Physics 2 Study Library.

About the exam

The AP Physics 2 exam runs 3 hours 20 minutes. Section I (50%) has 40 multiple-choice in 80 minutes. Section II (50%) has 4 free-response questions in 120 minutes. The format mirrors AP Physics 1 named FRQ types. A formula sheet is provided. Physics 2 is intended for students who have already taken Physics 1 or an equivalent.

How to use this library

Each unit page below contains the full list of key topics, common exam errors to avoid, and a study guide section. Work through units in order, or jump directly to the unit with the highest exam weight — those are your highest-leverage study targets.

Exam strategy notes

• Conceptual reasoning is weighted highly. Many FRQ parts ask you to 'justify' or 'explain why' — one or two precise sentences earn full credit; lengthy algebra without justification does not.
• Right-hand rules appear on nearly every exam. Practice all three variants: force on a moving charge ($\vec{F} = q\vec{v} \times \vec{B}$), force on a wire, and field curl around a current.
• PV diagrams: work is the area under the curve, direction of traversal determines sign of net work. Sketch diagrams before calculating.
• Modern physics ($E = hf$, photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelength) is tested quantitatively. Carry Planck's constant $h = 6.626 \times 10^{-34}$ J·s and know when to use $p = h/\lambda$ vs. $E = hf$.