can i erase and reinstall os 7 on older ipad 2

You cannot go backwards. Apple hasn't signed iOS7 for years now and no, if you find an iPad or for that matter any device with iOS7 on it, you cannot connect your iPad to it or to a computer to downgrade.

I knew you couldn’t ‘downgrade’ but I thought perhaps it could be wiped clean of everything and re programmed. So basically I’m stuck with a painfully slow iPad 2 now!? Btw, I’m the OP. I’m also chickivow because during several moments of non-lucid thought processes, I created a new Apple ID. I’m trying to figure out how to either merge them or delete the new ID. That’s another question I recently posted. It’s what happens when you’re away from systems (laptops, desktops, iPads) for any length of time. You truly ‘lose’ it!

Any suggestions for what I can now use this iPad for?

If this iPad 2 is now too slow, hand it back to the culprit, and replace it with a new or new-to-you model.

There is no means of performing an iOS downgrade, as you’ve correctly been told.

Downgrading would allow security fixes to be backed out. Downgrading also requires reversing changes made to apps and files and settings made during the upgrade. One direction is tough to code and test, with support for both upgrades and downgrades yet more effort.

There are previous discussions of available refurbs, and of new-old-stock, and new purchases.

It is too late as Apple has never left older, online download versions of their operating systems availabke for very long.

And Apple made the decision long ago NOT to allow iOS downgrading of their devices.

It has been this way for a very long time.

If I understand how the whole thing works, when you first upgrade the iOS on your device, you have a very limited amount of time to downgrade while Apple is still signing the previous iOS version. After that time, you can no longer downgrade. I’m sure Apple has their reasons why downgrading isn’t supported but I won’t venture a guess as to what that is.

If you have an iPad 2, the highest iOS that you can possibly be running is 9.3.5 unless your iPad is a WiFi + Cellular iOad in which case it can go up to iOS 9.3.6.

Apple didn't provide a path to go backwards to ensure you move forward and have the latest software a device can use to ensure the device has the latest vulnerability protection and to be able to use the newest services the device can use for its generation. Apple has NEVER supported downgrading iOS ever (with a very small one week window of opportunity, during the transition from one iOS version to the next version). iOS 7 hasn't been signed now for years. It was released in 2013 and replaced with iOS 8 in 2014. That was more than 6 years ago now. We are now on iPadOS 13.4.1, but your much older device is not capable of running the newest iOS versions.

No sorry you cannot roll back.

So there’s no way for example, if I found another ipad 2 with OS 7 on it, connect my iPad to it and reinstall? Much like I believe I used to install certain updates or apps from laptop to laptop?.

Apple has no procedures nor provisions for reverting back to an older iOS.

Even with that fact is is far too late now for that now, even if there were such procedures.

Sorry.

Sorry, but why is it too late? And why do you think Apple didn’t factor that in when creating their systems? I’m truly asking. Sorry if it’s a stupid question.