SciencePhysics

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based

Extend algebra-based physics into thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, waves, and modern physics through models, experiments, and conservation reasoning.

Course map

Open a section, then choose the exact idea.

9Thermodynamics6 topics

Connect microscopic particle behavior with macroscopic temperature, pressure, energy transfer, equilibrium, and the laws of thermodynamics.

  1. 9.1Kinetic Theory of Temperature and Pressure
  2. 9.2The Ideal Gas Law
  3. 9.3Thermal Energy Transfer and Equilibrium
  4. 9.4The First Law of Thermodynamics
  5. 9.5Specific Heat and Thermal Conductivity
  6. 9.6Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

10Electric Force, Field, and Potential7 topics

Model charge interactions through electric force, fields, potential energy, potential, capacitance, and energy conservation.

  1. 10.1Electric Charge and Electric Force
  2. 10.2Conservation of Electric Charge and the Process of Charging
  3. 10.3Electric Fields
  4. 10.4Electric Potential Energy
  5. 10.5Electric Potential
  6. 10.6Capacitors
  7. 10.7Conservation of Electric Energy

11Electric Circuits8 topics

Use current, resistance, power, Kirchhoff’s rules, and capacitor behavior to analyze simple and compound direct-current circuits.

  1. 11.1Electric Current
  2. 11.2Simple Circuits
  3. 11.3Resistance, Resistivity, and Ohm’s Law
  4. 11.4Electric Power
  5. 11.5Compound Direct Current (DC) Circuits
  6. 11.6Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule
  7. 11.7Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule
  8. 11.8Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Circuits

12Magnetism and Electromagnetism4 topics

Explain magnetic fields and forces produced by moving charges and currents and connect changing magnetic flux to induced emf.

  1. 12.1Magnetic Fields
  2. 12.2Magnetism and Moving Charges
  3. 12.3Magnetism and Current-Carrying Wires
  4. 12.4Electromagnetic Induction and Faraday’s Law

13Geometric Optics4 topics

Apply reflection and refraction models to predict how mirrors and lenses form and transform images.

  1. 13.1Reflection
  2. 13.2Images Formed by Mirrors
  3. 13.3Refraction
  4. 13.4Images Formed by Lenses

14Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics9 topics

Connect wave representations and boundary behavior to sound, electromagnetic waves, interference, diffraction, polarization, and Doppler shifts.

  1. 14.1Properties of Wave Pulses and Waves
  2. 14.2Periodic Waves
  3. 14.3Boundary Behavior of Waves and Polarization
  4. 14.4Electromagnetic Waves
  5. 14.5The Doppler Effect
  6. 14.6Wave Interference and Standing Waves
  7. 14.7Diffraction
  8. 14.8Double-Slit Interference and Diffraction Gratings
  9. 14.9Thin-Film Interference

15Modern Physics8 topics

Use quantum and nuclear evidence to explain wave-particle duality, atomic spectra, radiation, scattering, decay, fission, and fusion.

  1. 15.1Quantum Theory and Wave-Particle Duality
  2. 15.2The Bohr Model of Atomic Structure
  3. 15.3Emission and Absorption Spectra
  4. 15.4Blackbody Radiation
  5. 15.5The Photoelectric Effect
  6. 15.6Compton Scattering
  7. 15.7Fission, Fusion, and Nuclear Decay
  8. 15.8Types of Radioactive Decay