Hello,
Our youngest took AP Physics 1 last year as his first physics course. Was told by his high school counselor that if he wanted to take Physics C senior year this was the only way. His older brother and sister took “honors” physics their junior year and then AP Physics 1 and Physics C senior year.
So our youngest did awful on the AP Physics 1 exam but made a solid B in the course. I feel like he was not prepared at all for the AP Physics course and kind of slogged through. His siblings in contrast had good basic knowledge and were prepared to do the AP course work senior year.
What is so different with the AP Physics course vs an honors level course?
It seems that the basics are being skipped in favor of rigor?
1 Like
I would view Honors Physics and AP Physics I as the same class.
4 Likes
My youngest took Physics C last year as his first physics course. Petitioned the school to skip Physics 1 which others have done as well. He needed a science teacher’s recommendation. Did well in the class and on the test.
I don’t think there’s any inherent answer here because it not only varies by the student but by the teacher.
I agree- our school has a one year AP Physics 1&2 course (which my son took) and there was no “pre-physics” option. There was this class and the non-AP physics choice (and you have to choose the path). We didn’t have Physics C offered.
His older brother took honors physics and then AP Physics 1… there was not physics C at his high school. However, AP Physics 1 was not a re-hash of his honors physics class. It had a lot more depth and if he had not taken physics the previous year I think would have had a much more challenging experience. Anyway cannot change what has already happened… I just feel like students are being pushed to take more and more advanced courses without really “learning” the basics…
1 Like
AP physics 1 covers about half the topics in greater depth than a typical high school physics course. AP physics 2 would cover the rest of the topics.
1 Like
Are you talking about Physics 1 & Physics 2 leading to AP Physics 1 & AP Physics 2 (E&M) courses?
Physic 1 and Honors Physics are generally a first Physics course. The only difference is whether a school signs up for/complies with/etc. the AP curriculum and standards for the course.
C would be the follow-on to either.
Honors Physics and then AP Physics 1 seems very odd to me. Similarly to someone posting elsewhere about taking Introductory Calculus and then Calculus AB.
My kids both took Honors Physics and then AP Physics C. Our school does not offer 1 or 2.
2 Likes
The difference between Physics 1 and Honors Physics is very dependent on the school. My D’s HS was moving away from AP courses in favor of their own more robust honors courses. The course sequence was their honor’s physics class followed by AP physics C. No skipping ahead to AP.
2 Likes
While many schools do make C the follow-up to 1 or the Honors-equivalent, it’s not technically structured as a sequel course. It doesn’t pick up where 1 left off or presume past Physics experience.
Most colleges have an entry Physics course for non-STEM majors and a separate path of courses for STEM majors. 1 vs C are the equivalents of those two. Both replace college introductory courses, but C requires calculus and replaces the first courses intended for science majors.
When my son took C last year about half of the students in the course had taken Physics 1 before and half, like him, were taking their first Physics class (after having received A’s in previous accelerated or AP science courses, being enrolled in or having already taken at least Calc AB and petitioning for permission with a teacher recommendation). My son said there was no pattern of those who had taken Physics before being stronger in the C course and to the contrary that the more of the top students had not. Similarly, more students do well on the Physics C AP test than Physics 1 nationally. Not because C is easier (it definitely is not), but because of the self selection of strong science students.
It comes down to know yourself (if a student) or know your kid.
1 Like
My daughter took APPhysics 1 as her first physics class and my son took AP Physics C. AP Physics 1 is a non-calculus class whereas APC is calculus based. Calculus is the math apparatus developed for mechanics which is a large part of both classes. As a result, even though APC is conceptually more difficult and goes more in depth, it is more difficult to solve the problems and do well on the exam without calculus.
I would not recommend physics 1. Better take the calculus version. Our school now offers AP C Mechanics as a yearly option for students that find taking E&M second semester too fast-paced
1 Like
Often, there are three or more introductory physics courses or sequences:
- “Physics for poets” type course for general education.
- Physics for biology majors (two semesters) – may be non-calculus or use basic calculus.
- Physics for physics and engineering majors ((first) two semesters) – uses calculus, including multivariable calculus for E&M. Sometimes lists high school physics (in addition to calculus) as a prerequisite.
- Honors physics for physics and engineering majors.
AP physics 1 and 2 attempt to emulate a non-calculus version of physics for biology majors, although the many biology majors who are pre-med will note that many medical schools do not accept AP credit for it even if their college does. AP physics C attempts to emulate physics for physics and engineering majors, but is not necessarily well matched to the college courses, which often require being at a more advanced level in math, and may include topics other than mechanics and E&M.
1 Like
I was actually thinking about asking for a recommendation for D24 next year. She is taking AP Calc AB and BC this year and has not taken a physics class yet. School offers AP Physics 1and 2, but not C. STEM majors are a possibility but not a sure thing. The school offers dual enrollment classes so a calculus based physics class at the community college is an option. D24 is plenty bright and gets bored easily, but probably won’t be looking for a huge challenge.
Thoughts on jumping right to the community college class? Both S21 and D24 have enjoyed and appreciated the CC classes taken so far.
Will taking the class through a college senior year show some rigor? Anyone take this path without prior Physics?
TIA
Her school does AB and BC as one semester each?
It’s a block schedule school. Four classes per semester. They do Calc AB one semester, then BC the next. But most other classes are just one semester. Physics in the universe is a single semester, then AP Physics 1 and 2 are each a semester. My initial thought is that AP physics 1 and 2 would be as much work or more than the CC calculus based one, but wouldn’t transfer as well.
My son did Calc AB/BC his junior year. He then took AP Physics 1&2 senior year without having any prior physics class. (School doesn’t offer C). He did fine and got a 5s on both the Physics 1&2 exams. At our school kids also study the Physics C on their own and then take the AP as well. My son did not because he is a swimmer and qualified for state and was swimming the day of the AP C exam. We knew as an engineering major he would be retaking physics anyways, so we didn’t think it was necessary to reschedule. My son’s class was rigorous, and we didn’t think doing the CC route was necessary if the school offered 1&2.
1 Like
Why do you say he wouldn’t be getting credit anyways? Because he would want to retake the calculus based physics at college?
His university does not give him credit for 1&2. I would want him retaking it anyways for a better foundation (even he he took C and did well on the AP.) His school also does not give Calc BC credit even though he got a 5 on that. Perhaps I differ from others, but even though he took a ton of APs, I would rather he repeat some of the STEM ones. We are not in a hurry to get those classes out of the way. Kids who are premed need to retake Bio, Physics, and Chem as well.
1 Like
Better would be to try the college’s old final exams of courses that may be skipping to check one’s knowledge by college’s standards. That should give a more informed placement decision.
I don’t follow what you are trying to say. I am not in a rush to have my kid pass out of foundational STEM classes despite getting 5s on all his APs. I knew exactly what the schools required/accepted. To each his own.
1 Like