I am currently a sophomore in high school and my school had us choose our courses recently. We’re going to finalize them in a couple weeks and the admin gets pretty salty if you try to change your mind after your course picks are entered into the computer. My school requires APUSH and AP lang for all juniors, and I am required to take AP calculus BC because I have finished all the honors math courses offered. My electives are reputably easy classes, but my main concern is my science choice. Most juniors at my school take AP physics 1, but since I will be doing calculus I have the option to do AP physics C. I looked at the course content for the former and I have covered most of it in middle school, so I picked physics C but many of the upperclassmen have been telling me to drop out. These are kids who are in advanced math courses and are very smart, so I’m getting a bit worried. Some of them are quite lazy or aren’t used to having to work hard, but I am still concerned about the fact that the teacher is supposedly awful and I haven’t had physics in a long time.
Those of you who have taken physics C(both electromagnetism and mechanics), how difficult was this class for you?
I would take physics 2, but my school does not offer it.
Here’s my math/science background:
Precalc/trig and AP bio freshman year- received an A both classes and a 4 on the bio AP
honors calc A(not allowed to take AP as an underclassman) and AP chem right now- I have an A for first semester but next semester could definitely change, and everyone at my school fails the chem AP so I’m not going to get my hopes up
I am currently taking it and am almost wrapped up with first semester, so I will tell you what I can about Mechanics:
It was pretty hard for me as someone with no background in physics. At first, I was struggling a lot. But I talked to the teacher and got some extra help outside of class, and am doing well now. I expect to get an A in the class. However, my situation is unique because my school allows retakes on tests, and my teacher in particular has extra-generous policies regarding retakes and makeups. I would recommend getting some physics experience with an online course or something before you start, but the math won’t be hard for you. From what I’ve heard, the mechanics exam only requires pretty basic calculus knowledge. E&M is supposed to be quite a bit harder, but I haven’t taken it yet. Good luck making your decision!
Take AP Physics C, if you’ve already learned most of the AP Physics 1 material and have a solid understanding of calc you’ll do well in AP Physics C (probably).
You could take AP Physics C next year but i recommend taking AP Physics 1 either over the summer or next year before AP Physics C, in order to get the background information. You can always take Physics C senior year after taking BC Calc next year, that way you’ll have your calc down pat. Plus if the teacher is as awful as most of the upperclassmen say, taking BC calc junior year and AP physics C senior year will be to your advantage.
Good luck!
A physics background would come in handy instead of just delving into a very hard physics course. Taking AP Physics 1 would be a good idea. What are your other options, does you school offer AP Chem, Bio etc.? It may be a good idea to take Physics 1 and then C over two years if you do not plan on taking any other science courses, but take C if you want to take Bio or Chem as a senior.
I have already taken AP bio and AP chem but I want to take an additional chemistry course at the community college senior year. @kimclan1
@TheSlacker16 @Studious99 any study books/online resources you recommend for reviewing physics 1?
The online edX physics C prep course is free. It might be helpful. Maybe check out a physics C textbook for the summer and read the first few chapters?
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
No teacher wants to see a student fail. If you do take Physics C make sure that you build a good relationship with the teacher! My teacher helped me study, but it took up most of my lunch breaks and after school too. Best of luck!