AP Physics 2

AP Physics 2

Course Number – 5345

Prerequisite – AP Physics 1

Text – Cutnell and Johnson 9th Edition

Course Description

The AP Physics 2 course is designed to enable you to develop the ability to reason about physical phenomena using important science process skills such as explaining causal relationships, applying and justifying the use of mathematical routines, designing experiments, analyzing data and making connections across multiple topics within the course.

This AP Physics 2 course is equivalent to the second semester of a typical introductory, algebra-based physics course.

AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills

Students are evaluated on regular homework assignments, laboratory activities, and occasional projects, as well as regular quizzes and tests. Tests weigh more heavily in the overall mark.

Mathematical relations often describe the laws of physics. Consequently, students need to be proficient in basic algebra and trigonometry in order to solve typical physics problems. Students must also be proficient readers since the physics textbook is written at a much higher level than the general science textbooks used in the junior science courses.

 Physics has a deserved reputation for being a challenging course and so students need to be prepared to put in considerable time and effort outside of class. An estimate of the homework load is 30 minutes of homework 3 times a week. It is easy to fall behind in a course like physics and so students need to keep on top of their assignments and study regularly. Students who rely on memorization to get them through a course will find it difficult to memorize all of the physics concepts.

AP Exam Description:
A three-hour exam covering a full year university course. The exam contains 90 minutes of multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes of free-response questions. Tables of commonly used equations are provided for use on the free-response section only. Scientific calculators, including programmable and graphing calculators, are permitted only for the free-response sections.

For a detailed look at the course, please visit the following website:

https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-physics-2