<p>I want to take AP Physics next year, but I heard the math involved in it can get quite advanced. I'm decent at math, but am only take Geometry class, with next year be Trigonometry. Do I have anything to worry about?</p>
<p>Which AP Physics are you talking about? There are three different ones.</p>
<p>in my school the pre requisite is pre calc.</p>
<p>I was unaware that there is three different AP Physics courses. On my school's web page, it's just listed as AP Physics, with no letters listed after it.</p>
<p>ya, there is a, b and c.</p>
<p>I've never heard of AP physics A.... But I'm pretty sure you need at least precalc finished for B</p>
<p>For non-honors students, you take Pre-Calc in twelfth grade. I guess AP Physics is no longer an option.</p>
<p>At my school (AP Physics B), students are required to have completed Algebra 2 and recommended to have completed Pre-Calc.</p>
<p>there's no such thing as AP Physics A</p>
<p>There aren't three types, just two: AP Physics B and AP Physics C which includes either Mechanics or Electricity and Magnetism. Yes there are three exams but the last two fall under the same category concerning math background. </p>
<p>Math Background summary</p>
<p>Physics B: you should have and understanding of basic trigonometry relations and math up to Pre-calc. The trig is necessary through out Physics B (dynamics, optics, electricity etc.) and the Pre-calc is necessary due to the amount of calculations you'll have to do. </p>
<p>Physics C: the math requirements are the same as those for Physics B plus more! The breadth of topics covered in Physics C is less than in B but with C you get a greater understanding of Physics because you learn it with calculus. So the "more" part is the calculus. In terms of how much calculus you should know: an understanding of how derivatives and integrals are computed should suffice. *Also the conceptual understanding of integration as an accumulation process (not just as an area) is necessary in more advanced sections. </p>
<p>The two sections (Mechanics and E&M) do differ a little in the mathematical requirements. Mechanics uses Calculus but to a far lesser extent than E&M. My sister took the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam last year WITHOUT having taken a class in calculus and managed to get a 4. This feat would be near impossible with the E&M exam because the most important concepts (Maxwell's Equations) are most efficiently stated through calculus. </p>
<p>So with that overview it seems like the OP should first figure out which Physics class his school offers. If it is Phsyics B you should talk to the teacher about certain requirements of the class. If it's Physics C maybe you should pick a different science class.</p>
<p>B: Algebra 1 and trigonometry</p>
<p>C: calculus</p>
<p>lol my bad, i guess i was wrong.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Physics C: the math requirements are the same as those for Physics B plus more! The breadth of topics covered in Physics C is less than in B but with C you get a greater understanding of Physics because you learn it with calculus. So the "more" part is the calculus. In terms of how much calculus you should know: an understanding of how derivatives and integrals are computed should suffice. *Also the conceptual understanding of integration as an accumulation process (not just as an area) is necessary in more advanced sections.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Probably also good to know how to solve differential equations by separating the variables. Also good to know conceptually that the derivative is the slope, and the graphs, derivatives, and integrals of basic functions. Sometimes u-substitution may be helpful too.</p>