Each AP Physics 2 class across the nation often defaults to using 1 or 2 of the common textbooks. Objectively, some are better than others in terms of thoroughness, clarity, and content. 

On the other hand, prep books are abridged versions of the textbooks and are viewed to be helpful because they hugely base their framework on the College Board's curriculum. As a student of one of the AP classes with the lowest pass rates, it's crucial for you to maximize your resources while saving money and time in order to secure that 5! Keep reading to find a list of the best AP Physics textbooks, prep books, and a few additional resources that will get you well on your way to a 5!

A textbook provides detailed information through examples, highlighted sections, and summaries. The College Board has provided a list of recommended textbooks, which you can find 

. In no particular order, below are Amazon links to the six best-reviewed textbooks from the College Board's list.

: These textbooks vary in price. If your school has already provided you with a textbook, we do not recommend purchasing an additional textbook. You'll also notice that most textbooks cover content from both Physics 1 and 2. If you've taken Physics 1 before, then you'll most likely see almost the same textbooks recommended then here.

Here's a list of the best AP Physics 2 prep books, along with background information to help you find the prep book that best suits you! 

Want more AP Physics 2 Resources if textbooks and prep books aren't your style. Check these out.

Half the battle of passing the AP Physics 2 test with flying colors is finding the right resources to stick to for the most part. Textbooks and prep books serve as supplemental learning resources adding on to what you are currently learning at school. Take advantage of the features of these resources and keep practicing! You got this — happy studying! 

AP Physics 2 Exam

AP Physics 2 Prep 2020 | Reviews + Free Study Help | Fiveable

AP Physics 2

Unit 1: Fluids

Unit 2: Thermodynamics 

Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential 

Unit 4: Electric Circuits 

Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics

Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics

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Best AP Physics 2 Textbooks and Prep Books

If I had to pick the best way to get a 5 in AP Physics 2 in five words, it'll be "familiarize, organize, research, practice, and ask."

The AP Exam has a lot of tricks up its sleeve 👕 and if you do these five things throughout the year (

 for short), you're on the right track towards earning that 5! 🎉

That's right. You got two major things to look at: the class and the exam. Knowing 

 the content that you test over is the key 🔑 to getting a 5. Like most STEM AP classes, your score is evenly split between MCQs and FRQs.

The multiple-choice section makes up 50% of your score, and you have an hour and 30 minutes to answer 50 questions. The last 5 questions need you to pick two correct answers. The free-response section makes up the other 50% of your score. You have an hour and 30 minutes to answer 5 questions.

This section has four 4️⃣ question types:

 going to be tested on the exam. Some topics will be featured more prominently than others, so that should also influence how much you study a given unit compared to others. Here are the weights for each unit on the AP Exam::

Use this information to guide your studying 👀! You'd want to prioritize unit 2 over unit 5 as it has a larger weight larger on the exam!

Most students often skip this step because this often sounds inconvenient at the time. However, organization is one of the most important steps to be a successful student in class.

Remember, organization is inversely proportional to time wasted. The more you organize, the less time you waste decluttering and searching for notes & PDF copies in the long run! 📝

 on key topics, especially ones you're having trouble with 📚

Every piece of knowledge matters. That means that you shouldn't stop at what you know inside the classroom! With physics, you need to understanding major topics both conceptually and mathematically.

Research in this case isn't what you're probably thinking right now: labs and professors. Here, research means tons of reading and looking at worked examples to see how to solve the problems on the AP Exam. The more you see about a certain topic, the more you're likely to remember and, ultimately, understand it

The point is: you can't go to school on the day of the test empty-handed.

Now that you've looked at examples and maybe worked out a worksheet or two, it's time to move on to practice tests! For the MC section, I recommend looking at prep books <TK> (especially Princeton Review and Barron's) for AP-style questions. Time yourself and see how long it takes you to breeze through. Also, pay attention to topics that slow you down so you can allocate more review time for those.

 to find questions by unit, topic, and type (one of the four mentioned above). Fiveable will also host streams to go over previous FRQs this year, so stay tuned 📺!

As you know, physics is a highly conceptual field of science. Sometimes, analogies and real-life examples help you best in understanding specific concepts. For example, If your teacher is becoming too technical, you can always ask for a demo or an application of said concept so that everything makes more sense.

