Advanced course · 2026–27 framework
Marlbridge guide to AP® Physics 2: Algebra-Based
The official unit roadmap for AP® Physics 2: Algebra-Based with exam weightings, the May 2027 exam format, and every Marlbridge study guide, practice set and checklist written for it so far.
May 2027 exam at a glance
Exam date: Thu, 6 May 2027. Hybrid digital: multiple-choice answered in the Bluebook app; free-response viewed in Bluebook and handwritten in a paper booklet.
| Section | Questions | Time | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: Multiple choice | 42 | 85 minutes | 50% |
Section II: Free response
| 4 | 95 minutes | 50% |
Calculator: A four-function, scientific or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections.
What changed: Multiple choice changed from 40 questions in 80 minutes to 42 questions in 85 minutes; free response changed from 100 to 95 minutes (effective May 2027).
Framework clarifications: Fall 2026: EK 15.7.B.1 (radioactive decay) clarified; some exam conventions in the equations table updated.
Before you start: Physics 1 or a comparable introductory physics course, with precalculus taken before or alongside; no calculus.
Laboratory work: The CED requires 25% of instructional time on hands-on laboratory work. These pages support that work; they do not replace it.
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Unit roadmap
Units and topics exactly as numbered in the 2026–27 Course and Exam Description (Units 9–15 (numbering continues from Physics 1)). Weightings are the official multiple-choice ranges. Marlbridge has written resources for 46 of 46 topics so far; the rest are planned and marked as such.
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Unit 9: Thermodynamics 15–18% of multiple choice · 6 topics
- 9.1 Kinetic Theory of Temperature and Pressure Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 9.2 The Ideal Gas Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 9.3 Thermal Energy Transfer and Equilibrium Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 9.4 The First Law of Thermodynamics Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 9.5 Specific Heat and Thermal Conductivity Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 9.6 Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Thermodynamics: Unit Diagnostic (Physics 2 Unit 9)
- Thermodynamics: Mixed Unit Review (Physics 2 Unit 9)
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Unit 10: Electric Force, Field, and Potential 15–18% of multiple choice · 7 topics
- 10.1 Electric Charge and Electric Force Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.2 Conservation of Electric Charge and the Process of Charging Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.3 Electric Fields Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.4 Electric Potential Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.5 Electric Potential Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.6 Capacitors Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 10.7 Conservation of Electric Energy Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Electric Force, Field, and Potential: Unit Diagnostic (Physics 2 Unit 10)
- Electric Force, Field, and Potential: Mixed Unit Review (Physics 2 Unit 10)
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Unit 11: Electric Circuits 15–18% of multiple choice · 8 topics
- 11.1 Electric Current Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.2 Simple Circuits Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.3 Resistance, Resistivity, and Ohm’s Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.4 Electric Power Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.5 Compound Direct Current (DC) Circuits Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.6 Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.7 Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 11.8 Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Circuits Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Electric Circuits: Unit Diagnostic (Physics 2 Unit 11)
- Electric Circuits: Mixed Unit Review (Physics 2 Unit 11)
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Unit 12: Magnetism and Electromagnetism 12–15% of multiple choice · 4 topics
- 12.1 Magnetic Fields Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 12.2 Magnetism and Moving Charges Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 12.3 Magnetism and Current-Carrying Wires Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 12.4 Electromagnetic Induction and Faraday’s Law Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Magnetism and Electromagnetism: Unit Diagnostic (Physics 2 Unit 12)
- Magnetism and Electromagnetism: Mixed Unit Review (Physics 2 Unit 12)
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Unit 13: Geometric Optics 12–15% of multiple choice · 4 topics
- 13.1 Reflection Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.2 Images Formed by Mirrors Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.3 Refraction Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 13.4 Images Formed by Lenses Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Geometric Optics: Unit Diagnostic (Physics 2 Unit 13)
- Geometric Optics: Mixed Unit Review (Physics 2 Unit 13)
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Unit 14: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics 12–15% of multiple choice · 9 topics
- 14.1 Properties of Wave Pulses and Waves Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.2 Periodic Waves Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.3 Boundary Behavior of Waves and Polarization Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.4 Electromagnetic Waves Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.5 The Doppler Effect Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.6 Wave Interference and Standing Waves Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.7 Diffraction Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.8 Double-Slit Interference and Diffraction Gratings Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 14.9 Thin-Film Interference Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Waves, Sound and Physical Optics: Unit Diagnostic (Physics 2 Unit 14)
- Waves, Sound and Physical Optics: Mixed Unit Review (Physics 2 Unit 14)
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Unit 15: Modern Physics 12–15% of multiple choice · 8 topics
- 15.1 Quantum Theory and Wave-Particle Duality Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 15.2 The Bohr Model of Atomic Structure Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 15.3 Emission and Absorption Spectra Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 15.4 Blackbody Radiation Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 15.5 The Photoelectric Effect Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 15.6 Compton Scattering Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 15.7 Fission, Fusion, and Nuclear Decay Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- 15.8 Types of Radioactive Decay Study guideRevision notesPractice questionsTopic checklist
- Modern Physics: Unit Diagnostic (Physics 2 Unit 15)
- Modern Physics: Mixed Unit Review (Physics 2 Unit 15)
Exam skills
Guides that apply across every unit: what each task verb asks you to do, and how to set out answers so every step of your reasoning is visible.
- Representations, Derivations and Experimental Design: Exam Skills Guide (Physics 2)
How to draw field, circuit, ray and PV diagrams that earn credit, derive and check expressions, translate between representations and linearise lab data.
- Task Verbs and Free-Response Technique: Exam Skills Guide (Physics 2)
What each free-response task verb asks you to do, how much to write, how to plan the 95-minute section and show working, with weak and strong answers compared.
Science practices
- 1. Creating Representations
- Create diagrams, tables, charts, schematics, quantitative graphs and qualitative sketches that represent physical situations.
- 2. Mathematical Routines
- Derive symbolic expressions, calculate or estimate quantities with units, compare quantities between scenarios and predict factors of change.
- 3. Scientific Questioning and Argumentation
- Create experimental procedures, apply a law or model to make a claim, and justify claims with evidence.
Questions
What is on the AP® Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam in May 2027?
Multiple choice: 42 questions in 85 minutes (50% of the score). Free response: 4 questions in 95 minutes (50%). The exam is on Thu, 6 May 2027.
How many units does AP® Physics 2: Algebra-Based have?
7 units, numbered Units 9–15 (numbering continues from Physics 1), split into 46 topics in the 2026–27 framework.
What changed for 2026–27 and May 2027?
Multiple choice changed from 40 questions in 80 minutes to 42 questions in 85 minutes; free response changed from 100 to 95 minutes (effective May 2027).
What should I know before starting?
Physics 1 or a comparable introductory physics course, with precalculus taken before or alongside; no calculus.
Which calculator can I use?
A four-function, scientific or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections.
Official sources
Everything on this page about the course structure and exam was checked against these College Board documents on 05/10/2026. Always check them for later changes.
AP® and Advanced Placement® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this website. Marlbridge is an independent tuition provider. It is not an authorized AP course provider, an AP school or an exam centre, and these resources are not official College Board materials. Reading them or doing simulations does not meet the laboratory requirement of an AP science course.