Hello,
I am a junior/rising-senior in high school, and I would like to take AP Physics C (mechanics) next year. However, I have not yet taken Calculus or Physics, and I know that background in both are crucial for the best performance possible in the class.
The reason I want to take Physics C rather than Physics 1 is because I plan on majoring in an engineering or science field (such as Chemical engineering), so Physics C would look better to colleges that I apply to since it would demonstrate interest and ability in my area of study, and (at my 4 top-choice schools) Physics C gets me more credit than Physics 1 if I score the same on both tests.
I will be taking AP Calculus BC next year concurrently with whichever AP Physics (C or 1) I take. For math background, I earned an A in precalculus honors my sophmore year (I took AP Stat junior year, got an A easily) and have a 34 for the ACT math, and for science background: I got High A’s in Honors Bio and over 100 in Honors Chemistry (teacher would put bonus questions on tests because the majority of students were struggling a lot, but I never had any issues) and an extremely high A in AP Chemistry.
I am currently registered at school to take AP Physics 1, so my plan is to (after getting my June SAT/ACTs out of the way) self-study some Calculus and algebra-based physics. I’d study Calc with online resources like Khan Academy and other schools’ calculus summer assignments (ones that include basic instruction, practice problems, and solutions) possibly alongside a calc AB prep book, and I’d study physics through online resources like Khan Academy, Udacity’s intro to physics course, and maybe a physics 1 book. After this preparation, I’d either email my counselor before school starts to change my schedule to include Physics C instead of Physics 1 if I felt like I am comfortable enough with the physics.
Any advice on course-selection, how to independently learn basic calculus or physics, or anything related to this would be greatly appreciated.
–Zer0Kelvin
A total waste of your time. AP Physics C requires calculus as a corequisite, not a prerequisite. You’ve probably already learned enough of the basic calc concepts to get you started.
The bigger issue is not having an intro course in physics. However, you’re also only proposing mech, not mech and E&M, so it might be doable. At my old HS, a few select group of students without a physics background did take AP Physics C, so it can be done. This is is really a question to ask of the AP Physics C teacher. Have prior students taken this class without an intro class, and if not, how did they do in the class and on the exam?
Thank you. I will definitely talk to the Physics C teacher about it.
Take AP Physics 1 rather than C.
Without Calculus AND without Physics 1/Honors Phys, this plan is likely to end in a disaster.
Better assuage your foundational knowledge. Don’t hurry through things, make sure you MASTER both subjects before you get to engineering, it’ll serve you better than trying to figure things out on your own.
I know people who’ve done physics C without prior calculus and people who’ve done it without any physics at all and did fine (however there were many more who did horribly). But both? You should just take physics 1.
You could definitely try self study, but depending on your aptitude for the subject, it could be hard. But only you can find that out.
Agree, C may be too difficult for you without any introduction to Physics. However, most engineering programs will not award any credits to AP Physics 1 and 2 exams.
For what it’s worth, my school only offers regular physics, honors physics, and AP Physics C. Most kids who go into ap physics haven’t taken a physics class since 8th grade and are also going into calculus for the first time. It’s certainly doable but it will be difficult.
I’d say talk to the Physics C teacher about the curriculum before taking it. A lot of people are saying that you NEED calculus before taking Physics, but this isn’t true. I took physics C with no background in any calculus or physics classes, and my teacher taught us all the calculus we needed to know before we went into any physics content that required calculus. In addition, he taught us all of the physics stuff from scratch, never referencing anything learned in Physics 1. I know that some other teachers don’t do this (teaching calculus in class before teaching physics) which is why i’d say talk to your teacher before you take it. If you can retain information quickly, then you’ll do fine because the only issue about not learning physics 1 or calculus before physics c is learning new content rapidly.
Thank you all for your input. I don’t doubt my ability to do Physics C, but I am going to take Physics 1. I talked to people who took physics C the past year, and they said that the teacher did not prepare them well at all for the AP exam. I am very motivated, but if the teacher isn’t that great, I don’t think I would be willing to put in that much extra time to make up for lack of prior knowledge AND a teacher that lacks considering that I am incredibly busy with band and other extracurriculars and many other AP courses. I will take it slower like @MYOS1634 suggested. I might have to retake physics at college, but I will have a good understanding of it.
You all have been very helpful, thanks.