<p>Eons ago (before APs were available) my HS had an integrated science program- 4 years of science gave me 1.5 Chemistry, 1.5 Physics and 1 Biology credits. I went on to an Honors degree in Chemistry. I disagree that Chemistry is mostly memorization- my school did an excellent job of teaching problem solving. What memorization usually is is learning a new vocabulary (and in my day Biology was more just memory than now). By the time most student take physics they will have learned more vocabulary (there is a lot of overlap- eg physical chemistry) and not need to spend their time with that. I have never liked physics despite doing well in it. Also took enough college math to know which types of that I like. </p>
<p>Some students may not fear physics but just not enjoy it. Doing well doesn’t mean liking something- the two can be independent. Also, calculus based physics offered in college was a lot more interesting as one could derive formulas instead of just memorizing them (think the speed/acceleration relationship).</p>