<p>5 Steps to a 5 seems to be the most popular choice in the sticky'd thread, but I've never taken a high school physics class and my teacher is notorious for underpreparing his students. For reference, I'm also taking Calculus BC.</p>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I used 5 Steps, but PR should be good too. My class was technically an honors class (the only AP is for Physics C), but I still got a 5.</p>
<p>Do make sure you keep up with your homework. Read through the chapters yourself if you feel you’re underprepared. It’s tough to cram that many topics in physics.</p>
<p>I am also thinking 5 Steps for my Physics B course. It seems that both Amazon and CC says it’s good. I’m going to have to self-study Physics C though… because my class is actually only for Physics B.</p>
<p>Can someone tell me what is the difference between Physics B and Physics C?
Is Physics B basically mechanics and C electricity and magnetism ?
Aero- my DS will be in simliar situation. His class will be honors but after one semester the teacher will move the top kids to Physics B, just so they can take an AP test. (and I am obviously assuming he will be in that group 
)</p>
<p>Kelowna, the basic difference between B and C is Calculus and the amount covered. I will explain.</p>
<p>Physics B encompasses mostly all of physics, but does not involve any Calculus. Physics B covers Newtonian Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and Optics, and lastly Atomic and Nuclear Physics. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Physics C only covers two of the topics listed above and tests them with two different exams. So, there are two separate Physics C exams: Mechanics; Electricity and Magnetism. Now what is the difference if these are already covered on the B exam? Well, they involve Calculus to do the problems. The C exam centers around the use of calculus to derive the physics equations and to apply them. That is the main difference. Also, they go more in depth in each of the categories.</p>
<p>Hope this helped!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Hmm… When I looked through the 5 steps one I found it kind of annoying the format it was in: (i.e., have some instructions on a subject, and then there will sporadically be boxes inserted that say “Of particular interest to Physics C students”). </p>
<p>I ended up with Barron’s per suggestion, and because it is thicker and focused solely on B. What is your take on that, everybody?</p>
<p>physics b is a class where a review book wont help, it is not just mindless memorization,
pay attention in class!</p>
<p>@banjoman12348: A book isn’t only useful for memorization… if it teaches something, than you’re learning, lol. It shouldn’t matter whether a teacher or a book tells you the logic behind mechanics, so long as the description is good; hence him asking what book is good for this purpose ;P</p>
<p>5 Steps to a 5 got me a 5</p>
<p>Has anyone used PR and found it helpful?</p>
<p>Oh by the way, doesn’t 5Steps only have like 3 practice questions after each chapter? I can’t exactly remember but I think that was one of the reasons I got Barrons.</p>
<p>paying attention in class got me a 5</p>
<p>Barron’s is good for Physics C but not B.</p>
<p>PR is the opposite.</p>
<p>@Jamesford: Why is that?</p>