AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based Exam Instructions

The 200-word examination instruction list

On AP Physics 2, identify the physical model before choosing an equation. State what stays fixed, track signs and directions, and label the features the question asks you to represent.

Start with the list or jump to exam requirements, worked examples, the Fencing Method or practice. The list combines task verbs with subject terms that help you interpret the question.

Essential instructions

No.	Instruction or term	Meaning or action
1	Identify	Name or pick out the item the question specifies.
2	State	Express the required point directly and clearly.
3	Describe	Report the relevant characteristics, events or pattern.
4	Explain	Connect the result to its cause, mechanism or reasoning.
5	Compare	Set the items side by side on the same relevant feature.
6	Interpret	Say what a statement, result or display means in context.
7	Justify	Give evidence for the claim and explain how that evidence supports, qualifies or defends it.
8	Evaluate	Weigh relevant evidence or criteria before reaching a judgment.
9	Determine	Work from the given information to establish an answer.
10	Calculate	Use numbers or other given information to work out a result.
11	Estimate	Find an approximate answer using the available clues.
12	Sketch	Show the required shape, relationships and labels.
13	Construct	Produce the specified representation using the information given.
14	Label	Attach the correct name to the indicated part.
15	Select	Choose only the number of options requested.
16	Check	Test the answer against the original instruction or condition.
17	Analyze	Break the information into relevant parts and explain how they relate.
18	Multiple-choice question	Select the answer that satisfies the full stem and any limiting words.
19	Free-response question	Produce your own answer and complete each labelled task.
20	Stimulus	Use the figure, extract or other material attached to the question.
21	Answer each subpart	Treat each lettered instruction as a separate job.
22	Hybrid digital	Check which questions are displayed digitally and which answers go in a paper booklet.

Subject terms and physical models

No.	Instruction or term	Meaning or action
23	Thermal equilibrium	Bodies at the same temperature have no net heat exchange.
24	Ideal gas law	Relate pressure, volume, amount and absolute temperature.
25	Internal energy	Track microscopic kinetic and potential energy of the system.
26	First law of thermodynamics	Account for heat and work with a stated sign convention.
27	Isothermal process	Identify a process with constant temperature.
28	Isobaric process	Identify a process with constant pressure.
29	Isochoric process	Identify a process with constant volume and zero pressure–volume work.
30	Adiabatic process	Identify a process with no heat transfer.
31	Pressure–volume diagram	Read work done by the gas from signed area along the process.
32	Heat engine efficiency	Divide useful work output by heat absorbed from the hot reservoir.
33	Entropy	Use the model of energy dispersal or accessible arrangements to explain the direction of a process.
34	Coulomb’s law	Use the product of charges and inverse square of separation to calculate electric force.
35	Electric field	Find force per unit positive test charge.
36	Electric potential	Find electric potential energy per unit charge.
37	Potential difference	Compare electric potential between two locations.
38	Equipotential	Identify locations with the same electric potential.
39	Superposition	Add fields as vectors and electric potentials as scalars.
40	Conductor at electrostatic equilibrium	Use zero field in the conducting material and constant potential throughout the conductor.
41	Capacitance	Divide stored charge magnitude by potential difference.
42	Parallel-plate capacitor	Relate capacitance to plate area, separation and permittivity in the ideal model.
43	Dielectric	A material that increases capacitance when inserted between plates in the standard model.
44	Electric current	Find charge crossing a section per unit time.
45	Resistance	Relate potential difference and current at the operating point.
46	Ohmic conductor	Use a constant resistance when current is proportional to voltage under fixed physical conditions.
47	Series circuit	Use the same current through components on one unbranched path.
48	Parallel circuit	Use the same potential difference across components sharing both endpoints.
49	Junction rule	Set total current entering a junction equal to total current leaving.
50	Loop rule	Sum signed potential changes to zero around a closed loop in the usual circuit model.
51	Electric power	Calculate the energy transfer rate using current and potential difference.
52	Magnetic force	Use the charge’s motion relative to the field and account for the charge sign.
53	Right-hand rule	Use the relevant rule to assign the direction of a cross product, field or induced response.
54	Magnetic flux	For a uniform field through a flat surface, multiply the normal field component by area.
55	Electromagnetic induction	Relate changing magnetic flux to an induced emf.
56	Lenz’s law	Choose the induced current direction that opposes the change in magnetic flux.
57	Wave speed	Multiply frequency by wavelength.
58	Superposition of waves	Add the displacements of overlapping waves.
59	Constructive interference	Identify where contributions reinforce each other.
60	Destructive interference	Identify where contributions oppose each other.
61	Standing wave	Identify a fixed spatial pattern of nodes and antinodes.
62	Node	A position with zero displacement amplitude in a standing wave.
63	Antinode	A position with maximum displacement amplitude in a standing wave.
64	Harmonic	A standing-wave mode whose frequency is an integer multiple of the fundamental in the stated system.
65	Refraction	Use the change in wave speed across a boundary to explain the change in direction.
66	Snell’s law	Relate the sines of angles measured from the normal using refractive indices.
67	Critical angle	For travel from higher to lower index, find the incidence angle yielding a refracted angle of 90 degrees.
68	Total internal reflection	Identify reflection when light approaches from higher index at an angle above the critical angle.
69	Ray diagram	Trace principal rays to locate and classify an image.
70	Focal length	Use the distance from the optical centre or mirror vertex to the principal focus, with the stated sign convention.
71	Real image	Identify where rays actually meet.
72	Virtual image	Identify where rays appear to meet when extended.
73	Magnification	Compare image and object size and use its sign to identify orientation.
74	Diffraction	Explain how waves spread around an obstacle or through an aperture.
75	Photon energy	Multiply frequency by Planck’s constant.
76	Photoelectric effect	Relate electron emission and maximum kinetic energy to photon energy and work function.
77	Threshold frequency	Find the lowest frequency that can eject an electron in the model.
78	Work function	The minimum energy needed to remove an electron from the material.
79	de Broglie wavelength	Divide Planck’s constant by momentum magnitude.
80	Energy-level transition	Use the magnitude of the energy difference to find the photon energy.
81	Half-life	Find the interval over which the expected undecayed number or activity falls by half.
82	Mass defect	Use the mass difference between constituents and bound nucleus to determine binding energy.
83	Nuclear decay	Identify the emitted particle or radiation and conserve relevant quantities.
84	Pair production	Account for energy and momentum when radiation creates a particle–antiparticle pair.

