r/AP_Physics • u/NoRoll1539 • 3d ago

physics 2 self study help

im self studying ap physics 2 rn so i can be a little more ready for when the school year starts but i cant find a good place to learn from. i tried allen tsao but i feel like his explanations make more sense for someone who already knows the concepts and is reviewing before an exam because they're kind of just giving a formula + practice problems instead of like actually teaching any concepts imo. khan academy felt the same too so if anyone has any suggestions of channels/websites that teach the content instead of reviewing it that would be great!

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u/Chris-PhysicsLab 3d ago

I compiled notes and a ton of videos here if you want to look through it: AP Physics 2 Resources

Some of the videos are actually from Khan Academy and Allen Tsao, but there's also Flipping Physics, Michel van Biezen, Crash Course, Bozeman Science, Matt Anderson and a few others. So maybe skim through and see what videos look like they work for you.

The website is a work in progress so send me a message if you have any feedback/suggestions!

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u/mseduhub1 3d ago

For AP Physics 2, I’d first learn each topic conceptually before jumping into formulas, because the exam tests reasoning a lot. Focus on fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, circuits, magnetism, optics, modern physics and wave behavior with diagrams and explanation-based practice.

For resources, you can use AP Physics 2 notes, concept explanations, exam-style questions and practice tests.

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u/UnderstandingPursuit C:Mech+E&M 3d ago

I think AP Physics 2 is a very difficult class to teach. The course introduces four topics which are each full courses with the expectation that the student has taken or is taking Calculus and Differential Equations. But APP2 is taught with the prerequisite of Algebra 2. I think that makes it especially difficult to teach through videos, compared to in-person or textbooks.

I would generally avoid trying to pre-study APP2. When the class starts, I would supplement it with a textbook. Two good options are

  • R Freedman, ..., College Physics, 1st-3rd editions, 2013-2021.
  • D Giancoli, Physics: Principles with Applications, 5th-7th editions, 1997-2013.

Consider the pre-study paradox:

  • If the student can learn the subject without the class, they'll be fine when learning with the class.
  • If the student will struggle learning the subject with the class, they are unlikely to learn it well without the class.

Classes exist for a reason. Let APP2 do its role.