Questions aren't just limited to that, though. Feel free to ask about engaging "what-if" scenarios (e.g. "what if the static friction's force on an object is larger than another object's force on that object?"). Sometimes, all it takes for the puzzle pieces to fall into place is an answer to a question lingering in your mind for so long.

See the common theme? Spending a little time every day outside of class to know what to do and then consolidating all your resources in one place will save time. Doing so will make your review sessions more productive than ever!

AP Physics 2 can pack a punch, but as long as you stay on top of classwork, homework, and exam, practice, you're bound to get a 5.

How to Get a 5 in AP Physics 2

Welcome back! Let’s get right to it: believe it or not, AP Physics 2 is not 

hard to self-study. You don't have to be Daniel Bernoulli, Nikola Tesla, or Blaise Pascal to make Physics 

All you need is hard work and dedication to snag that 5!

Self-studying may seem intimidating. Let's name a couple reasons why: 

The point is that self-studying isn't as daunting as what it seems to be. Knowing the battle you're about to fight and preparing accordingly, will help you succeed with AP Physics 2, regardless of whether you self-study or take the class 🤓

Don't be THIS person! I repeat, don't set aside work for way later! Image Courtesy of 

Now that you're all hyped up and raring to go, where EXACTLY do you go 🤔

 framework for each of its AP classes, including Physics 2. Here, you can see how it divides the AP Physics 2 units, how much of the test they comprise, and an overview of the subtopics you are expected to be familiar with under each unit. We recommend looking at the 

section before diving into the specific topics, which is time-consuming.

The AP Physics 2 Course & Exam Description is your best friend when it comes to familiarizing yourself with the curriculum. In fact, you can figure out which units and topics you need to focus on as you prepare! 

Now that you know what you are doing, you need to know how you are going to do it. Notably, you need resources for two equally important things: content and practice. Let’s talk about acquiring content first. You can achieve this in a multitude of ways.

A textbook is your one-stop-shop for all the content you need for this class. Check out our recommended list of textbooks and prep books! 📚 (coming soon)

 also are a great source of information and practice questions:

One of our new initiatives here at Fiveable for the 2020-2021 school year is Fiveable Courses!  You can sign up for the AP Physics 1 Fiveable course to get access to a bunch of assistance throughout either the fall or spring semester.  This can be super helpful — whether you are self-studying or looking for extra support to supplement your in-class work.

It's $55, and it'll be worth it for the long run! 🙂 Sign up for Fiveable's 

Number one rule? Stay organized! Divide your calendar into the 7 units in AP Physics 2.

For reference, here's the weighting of each of the units

Just by looking at the numbers, you should spend more time with Units 2 and 6 than Units 1 and 3. Laying out the composition of the exam already helps to pinpoint what needs to be studied 

 Be sure to understand the difference between AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 in terms of expectations when it comes to test-taking, specifically the FRQs. You will now be held accountable for the concept of 

 when examining graphs and experiments. Other notable differences include content and testing logistics—AP Physics 2 has one less short answer FRQ than AP Physics 1. Although Physics 1 has 9 units and Physics 2 only has 7 units, AP Physics 2 does go more in-depth.

Physics is inherently a math-based class. You need to practice all aspects of the content. Do as many practice questions as you humanly can. Look over the internet for worksheets from other Physics classes and see if you can solve them. 

Besides multiple choice questions or worksheets, practice FRQs since they constitute 50% of your exam score. Past FRQs with the answer keys are at the bottom at this 

As you practice, be sure to keep track of the questions you miss. Often, you can identify which units you want to work on by looking at problems you either get wrong or take a long time answering.

With a well-formulated plan and a consistent workflow, you'll be set by the time May comes! 

A high AP score is not obtainable with last-minute test prep. Instead, it is only possible if you put an effort over the next 9-10 months from the day school starts. It is understandable to lose motivation as the year progresses, but keep in mind that everything will pay off in the finish line. Keep grinding and get that 5!

AP Physics 2 Self-Study and Homeschool

It's that time of the year: picking your classes. As you go down the selection of STEM courses you're thinking of taking, you see AP Physics 2 on the list, but two questions are holding you back: 

Ever been curious about why water moves faster when you put your hand on the hose's opening? Wondered why metal feels colder than wood when touched? Pondered why straws look bent when in water? If you said yes on any of these questions, AP Physics 2 is the class for you!