Representations, experiments and calculations

No.	Instruction or term	Meaning or action
85	Choose a system	State which objects are included before applying a force, energy or momentum relationship.
86	Energy transfer	Account for energy crossing the system boundary.
87	Conservation of energy	Account for energy within the system and transfers across its boundary.
88	Power	Find the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done.
89	Period	Find the time for one complete cycle.
90	Frequency	Find the number of cycles per unit time.
91	Amplitude	Find the greatest displacement from equilibrium.
92	Density	Divide mass by volume.
93	Pressure	Divide normal force by area for a uniformly distributed load.
94	Vector component	Project the vector onto the named coordinate axis with the correct sign.
95	Sign convention	State which direction is positive and use it consistently.
96	Scale drawing	Use the requested scale when converting between arrow length and vector magnitude.
97	Translate a representation	Preserve the physical relationships when switching between words, equations, diagrams and graphs.
98	Linearise data	Choose transformed axes that yield a straight-line relationship for the proposed model.
99	Qualitative prediction	State how the outcome changes and give a physical reason.
100	Quantitative translation	Use the mathematical relationship to connect a numerical result with a qualitative claim.
101	Experimental design and analysis	Give a repeatable method, then explain how its measurements test the relationship.
102	Mathematical routine	Build the algebra from a relevant principle and show how it answers the prompt.
103	Fluid at rest	Use the hydrostatic pressure relation and buoyancy instead of a flow model.
104	Ranking task	Order the listed cases and show equal rankings where warranted.
105	Hypothesis	State a testable prediction about a relationship.
106	Research question	Specify the focused question that the investigation will answer.
107	Independent variable	Identify what the investigator changes deliberately.
108	Dependent variable	Identify the measured outcome of the investigation.
109	Controlled variable	Identify a factor kept constant to help isolate the tested relationship.
110	Control group	Use the baseline comparison to interpret the treatment effect.
111	Experimental design	Use the stated groups, conditions and measurements to judge the experiment.
112	Sample size	Check how many observations, individuals or trials contribute to the result.
113	Representative sample	Check whether the selected cases reflect the population of interest.
114	Raw data	Use the measurements as originally collected.
115	Processed data	Use values calculated, combined or transformed from the original readings.
116	Outlier	Identify an observation unusually far from the general pattern.
117	Uncertainty	State or interpret the estimated doubt associated with a measurement or value.
118	Error bars	Read their meaning from the figure legend before interpreting them.
119	Repeatability	Consider agreement when the same method is repeated under the same conditions.
120	Reproducibility	Consider whether results agree when the method is repeated under changed conditions.
121	Validity	Consider whether the evidence or method answers the intended question.
122	Reliability	Consider whether a result or method gives consistent findings.
123	Confounding factor	Identify a factor that could contribute to the apparent relationship.
124	Operational definition	Use the measurable rule the study gives for the concept.
125	Correlation	Describe how variables vary together within the data.
126	Causation	Explain how one factor produces a change in another when evidence supports it.
127	Trend	The broad direction or pattern over a range.
128	Pattern	A regularity visible across observations or examples.
129	Scatterplot	Describe form, direction, strength and unusual points when relevant.
130	Line of best fit	Draw a line representing the overall pattern of plotted data.
131	Interpolate	Estimate within the range covered by the data.
132	Extrapolate	Estimate outside the observed range using an assumed pattern.
133	Read the axes	Identify the quantities, units and intervals on a graph before using a value.
