<p>I am planning to independent study an AP Physics course next year. I'm currently in Precalculus, and will be concurrently taking AP Calc BC with AP Physics. I took a basic physics class freshman year. The AP Physics 1 curriculum seemed like a repeat of freshman year physics, so I am wondering if I should jump straight to AP Physics C: Mechanics, or take AP Physics 2? I got the impression that only basic calculus is needed for Mechanics.</p>
<p>If you are going to study the physical sciences or engineering, go straight to Physics C, Physics 1,2 is just a waste of time. If you are not, depending on whether you want to challenge yourself and your interests, I think you are free to choose among them? </p>
<p>Phy C is definitely much harder than Phy1,2 , both in term of math and the physics itself. And I have no idea what is the difference between Phy 1 and 2.</p>
<p>And yes, only basic calculus is needed for mechanics (and even for E&M). I self-study both physics C last year without any background in calculus and have no problem.</p>
<p>Ok, thank you. I am planning to major in CS and minor in Physics, so I think I’ll choose C: Mechanics. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Go for the AP Physics C: Mechanics and then the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. </p>
<p>Next year wil be my senior year so I won’t be able to fit both in</p>
<p>
Semantics, but since you are doing it independent study, you are choosing not to fit both in. As each is a semester at university, it is certainly possible to do both in the same year. In the vast majority of formal AP Physics C courses, that is how they are structured.</p>
<p>Anyway, as I said, it’s semantics. Whether you do one, both, or none, it will certainly make no difference in the admissions process. </p>