<p>Hello! So, I'm currently a junior in IB and I'm considering of taking IB SL Physics next year. I've taken Physics 1 Honors of FLVS, and plan on learning physics over the next summer break before senior year. I am actually VERY interested in taking AP Physics C (even though, I know, it is probably the hardest AP so it's quite daring of me to do so especially because I'm seriously not the smartest person lol), since it provides a well exposure to physics before college, I plan to major in some science.</p>
<p>Although I've gotten advice from generous people here on College Confidential, I wanted to get other opinions, so I was wondering - should I self-study AP Physics C or take it in school as an elective concurrently with SL Physics? I will say, I am better with someone teaching me how to do problems, but idk if Physics C and SL Physics can help each other. Also, I have heard from many people that IB SL Physics correlates to AP Physics B a lot! Oh I am planning to take AP Calculus BC as well next year. </p>
<p>IB Physics SL does not use calculus. Obviously Physics C does. Personally, I’m of the mind that if your school offers the class, you should take the class vs. self studying. You do not indicate if you are planning to study both the mechanics and E&M portions. Both are challenging on their own, but found E&M to be my hardest AP class even with a teacher.</p>
<p>Hey!</p>
<p>I’m in AP Physics C right now, and it’s really fun class! [My teacher seriously a child in a man’s body; today he shot a blow dart across the room, and other days he crawled on the floor and jumped into a person’s seat, and not to mention, the material is really interesting]. I highly recommend you take it, especially if you want to major in a science, best expose yourself to the most basic of them, right?</p>
<p>As to your main question, I recommend that you take the class instead of self study. I heard the class is very difficult, and it’s good to have a teacher answer your questions with 1 on 1 discussion (at least, I like explanations 1 on 1, your learning style might be a bit different). I’m not sure you should take it with Physics B, however. Physics B doesn’t look as rigorous on college apps, and it will unnecessarily add to your course load. To be honest Calc and Physics help out each other more than Physics B and C. </p>
<p>Before you start Physics C, you should know some basic differentiation and integration (power rule, chain rule, quotient rule, product rule, trig derivatives, u-substitution, trig/polynomial integrals, etc) before you enter. I am taking Calc AB at the same time, and luckily I knew the calculus before I started the class; It will be tough if you don’t know a thing about calc before you enter, as you are thrust into it quite quickly (my teacher helped explain some calc concepts to those who didn’t know, stuff stuff). </p>
<p>So take it concurrently with Calc BC, stay away from Fizz B, [it’ll look nice, but I think it will just be more pointless work], and don’t self study it</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Alright! I’ll go for taking it in school. And I definitely want to take both AP Physics C exams.</p>
<p>I was thinking of taking IB SL Physics because it correlates to Physics B, so I thought it’d be a great overlap so I really firmly get down the material. I know it’s going to be more work, but whatever I thought it’ll help pay off in the end. Oh also I’m in IB Calc/Stat, so that goes a little bit hand in hand with AP Calc AB, but I’ll definitely study the topics mentioned. :)</p>
<p>The reason why I wanted to go for SL was because I did Physics 1 Honors through FLVS, which is Florida virtual school! As much as I tried my best to study from it, I’ve been told that it doesn’t prepare you enough AP Physics B or C, so I was so scared (plus I’ve been told Physics is a harder subject to grasp)! And if I didn’t take SL it’d be that I would be jumping from Physics 1 Honors to AP Physics C, so won’t that be hard?</p>
<p>So basically taking SL Physics won’t help with AP Physics C?</p>