134	Gradient from a graph	Calculate change in the vertical quantity per change in the horizontal quantity.
135	Area under a graph	Use the area only where the graph’s quantities make it the requested accumulated value.
136	Baseline measurement	Use the reading taken before the stated intervention or change.
137	Identify the reference group	Find the comparison used to isolate the change attributed to the intervention.
138	Explain a limitation	Identify the assumption or data issue that restricts the conclusion.
139	Keep the comparison fair	Compare quantities on the same stated basis and units.
140	Control treatment	Use the treatment intended to provide a reference comparison.
141	Residual	Subtract the predicted response from the observed response.
142	Significant figures	Give the requested number of meaningful digits.
143	Decimal places	Count the required digits to the right of the decimal point.
144	Dimensional analysis	Track units through the calculation to see whether the result has the requested dimension.
145	Order of magnitude	Estimate the relevant power-of-ten scale.
146	Calculate the percentage change	Divide the change by the starting value and multiply by 100.
147	Rate of change	Find the change in one quantity per unit change in another.
148	Unit rate	Calculate the amount corresponding to one unit of the other quantity.
149	Parameter	Use the fixed or adjustable quantity that defines a family of cases.
150	Model	Use a simplified mathematical or conceptual representation to address the task.
151	Table	Information arranged in rows and columns.
152	Graph	A visual display of data or a mathematical relationship.
153	Diagram	A drawing showing features, structure or relationships.
154	Scale	The intervals or measurement relationship used in a display.
155	Unit	The standard attached to a measurement, such as minutes or metres.
156	Unit conversion	Use a conversion factor to change the units while keeping the quantity the same.
157	Interpret the slope	Give the predicted change in response per one unit increase in the explanatory variable.
158	Interpret the intercept	Explain the predicted response at zero if zero makes sense in context.
159	Exact value	Leave the answer in a form that preserves its full value.
160	Give units	Attach the required measurement unit to the final result.
161	Find the exact value	Retain radicals, fractions, logarithms or π in exact form where appropriate.
162	Set up an equation	Translate the given conditions into a mathematical relationship.
163	Check the solution	Substitute the result into the original equation to verify it.
164	In terms of	Use the specified quantity or symbol in the final expression.
165	Solve	Find the values that satisfy the equation or inequality.
166	Substitute	Replace a variable with the given value or expression.
167	Round	Adjust a number to the requested precision using the next digit.
168	Coordinate	Give the position using the specified ordered values.
169	Closed interval	Include both endpoints when the interval is closed.
170	Open interval	Exclude both endpoints when the interval is open at both ends.
171	Range of values	Find all possible outputs under the stated restrictions.
172	Initial condition	Use the given input and output to select a particular solution.
173	Direct relationship	As one quantity increases, the other increases under the stated conditions.
174	Inverse relationship	As one quantity increases, the other decreases under the stated conditions.
175	Initial value	Find the starting quantity, often the output at input zero.
176	Final value	The value at the stated end point.
177	Signed change	Subtract the initial value from the final value and retain the sign.
178	Relative change	Divide the difference by the initial value when that baseline is meaningful.
179	Order of operations	Apply operations in the sequence indicated by grouping and precedence.
180	Ratio	Compare two quantities by division in the order specified.
181	Proportional reasoning	Use the way quantities scale to connect two cases.
182	Reference value	A comparison value against which the result is interpreted.
183	Domain	Give the set of allowed input values in the context.

