<p>Would taking both Physics C classes before Physics B be stupid? What about at the same time?</p>
<p>Not really; you’d probably just swim through the mechanics and E&M parts of B and spend more effort on fluids, heat, waves, optics, and modern physics.</p>
<p>Taking both at the same time isn’t a bad idea either. (Unless you don’t know calculus…)</p>
<p>I used almost none of my knowledge from Physics B in my Physics C class (I took Mech only,
I cannot speak for E/M).</p>
<p>Only extremely basic kinematics formulas cross over, but you learn the calculus derivations behind those formulas so that they’re even better ingrained into your mind.</p>
<p>Physics B is trig-based and thus doesn’t offer any derivations behind its formulas (and if you’re a logical person that needs to know why each and every formula exists like me, then you’ll hate that part about it.)</p>
<p>In retrospect, I wish I had never taken Physics B and had just jumped straight into Physics C.</p>
<p>It depends if you have had intro physics. My school requires you to take three years of intro science before you can take an AP. Many strong math students follow a “PCB” sequence starting freshman year with physics, sophomore with chemistry, junior with bio. I never took Physics B, but my intro class basically covered the whole curriculum (my teacher was pretty incredible). I took Physics C three years later in senior year and really enjoyed that class. I would not take Physics B after Physics C, it would be like going backwards. Physics B may cover a lot of topics, but in very little depth.</p>
<p>Physics B covers mechanics, E&M, fluids, waves, optics, thermo, and modern physics. It’s algebra based and doesn’t go as indepth. Nonetheless, the sheer number of topics makes it a tough exam.</p>
<p>Physics C only covers mech or E&M based on the exam, but goes more indepth and is calculus based. I don’t really see the sense in taking C before B or taking them concurrently, but if you want a broader intro to physics, then go with B.</p>