I am currently enrolled in AP Physics 1, but many have told me that when they went to college, the 1 credit is often not accepted. I haven’t taken AP Calc but I know derivatives and integrals. My school doesn’t offer AP Physics C, but I was thinking to stay in AP Physics 1 throughout the year and just self study C: Mechanics. Is this possible? Any advice? Prep materials?
Is it possible for you to take C instead of 1 in school? This would be beneficial to you as you need to get 70% of the questions correct on the AP 1 test to score a 5, whereas you only need to get 55% correct on AP C to get the same score. Also, C only uses basic derivation and integration. The Calculus we use in C goes basically something like this:
The velocity of an object is modeled by the equation 3t^2 - t^3, where t is the amount of time in seconds since the object begins to move. Find the acceleration of the object at time t = 2.5 seconds.
If you can answer this question, then your calculus skills are substantial and you should definately consider taking this class.
Answer: Acceleration = 3.75 m/s^2 in the negative direction (-3.75 m/s^2).
@mohchan360 My school does not offer AP Physics C, and yes, I got that problem right. I’m gonna get the Quick Calculus book because an AP Calc teacher at my school recommended it for Physics C. Thanks for the advice!
Also, what is the best prep book/textbook for C: Mechanics?
The book I used to prep for the Mechanics exam for a week before was Princeton Review, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The problems in the book are ridiculously overblown, not to mention that it is riddled with errors.
Throughout the year, I just kept taking any released Mechanics exams that I could find online. College Board has been generous enough to release the multiple choice sections from 1984, 1988, 1993, 1999, and 2004. If you do a little snooping around on the internet, I have no doubt that you’ll be able to find them, as some teacher will have already scanned these tests and put them online.
In addition, College Board also conveniently fits the entire AP Physics C Curriculum on one concise sheet of paper, front and back, and hands it out during the AP exam. You can view both sides of the sheet here:
http://schoolbag.info/physics/ap_physics/ap_physics_2.files/image440.jpg
http://schoolbag.info/physics/ap_physics/ap_physics_2.files/image441.jpg
My advice to you, just study the equations on these sheets and know how to apply them. Hope this helps!
@mohchan360 Thanks for all the advice!
Remember that they don’t shove Calculus in every problem. You might even see questions that don’t require Calculus more often than those that don’t. Here is a common example:
The picture below shows a rope pulling on a box on a ramp at an angle.
a) Draw a force diagram.
b) Solve for normal force in terms of Ft, theta, g, and m
c) Solve for acceleration in terms of Ft, theta, g, m, and kinetic friction.