AP Physics

[Anonymous]

Do students need to have a good foundation in Calculus to do well in AP Physics? My son has taken AP Precalculus in Sophomore year and is deciding between Physics & AP Physics for his junior year.

[Anonymous]

No. Calculus is a corequisite of AP physics C.

Learn calculus during the same year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do students need to have a good foundation in Calculus to do well in AP Physics? My son has taken AP Precalculus in Sophomore year and is deciding between Physics & AP Physics for his junior year.

There are two pairs of physics exams, Physics 1 & 2 ( algebra based), and two AP Physics C ( calculus based).

AP Calc BC is a prerequisite or corequisite for AP Physics C. Whereas Algebra-2 knowledge is sufficient for 1&2.

[Anonymous]

Also, Physics 2 requires some precalc knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Regular/honors physics isn’t a prerequisite for AP? That sounds hard to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regular/honors physics isn’t a prerequisite for AP? That sounds hard to me.

It's the math that's hard, not the physics concepts.

[Anonymous]

AP physics 1 should be fine, but he should delay AP physics C until senior year after completing calculus.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is taking AP Physics C concurrently with Calculus AB. It isn't done often (kids usually take BC when they take physics C since it's mostly the true STEM kids that take physics C) but her schedule was overloaded so she dropped down to AB in September. It's been fine. The calculus needed for physics C is covered in AB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regular/honors physics isn’t a prerequisite for AP? That sounds hard to me.

It's the math that's hard, not the physics concepts.

In my kid's experience, no. It's the physics part that is hard. The math in physics C is pretty basic calculus.

[Anonymous]

How is the AP Physics different from regular Physics? Does AP Physics cover the same topics at more depth or does it go broader as in more topics or both broader and deeper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the AP Physics different from regular Physics? Does AP Physics cover the same topics at more depth or does it go broader as in more topics or both broader and deeper?

Both broader and deeper, with more use of math (especially calculus in AP physics C)

[Anonymous]

IMO Algebra based Physics is a MUCH better intro to Physics than Calculus based. Helps understand the core concepts of Physics better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is taking AP Physics C concurrently with Calculus AB. It isn't done often (kids usually take BC when they take physics C since it's mostly the true STEM kids that take physics C) but her schedule was overloaded so she dropped down to AB in September. It's been fine. The calculus needed for physics C is covered in AB.

Senior year Physics C and Calculus AB was very common a generation ago, before math hypercceleration became common.

[Anonymous]

OP is talking about AP Physics 1, since the kid hasn't taken any HS Physics yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is talking about AP Physics 1, since the kid hasn't taken any HS Physics yet.

FCPS allows AP physics C with only concurrent enrollment in calculus. No prior physics required.