Should I take AP Physics 1 or 2 OR AP Physics C?

jimmyboy23
Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:16:10 +0000

@Hoonie‌

The fact that you are planning on pursuing engineering changes things dramatically. Now it’s not even a question of which you should choose. You have to take calculus based physics for engineering and it makes no sense whatsoever to take algebra based physics (it’s a major waste of time). I think the misconception between the two is that people think calculus based physics relies heavily on calculus when in reality 80% of the problems are algebraic in nature.

You also don’t have to have any knowledge regarding physics to do well in AP physics C. The textbook and course should teach the material as if you have never seen it before. Obviously it would help to have seen physics and vector calculations before but it’s not like the course or exam is too hard to score a 5 on without background knowledge. Think about it thousands of people take this course in college with no prior exposure and get As and Bs in the course.