<p>How hard is the course without actually taking Physics 1?</p>
<p>I had originally posted this in the science section, but very few people actually bother to look there</p>
<p>Without ever having taken a physics class, it can be very difficult learning about this by yourself.</p>
<p>I took no introductory course (I’m assuming that’s what Physics 1 is) before I took AP Physics B and the material wasn’t too difficult to grasp; I ended up getting a 5 on the exam. The Electricity and Magnetism portion of the curriculum was definitely more abstract, but if you’re able to apply the basic concepts to different scenarios, you should do pretty well on the AP test.</p>
<p>I hadn’t taken any Physics course at all before Physics B, and I still got a 5 on the AP exam. It’s definitely possible if you understand all the physics equations and the concepts behind them while doing LOTS of released FRQs. I agree with NYEM that E&M is rather abstract, but it isn’t too bad. Good luck!</p>
<p>@lebronjames23, I am talking about taking AP Physics B at school with no prior Physics courses</p>
<p>I took AP Physics C with no background whatsoever, 5’d both sections. I really think the intro courses don’t really teach you anything besides the basics, which you can pick up easily as you go over them in Physics B.</p>
<p>Assuming you have a good teacher, you should be absolutely fine. I feel that a solid understanding of mechanics will help you out with the rest of the course, where basic strategies you used in mechanics (i.e. kinematics, conservation of energy, Newton’s Second Law, vector math, etc.) are used extensively. I went into AP Physics B with no physics experience or knowledge, and I ended up with a 5 and an 800. You have no reason to worry. Remember, even if you have a bad teacher, you’re currently posting on the website that will help you attain that 5 and 800.</p>