AP Physics 2

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).

Topics Covered

Thermodynamics

Electric Force, Field & Potential

Electric Circuits

Magnetism & Electromagnetism

Geometric Optics

Waves, Sound & Physical Optics

Modern Physics

What you get

Full topic-by-topic curriculum coverage

Spaced-repetition flashcards for every topic

Multiple-choice quizzes with explanations

Term-matching vocabulary games

Aligned with the College Board CED

Exam technique tips throughout

Key terms & definitions bank

12 months of access from purchase

Free Sample

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.

$V_{2} = 8$ L.

Isobaric process: $V / T =$ const. $V_{2} = V_{1} (T_{2} / T_{1}) = 4 (600/300) = 8$ L. (Pressure stays at 2 atm.)

Convert 25°C to Kelvin.

$T_{K} = 25 + 273.15 = 298.15$ K.

Quick references:

Room temperature: ≈ 300 K.
Ice point: 273 K.
Boiling water: 373 K.

Sample Key Terms

Temperature ( $T$ )

A measure of the average kinetic energy per molecule in a system. ALWAYS use Kelvin ( $T_{K} = T_{C} + 273.15$ ) in thermodynamic formulas.

Ideal Gas Law

$P V = n R T = N k_{B} T$ . The equation of state for an ideal gas. $R = 8.314$ J/(mol K); $k_{B} = 1.38 \times 1 0^{- 23}$ J/K.

Internal Energy ( $U$ )

Total kinetic energy of all molecules in a system. Monatomic ideal gas: $U = \frac{3}{2} n R T$ . Depends only on $T$ for an ideal gas (NOT on $P$ or $V$ 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 & matching games included

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