# 2D physics

> Use Unity’s physics system to handle physics 2D components.

Unity's physics system lets you handle 2D physics to make use of optimizations available with 2D.

> **Note:**
>
> You can also use the separate Physics Core 2D API to use 2D physics. The API doesn't interact with or affect built-in Unity 2D physics components such as RigidBody 2D and Collider 2D. For more information, refer to [Introduction to the Physics Core 2D API](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics-api/introduction.md).

You can use the following physics 2D components with Unity:

| **Page**                                                                                                   | **Description**                                                                                           |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Rigidbody 2D](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics/rigidbody-2d.md)                                   | Learn how Rigidbody 2D works.                                                                             |
| [Collider 2D](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics/collider-2d.md)                                     | Understand the types of Collider 2D components available to use with Rigidbody 2D.                        |
| [Effectors 2D](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics/effectors-2d.md)                                   | Approaches and techniques to working with the forces of physics when GameObject colliders are in contact. |
| [2D joints](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics/2d-joints.md)                                         | Understand the types of 2D Joints available to use with 2D GameObjects.                                   |
| [Physics 2D Profiler](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics/physics-2d-profiler.md)                     | Approaches to analyzing the performance of 2D physics in your application.                                |
| [Constant Force 2D reference](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics/constant-force-2d-reference.md)     | Explore the properties that control constant forces applied to a Rigidbody 2D.                            |
| [Physics Material 2D reference](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics/physics-material-2d-reference.md) | Explore the properties that control the friction and bounce between colliding 2D physics objects.         |

## Additional resources

* [Physics 2D reference](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity-editor/editor-settings-reference/comp-manager-group/class-physics2dsettings.md)
* [Physics](/engine/6000.7/manual/physics-section.md)