AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
Course Description
AP Physics 2 is a college-level course that builds on the foundations of AP Physics 1 and focuses on more advanced topics in physics. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding, mathematical application, and scientific inquiry through hands-on experiments and problem-solving. Students explore a wide range of topics, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics, while developing skills in data analysis and scientific communication.
Key Components:
Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics: Understanding pressure, buoyancy, heat, and energy transfer
Electricity and Magnetism: Analyzing electric fields, circuits, and magnetic interactions
Optics and Modern Physics: Exploring light behavior, wave-particle duality, and nuclear processes
Experimental Design and Analysis: Designing investigations, interpreting data, and supporting conclusions with evidence
AP Exam Details
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AP Physics 2 concludes with a traditional end-of-course exam administered by the College Board. Students are assessed on their understanding of advanced physics concepts, ability to apply mathematical models, and use of scientific reasoning in a variety of real-world and experimental contexts. The exam includes:
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Multiple-choice questions that test knowledge of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
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Free-response questions that require students to solve problems, justify reasoning, interpret experimental data, and explain physical phenomena.
These components are scored by the College Board and collectively make up 100% of the AP Physics 2 score.
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Helpful Info
The Organic Chemistry Tutor
Physics Frontier
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AP Physics 2 Score Distribution
Scores remain strong: The percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher has stayed consistently high (between 65% and 73.3%) across all six years, with 2025 reaching 72%.
2025 improvements: In 2025, both 4s (29%) and 5s (20%) hit six-year highs, pushing the mean score back to 3.20—matching the peak from 2020.
Stable performance: Unlike AP Physics 1, Physics 2 scores have shown less volatility, with mean scores ranging narrowly from 3.06 to 3.20 over the six-year span.
Tips & Feedback
Use this space to ask questions about challenging AP Physics 2 concepts, such as how to apply Gauss’s law, when to use specific fluid dynamics equations, or how to set up circuits with capacitors and resistors. Get feedback on written explanations, discuss lab procedures and data analysis, or clarify the steps needed for solving thermodynamics and optics problems. Whether you're working on justifying answers or interpreting complex scenarios, this is the place to get support and strengthen your scientific reasoning.
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