AP B/C Calc and AP Physics 1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

To clarify, he was thinking he would take AP Physics I, AP Physics 2, and then AP Physics C.


This is great for someone who loves physics and wants to really learn it well, not skate by to pass a required course for a different major and then forget all about it.

He wants to be an electrical engineer and thinks a solid background in physics will be helpful. I don't have personal knowledge either way.

Physics C is important for EE, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he really wants to study physics he shouldn’t take AP physics 1. It a conceptual / not much math class while the higher AP physics classes use calculus. If he really wants to study physics he should self study in 10th and in 11th after taking calculus bc take AP physics C.

He should self study calculus and take Multivariable Calc. Self study Spanish and take AP Spanish. Self study programming and take AP CS A.
Self study bassoon and join Honors Orchestra.

Self study everything, don't bother with classes.

This is what the college board lists for prerequisite:
Students should have taken or be concurrently taking calculus.

You don’t have to have taken Physics 1 or 2. Many concepts are so much easier to learn if you know calculus. Physics 1 is not math based so that class is more like conceptual physics. So by self-study for AP physics C , it was meant watch some YouTube physics videos so you have done background knowledge. Don’t waste a year if a science class taking Physics 1

[Anonymous]

My kid is in 8th and on a similar path. His MS offered Astronomy with Physics and he loves it. He’s in Alg2 now and it comes very easy to him.

For 9th grade, he’ll take pre calc and AP Physics 1. It’s not wasting a year taking by a science class, it’s what he enjoys. To him it’s an elective course—the fun class. He’ll take the required 9th grade bio class as his science.

For 10th, he’ll take calc and he’ll have to decide if he’ll take AP Physics 2 or Physics C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

To clarify, he was thinking he would take AP Physics I, AP Physics 2, and then AP Physics C.
He wants to be an electrical engineer and thinks a solid background in physics will be helpful. I don't have personal knowledge either way.

I am an EE and work in the field. I would say the priority should be to take as much Calculus-track math as he can - and to do well academically in that. That said, his Physics approach sounds ok to me. Yes, Physics will matter - most EEs will take 3 semesters of college Physics (statics & dynamics, E/M & optics, modern/atomic/quantum physics), but most EEs take 4-5 semesters of Calculus track college math (differential, integral, diff eqs, multivariable calculus, etc.). This means having a really solid grounding in calculus-track math is the single most important preparation.

Separately, please go to the College forum and read the older thread “Engineering Degree” to get a perspective on what is ahead for him. Then, please also look at some of the other threads in the College forum on math-track choices other folks have made, to provide a broader context. I say this not as discouragement, but just so you understand better what is coming…

[Anonymous]

Better to take Calc AB and get an A than to take Calc BC and get a C. It is all about having solid math foundations.

[Anonymous]

DS has found AP Calc B/C to be the easiest/lightest AP so far. He took AP Physics 1 sophomore year and it was very intense in terms of workload. I'd go so far as to characterize it as grueling. Not sure how much of this is teacher-dependent .

[Anonymous]

Better to take Calc AB and get an A than to take Calc BC and get a C. It is all about having solid math foundations

Honestly, I think it will be good for him to have a bit of a challenge. To date, his math classes have come so easily to him, he gets an A with zero effort. I think it would be good for him to have to try a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Better to take Calc AB and get an A than to take Calc BC and get a C. It is all about having solid math foundations

Honestly, I think it will be good for him to have a bit of a challenge. To date, his math classes have come so easily to him, he gets an A with zero effort. I think it would be good for him to have to try a bit.

What school allows this?

[Anonymous]

I would not waste time with 1 & 2. My kids took C with no prior Physics and it was fine. I would, in this case, take the math this coming year and Physics C the next year. Calc BC and Physics C is a lot (for some kids) at once. Maybe take stat or something along with the Physics C.

And if they already took HOnors Chem, you could really self study AP Chem. I feel like those are a bit repetitive as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he really wants to study physics he shouldn’t take AP physics 1. It a conceptual / not much math class while the higher AP physics classes use calculus. If he really wants to study physics he should self study in 10th and in 11th after taking calculus bc take AP physics C.

Not the OP, but can someone explain to me what AP physics 1/2 are? Our school doesn't even have those and only offers AP physics C, which has regular physics and calc as prerequisites. So I'm guessing AP physics C is the only one which is actually a college level course?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS has found AP Calc B/C to be the easiest/lightest AP so far. He took AP Physics 1 sophomore year and it was very intense in terms of workload. I'd go so far as to characterize it as grueling. Not sure how much of this is teacher-dependent .

Wow, this is so weird to me. Do you think the teacher is doing a good job preparing them for the exam? My kid wants to jump into Calc BC next year instead of taking AB first. They are doing great in precalc, but I am concerned but maybe I shouldn't be?

[Anonymous]

AP physics 1 is probably too easy for him if he can handle bc calc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he really wants to study physics he shouldn’t take AP physics 1. It a conceptual / not much math class while the higher AP physics classes use calculus. If he really wants to study physics he should self study in 10th and in 11th after taking calculus bc take AP physics C.

He should self study calculus and take Multivariable Calc. Self study Spanish and take AP Spanish. Self study programming and take AP CS A.
Self study bassoon and join Honors Orchestra.

Self study everything, don't bother with classes.

This is what the college board lists for prerequisite:
Students should have taken or be concurrently taking calculus.

You don’t have to have taken Physics 1 or 2. Many concepts are so much easier to learn if you know calculus. Physics 1 is not math based so that class is more like conceptual physics. So by self-study for AP physics C , it was meant watch some YouTube physics videos so you have done background knowledge. Don’t waste a year if a science class taking Physics 1

Bad advice. Physics 1 gives you a strong foundation. Physics is not just math. Concepts are important. AP Physics 1 is a good class. He will learn a lot of physics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in 8th and on a similar path. His MS offered Astronomy with Physics and he loves it. He’s in Alg2 now and it comes very easy to him.

For 9th grade, he’ll take pre calc and AP Physics 1. It’s not wasting a year taking by a science class, it’s what he enjoys. To him it’s an elective course—the fun class. He’ll take the required 9th grade bio class as his science.

For 10th, he’ll take calc and he’ll have to decide if he’ll take AP Physics 2 or Physics C.

Just curious, when did he take prealgebra, algebra 1, and geometry?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Better to take Calc AB and get an A than to take Calc BC and get a C. It is all about having solid math foundations

Honestly, I think it will be good for him to have a bit of a challenge. To date, his math classes have come so easily to him, he gets an A with zero effort. I think it would be good for him to have to try a bit.

Why has his math not been challenging to date? You said he’s in Pre Cal right now. Is it not honors? At my kid’s school, pre cal is not an advanced class. It’s for kids who are not especially mathy.