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What is the difference between AP Physics B and C

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APFAq's picture
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What is the difference between AP Physics B and C

Does anyone the difference between AP Physics C and B. I don't know which one to take.

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pianogirl2422's picture
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Physics C involves Calculus and Physics B doesn't require it (although, I found it extremely helpful). I don't know how it is in your state, but Georgia requires you to take Physics B before you can take Physics C. Totally unfair, because some colleges don't even accept credit for B.

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APFAq's picture
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Thanks for the info. I might be taking both in my senior year.

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venividivici's picture
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If you ask me, taking both is pointless. Physics C is basically Physics B with some extra concepts.

pianogirl2422's picture
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She's got a point. Besides, Physics B is where you learn the fundamentals. I think you'll struggle in Physics C if you're taking Calculus when or before you take the Physics. There are eight people in my class, all the best in Physics B (well, most of the best) and some of us are still having trouble understanding the concepts. Besides, Physics C only covers half the materials of Physics. They split it so that there's one course for Mechanics and one course for Electro-Mag stuff. And especially if you're taking other AP courses, which I'm guessing you are. It'll be a really tough year for you if you do that...

[=RoyalBlue][=Comic Sans MS]
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It

Thales's picture
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Joined: May 2007

some schools (our rival school, Cenntenial) offer circuits instead of Electro-Mag, which is annoying
cause circuits are easier than Biot-Sazaar

I hate E&M

Hunterbender's picture
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Joined: Nov 2007

Well, yeah..adding in Calculus. And no one seems to mention that..the problems are a lot harder. In B..for example, rotational motions are simply restricted to torque. In Physics C...you need to whole 9 yards. Pulley are no longer massless and you need to worry about the Torque of the pulley.

And there are concepts in C like the parallel axis therom, Center of Mass..and other stuff that you simply don't learn in B. Free fall added in friction and air resistance so now you have to take the integrals. And sometimes, it demands you to solve for moments of inertial and all that..

Yeah..I am taking both B and C simultaneously.

pianogirl2422's picture
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Yeah...the whole calculus factor means that objects aren't always in freefall and such...which is why alot of schools require regular physics of physics B before C. Physics C is really much easier if you get the basics down first...

btw, I have physics C equations for those who would like them...

No physics B ones yet unfortunately. I have like 14 chapters and all the charts from my book.

[=RoyalBlue][=Comic Sans MS]
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It

ooopslucky's picture
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Joined: Nov 2007

hey pianogirl can u give me the physics C equations??

im taking phy B and C simultaneously...as extra subjects...nyways i find phy B much easier than phy C..

if any one needs help in phy b and C..the princeton review book helps a lot in this..and also

YOUNG AND FREEDMAN

SEARS AND ZEMANKSLY's
UNIVERSITY PHYSICS WITH MODERN PHYSICS 12TH EDITION

help a lot..

does anyone know how to derive equations for field of a line charge..ring of charge, uniformly charged disk???

i know the equations..the only ard part is how to start out taking the integrals..

any help would be greatly appreciated thnx

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