrid digital exam: multiple choice in Bluebook, free response handwritten in a paper booklet. Work the practice problems on paper and check your steps against the worked answer, the way you will sit the free-response section in May.

3H EXAM 40 MCQ 4 FRQ 63 LESSONS 70 PRACTICE PROBLEMS PREREQ: PHYSICS 1

AP Physics 2 follows the seven units of the College Board course framework (2026 edition). The College Board numbers them 9 through 15, continuing from the eight units of Physics 1, and this course keeps that numbering so it matches the official materials. Thermodynamics, electric force and field, and circuits are the three largest units, 15 to 18% of the exam each, together about half of it. Every lesson follows one College Board topic, quotes the required content, draws the pictures, and works examples in the exam's style.

U9Thermodynamics15–18%
U10Electric Force, Field, and Potential15–18%
U11Electric Circuits15–18%
U12Magnetism and Electromagnetism12–15%
U13Geometric Optics12–15%
U14Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics12–15%
U15Modern Physics12–15%

Every lesson, unit by unit

U9 is free to read below. The other units open with a free month or a paid plan.

U9 Thermodynamics 15–18% of the examFREE

U10 Electric Force, Field, and Potential 15–18% of the exam

10.1 Electric charge and Coulomb's law
10.2 Forces from several charges
10.3 Conservation of charge and charging
10.4 Electric fields
10.5 Fields of conductors and insulators
10.6 Electric potential energy
10.7 Electric potential
10.8 Potential and field: equipotentials
10.9 Capacitors
10.10 Charges moving in electric fields

U11 Electric Circuits 15–18% of the exam

11.1 Electric current
11.2 Simple circuits
11.3 Resistance, resistivity and Ohm's law
11.4 Electric power
11.5 Resistors in series and parallel
11.6 Real batteries and meters
11.7 Kirchhoff's loop rule
11.8 Kirchhoff's junction rule
11.9 Capacitors in combination
11.10 RC circuits

U12 Magnetism and Electromagnetism 12–15% of the exam

12.1 Magnetic fields and dipoles
12.2 Magnetic materials
12.3 Magnetic force on a moving charge
12.4 Charged particles in magnetic and electric fields
12.5 Current-carrying wires
12.6 Magnetic flux and Faraday's law
12.7 Lenz's law and motional emf

U13 Geometric Optics 12–15% of the exam

13.1 Light rays and reflection
13.2 Plane and spherical mirrors
13.3 The mirror equation and magnification
13.4 Refraction and Snell's law
13.5 Total internal reflection
13.6 Images formed by lenses
13.7 The thin-lens equation

U14 Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics 12–15% of the exam

14.1 Wave pulses and wave properties
14.2 Periodic waves
14.3 Boundary behavior and polarization
14.4 Electromagnetic waves
14.5 The Doppler effect
14.6 Interference and beats
14.7 Standing waves on strings
14.8 Standing waves in air columns
14.9 Single-slit diffraction
14.10 Double-slit interference and gratings
14.11 Thin-film interference

U15 Modern Physics 12–15% of the exam

15.1 Quantum theory and photons
15.2 Matter waves
15.3 Atomic structure and the Bohr model
15.4 Emission and absorption spectra
15.5 Blackbody radiation
15.6 The photoelectric effect
15.7 Compton scattering
15.8 Mass-energy equivalence, fission and fusion
15.9 Radioactive decay and half-life
15.10 Types of radioactive decay

Keep going in the full AP Physics 2 course

All of U9 (Thermodynamics) is free to everyone, with no account. The course has 63 lessons, each with worked examples and practice problems that come with full solutions. A free account can also start a free month of the whole course, with no card.

Open this lesson in the course See the whole course