AP chem or AP physics? please help

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’m kind of in a dilemma here; so next year I am going to be a junior and I am debating whether I should take AP chem or AP physics. I’ll list the pros and cons:
AP chem PROS: just took honors chem last year, so it is somewhat fresh in my mind, a little more useful if I want to pursue medicine
AP chem CONS: only one teacher and I’ve heard she’s not that great, this is the hardest science class my school offers and I’ve heard people say that it is absolutely terrible, it is three quarters long(our school goes by 4 quarters per year)

AP physics PROS: both the teachers for this class are pretty good; one of them is really nice, it is only 2 quarters long, since it is the last two quarters in my schedule, it will be fresh in my memory for the AP test, I am taking AP calc at the same time so it helps, I’ve heard physics is slightly easier than AP chem
AP physics CONS: although I’m good at math, I don’t really know if my level is up to par

Someone please help

2

That depends on your school and you.

Which AP Physics? 1? 2? C?

3

@Kawaiiii‌ AP physics 1

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Based on your pros/cons, I’d go with Ap Physics 1 :slight_smile:

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If you can do basic algebra and trig then you are good for AP Physics 1.

6

I took ap chem last year and am currently taking ap physics c mechanics (calculus based), so maybe this will help you:
Chemistry is A LOT OF INFORMATION. It’s probably the most difficult AP, but it’s more concepts than hard math. If you don’t have a good teacher, you will struggle. My experience is a bit extreme though, as we had a genuinely horrible teacher (eventually got fired for partying and doing drugs with students). Our valedictorian got a 1 while our salutatorian refused to take it because we didn’t know anything. It is however, IMO, more interesting than physics.

Physics 1 is not calculus based, so calc won’t really do much for you. It’s just algebra and trig, so even if you aren’t a math genius, you should be fine. Not as interesting as chemistry but likely much more doable.
I would suggest physics.

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@Reallycoolshoes‌ Our AP chem teacher isn’t so great either, although she doesn’t party and do drugs. Based on everyone’s advice, I think I am going to take AP physics 1 because I really need the GPA boost my junior year. However, I definitely will be taking AP chem my senior year.