AP map · Physics Ladder

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based

A second college course in algebra-based physics: thermodynamics, electricity and circuits, magnetism, optics, waves and modern physics.

Unit names: AP Physics 2 course page and Course at a Glance (College Board, revised course effective 2024-25), unit list, read October 16, 2026.

  1. Unit 9 Thermodynamics

    15–18% of multiple choice

    Covers official topics 9.1–9.6. Heat versus temperature, specific heat and calorimetry are taught once, in the Chemistry Ladder. The ladder uses the AP sign convention ΔU = Q + W, with W the work done on the gas.

    8 mixed questions, with the steps after each

  2. Unit 10 Electric Force, Field, and Potential

    15–18% of multiple choice

    Covers official topics 10.1–10.7. Conservation of electric energy (10.7) is part of phys2.electric-potential.

    8 mixed questions, with the steps after each

  3. Unit 11 Electric Circuits

    15–18% of multiple choice

    Covers official topics 11.1–11.8. Simple circuits and Ohm's law are first taught in Physical Science.

    8 mixed questions, with the steps after each

  4. Unit 12 Magnetism and Electromagnetism

    12–15% of multiple choice

    Covers official topics 12.1–12.4.

    8 mixed questions, with the steps after each

  5. Unit 13 Geometric Optics

    12–15% of multiple choice

    Covers official topics 13.1–13.4.

    8 mixed questions, with the steps after each

  6. Unit 14 Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics

    12–15% of multiple choice

    Covers official topics 14.1–14.9.

    8 mixed questions, with the steps after each

  7. Unit 15 Modern Physics

    12–15% of multiple choice

    Covers official topics 15.1–15.8. Blackbody radiation (15.4) is taught in phys2.thermal-radiation, with Planck's explanation in modern.planck-blackbody. Fission, fusion, the types of decay and half-life are taught once, in the Chemistry Ladder; Physics 2 adds mass-energy and binding energy.

    8 mixed questions, with the steps after each
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