Confused in physics courses

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

i have never taken a physics course…

MY school only offers AP Physics C MECH but i want to to take the E and M part too

I was thinking about self studying one of either physics 1 or 2 or possible both in my soph year and then taking both the physics C in junior year.

or should i just try to self study Physics physics C E and M soph year?

2

Usually you take Physics C without 1 or 2 (what I did)? Personally, I would not go through the hassle of self-studying for E & M because whether or not you get credit for it depends on what university you attend. Physics C Mechanics correlates to Physics I at most schools, while E & M correlates with Physics II. If you plan on attending grad school/professional school, you may have to retake these courses anyways.

3

Being that you’re still a freshman, the obvious question is how well versed are you in Calculus? Self studying E&M, and taking Mech in school, will require you to know how to solve derivatives, integrals, a differential equations.

I definately would not self study Physics 1 or 2 to prepare for E&M, they’re completely different. I would recommend that you take Mech and self study E&M, but only while or after you’ve taken a year of Calculus.

4

I also want to do Physics C E and M sometime at high school so ya I am going to self study it ,just need advice when and after physics 1 or 2?

Thx a ton for your replies

5

I am currently in AB self studying BC and will get a 5 ( pretty confident )

6

Not true. Just because that is what you did does not mean that is what is “usual.”

What is usual is that one takes AP Physics C after an intro physics course (usually, but not always, AP Physics 1 or Physics Honors)

Speaking as someone who took a lot of AP classes in HS and is majoring in physics in college, AP Physics C: E&M was by far my hardest class in HS. Of course, difficulty depends in huge part on the teacher, but I would not self study it, especially if you have no physics background. Take it in college and find another rigorous course from within your HS curriculum to take in its place.

7

you should self study it. a friend of mine got a 4 on the exam, while his class grade was a C only because of the labs which are very difficult and dont prepare you at all for the test