AP Physics 1 or AP Physics C mechanics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Kid appears to have psyched themselves out of AP C. (Mix of - counselor said to group can’t do without prior physics/no; kid looked at FRQs for C they look really hard; etc). I guess that is fine, still not clear to me what right choice would be. Kid is very strong in math/science but I don’t think will go engineering/physics, so doesn’t seem to matter? (Just trying to avoid a boring/not very challenging physics class ….that had been a problem with both 9th bio and 10th chem, after a good amount of science exposure in middle school at basis, both these required courses in 9th/10th DCPS were a bit boring/not challenging at all).

Of course the questions are hard before he even takes the class!


Physics 1 is terrible because without math all the Q&A are just magic woo formulas where you have to regurgitate buzzwords based on a memorizing a standard set of questions. Professional physicists can't understand the fake physics that AP Physics 1 demands.

[Anonymous]

From your post OP my guess is you are at Walls. Your kid probably won’t really have a choice anyway- Physics C usually ends up being overenrolled with seniors. A junior wouldn’t even get in.

[Anonymous]

Also physics 1 will be a little weird- even though they know the calculus they won’t be able to use it. But kids do say it helps with understanding the concepts.

[Anonymous]

Have him watch this: https://youtu.be/FUfF2WQbS2I?si=KOVd5yEoUI3lu60G