Hi! So I am currently a freshman in high school and my geometry teacher recommended me and 9 other kids in our grade to try AP physics next year. Our school tried AP physics a couple years ago, then stopped, and I guess they are trying it again next year. The only other AP class offered to sophomores is AP computer science, which I have no interest in. My schedule this year is:
Honors Geometry
Honors Biology
Honors World History
Honors Spanish 2
CP English
Choir
PE
And next year I will be taking:
Honors Chemistry
Honors Algebra 2
Honors US history
Honors Spanish
Honors English
Possibly choir
I want to know if I should take this AP class next year. It will have to replace choir if I do, which isn’t the best, but I am willing to do it if I think I will benefit from taking the class. I want to work in a science field (deciding between biology, astronomy, and chemistry). Any suggestions? Is AP physics 1 very difficult?
Can someone confirm – my honors physics class in high school included trig. I feel like many mechanics classes will, because things like free body diagrams are the foundation of mechanics, and you need trig for those.
So I would not feel comfortable taking that without trig/precalc.
In my current geometry class, we have been incorporating trig so I understand it for the most part. I am only considering this because my teacher had encouraged me to do it because he believed I would be capable. Thanks for replying!
I think you should wait to take it till junior year. Take chem next year. It’s what most kids do. And as the previous posters said, having taken geometry and algebra 2 will help a lot in physics.
I took physics honors my freshman year concurrently with geometry, even though some Trig was used I was perfectly fine. Obviously honors is easier than AP is. Since this would be your only AP class and if you think you can put the time in I think it would be a good idea to take Physics as a sophomore. Additionally, I don’t think the teacher would have recommended you if they didn’t think you were capable. Go for it! Besides you could always drop it and take choir if it doesn’t work out. If you rather take choir, I wouldn’t force yourself to but think it would be a good idea.
If your teacher recommended you,they must think you are prepared. But, if you like choir, how about ask your guidance counselor if you try AP Physics for 1 or 2 weeks and go back to choir if you don’t like it or its too hard? That’s how it is at my school.
Hello, I am currently a sophomore taking AP Physics 1 with a similar courseload that you are planning. AP Physics has been the most fun and rewarding class that I have taken (thanks to a great teacher and my interest in the cirriculum).
As far as “trig” is concerned with the course, the most that you ever have to do is resolve components and understand basic sinusoidal functions (the former just requires SOH CAH TOA and the latter is taught in algebra 2. An important thing to keep in mind is that, while physics is seen as an extremely math-intensive course, AP Physics 1 is not. During the entire short answer section, you never need to pick up a calculator and basically just have to derive formulas and, solve for variables, interpret equations, design experiments, and do other “conceptual” things.
Feel free to DM me if you have any other questions; I would strongly suggest that you enroll!
Honors physics covers more topics than AP physics1.AP physics 1 goes more in depth for more topics. However it’s not more difficult than honors physics. It does require some aptitude for science and math but nothing like ap chemistry or AP physics C.
If you feel like trying, I’d say go for it. If you were recommended it means your teacher thinks you’re capable. In addition, if you realize it’s too hard, you can always drop and take choir instead.
Beware that AP physics C is very different : it’s the second level in the physics sequence and hardcore. It’s best to take AP physics c after you’ve taken calculus AB (if your school has an AB-BC sequence) or concurrently with BC (if your school has an AB OR BC policy).
While the earlier posts are full of good advice, this quote raises a big red flag for me. Why did the school stop offering it? As an FYI, this is only the 3rd year that AP Physics 1 has been offered and the reality is, the results from years 1 and 2 have been less than stellar. The percentage of students getting 5’s were the lowest of any AP exam each year - about 4%. There are several reasons for this, IMO, which I won’t get into here. One thing that I will say is that while you will need some knowledge of trig, AP Physics 1 is a more conceptual course than a typical honors physics course; it’s not plug-and-chug math.
I’m not saying don’t take it, but go in with eyes open. Having said that, if you enjoy choir, there really is no reason for you to drop choir to try to double up on sciences.
Also note that at most HS’s, AP courses for sophs (and freshman) are limited, so your situation is not unique.
I agree that if you love choir, keep choir. If you want to drop choir to take physics, take physics.
You could always do Honors chem in 10th, AP Physics 1 in 11th, and AP Chem in 12th (for instance).
How do YOU feel about taking the class? Do you want to? Or do you feel you should because of parental/teacher pressure?
The Science sequence here at TAS is Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. After Hon Physics, AP Physics 1&2 is the next seq of the Physics course. AP Physics 1 is recommended for Regular Physics. Physics C req at least concurrent Cal course. The Hon Physics req quite a bit of Trig… but nothing mathematically earth shattering. There is calculator. Need to totally grasp the concept in order to ace the exam.
AP physics 1 is fairly simple, as it’s mainly algebra based, so it wouldn’t be a huge course load. However, talk to your choir teacher to see if there is a way you can still be in the program but not take the class.
While I realize this is an older post if you love physics then proceed. My son as a sophmore did stellar and aced the ap exam without opening a book. Take what interests you, you will do better in subjects that interest you.