AP Physics 2 equation sheet every formula by topic.
Here is the full AP Physics 2 equation sheet, organized by topic from fluids to modern physics. The College Board gives you this reference for both sections on exam day, so the goal is to know what each formula does, not to memorize it.
Is the equation sheet provided on the AP Physics 2 exam?
Yes. The official AP Physics 2 equation sheet is available for both the multiple-choice and free-response sections, so you never have to recall a formula from memory. The exam instead tests whether you can pick the right relationship and explain why it applies.
The sheet is the same mechanics reference used for AP Physics 1, plus all the equations for the topics unique to Physics 2 — fluids, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. The version below is grouped by those topics so each formula connects to the unit it belongs to.
The AP Physics 2 equation sheet, by topic
Every relationship you are given on test day, with a plain-language note on when to use it.
Fluids
Thermodynamics
Electric force, field & potential
Electric circuits
Magnetism & induction
Geometric & physical optics
Modern physics
Constants provided on the sheet
How the Physics 1 and Physics 2 sheets differ
The two sheets share the same mechanics, constants, and geometry. The Physics 2 sheet then adds everything you see above — fluids, thermodynamics, the full electricity and magnetism set, optics, and modern physics — because those are the topics the Physics 2 course covers and the Physics 1 course does not.
How to use the equation sheet
Treat the sheet as a map, not a crutch. In your studying, practice naming which equation fits a situation and why, because that judgment is exactly what the multiple-choice and free-response questions test. Learning the layout also saves real time on exam day.
When you want to turn a practice raw score into a 1–5, our score calculator does it, and the FRQ guide shows how to use these formulas in a written response.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers — written by humans, not a chatbot.
Is the AP Physics 2 equation sheet provided on the exam?
Yes — it is available for both the multiple-choice and free-response sections, so you do not have to memorize the formulas.
What is the difference between the Physics 1 and Physics 2 equation sheets?
They share the mechanics and constants. The Physics 2 sheet adds fluids, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Do I need to memorize formulas for AP Physics 2?
Not the formulas themselves, since they are given. You do need to know which one applies, what each symbol means, and how to justify your choice.
Can I use the equation sheet on the free-response section?
Yes. The same reference is available for both sections of the exam.
What topics are on the AP Physics 2 equation sheet?
Fluids, thermodynamics, electric force and field, circuits, magnetism and induction, optics, and modern physics, plus constants and geometry.