AP Physics B, a good choice online???

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I was wondering whether I should take AP Physics B online or not. I find math a very simple subject and have never made a B in any of my math classes. Next year (junior year) I will be taking Honors Physics at my school with an actual teacher. But I would like to go further than just an honors level course and my school doesn't offer AP Physics B in a real classroom. This is why I am debating taking it online or not. </p>

<p>I heard this AP course is one of the hardest ones and I don't want to be way in over my head. Do you think this course is a good idea online with a semester of previous experience in Physics?</p>

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

2

<p>AP Physics B is moderately easy, it’s just algebra and most of the equations are only multiplication or division of a few numbers like F = mass<em>acceleration and P = mass</em>velocity.</p>

<p>I had that class last semester.</p>

3

<p>Ive never taken it, but in my school, that class lasts 3 semesters as opposed to the usual 2. Just some India. :|</p>

4

<p>Oh ok thanks guys! So you think I would be okay doing it online?</p>

<p>Sent from my DROID2 using CC</p>

5

<p>Yes. I have not taken AP Physics B, but I have taken a simple high-school Physics class and looked at the sample questions, and I already have a decent understanding of at least half of them. I don’t think it’s too terribly difficult to take online. :)</p>

6

<p>Sounds great! Thanks! :)</p>

<p>Has anyone on here taken this course online?</p>

7

<p>where are you taking it specifically?</p>

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<p>@thebioguy: I will be taking it through NCVPS. In a special area my school has designated for online courses. </p>

<p>Sent from my DROID2 using CC</p>

9

<p>Bump. Anyone else?</p>

10

<p>AP Physics B is okay if you’re willing to take the time to really understand it and maybe practice some problems. In my experience, the textbooks haven’t really helped me as much as watching videos online, practicing problems, or working with other people. My teacher for this year was terrible at explaining how to do problems and the concepts, which made it more difficult than it needed to be for me. There will most likely be some concepts/problems that you won’t understand, and at some point you need to accept that. But overall, it’s manageable for the most part.</p>

11

<p>AP Physics B isn’t that extraordinarily difficult, but there is a lot of information to cover. By comparison (just for comparison’s sake), Physics C is more difficult, but less overall information (no fluids, thermo, optics, or modern physics). Just remembering all of the concepts can be a pain at times, especially with chapters that you may not spend as much time on. For example, our class spent barely a week on rotational dynamics, so I always make the dumb mistake of forgetting length when calculating torque. So it’s difficult in that sense. Also, it was my introduction to all of these concepts, so I was learning everything from scratch. The math involved, however, is simple algebra and trigonometry.</p>

12

<p>Oh okay, it sounds challenging but I am always up for a challenge. Thank you guys very much for the advice and telling me your views on the course! :slight_smile:
I will have 3 other AP’s (Calc AB, English Lit, Psychology) and a very challenging honors course (Advanced Topics in Chemistry) at the time I take this class. Do you think that will be manageable? </p>

<p>Also, did your Physics classes have labs?</p>

13

<p>My physics class had tons of labs but we never really got anything out of them. It’s just not the same as labs in bio or chem.
Also if your intended major is strongly related to Math such as engineering, math, or physics, you should do Physics C.</p>

14

<p>Oh darn, I will be taking this class online without a hands-on lab component. It says in the course description that we will have interactive software and video clips to compensate for this. Also, the provider stated that this class will require a 90 minute class period for the entire school year. Does this seem excessive to you?</p>

15

<p>JHU/CTY AP Physics B online class includes lab kit, well prepared lab kit with 8-10 labs. My daughter took it two years ago, I taught college level physics long time ago. It is a good online course.</p>

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<p>@JudyLee: Thank you! My school will only allow me to take it through our online course provider. Can I buy the lab kit without the course?</p>

17

<p>Bump Bump. What is everyone’s opinion on the amount of time spent on this course at my school? 90 minutes a day for the entire school year. And is there any labs that will be present on the exam? Like for AP Biology you must know the 12 labs.</p>

18

<p>Bump. Anyone? ^</p>

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<p>My friend is self studying physics B…so if you take it online Im guessing it would be easier than self studying? Idk…</p>

20

<p>@1017bricksquad: Oh okay, I don’t think my school will allow me to take it due to required labs or something like that.</p>

<p>These are the online AP’s I can take:</p>

<p>AP Statistics
AP Psychology
AP Government and Politics
AP European History
AP Human Geography
AP World History </p>

<p>I think I am going to take AP Statistics and AP Psychology. What 2 do you guys think I should take? Note: I plan on taking AP Calculus and AP English Literature at the same time as these classes for my senior year.</p>