AP® Physics 2 Study Guide
Comprehensive AP® Physics 2 (algebra-based) guide covering all seven units of the redesigned 2024 CED: Thermodynamics, Electric Force/Field/Potential, Electric Circuits, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, Geometric Optics, Waves/Sound/Physical Optics, and Modern Physics. Includes the equation/constants sheet and the four-FRQ-type capstone (Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design and Analysis, Qualitative/Quantitative Translation).
The Prep Den AP® Physics 2 study guide is your complete companion for revising the course: full topic-by-topic coverage, interactive flashcards, practice quizzes with worked explanations, a key-terms bank, and exam-technique tips. Use it as your main study guide or as a supplement to your textbook and class notes.
Topics Covered
What you get
Unit 9: Thermodynamics
THE BIG PICTURE. Unit 9 (15–18%, the joint-largest unit) opens AP Physics 2 by reframing energy at the microscopic level. Where Physics 1 said "energy is conserved across a process," Physics 2 says "energy can be transferred as HEAT (random thermal motion) or as WORK (organized force-times-displacement)" and the first law of thermodynamics governs the bookkeeping. The unit's second great idea, entropy, explains WHY heat flows from hot to cold and never spontaneously reverses.
Sample Flashcards
A gas at 300 K, 2 atm, 4 L is heated isobarically to 600 K. Find the new volume.
L.
Isobaric process: const. L. (Pressure stays at 2 atm.)
Convert 25°C to Kelvin.
K.
Quick references:
- Room temperature: ≈ 300 K.
- Ice point: 273 K.
- Boiling water: 373 K.
Sample Key Terms
Temperature ()
A measure of the average kinetic energy per molecule in a system. ALWAYS use Kelvin () in thermodynamic formulas.
Ideal Gas Law
. The equation of state for an ideal gas. J/(mol K); J/K.
Internal Energy ()
Total kinetic energy of all molecules in a system. Monatomic ideal gas: . Depends only on for an ideal gas (NOT on or separately).
What's Covered
- Unit 9: Thermodynamics
- Unit 10: Electric Force, Field, and Potential
- Unit 11: Electric Circuits
- Unit 12: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Unit 13: Geometric Optics
- Unit 14a: Waves, Sound, and Electromagnetic Waves
- Unit 14b: Physical Optics (Interference & Diffraction)
- Unit 15: Modern Physics
- Exam Skills: Equation Sheet & FRQ Strategy
9 topics · 108+ flashcards · quizzes included
Sale ends Aug 1, 2026
12 months of full access
Buy 2 guides, save 10%. Buy 3 or more, save 20%. Applied automatically at checkout.
Already have an account? Sign in
✓ Instant access after purchase
✓ Works on any device
✓ 12 months from purchase date
✓ Secure Stripe checkout
Students also study
Buy 2 guides and save 10%; 3 or more saves 20%, applied automatically at checkout.
AP® Physics 1
All 8 units, the three science practices, and the equation sheet: built for the 40 MC and the 4 FRQs.
$9.99$19.99AP® Calculus AB & BC
Limits to series: every AB and BC topic with worked patterns and FRQ-style drills.
$9.99$19.99AP® Chemistry
All 9 units, the six science practices, and the equation sheet: built for the MC and the 7 FRQs.
$9.99$19.99Also searched as: AP Physics 2 study guide, AP Physics 2 quiz, AP Physics 2 practice quiz, AP Physics 2 practice questions, AP Physics 2 flashcards, AP Physics 2 notes, AP Physics 2 review, AP Physics 2 exam prep, AP Physics 2 supplement, AP Physics 2 textbook companion.