FantasyVesperia

Is it possible to only take Mechanics or do you have to take both? My counselor is pushing me take AP Physics, and Mechanics sound much more interesting. Thank you.

quidditchcat

At my school, they're combined in one year-long course. But I think mechanics comes first, so if your school does separate courses for the two, then you could probably just do AP Physics C Mechanics.

FantasyVesperia

I wish, I'll ask my counselor tomorrow, she wasn't in today.

FollowTheReaper

My school just spends an entire year on Mechanics. We won't offer E&M until like 15 people want to take it, which is hard to do considering Mechanics is a prerequisite and hardly any juniors take it.

aldfig0

When it's time to take the tests you can choose to take one or both. However you probably won't have such a choice when it comes to what your school offers (some combine mechanics and e&m into 1 class and some have mechanics as a year long class - this depends on the school).

elf4EVA

My school only offers Mechanics, and it's supposedly THE most difficult class on campus. I don't really see how Mech and E&M can be combined into one year-long class without killing everyone who's taking it...

mapletree7

Actually, I think E&M is more interesting than Mechanics, though it's harder (so I would recommend doing both). It's very possible to take only Mechanics, though the course would last only 1 semester.

They're supposed to be combined into one year-long course. I don't even know how one might spend an entire year studying Mechanics unless your teacher taught you thermodynamics or nuclear physics or something like that as a supplement.

IndigoPlateau

Odd. At my school it's AP Physics B: Mechanics and AP Physics C: E&M.

rspence

My HS had AP Physics C - Mechanics as a year-round course (more in-depth though) -- we didn't really have an E/M course although a few students self-studied that.

FastNeutrino

We have Mechanics and E&M as a year-round course; Mechanics for 1st Semester and E&M for 2nd semester. Most people that take Physics C took Physics B junior year though, so we have previous experience in both of these subjects. Just not as in depth, perhaps.

cc123sb

If you have a background in physics (i.e. you have taken a physics class before) I recommend taking both. If you've never taken a physics class before, mechanics for a year (or half of a year) is probably your best choice.

I can't picture anyone understanding e&m without prior physics knowledge--even if you took physics it's a tough subject.

That being said, at my school we have 2 options: physics c mechanics (half year) and both (full year). It all depends on what's offered at your school.