<p>Hello guys, I'm a high school student and am going to be taking AP Physics B this upcoming year. I was wondering what the difference between Physics B and C is? Is it just a continuation of Physics B (like calculus AB and BC) or is it a totally different concept (like Chemistry AP and Organic Chemistry)?
I'm going to take Physics B no matter what because my school doesn't offer C. I wanted to self study C on my own and take that AP test, but if the course is totally different then Im going to have to take both the B and C AP tests because they are different.
I just really want to know what the concepts covered for both of these classes are and how they relate and differ from each other so that I know what I'm going to be missing out on and I need to learn on my own.
Thanks</p>
<p>The AP C course comprises Mechanics and electromagnetism, both of which have their own exams. You can take both and both are extensions of topics covere in the B course. I took C mechanics the semester after B and found it to be easy considering I had learned most of the content in the B course. For C, you need a calculus foundation, which isn’t very hard to apply at all. Self studying the C exam would likely be easier than reviewing for the B exam since there is a ton of content in the B course. I don’t know about the e-mag exam, but the mechanics is definitely studiable from just the B course.</p>
<p>I see, thank a lot.
Do you think I should take both B and C AP exams? Or is that kinda dumb because C is a follow up from B?</p>
<p>At many high schools C is not a follow up from B. It is just aimed at those kids who have already taken calculus. If, as you complete your Physics B class, you feel very comfortable with the material and you have a grounding in calculus there is no reason not to take the C exam if you want. Also, note that some (but not most) colleges will only give AP credit for C and not B.</p>
<p>If your school has AP Physics C, take it.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks guys.</p>
<p>I was also wondering what the SAT II covers. Would I be prepared enough with just Physics B to have a strong chance of scoring an 800?</p>
<p>The way my Honors/AP (next year) Physics teacher explained it to me was that C is calculus, dealing with less material while being more indepth, while B is all algebra but covers a lot of material.</p>
<p>And I’m pretty sure the SAT II does not cover calculus, but it covers a lot of different physics topics. I think they expect that no one has taken all the physics classes it covers, but from the class(es) you have taken + reviewing the others it will be enough to get a score of 700+</p>
<p>I think there may be some rotational motion (simple parts of it) on the SAT II but the B course is sufficient for it.</p>
<p>AustroHungarian wrote “The way my Honors/AP (next year) Physics teacher explained it to me was that C is calculus, dealing with less material while being more indepth, while B is all algebra but covers a lot of material.” - yes.</p>
<p>“the B course is sufficient for SAT II” - yes. If you take Physics C, you will need to self study some topics before SAT Physics.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks a lot guys, it really helps.</p>