AP Physics B or C?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Hey</p>

<p>What's the difference between Physics B and C? Which one is harder?
Does C require that you take B first?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>[AP</a> Physics B - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Physics_B]AP”>AP Physics B - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>[AP</a> Physics C: Mechanics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Physics_C:_Mechanics]AP”>AP Physics C: Mechanics - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>[AP</a> Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Physics_C:_Electricity_and_Magnetism]AP”>AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>AP Physics B is an algebra/trig based course covering pretty much everything in both AP Physics C courses and more topics and is usually year-long. This can sometimes mean formulas don’t make much sense as they are derived from calculus. It can move very fast and doing well on the exam requires a pretty strong grasp of a ton of topics.</p>

<p>AP Physics C: Mechanics covers 35% of an AP Physics B course, but is in calculus instead of algebra/trig and AP Physics C: Mechanics is typically one semester.</p>

<p>AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism covers 25% of AP Physics B, is also in calculus, and is normally taught in 1 semester. </p>

<p>Neither AP Physics C requires AP Physics B as a pre-requisite (although your school’s policies may vary). However, a prior physics course is typically recommended for AP Physics B or either AP Physics C course. Lastly, please do me a personal favor and do not take these courses online. :)</p>

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<p>thanks a lot aigiqinf
is there any reason you shouldn’t take these online? my school has physics B but not C</p>

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<p>Yea, what’s wrong with taking them online?</p>

5

<p>Also,
is Physics C harder than Physics B?
If you wanted to take both, what order should you take them in? (assuming you know calculus)</p>

6

<p>Difficulty is relative, but you’ll find that most people agree that Physics C is harder than Physics B. I’m taking Physics B and it’s pretty straightforward; if you know the formula/general concepts, you’re good to go. People tell me that Physics C is a lot more in depth, although the calculus isn’t extensive - just derivatives and integrals.</p>

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<p>Yes, most people fine Physics C to be harder than B because C requires knowledge of calculus whereas B does not. If you already know calculus and are up for a more challenging curriculum, why not skip B and take Physics C?</p>