<p>I've taken Biology for 2 years now and I wanna try out a different science. Only problem is that my IB schedule won't let me get 2 free classes; I only have 1 free class, and I'm gonna use it for AP Calculus cause I need a math class to look forward to in school. </p>
<p>I wanna self-study physics but I don't know if I should go for B or C. I took IB math SL this year and last year and got a 7 on the exam, and I would've taken higher level but my school doesn't offer it. The class gave me some knowledge of calculus but it was rudimentary. It was pretty much derivatives, slope of a tangent line, integrals, and volumes of revolution. </p>
<p>I also don't have any prior knowledge whatsoever about physics but it seems interesting and I wanna try out something new cause I'm tired of mitosis and cellular respiration. And to top it all off, our school doesn't offer IB physics.</p>
<p>So what should I do...I like calculus, I like math, but no knowledge of physics whatsoever. I wanna self-study either B or C, which one? Should I buy only review books or textbooks also, considering I know nothing of physics? Thanks for reading!</p>
<p>Buuummpp, help please!!!</p>
<p>Please answer lol :(</p>
<p>AP Physics B involves no calculus, and AP Physics C requires basic knowledge of calculus (derivatives and integrals mostly). I would do Physics B because it covers several topics of Physics unlike Physics C, which only covers Newtonian Mechanics and Electricity/Magnetism. Also know that Physics B is one exam, while Physics C has two (Mechanics and Electricity/Magnetism). Our class used Giancoli’s Physics book and I used the Princeton Review book to study for the exam. I got a 5 on the AP Physics B exam and an 800 on the SAT II Physics test.</p>
<p>Self-studying would certainly be difficult, but I found the NROC lectures to be helpful for learning some topics my class didn’t end up covering. You could look into that (it offers online lectures for both Physics B and Physics C, so you could look into those). Definitely take a ton of practice tests and do a lot of the FRQ sections on AP central.</p>
<p>If you have any questions about Physics during the year, I’d be glad to help. I’m taking Physics C this coming year so I’d probably be able to help you if you are stuck depending on which Physics you decide to study.</p>
<p>You need to do differential equations for some FRQs for physics C.</p>
<p>That made me change my mind lol ^</p>
<p>Burgerking thanks so much for the response man. Is Giancolis strongly recommended or will Princeton Review suffice?</p>
<p>No, diff eq is pretty easy, especially the easy seperable ones (all you have to do is move varaibels around and integrate). I’d guess they don’t have advanced ones. This shouldn’t be your reason for NOT doing it.</p>
<p>The way I look at it, Physics B will give you a less mathematical treatment, but you cover more topics and will probably gain a better conceptual understanding (depending on how deep you choose to delve into the concepts. The AP trest itself is mostly mathematical).</p>
<p>Physics C has more depth (only covers Mechanics and Electromagnetism, while Physics B covers that and Optics, Thermodynamics, and a little bit of atomic). Because you have calculus, you get a more rigorous, and more real (like, what actual physicists/engineers use) look at physics.</p>
<p>If you only have a cursory interest in physics, I would recommend Physics B. Easier math will make it easier to gain a basic understanding of more material. If you are hardcore interested in science (like, you are expecting to major in chem, physics, or some engineering) and want useful credit (physics b will probably give useless credit for said majors) then Physics C.</p>
<p>Yeah I wanna major in engineering: do you think comprehending physics C is going to be very difficult considering I’ve never taken physics before? It seems interesting lol</p>
<p>Take physics B, if you do well on the test you can get college credit, butler high level colleges want you to take calc based physics on their campus.</p>
<p>hmm, it’s a tricky question. Obviously, if you want to know more of the math/problem-solving parts, Physics C is superior. But, a more basic conceptual understanding is also important, and you would miss a lot of that by doing physics c.</p>
<p>Personally, I took Physics B (school does not offer C) and I do not mind it one bit. There was defnitely some good knowledge in that class. Because I want to major in physics/engineering, I think I’m better off not taking any credit and starting with calc-based physics freshman year.</p>
<p>So, you either gain a broader framework of basic ideas, where you have a better chance of definitely knowing the basics, or you get more advanced mathematical knowledge, but maybe miss some of the basics. Neither choice is wrong. Now, if you want USEFUL credit, then Physics C is the way to go.</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, the only credit you get for Physics B, if any, is elective credit. However with Physics C you’ll get credit for actual courses at many colleges. Considering you got a 7 on an IB math exam, I would say you have the ability to do well on the Physics C exams, but you must be committed. I tried to self study Physics C but then I got too lazy and gave up after a week.</p>
<p>I’m gonna look at Princeton Review’s Physics B and C books. I wanna learn calculus based physics but at the same time I think I need the intro that Physics B provides. Are textbooks essential for self-studying, especially since it’s my first exposure to physics?</p>
<p>Review books often have enough material, but textbooks are a great go to resource. I’m taking physics C this year through stanford epgy program, you should check it out if you havnt taken physics b yet.</p>
<p>Listen to your heart.</p>