AP Physics 2 — Magnetism, Optics and Modern Physics flashcards

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Units 12–15 of the AP Physics 2 course: magnetic forces and fields, induction, mirrors and lenses, refraction, sound and standing waves, interference and diffraction, photons, energy levels and nuclear physics.

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Learn deck · part of AP Physics 2 · written against: College Board AP Physics 2 Course and Exam Description (2024 revision). Updated 2026-10-10.

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What is the magnetic force on a charge moving through a magnetic field, and when is it zero?

$F = qvB\sin\theta$ ⁠, where θ is the angle between velocity and field. It is zero when the charge is at rest or moving parallel to the field.
Magnetism and Electromagnetism › Magnetic Fields and Forces
Why does a magnetic field do no work on a moving charged particle?

The magnetic force is always perpendicular to the velocity, so it changes the particle's direction but not its speed or kinetic energy.
Magnetism and Electromagnetism › Magnetic Fields and Forces
A charged particle enters a uniform magnetic field moving perpendicular to it. What path does it follow, and what is the radius?

A circle, because the magnetic force acts as a centripetal force: $qvB = \frac{mv^2}{r}$ gives $r = \frac{mv}{qB}$ ⁠.
Magnetism and Electromagnetism › Magnetic Fields and Forces
What does the law of reflection state?

The angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence, both measured from the normal to the surface, and the incident ray, reflected ray and normal lie in one plane.
Geometric Optics › Reflection and Mirrors
What are the properties of the image formed by a flat (plane) mirror?

The image is virtual, upright and the same size, located as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
Geometric Optics › Reflection and Mirrors
What is the focal length of a spherical mirror with a radius of curvature of 30 cm?

15 cm. For a spherical mirror the focal length is half the radius of curvature, $f = \frac{R}{2}$ ⁠.
Geometric Optics › Reflection and Mirrors
How do transverse and longitudinal waves differ? Give an example of each.

In a transverse wave the medium moves perpendicular to the direction of travel (a wave on a string); in a longitudinal wave it moves parallel to it, in compressions and rarefactions (sound in air).
Waves Sound and Physical Optics › Wave Properties and Sound
What sets the speed of a mechanical wave, and what changes if the source's frequency increases?

The properties of the medium set the speed. Raising the frequency leaves the speed unchanged, so the wavelength shortens, following $v = f\lambda$ ⁠.
Waves Sound and Physical Optics › Wave Properties and Sound
How is a photon's energy related to its frequency and its wavelength?

$E = hf = \frac{hc}{\lambda}$ ⁠, with h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s. A handy shortcut: hc ≈ 1240 eV·nm.
Modern Physics › Photons and Wave-Particle Duality
What is the energy, in electron-volts, of a 620 nm photon?

2.0 eV, using E = 1240 eV·nm ÷ 620 nm.
Modern Physics › Photons and Wave-Particle Duality

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Topic outline follows the College Board AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based Course and Exam Description (2024 revision), Units 12–15 (outline only; no course or exam text reproduced).
OpenStax College Physics 2e, consulted as a reference; no text copied.

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