<p>I took Physics B this year and ended up with a 4 and I hope to take C next year. However there is no C class at my school because we only had like 9 kids in our class this year and half were seniors so even if I wanted to start a Physics C class I would be the only one willing to take it so thats a no-go. So anyways I decided to re-do physics B first semester because I got a "D" ("A" 2nd sem.) so i thought that maybe I could semi-self-study Physics C. So the point of my story is that I'm only going to be taking Pre-calc next year and I don't know the calculus required for C so is there a book or something that someone could recommend to me for self-studying calculus and also tell me what specific topics of calculus I will need for Physics C. lol thanks</p>
<p>I took Physics C mech, I don't know what you need for E&M but for mech you just basically need to know how to do basic derivatives and integrals. You should also probably know the mean value theorem for both integrals and derivatives (but it is basically common sense). We also used the area between two curves and the volume of a solid of revolution in class, but I'm not sure this is covered on the AP test. Basically, just get the PR book for calculus AB/BC, it's pretty easy to follow.</p>
<p>Quick Calculus is an exceptional self-studying Calculus book. Some AP Physics C teachers ask students to study the book in the summer.</p>
<p>AP Physics C uses derivative and integration concepts and skills. The calculus is quite simple for ME, but the integration is more complicated for E&M.</p>
<p>If you don't have any calculus experience, I would be very cautious. Physics C known as THE hardest class at my school, and people say it's really tough even though the teacher is amazing (I'll be taking it this year, so I can't say for sure how hard it is). My bet is that the Physics C Mech will be doable, but the E&M will be hard unless you're a whiz at physics. Those who took it this year said E&M required some math that's multivariable calculus.</p>
<p>Why don't you take AP Bio or AP Chem? You wouldn't have to study, and you could gett a broader exposure to science, which colleges would prefer.</p>
<p>I don't recommend self studying Physics C without prior Calculus experience. I took the class together with Calculus BC with a solid Calculus AB background, and I still had a bit of difficulty fully understanding the context of certain questions.</p>
<p>For Mechanics, calculus was not as necessary - really, memorizing formulae was all that was necessary for class the entire year - but imagine my surprise when there was a completely calculus-based FRQ on the exam ... It seems as if understanding of calculus was necessary.</p>
<p>For E&M, there are two things you need to know: the right hand rule (which you can understand quite easily), and calculus. Without calculus, it is pretty much impossible to do this part of the course because even the plug-in formulae that work so nicely for mechanics involve plugging in to formulae involving calculus (multivariable integration/differentiation). </p>
<p>If you have not taken Trigonometry either (which, in my school, was part of the Pre-Calculus curriculum), then you are missing a crucial part of Physics C because of the vector calculation element of the problems.</p>
<p>Those who took Physics C:</p>
<p>I'm kind of worried. Does co-current enrollment in Calculus BC (without ever taking AB) work out? That is how it is commonly done in my school.</p>
<p>@ BrightRed:</p>
<p>That's how I did it - as long as you have a solid basis in understanding what derivatives and integrals really MEAN rather than how to do them, then you will be fine.</p>
<p>haha thanks for the advice esquiar but I took Bio a couple years ago and got a 5 and I'm already doing chem but I'm thinking about physics C also :)</p>
<p>Calc BC and Phys C is perfect. I took Phys C with a co-enrollment in Calc AB and still got through it fine =)</p>
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We also used the area between two curves and the volume of a solid of revolution in class, but I'm not sure this is covered on the AP test.
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You don't need either for Phys C =D</p>