I am currently a freshman in high school taking Honors Algebra II and Chemistry. I plan on taking Honors Pre-Calc next year as well as AP Chemistry.
I am not sure about which Physics classes I should take and in what order. I will be taking AP Calculus BC my junior year, then a more advanced Calculus offered by a local community college my senior year. Because of my schedule, I cannot take AP Physics 1 next year, and want to take it my junior year. However, at the same time, I am wondering about skipping into AP Physics C: Mechanics my junior year because of my concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus BC.
My choices are:
Soph: Honors Pre-Calc
Junior: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics 1 (Algebra-based)
Senior: another Calculus course, AP Physics C: Mechanics
OR
Soph: Honors Pre-Calc
Junior: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C: Mechanics
Senior: another Calculus course, another Physics course
From your post, it appears that Physics C: Mechanics is a 2 semester course. If that’s the case, and if your school will allow it, I would try to get into AP Physics C. I would not worry about taking it concurrently with Calc BC; most students taking Physics C are taking calculus concurrently.
I would not recommend ditching AP Physics 1 if AP Physics C covers both mechanics and E&M in one year. However, from reading your post, it sounds like you’re “just” covering mechanics. IMO, the increase in difficulty from AP Physics 1 to AP Physics C:Mechanics is negligible. If you are planning to major in engineering/math/CS or some similar natural science, AP Physics C is more useful. If those aren’t your career plans, then it really does not matter which one you take, although you will likely be more challenged by Physics C.
Having said that, and as I said in my initial response, this is all dependent upon if your school lets you do this. Most, but not all, schools require an intro physics course prior to taking Physics C. If you doesn’t, go for it. If your school does not allow, I’m not sure it’s a fight you will win (or if it’s even worth the energy). Good luck with whatever you decide.
I wouldn’t recommend taking Physics C (especially if it’s full sequence) without any physics class beforehand. Taking Physics 1 then Physics C makes more sense to me.
However, you can take PHysics C after Calculus or at the same time, no problem.
@skieurope ,
Thank you for your help. My school seems to allow a direct jump into Physics C, so I might do that.
@MYOS1634 ,
My worry is that I won’t be challenged enough in Physics 1 seeing that it is an Algebra-based course. Our school’s only prerequisite is that you take Algebra II before Physics 1, and I am doing that now, as a freshman. I will take PreCalc next year, then Physics 1 (possibly). It seems, though, like it would not be a good class for me. Thoughts?
You can start looking at khan academy 's videos. What’s the rest if your schedule ? AP physics 1 should be plenty challenging for a Sophomore even if you’re very strong at math. After all, it’ll be an AP in an entirely new subject !
Taking AP: Physics 1 now, can say that it’s 100% recommended because I will not take C Mech because of how difficult it is. I’m in AP: Calculus struggling with it through Virtual Virginia (VA’s state certified online class provider). Therefore, I think AP: Physics 1 is integral to take because it’s not as easy as people make it out to be.
Here’s another suggestion, since you have some time before you have to make a decision: ask the Physics C teacher. Specifically, ask how students without a prior course have performed in the course and on the AP Exam. If other students with your background have had success, and you are a top-performing student, odds are you will do well. If they haven’t, then I would not attempt it.
@MYOS1634 ,
If I take AP Physics 1, I will be taking it junior year with Calculus. Seems a little wacky… I don’t really know though.
@PsychicPanda2 ,
Thank you for your input. I’m talking to more people about it.
@skieurope ,
Thanks for the suggestion! I think that I am going to do that. I would like to believe that I am a top-performing student, but I’ve heard that even the valedictorian (who went to Harvard for neuroscience) struggled with C: E&M. Mech should be easier, but I don’t know. Thanks for the suggestion-- I’ll ask my counselor about it too.
I wouldn’t recommend going into AP Physics C without physics background. Remember that physics is more than just what kind of math used. E&M is more calculus involved than mechanics though.