<p>Hi guys, next year I will be taking AP Physics B in class and I wanted to self study Physics C (which one is harder? E + M or Mechanics?). Do you think this is possible? I have already taken Calc BC this year and I found it to be quite easy. My next year schedule is not that bad either, 3 AP Classes and 3 self studies. </p>
<p>Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Let’s just say this. You start out in your introductory physics course with newtonian mechanics. Where I am from, you don’t even touch EM stuff during senior year (pre-ap). So i say EM is harder seeing that it also requires calc (both have calc).</p>
<p>It is possible. Go to MIT open course ware and watch all of the lectures for Physics 8.01 and 8.02.</p>
<p>I just finished Calc BC and am thinking about self-studying both Physics C’s while taking Physics B.</p>
<p>Two of my friends self-studied it and got double 5’s (after taking Physics B), but they are now at CalTech and Harvard and both looking at science majors. It’s possible, but pretty hard. I didn’t have much trouble with Calc BC, but had difficulty with Physics C when I actually TOOK the class.</p>
<p>Yo, people, I don’t want to sound mean, but stop asking questions like “Is this possible” or “Is this hard”, even if you actually genuinely want answers and you’re not posting this to boost your self-esteem/show off. </p>
<p>If you’re asking for a genuine question, it’s hard to answer because it’s different for everyone. Go get a study guide and read a bit and you’ll find out how hard it is. </p>
<p>Oh, and just a word of advice, if you’re taking a Math/Science AP, don’t use the first chapter to determine how hard the thing is. If you even find the first chapter hard, then you’re in for a really tough ride.</p>
<p>Both Physics C’s require calculus, and that’s not covered in Physics B. Physics B also doesn’t go as in-depth w/ Mech and E&M topics as Physics C does e.g. rotational dynamics, inductance, etc. Just get a review book and see how well you do.</p>
<p>I was reading in some other thread that the problem with self-studying physics is that it’s not the calculus that makes it difficult, it’s the concept. Many fail to grasp the concept correctly when self-studying, resulting in a poor grade. However, some posters have also self-studied Physics C and consulted their teacher when in doubt. You could try that.</p>
<p>I selfed mechanics with <em>no</em> physics background whatsoever, and I can honestly say it was difficult (I am a straight A student who loves science and has always been interested in physics). I will be getting the ap score soon, so I can’t say how i did just yet.</p>
<p>I am in the process of selfing E/M btw.</p>
<p>I recommend using MIT OCW as previously stated (thats what I used/am using) along with PR and a textbook. I normally watch the lecture, take notes from PR and then do questions from the book+PR.</p>
<p>@all- thanks for the input
@LOLhere- What the hell would I achieve by trying to show off? Would I magically get a cookie or something? No. Im simply asking has anyone ever done it and how hard it was for THEM. Thanks for the input though.</p>
<p>@08249
I wish I had a teacher that understood physics. -sulks-</p>
<p>@ninjacat
I also have no physics background. How is MIT OCW on introductory physics? Are the E&M and Mech lectures/tests/notes easily discernible from the whole? or is it necessary to trudge through the bulk of it to arrive at pertinent information?</p>
<p>I watched all the 8.01 lectures and took notes on 'em two weeks before the AP Mechanics exam as a last ditch effort to learn the material. I’m still expecting a failing score.</p>
<p>(^…which is why you don’t try to learn a semester of calculus-based physics in two weeks.)</p>
<p>I self-studied AP Physics B this year (which wasn’t too bad) and am starting on the calculus-based version this summer. I watched some of the MIT OCW lectures while I was doing Physics B, but I didn’t really find them engaging or educational enough (the second fault is probably related to the lack of calculus in the B exam) to sit through. Your mileage may vary, however; try them and see.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I found that this video series, [url=<a href=“http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html]The”>http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html]The</a> Mechanical Universe and Beyond<a href=“also%20calculus-based”>/url</a> was more helpful in grasping the concepts behind the equations and words.</p>
<p>(Of course, you don’t want to rely on just videos; get a textbook and an AP prep book, preferably PR or maybe Barron’s if you have a bunch of time.)</p>
<p>So in conclusion, the answers to your questions are: yes, it is entirely possible (but start early), and E&M is definitely harder than mechanics. (You need mechanics for many E&M problems, anyway, so it wouldn’t make too much sense to do E&M first…)</p>