AP Physics 2 is the second of two algebra-based Advanced Placement® physics classes. It used to be merged with content from AP Physics 1 into a yearlong Physics B class, but the College Board separated them into two separate classes.

AP Physics 2 covers the following major topics:

Note that even with these distinctions, there are still overlaps between some groups that aren't explicitly implied below. 

Asking yourself questions before taking the course itself will help gauge how much work you need to put into your class on top of extracurriculars. Ask yourself:

Before taking Physics 2, we highly recommended 

 Physics 1. Without the understanding of the fundamentals of physics like dynamics and work, some topics in Physics 2 might be very challenging.

"AP Physics 2 delves into similar material as AP Physics 1 but goes much deeper into each of them. If someone took AP Physics 2 without taking AP Physics 1 or took the class without understanding the concepts of AP Physics 1, it’s definitely going to be hard." —Vidya Subramanian

Another difference between the two is that Physics 2 covers 

units than 1, which means that you have more time to understand the topics. 

"AP Physics 2 has fewer topics. While those topics require an understanding of topics in AP Physics 1, they are not necessarily more difficult." —Humza Syed

You might remember hearing this back in Physics 1: physics is about conceptual understanding 

 mathematical reasoning. Not one or the other. The proper approach to learn Physics 2 involves a combination of both. 

Memorizing formulas and just plugging numbers when a question mentions a particular quantity is NEVER the proper approach to learning physics. This, unfortunately, becomes the pitfall of a huge chunk of students: they are unable to connect the numbers presented in a problem to the associated concepts, causing them to struggle with the more conceptual questions. 😵

Speaking of which, don't hesitate to ask your teacher questions and use outside resources. Here's some examples:

When browsing, look at sample problems, notes, and real-life analogies. They'll help you understand the content further, especially in such a fast-paced class as AP Physics 2 📝 

 In a nutshell: AP Physics 2 is challenging if you don't seek help on your own!

 It'll take more than one time going over the lesson before having a solid grasp over topics covered that day. Use online resources (e.g. Fiveable, Khan Academy) to add on what you know in class. Do a lot of practice problems to familiarize yourself with what'll be on the AP exam!

Sometimes, you have to let the numbers speak for themselves. Here are the score distributions from 2019:

Compared to AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2 has a better score distribution with more 4 and 5 scorers. Remember that this comes with practice and diligent work throughout the year. 

 You've been there. You know the drill: problem sets, nightly readings, FRQ practices, etc. AP Physics 2 is an awesome supplement to what you've learned in AP Physics 1.

Check out a couple of AP Physics 1 units to familiarize yourself with the foundations of physics. Then, skim through the AP Physics 2 curriculum via Fiveable and/or Khan Academy (see links above). If you find them interesting (or at the very least, understandable), AP Physics 2 is a worthwhile course!

Your efforts will also be handsomely rewarded at the end of the year. Most colleges across the nation offer credit if you get a score of 3 (4 or 5 for the more competitive colleges), and you can always 

 to see if your dream school does. Keep in mind that some colleges might require you to take their physics courses to ensure that you have a solid foundation in physics. 

Still, being exposed to college-level physics in high school will be advantageous once you get to college because all you need by then is to clear off the cobwebs instead of starting from scratch 🙌

One of our new initiatives here at Fiveable for the 2020-2021 school year is Fiveable Courses!  You can sign up for the AP Physics 2 Fiveable course to get access to a bunch of assistance throughout either the fall or spring semester.  This can be super helpful — whether you are self-studying or looking for extra support to supplement your in-class work.

Physics may seem intimidating at first, but taking the class personally taught me how to reason scientifically. 

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Remember to consider other factors impacting you at school like community service, internships, clubs, and other activities that may divert your attention from putting your best foot forward in AP Physics 2. Don't overwork yourself!

If you're taking on the challenge to take the class, best of luck, and don't forget the Right-Hand Rules! You got this 🎉

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Unit 1: Fluids

Unit 2: Thermodynamics

Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential

Unit 4: Electric Circuits

Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics

Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics

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Blogs

AP Physics 2

all

blogs

browse by units

Unit 1: Fluids﻿

Unit 2: Thermodynamics ﻿

Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential ﻿

Unit 4: Electric Circuits ﻿

Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction﻿

Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics﻿

Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics﻿

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Unit 1: Fluids

Unit 2: Thermodynamics

Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential

Unit 4: Electric Circuits

Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics

Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics

Free Reviews

Blogs