AP®︎ Physics 2 Unit 13: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 13 of AP Physics 2 – Geometric Optics.

Exam weight: 12%–15%
4 Topics

Unit 13: Geometric Optics

How light reflects, refracts, and forms images through mirrors and lenses.

Begin with Topic 13.1: Reflection

To review Unit 13, go through each of the 4 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 13 test, pulled directly from the AP® Physics 2 curriculum.

Topic 13.1
~7 min
Review
Reflection
Reflection
  • Light as a Ray
  • Ray Diagrams
  • The Law of Reflection
Review
Topic 13.2
~7 min
Review
Images Formed by Mirrors
Images Formed by Mirrors
  • What Images Formed by Mirrors Are
  • Types of Mirrors and Their Focal Points
  • The Mirror Equation and Sign Conventions
Review
Topic 13.3
~6 min
Review
Refraction
Refraction
  • What Refraction Is
  • Index of Refraction
  • Snell’s Law
Review
Topic 13.4
~7 min
Review
Images Formed by Lenses
Images Formed by Lenses
  • How Lenses Form Images
  • The Thin-Lens Equation and Sign Conventions
  • Magnification and Image Orientation
Review

Notes

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