AP Physics 2 – Syllabus, Exam Date & Formula Sheet

AP Physics 2 is more than just a continuation of AP Physics 1. It’s an algebra-based course designed for students interested in life sciences, pre-med, and engineering fields.

In this guide, you’ll find:

A detailed syllabus breakdown
The official 2025 exam date
A downloadable formula sheet
And strategies to help you score a 5

What is AP Physics 2?

AP Physics 2 is a second-year physics course offered by the College Board. It is algebra-based, meaning you don’t need calculus to succeed, but strong math and reasoning skills are essential.

It covers advanced physics topics such as:

Fluid dynamics
Thermodynamics
Electric circuits
Magnetism
Optics
Atomic and nuclear physics

Unlike AP Physics 1 (which focuses on Newtonian mechanics), It explores broader physical phenomena and prepares you for STEM majors in college.

AP Physics 2 Syllabus (2024–2025)

The course is divided into 7 major units, each contributing a percentage to your final exam score.

Units & Weighting

Unit No.	Topic	% of Exam
Unit 1	Fluids	~10%
Unit 2	Thermodynamics	~12%
Unit 3	Electric Force, Field, and Potential	~18%
Unit 4	Electric Circuits	~17%
Unit 5	Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction	~10%
Unit 6	Geometric and Physical Optics	~12%
Unit 7	Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics	~21%

Each unit is aligned with specific Science Practices, which include:

Conceptual understanding
Mathematical routines
Data analysis and modeling
Experimental design and interpretation

Explore each unit with live sessions and worksheets at Refresh Kid’s AP Physics Program.

AP Physics 2 Exam Date – 2025

The exam is scheduled for:

Thursday, May 15, 2025 – 12:00 PM (local time)

Exam Structure

Section	Type	No. of Questions	Time	Weight
I	Multiple Choice	50	90 mins	50%
II	Free Response	4	90 mins	50%

Free Response Breakdown:

1 Experimental Design Question
1 Quantitative/Qualitative Translation
1 Paragraph-Length Response
1 Short Answer Question

The free-response section demands clear reasoning, conceptual clarity, and correct math application.

🔗 Official AP Physics 2 exam guide from College Board

Must-Know AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet

The College Board provides an official equation sheet during the exam. But memorizing these early helps build problem-solving speed.

Mechanics of the Equation Sheet

The formulas are organized into sections:

Fluid mechanics
Thermodynamics
Electrostatics
DC circuits
Magnetism
Optics
Atomic physics

Must-Know AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet

Topic	Concept	Formula
Fluids	Pressure	$P = \frac{F}{A}$
	Pascal’s Principle	$\Delta P = \rho g \Delta h$
	Buoyant Force	$F_b = \rho V g$
Thermodynamics	Ideal Gas Law	$PV = nRT$
	First Law of Thermodynamics	$\Delta U = Q – W$
	Heat Transfer	$Q = mc\Delta T$
Electricity	Electric Field	$E = \frac{F}{q} = \frac{kQ}{r^2}$
	Voltage (Ohm’s Law)	$V = IR$
	Electrical Power	$P = IV$
	Capacitance	$C = \frac{Q}{V}$
Magnetism	Magnetic Force on a Charge	$F = qvB\sin\theta$
	Magnetic Flux	$\Phi_B = B \cdot A$
	Faraday’s Law	$\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$
Optics	Lens Equation	$\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{d_o} + \frac{1}{d_i}$
	Magnification	$M = \frac{h_i}{h_o} = -\frac{d_i}{d_o}$
Atomic/Nuclear	Photon Energy	$E = hf$
	Mass-Energy Equivalence	$E = mc^2$

Study Tips to Score a 5 on Physics 2

✔️ 1. Build a Strong Foundation

Make sure your AP Physics 1 concepts are solid—they are often applied in new contexts in Physics 2.

✔️ 2. Focus on Concepts, Not Just Formulas

Physics 2 is concept-heavy. Understand “why” before jumping to “how.”

✔️ 3. Practice FRQs Weekly

Use College Board’s past FRQs and self-score using rubrics.

✔️ 4. Create Visual Aids

Draw flowcharts, diagrams, and concept maps—especially for electric fields, optics, and atomic models.

✔️ 5. Learn with a Tutor

Join expert-led sessions at Refresh Kid for live feedback, personalized strategies, and guided problem-solving.

AP Physics 2 challenges your reasoning, your math, and your scientific thinking. But with clear planning, active practice, and the right support, you can absolutely succeed.

✅ Know your syllabus
✅ Be ready for the exam format
✅ Memorize your formulas
✅ Practice, reflect, and improve

Need help on your journey? Book a free AP Physics strategy call with Refresh Kid today!