Evidence and other exam wording

No.	Instruction or term	Meaning or action
184	Contrast	Show how the items differ on a shared point of comparison.
185	Infer	Use clues to reach a conclusion the material implies.
186	Predict	Use available evidence to say what is likely to happen.
187	Suggest	Offer a plausible answer suited to the information given.
188	Assess	Judge the extent, value or strength of something using evidence.
189	Discuss	Develop a structured response that considers the relevant issues.
190	Distinguish	Give the feature that lets the reader tell two things apart.
191	Support	Supply evidence that helps establish the claim.
192	Illustrate	Make an idea clear with a relevant example or diagram.
193	Demonstrate	Show how a fact, process or result can be established.
194	Arrange	Put items into the order or grouping requested.
195	Sequence	Put stages into a meaningful order.
196	Classify	Assign each item to a category using the stated rule.
197	Order	Sort items by the criterion given in the prompt.
198	Omit	Leave out the indicated item or detail.
199	Include	Make sure the requested part appears in the response.
200	Exclude	Keep the named item or category outside your answer.

What the AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam requires

College Board lists the regular 2027 exam for May 6. The exam is hybrid digital. Answer multiple-choice items in Bluebook and read the free-response prompts there. Handwrite the free responses in the supplied booklet.

Exam component	Format and weighting
I · Multiple choice	42 questions in 85 minutes, worth 50%. Expect standalone items and sets that use shared information.
II · Free response	4 questions in 95 minutes, worth 50%. Tasks cover mathematical routines, translation between representations, experimental design and analysis, and translation between qualitative and quantitative descriptions.
Calculator policy	Both sections allow approved four-function, scientific or graphing calculators. Bluebook provides scientific and graphing Desmos calculators.

Use the May 2027 timing when building a mock exam. In graph and experiment tasks, match the diagram or measurement plan to the particular relationship named in the prompt.

AP is a U.S.-based programme taken domestically and internationally. Confirm local reporting time and registration with your school or test centre. Practise with the official materials for your course and exam year.

Read the task before choosing a method

The course includes thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, waves and modern physics. Use algebraic relationships and physical reasoning. When the question asks you to explain, name the principle and connect it to the outcome.

Worked examples for common exam instructions

Interpret a pressure–volume graph

Prompt. A gas expands at 200 kPa from 1.0 L to 3.0 L. Find the work done by the gas.

Answer. The work is PΔV = (200,000 Pa)(0.0020 m³) = 400 J. It is positive for work done by the gas during expansion.

Compare circuit quantities

Prompt. Two 6 Ω resistors are connected in parallel across an ideal 12 V battery. Find the current in each branch and the battery current.

Answer. Each branch has the full 12 V, so each carries 2 A. By charge conservation at the junction, the total current is 4 A.

Explain a change at an optical boundary

Prompt. A ray enters glass from air at an oblique angle. Describe its direction change.

Answer. The ray bends toward the normal. The refractive index increases, so Snell’s law requires a smaller angle measured from the normal.

Predict a photoelectric outcome

Prompt. Light already above threshold illuminates a metal. Frequency rises while intensity is held constant. What happens to maximum electron kinetic energy?

Answer. It increases. The photon energy hf rises while the work function stays fixed, so the maximum kinetic energy hf − φ rises.

Use the Fencing Method to build an answer

Start with a small, accurate response. Add the detail that fixes it to the question, then add the reason that connects them. Test the explanation on a new case.

Start. The image is real.

Add context. Refracted rays meet on the far side of the converging lens.

Add reasoning. The object lies beyond one focal length, so the outgoing rays actually converge at the image.

Transfer. Move the object inside the focal length and use ray extensions to explain the virtual image.

Practise with the 200 terms

Choose one calculation, one graph task and one explanation. Mark where the response identifies the quantity or relationship, provides the requested representation and explains the result. Change one condition and try again.

Test the sign convention

Try it. A gas absorbs 500 J and does 200 J of work. Find its internal energy change.

Check. Using ΔU = Q − W, with W positive for work done by the gas, the increase is 300 J.

Frequently asked questions

What should I show when a prompt says justify?

Give the relevant principle or evidence and connect it to the conclusion. For a direction or sign, state the convention that makes the direction or sign meaningful. Check the scoring guidelines for the specific released question.

Official sources and next reading

College Board AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based exam information and released questions · AP calculator policy · 2027 AP exam schedule

Top 200 Vocabulary Word List for AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based | Must Know Words for Common Examination Instructions