AP Physics sophomore year?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hello! Should I take AP Physics 1 my sophomore year? I will concurrently be taking Algebra 2 Honors and Chemistry Honors and have completed Algebra 1, Geometry Honors, Biology Honors, and Physical Science. Will just taking Algebra 2 concurrently be enough of a math background? Please let me know if you have taken this class and how much math is really needed.

2

I would wait until you have Pre-Calc under belt before tackling AP Physics. This was recommendation by my son’s High School.

3

The recommendation for my school is being currently enrolled in Algebra 2. If you are interested and dedicated you should be fine

4

While taking Algebra 2 concurrently is sufficient math preparation, that may or may not be enough for you to survive the course. The question to really ask is how did students at your school perform on the AP Exam last year? Overall, 63% of the test takers failed the exam last year due to a number of reasons.

5

Thanks for the responses! @Gumbymom. I think you may be confusing Physics 1 with Physics C because Physics C has a calculus prerequisite at most schools.

6

@kimclan1: You are probably correct because this was 2 years ago and I know CB the changed the AP Physics class designations.

7

The CollegeBoard says the following about AP Physics 1:
“Students should have completed geometry and be concurrently taking algebra II, or an equivalent course. Although the Physics 1 course includes the basic use of trigonometric functions, this understanding can be gained in either the concurrent math course or in the AP Physics 1 course itself.”

That said, students who take AP Physics 1 after algebra II probably perform better.

8

Thanks @goldenbear2020. I checked with some former students today and they said that some trigonometry not explained in Geometry are important, but they explain these quite early. I think that the only reason other than that for needing Algebra 2 would be to have more experience of solving equations and math in general.

9

See recommended prerequisites.

http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap_physics1_2page_course_overview.pdf