AP Physics 2 study plan
AP Physics 2 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Thermodynamics & Electric Force, Field, and Potential
Define and apply the first law of thermodynamics to compute work, heat, and internal energy change in isobaric, isochoric, isothermal, and adiabatic processes
Sketch and interpret PV diagrams to determine work done and identify process types from curve shapes
Calculate efficiency and coefficient of performance for heat engines and refrigerators using temperature and heat-transfer data
Distinguish state functions from path-dependent quantities and predict entropy changes for reversible and irreversible processes
Your checkpoint
A one-page PV-diagram reference sheet plus 10 solved thermodynamic process problems with work, heat, and efficiency values shown
Electric Force, Field, and Potential & Electric Circuits
Compute electric field vectors from point charges and continuous charge distributions using superposition and symmetry arguments
Calculate electric potential from point charges and relate potential difference to field via path integrals over simple geometries
Apply Gauss's law to derive fields for spherical, cylindrical, and planar symmetry
Analyze charge motion in uniform fields to find acceleration, deflection, and energy change
Your checkpoint
A worked problem set of 12 items spanning field, potential, and Gauss's law, each with a labeled diagram and a units-checked final answer
Electric Circuits & Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Analyze series and parallel resistor networks to compute equivalent resistance, branch currents, and power dissipation
Apply Kirchhoff's loop and junction rules to multi-loop circuits with two or more emfs
Model RC circuits to determine time constants, charging/discharging equations, and steady-state behavior
Compute magnetic force on moving charges and current-carrying wires and determine field direction using the right-hand rule
Your checkpoint
A circuit-analysis portfolio of 8 circuits (4 DC networks, 2 multi-loop, 2 RC) with fully solved currents, voltages, and time constants
Magnetism and Electromagnetism & Geometric Optics
Apply Faraday's and Lenz's laws to predict induced emf magnitude and current direction for changing flux scenarios
Calculate magnetic flux through loops in varying orientations and fields, including motional emf cases
Trace ray diagrams for converging and diverging lenses and mirrors to locate real and virtual images
Apply the thin-lens and mirror equations with sign conventions to compute image distance, magnification, and orientation
Your checkpoint
A mid-plan assessment: 20 mixed electromagnetism and optics questions completed under timed conditions with a written error log
Geometric Optics & Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
Solve refraction problems using Snell's law and determine critical angles for total internal reflection
Analyze double-slit and diffraction-grating patterns to relate wavelength, slit spacing, and fringe position
Apply single-slit diffraction and thin-film interference conditions to predict maxima and minima
Relate wave speed, frequency, wavelength, and intensity for sound and light, including Doppler shift calculations
Your checkpoint
An optics-and-waves lab-style report of 6 quantitative problems with derived equations, computed values, and a sketch of each interference or refraction geometry
Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics & Modern Physics
Apply the photoelectric effect equation to compute threshold frequency, stopping potential, and maximum kinetic energy
Calculate photon energy and momentum and use them in Compton-scattering and de Broglie wavelength problems
Interpret atomic energy-level diagrams to determine emission and absorption photon wavelengths
Describe nuclear decay processes and apply conservation of mass number and charge to write decay equations
Your checkpoint
A modern-physics problem set of 10 items covering photoelectric effect, de Broglie, energy levels, and decay, each with a stated physical principle and unit-checked answer
Thermodynamics & Electric Circuits & Modern Physics
Re-derive the highest-miss-rate formulas from weeks 1-6 from memory without notes
Solve free-response-style multi-part problems that chain concepts across thermodynamics, circuits, and modern physics
Identify and correct recurring error patterns from prior weeks' error logs
Practice justifying answers qualitatively using energy, momentum, and conservation arguments
Your checkpoint
A corrected error-log summary listing each recurring mistake, its root cause, and the rule or check that prevents it
Electric Force, Field, and Potential & Magnetism and Electromagnetism & Geometric Optics & Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
Complete two full-length timed practice sections under exam conditions
Review every missed item and classify each as content gap, sign-convention slip, or misread
Re-solve missed items from scratch to confirm mastery
Finalize a one-page formula and sign-convention sheet for each remaining domain
Your checkpoint
Two completed timed practice sections with a scored breakdown by domain and a final one-page formula sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 70% on a self-made 15-question quiz covering thermodynamics and electric field/potential, with all missed items re-solved
Week 4: Complete the 20-question timed mixed assessment in under 45 minutes and log every error with a root cause
Week 6: Correctly solve at least 8 of 10 modern-physics problems, including one photoelectric and one decay item, without notes
Week 8: Achieve at least 75% on both full-length timed practice sections and show a complete formula sheet for all seven domains