<p>It’s early to ask this, but I’d figure I’d ask now to get a good idea of what I’ll be taking next year. Currently, I’m taking AP Calc AB and AP Chem math and science-wise. I’ve never taken regular physics before, so I have no idea how challenging either will be. How much previous knowledge of Calculus is needed to be successful in AP Physics C? Is Calculus AB sufficient? And will either be challenging since I have almost no knowledge of basic physics since my eighth grade teacher killed my potential love for physics entirely. Thanks. :)</p>
<p>
Yes</p>
<p>If your college major will be physics, engineering, or mathematics, consider Physics C. In all other cases, think twice, as it may be too challenging for someone with no physics background.</p>
<p>The only calculus you need to know is how to differentiate and integrate polynomials. Even if you didn’t know calculus at all you could learn the formulas in a week and do just fine.</p>
<p>The only time you use calculus in most situations is to derive equations. Outside of that use calculus is only used in a couple of other situations.</p>
<p>@jimmyboy23 is right – you don’t need a lot of calculus. My daughter took AP Physics C with no prior physics or calculus, and she just went to the calculus teacher for about a one-hour review of what she would need to know for physics and she did fine. It was, however, the most challenging science class she has ever had, but she enjoyed it.</p>
<p>@jimmyboy23 @mommyrocks @skieurope See, I think that its not so much the math. But it’s the pure lack of having zero knowledge of ANY physics that gives me concern. I may opt with AP Physics 1 or 2 instead. However, I’m interested in pursuing a career involving chemical engineering or some sort of engineering, so I’m uncertain as to how crucial the course is for my potential major in college.</p>
<p>@Hoonie </p>
<p>The fact that you are planning on pursuing engineering changes things dramatically. Now it’s not even a question of which you should choose. You have to take calculus based physics for engineering and it makes no sense whatsoever to take algebra based physics (it’s a major waste of time). I think the misconception between the two is that people think calculus based physics relies heavily on calculus when in reality 80% of the problems are algebraic in nature. </p>
<p>You also don’t have to have any knowledge regarding physics to do well in AP physics C. The textbook and course should teach the material as if you have never seen it before. Obviously it would help to have seen physics and vector calculations before but it’s not like the course or exam is too hard to score a 5 on without background knowledge. Think about it thousands of people take this course in college with no prior exposure and get As and Bs in the course.</p>
<p>@jimmyboy23 Ah, I see. That makes sense. I’ll sign up for C and take the risk for my future! Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>Our HS does not offer AP Physics 1 & 2 but does offer the two other AP Physics courses: C and E & M. Students are supposed to take the regular or honors physics class before taking either of these calc-based AP Physics classes, but an occasional exception is made for the student taking BC Calc concurrent with Physics C.</p>
<p>I agree with those above who said that the algebra-based physics would be a waste of time given your intended major. College Board took what had been a one-year algebra-based Physics course and spread it out over two years as Physics 1 & 2. This just strikes me as being a way to pad one’s transcript with more AP courses, but perhaps I am being too cynical. I believe that completion of Physics 1 & 2 should provide the content needed to sit for the Physics Subject Test, but am not 100% certain.</p>
<p>Have you looked at the physics courses on Edx?</p>
<p>@CT1417 Hmm. Our school offers all physics across the board. There’s a reg. physics, but no honors. From my own knowledge, most teachers at my school do not force you to take pre-reqs in advance. Again, I doubt it’s much of a risk math-wise since I’m currently in Calc AB, but it could potentially be a large risk at hand considering I have no basic knowledge of physics. Over the summer, that may require some self-studying if I want to be safe entering the new school year. </p>
<p>@Nerdyparent No. Can you tell me where I can find them? I’ve never heard of Edx.</p>
<p>@hoonie they are free lectures sort of like khan academy - see Edx.org </p>
<p>Coursera is another option for on-line classes although I think that my son has taken more from edX.
<a href=“https://www.coursera.org”>https://www.coursera.org</a></p>
EdX have offered several classes for AP recently. You may want to look at those. And for the E&M part in particular, Rice will run an introductory E&M course later in this month, which would match (or slightly more advanced than) the AP physics. I strongly recommend that. I have taken last year, really enjoyed it. (I myself planned to take it again for refresher)
Coursera doesn’t have as much physics classes as edX do, especially in the introductory level. (But coursera does have more math classes, and I think edX is still missing the calculus series)
MIT’s OCW is another place to go for online courses, but I have a feeling that MIT’s courses are usually too advanced for just an AP exam…
There really has a lot place that offer these kind of online courses. This online education industry is really exploding today.
A whole lot of calculus isn’t required. However, good problem solving skills are really important to have. Something like math team should help.