***The official Physics C self-study thread 2012-2013***

[Techhexium]

You can probably still take an exam in your school, just ask your counselor about it when you get back to school. For Mechanics AB is fine, but for E&M normally in college multivariable calculus would be needed but I think you should use PR / Barrons b/c I don't know much about that.

[donuts1227]

can someone tell me the difference between physics b and c and which one is harder?

[stressedouttt]

Physics C is calculus based. They mostly cover the sames topics with a few differences. Apparently Physics C is harder (I've only done B, so this is just what I've heard).

It seems like everyone on this thread has already finished the syllabus haha. I haven't even started (unless you count taking Physics B).

[semaphore12]

The fact that C is much more in depth is much harder than the fact that it's based on calculus.

[Rob1995]

Well first note that AP Physics C is divided into two parts with two separate exams: Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism. AP Physics B actually covers more topics than AP Physics C, however, C goes much more in-depth than B. For example, AP Physics B covers Fluid Mechanics, Thermaldynamics, Waves & Optics, and Atomic & Nuclear Physics - however, Physics B really just skims over these.

[mathwizard1]

I self-studied Physics C this past year with no physics background whatsoever (I simultaneously took Calc BC at my high school and never ever took a physics course in my life). I got a 5 on both Mech and E&M. However, I put a lot of time into studying for the tests (10 hours each week) and spread out the studying over the full school year, so anyone considering self-studying SHOULD NOT procrastinate. AP Physics C isn't a subject you can just master in a month or two.

I used Randall Knight's Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Vol. 1 and 4 chapters 1-14 and 26-34) as my textbook and Princeton Review for clarification/review before the AP test. I also watched videos and did problems on these sites:
NROC Advanced Placement Physics CI
NROC Advanced Placement Physics CII
Also, taking numerous free response questions from collegeboard and multiple choice is ESSENTIAL to getting 5's on the two tests. There are tons of free response and mc on this site and on the college board website: Index of /physics/apreleasedexams

For anyone planning to self-study Physics C for next year, my advice to you is to study hard, not procrastinate, and most importantly do practice multiple choice and free response. Anyone who self-studies diligently and takes numerous practice tests (by this I mean 10-15 frqs and all mc available) will be guaranteed a 5 on both tests.

Best of luck to those taking Physics C next year! I hope all of you self-studying end up with 5s on the AP tests!

[MoldyBrick]

^ thanks for the advice!

So I'm taking Mechanics at my school and I'm self studying E&M. Since it is moving closer to the school year I was hoping to ask for some help planning it.

AP Review Book: I know Princeton has good ones (I used it for Physics B) but I've also heard AP Advantage (http://goo.gl/c2wZB) is good for the Physics C's. Does anyone know if it makes a difference?

Online Resources: I (and others in this thread) was planning on using MIT OCW 8.02 and 8.02 SC (Free Online Course Materials | Courses | MIT OpenCourseWare) for a supplement to my school Mechanics textbook which hopefully has E&M in it. How are you guys going to distinguish the things we need to know for the AP exam from the complex MIT stuff? I know we can use the sample syllabus (http://goo.gl/1YoRw) to generally pick topics but does anyone have any other idea(s)?

AP Exam Prep: As mathwizard posted above, it looks like we are good on MC and FRQs, so I guess by the end we just need to be able to complete those.

But anyways, I'm looking forward to the challenge this year, and hopefully you guys are too.

[Episteme]

Which textbook should I use for self-study? Fundamentals of Physics or University Physics? I already have both, I just don't know which one I should use as my primary.

[SleepingAway]

^I'm using Fundamentals of Physics, though both books are sufficient; the fundamentals one is quite nice, it's "readable" but requires some outside instruction imo

I'm just starting to self-study (procrastination) and I was quite stumped by how heavily calculus based the text was, so I had to start learning calculus from scratch (easily doable w/ Khan Academy and a textbook even without precalculus) hopefully I can finish integrals before summer's over and get a good chunk of mechanics out of the way

[Kyrix1]

Anyone know if either of the Physics C curricula have changed in the past 2/3 years? On Collegeboard, it gives a course description "effective fall 2012", so it might have changed. Then again, I've heard AP Bio has changed but I haven't heard of AP Physics C changing.

Also: why is the price for the 2012 PR book so high? Amazon.com: ap physics c

I already have the REA book from some Borders clearout sale. Thinking about PR or Barron's, but I'm looking for a book specifically geared toward C (I'm also taking B next year, but it shouldn't be a problem) Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[IamClueless]

I heard that PR is the best one for C. Just wait until the 2013 edition comes out in a month, or pre-order it right now, it's regularly priced at like $12.

Barron's is harder than what you need to know for the exam, so perhaps if you want more difficult problems to practice, get Barron's.

I'm not aware of any changes in the curriculum.

[Intelligentsia]

What kinds of equations can one use on the FRQs? Is it restricted to only the equations found on the Equation sheet given?

[mathwizard1]

SleepingAway - basically all the calculus needed for the AP tests are derivatives, integrals, and differential equations (by separating the variables) - relatively simple calculus stuff.

Kyrix1 - I used the PR 2012 edition last year and I got it around November/December and the price was around $10. So wait and the price for the 2013 edition will be around $10. Btw, I got Barrons from a library and honestly couldn't understand anything in it - plus it's way too much review needed for the AP test. PR is sufficient for the AP tests.

Intellighentsia - usually there are multiple ways to solve a problem on the AP Physics C tests, and the primary equations needed to solve problems are usually from the equation sheet. But I would strongly advise you to memorize all of the equations on the sheet (including additional ones) because of the time constraints of the tests.

[Nezooo]

With a strong grasp of Calculus BC (90% or more on AP Exam), and a solid grasp of physics (85%ish on AP Physics B Exam), how much time do you think would need to be invested to self study AP Physics C-E&M to get a 5?

Also, my plan for self studying is to read PR 2013, and watch MIT 8.02SC.
Does that sound fine?

[ecouter11]

Join the group here!

I'm doing AP Bio in school, self studying AP Chem for the National Chem Olympiad, Physics C, doing MV Calc/ Linear Algebra through EPGY, AP Lit and AP WH and French (kill me).

I have Halliday/Resnkicks' Fundamentals of Physics. I found a syllabus from the internet so I'm planning to also try the 10 hour a week thing.