<p>What exactly is the difference between these two courses? Which is generally considered to be more difficult? And which prep book is the best?</p>
<p>…Try <a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D…it”>www.collegeboard.com…it</a> has all the information you’re looking for regarding the two courses. >.></p>
<p>As for which prep book is the best, if you want something that over preps you or is more comprehensive, go for Princeton Review for Physics B. Barron’s is not bad as well. I’m not sure off the top of my head which are good for Physics C (I do know PR is NOT good for C), but I’m pretty sure you can search through CC’s posts and find peoples’ recommendations…</p>
<p>AP Calculus C is a calculus based Physics course, while Physics B isn’t. C is reportedly more difficult, as it involves more complex derivations.</p>
<p>what would be a good prep book for Phys C then? Barron’s?</p>
<p>Princeton review for physics C is a good starter, but not for pre-test review. The sample problems in it are far easier than the actual test.</p>
<p>Barrons physics C is excellent but tough. If you can work your way though barrons you’ll do great on the physics C, but if you’re struggling barron’s won’t help as much.</p>
<p>The derivations for the physics C exam are not that difficult, if you’re OK with calculus, really what gets you is the sheer amount of material (especially if you take both the mechanics and e&m tests) since you are essentially taking a test on two semesters of college courses (most AP’s only test one semester’s knowledge) Even with the thermodynamics and other stuff removed from the C test that’s in the B test, the C exams just test you on a lot.</p>
<p>Honestly, though, they still don’t cover a huge amount that’s in a real college physics course.</p>
<p>For C, you need only Halliday-Resnick-Walker.</p>
<p>But Halliday-Resnick-Walker is only good as a main textbook…for something you should study. I’d suggest just following your class notes for before-exam prep.</p>
<p>AP Physics C is supposed to represent two semesters of university intro physics for science - engineering majors, calculus based. (high end colleges may want a 4 or even a 5 for credit) Semester 1 is Newtonian mechanics, 2nd semester is electricity & magnetism. Most schools only teach 1st semester in one year, if at all. For intuitive students that have <em>already had a year of calculus</em>, AP Physics C mechanics alone (1 semester in 1 year) <em>may</em> actually be easier than AP Physics B.</p>
<p>AP Physics B, complete, is a full one year college course for premeds. Physics B is the AP Physics that most high schools offer. Both courses, B & C, usually assume a first year of hs physics, but it is possible for <em>some</em> w/o it (good math & physical science insight). Many try to take AP physics “naked” (no first year) but flunk, limp or drop, so watch the ego and reality carefully.</p>
<p>For AP Physics B I highly recommend getting a copy of the CD/DVD disks for KET AP Physics, was $50 year before last for the disks, $500 for the distance learning course. Great lectures and demos. I can’t say enough good things about this KET distance learning course, the disks even as a supplement (skipping classes for that 2-3 day state tournament). Especially if you haven’t had physics before, it is a terrific supplement. I recommend any part of this course (DVD, tutored homework, graded testing). <a href=“http://www.dl.ket.org/courses_physics.htm[/url]”>http://www.dl.ket.org/courses_physics.htm</a></p>
<p>My d took the AP Physics B “naked”, got a great grounding in the subject (thank you, too KET) and is thinking of a physics major at a rigorous LAC after taking the “C++” version this year.</p>
<p>The problem styles and scopes between a traditional calculus-based college course and AP physics C are fairly different, and textbooks usually cater toward the former.</p>
<p>So while I would use a textbook as a learning guide and reference, but when it’s study time, test prep books are the way to go.</p>
<p>C, as everyone said, is calculus based, so much of it is harder. But I took Physics B when I was already in calculus (should have just taken C) and wished I was in C so I could use some of the math topics I was already very comfortable with to solve a lot of the problems. B also covers more general physics topics; C sticks to kinematics and then electricity/magnetism.</p>