Multiple choice
42 questions · 1 hour 25 minutes · 50%
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AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam prep
Apply algebraic models and laboratory reasoning to thermodynamics, fields, circuits, magnetism, optics, waves, and modern physics.
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AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam format
Hybrid digital. Formats can change, so verify the linked official page before exam day.
Official College Board exam page ↗Free response
4 questions · 1 hour 35 minutes · 50%
AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based unit roadmap
Each unit is a connected part of the course, not an isolated chapter. The focus says what you must know and the weighting says how much exam time it is worth. Use the weighting to order your review, never as permission to skip a prerequisite.
Thermodynamics
Ideal gases, energy transfer, laws
- Define the vocabulary you need to explain ideal gases, energy transfer, laws.
- Draw and label the graph, model, diagram, or evidence that best represents thermodynamics.
- Solve one direct thermodynamics question, then change one assumption and predict how the answer moves.
- Tie this unit to the course priority: Field versus potential
Electric Force, Field, and Potential
Charge interactions and energy
- Define the vocabulary you need to explain charge interactions and energy.
- Draw and label the graph, model, diagram, or evidence that best represents electric force, field, and potential.
- Solve one direct electric force, field, and potential question, then change one assumption and predict how the answer moves.
- Tie this unit to the course priority: Circuit reasoning before arithmetic
Electric Circuits
DC circuits, power, capacitors
- Define the vocabulary you need to explain dc circuits, power, capacitors.
- Draw and label the graph, model, diagram, or evidence that best represents electric circuits.
- Solve one direct electric circuits question, then change one assumption and predict how the answer moves.
- Tie this unit to the course priority: Thermodynamic sign conventions
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Forces, fields, induction
- Define the vocabulary you need to explain forces, fields, induction.
- Draw and label the graph, model, diagram, or evidence that best represents magnetism and electromagnetism.
- Solve one direct magnetism and electromagnetism question, then change one assumption and predict how the answer moves.
- Tie this unit to the course priority: Ray diagrams
Geometric Optics
Reflection, refraction, lenses
- Define the vocabulary you need to explain reflection, refraction, lenses.
- Draw and label the graph, model, diagram, or evidence that best represents geometric optics.
- Solve one direct geometric optics question, then change one assumption and predict how the answer moves.
- Tie this unit to the course priority: Modern-physics proportional reasoning
Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
Interference and wave models
- Define the vocabulary you need to explain interference and wave models.
- Draw and label the graph, model, diagram, or evidence that best represents waves, sound, and physical optics.
- Solve one direct waves, sound, and physical optics question, then change one assumption and predict how the answer moves.
- Tie this unit to the course priority: Field versus potential
Modern Physics
Quantum, atomic, and nuclear models
- Define the vocabulary you need to explain quantum, atomic, and nuclear models.
- Draw and label the graph, model, diagram, or evidence that best represents modern physics.
- Solve one direct modern physics question, then change one assumption and predict how the answer moves.
- Tie this unit to the course priority: Circuit reasoning before arithmetic
Use a diagnostic to find the first knowledge gap
This short check is not a score prediction. It identifies which part of the course deserves your next focused session.
- Answer without notes.
- Explain your choice before revealing feedback.
- Record every uncertain answer, including lucky guesses.
Question 1 of 3
Scored skills for the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam
Knowing an idea internally is not enough. Practice producing observable evidence under time pressure.
Model physical systems
Connect representations
Plan investigations
Analyze uncertainty
Argue from laws and evidence
Highest-value review targets
- Field versus potential
- Circuit reasoning before arithmetic
- Thermodynamic sign conventions
- Ray diagrams
- Modern-physics proportional reasoning
AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based formulas and reference relationships
A useful sheet records meaning and conditions, not isolated symbols. Rebuild it from a blank page until every line comes back with its conditions attached.
Coulomb's law
\[F=k\frac{|q_1q_2|}{r^2}\]
What it tells you: Gives the magnitude of electrostatic force between point charges.
Use it when: Use separation between charges and assign direction separately from attraction or repulsion.
Example: Doubling separation reduces force to one quarter.
Electric potential energy
\[U=k\frac{q_1q_2}{r},\qquad \Delta U=q\Delta V\]
What it tells you: Connects charge configuration with scalar electric energy and potential.
Use it when: Choose the stated zero of potential and retain charge signs.
Example: A positive charge moving to higher potential gains electric potential energy.
Equivalent resistance
\[R_s=\sum R_i,\qquad \frac1{R_p}=\sum\frac1{R_i}\]
What it tells you: Combines ideal resistors in pure series or parallel arrangements.
Use it when: Identify shared current for series and shared voltage for parallel before applying a formula.
Example: Two $6\,\Omega$ resistors in parallel give $3\,\Omega$.
Thin lens equation
\[\frac1f=\frac1{d_o}+\frac1{d_i},\qquad m=-\frac{d_i}{d_o}\]
What it tells you: Relates focal length, object distance, image distance, and magnification.
Use it when: Use the course sign convention consistently and confirm image type with a ray diagram.
Example: A negative image distance describes a virtual image in the common convention.
What the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam hands you, and what you have to recall
| Section or part | What you may use | What that means for your work |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice | Four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator | Allowed throughout. Most items reward proportional reasoning over calculation. |
| Free response | Four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator | Needed for circuits and optics numbers; derivations still want symbols. |
| Provided for the whole exam | Equations and constants table | Both sections. Practise locating the right relationship on the sheet in under ten seconds. |
Anything the table does not hand you, you have to remember. The AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based study plan puts these rules on a week-by-week schedule.
Your AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based preparation plan
Repeat this loop weekly: retrieve, diagnose, repair, mix, time, and reflect.
01
AP-style practice
Original questions, immediate explanations, and local progress.
Start →02Full course test
A timed mixed-unit test with a complete answer review.
Test →03Study plan and strategy
Eight weeks, plus the timing, calculator, and task-verb decisions.
Plan →04Unit roadmap
Every unit, its weighting, and what mastery looks like.
Review →05Formula review
Key relationships, their conditions, and what the exam provides.
Recall →Questions about the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam
Can I use a graphing calculator on the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam?
Rules change from section to section. Multiple choice: four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. Free response: four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. Provided for the whole exam: equations and constants table. Practise each section under its own rule.
How long is the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam?
Multiple choice: 1 hour 25 minutes, 42 questions. Free response: 1 hour 35 minutes, 4 questions. Multiple choice — About 2 minutes each. Circuit questions are faster if you redraw the circuit before calculating anything. Free response — About 24 minutes each. Expect an experimental design question that asks what you would measure and how.
How many units does AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based cover?
Seven: Thermodynamics, Electric Force, Field, and Potential, Electric Circuits, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, Geometric Optics, Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics, Modern Physics. The roadmap on this page publishes no percentage weighting for them, so order your review by course priority instead, starting with field versus potential.
Is a formula sheet given on the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam?
Yes. The AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam gives you the equations and constants table. Both sections. Practise locating the right relationship on the sheet in under ten seconds.
Use AI responsibly during AP exam preparation
Attempt first. Ask for a hint or critique. Close the explanation and solve again from memory. Never use outside help on a live or prohibited assessment.
Turn the guide into exam-day skill
Start a focused AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based practice set, check each explanation, and use every miss to choose your next review session.
MathGPT.now is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board. Exam formats can change.
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