<p>Hello,
My son (currently a sophomore) is currently deciding between Honors and AP Physics B next year. He is just completing Algebra II/Trig Honors with an A in the class. Next year he will take Math Analysis/Calculus Honors. </p>
<p>I'm hearing mixed advice about whether to take AP Physics B without having had calculus. Does anyone have any advice on this? Thanks.</p>
<p>Since he is a soph, I would suggest the honor physics and then next year after he has taken calculus he can decide whether to take AP physics B or go right to C if he does really well. I assume he is taking Calc next year with the physics.</p>
<p>As far as math goes (not referring to how hard the curriculum may be), you need nothing more than knowledge of Algebra and basic trigonometry for Physics B. It is not until AP Physics C that you need knowledge of Calculus.</p>
<p>Our HS doesn’t offer AP Physics B, but my daughter took the AP Physics B test after a year of Honors Physics and got a 4 based on what Honors Physics covered. I thought Honors and AP Physics B were close to the same thing.</p>
<p>He should probably take AP Physics B . Most schools will want to see that he has taken the hardest class available. Both my sons took it in high school. One had already had calculus beforehand, the other hadn’t. Didn’t matter. Both got 5’s on the AP test. As Rob1995 said, you don’t have to already have had calculus to take AP Physics B.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your input. My son talked with his math teacher and chemistry teacher today, and got opposite recommendations. The math teacher said he’d recommend AP. The chemistry teacher recommended honors - not because of my son’s ability but because “you go deeper in AP but you actually learn more in honors”. I guess he means a wider range of material. So we’re still confused. My son will talk with the physics teacher tomorrow to get his input. I appreciate the help: my son registers next week.</p>
<p>If the physics teacher teaches both classes, hopefully he should be able to steer him in the right direction. Good luck!</p>
<p>One more vote for AP here. My son received a 5 on the AP physics B exam junior year without taking calculus. Besides, the AP credit may transfer, the honors will not.</p>
<p>Our school got rid of honors physics and replaced it with AP Physics B. Most of the students taking it are taking Algebra 2 concurrently. Be aware that lots of colleges don’t give credit for AP Physics B. For Physics C, on the other hand, calculus is useful. It does sound like you need to talk to the physics teacher.</p>
<p>Our school also does not offer honors physics, only AP Physics B and C. So my son has taken both. While AP Physics C does repeat some of B, it is calculus based so the same material is covered but using a different method.</p>
<p>He took AP Calc AP at the same time as AP Physics B and is now taking AP Calc BC with Physics C.</p>
<p>My D took AP math classes, but Honors science classes because she did not have room in her schedule to take the required lab that went with AP sciences. It has not affected her college applications at all. So far she’s been accepted to all of the schools that have responded. Take whichever class feels right for your son.</p>
<p>AP Physics B does not require calc. AP Physics C does. If he feels he can handle the course in addition to his other courses, go for it. </p>
<p>My younger S took Honors Physics, but he was in full IB and had a heavy load already (and had two other AP science exams already taken/planned). Honors instead of AP offered some sanity.</p>
<p>Take AP Physics B. It’s distinctively, but not significantly, more difficult than honors physics and you don’t need any math higher than very basic trig (even then only soh cah toa). I had an A in Algebra II Trig H too and took AP Physics B in 11th grade and got a 5. The other two juniors in my class that followed the same way (chem H than ap physics) got a 5 and 4 (one got a 4 probably because he was in AP chemistry too and complained of being overwhelmed). It’s definitely doable, if your son puts in the work.</p>
<p>In our school, AP Physics B is significantly harder than Honors Physics. Usually, 30 kids drop from AP to Honors within the first semester. It’s known as the hardest STEM AP. As in what your chemistry teacher said about it, my physics teacher explained it this way: Imagine a soda can. In honors physics, you’ll learn that amount of material, and you’ll know it all very well. Now imagine a large garbage can. In AP physics, you’ll be taught that much material, but will only really understand 3/4 of it. </p>
<p>You do not need calculus to do Physics B, so don’t worry about that. Also, just curious, what field is he looking to major in, and what other AP sciences is he planning to take?</p>
<p>Thank you to all you kind people who took the time to give advice. I really appreciate having a supportive place like this. It sounds like AP is the overwhelming recommendation, so this is what I was hoping S would decide. </p>
<p>When I picked him up today, he told me he’d spoken with the physics teacher. This teacher spent time with him, asking questions about future goals, etc., then recommended AP. This teacher also said that the chemistry teacher had it backwards: that you learn more in AP (I always did think his chemistry teacher is a little odd…). </p>
<p>So we are agreed on AP. Whew! Thanks again!</p>
<p>You do definitely learn more in AP.</p>