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Thanks.
Take a day or two to watch the Viren lectures for each of the nine
●
units of Mechanics or E&M*. Do very light problems from the
workbooks labelled “best workbooks,” and move on. You’re
The Speed Run probably best off just trying to soak information from the lectures.
Course (2 ● If you have time, do more of the problems from the “best
weeks to 2 workbooks” and review lectures you are unsure on.
months) ● A few days before the AP exam, try to do a released AP exam or two.
*Note: Lesson M of E&M is almost wholly obsolete, but the one concept you
should learn from there is the concept of resistivity. Please don’t spend much
time on this lesson.
The Crammer ● DANGER. NOT RECOMMENDED. But hey, you gotta do what you
Course (1-2 gotta do. At least try to have some background knowledge on the
weeks) curriculum before you do this one.
● Take a day each to do each Viren lecture unit for Mechanics or E&M.
Don’t do any practice problems, just try to soak in information from
the lectures.
● Do a released AP exam and see where you stand.
● Pray.
AQ
F
Should I take/self-study Physics 1, 2, Mechanics, or E&M?
Physics 1 and 2 do not often give college credit (at least good college credit) if you pass the AP
exam, so Physics 1 or 2 should not really be taken if you want college credit -- it’s really only if
you want a GPA booster or bragging rights. Physics C is where there’s actual college credit, so
if you want to skip a couple physics classes in college, you should aim to pass the Physics C
exams. As for Mechanics vs E&M, Mechanics should be taken before E&M. However, if you
already have a strong physics background, E&M is possible to take without the mechanics
prerequisite.
Which AP Physics will go with my major in college?
If you’re going into a STEM field, nearly all STEM fields will require a course in calculus-based
physics, and Physics C is the introductory calculus-based physics class, so having this under
your belt may exempt you from physics in college completely, or at least give you a leg up. For
physics majors, I actually recommend taking Physics 2 as well as Physics C, because
introductory courses for physics majors in college include special topics such as
thermodynamics, optics, modern physics, etc. For non-STEM fields, perhaps it’s worth
reconsidering taking Physics C for the college credit if that’s your main reason for taking
Physics C and instead look into Physics 1 or 2 (but keep in mind Physics 1/2 very rarely give
credit). Of course, it all varies from college to college and degree to degree so do a little bit of
research before deciding on a course.
I’ve never taken a physics course before. Should I still take this?
Yes, you should be fine. Remember, Physics 1/2 and C are introductory level college classes, so
prior physics knowledge is not really required to understand these courses. Just know that you’ll
have to work a little harder to understand the physics first compared to your peers who may
have taken Physics 1 or 2 already if you’re taking Physics C.
Is Physics 1/2 required for Physics C? Is it helpful?
Check out the syllabus section of the self-study guide.
Could I take both Physics C courses in one year?
Yes, each Physics C curriculum is the equivalent of a semester long college course. In fact,
taking both courses in one year is the standard.
Is Physics 1 required for Physics 2?
Physics 2 is mainly separated from Physics 1 in terms of topics, but you should try to pick up a
solid grasp of basic kinematics and circular motion. Things like rotational motion and
mechanical waves are not required for Physics 2.
Which is harder, Physics 1 or 2?
Although both exams are formatted similarly, the score distributions speak for themselves: only
about 5% of Physics 1 test-takers get a 5 on the exam while about 10% of Physics 2 test-takers
get a 5. Physics 2’s course material is objectively more complex, but since the depth at which
you explore the content is rather surface level, the exam isn’t too difficult compared to Physics 1,
which has “easier” content, but more in-depth questions.
How hard is Physics C compared to Physics 1/2?
The course itself is rather hard; however, the curve on the AP exam for Physics C is known for
being extremely lenient and relies much less on conceptual questions. About 70% of students
who take either Physics C exam pass, with about 30% getting a 5.
Which is harder, Mechanics or E&M?
From a self-study perspective, E&M is much, much harder. The concepts in E&M are abstract
and foreign to someone without prior physics experience. Also, the calculus is also known to be
harder and someone taking the AP exam needs to be exposed to a larger breadth of “types of
problems” (which means they’ll have to have more derivations memorized before they take the
exam). On exam day, however, don’t underestimate mechanics -- it can definitely throw in a
curveball that’ll leave you scratching your head. But for the most part, E&M is regarded as the
harder course.
How hard does the calculus get for Physics C and how much do I need to know?
Just about the first half or so of Calc AB. Nothing more than u-substitution integration or
separable differential equations. No integration by parts, second-order/non-separable ODE’s, or
anything like that.
Could I take Physics C without knowing calculus beforehand?
Yes, if you’re good at algebra-based physics, you can score at least a 3 or maybe even a 4 on the
Physics C exam because of huge curve and the fact that half of the exam content is not really
even calculus required. However, if you’re going down this route, you better cram for multiple
choice, because the FRQs are usually calculus intensive and require difficult calculus
derivations. Also, a note, you can take Physics C concurrently with Calculus AB/BC.
Are the courses more math-based or concept-based?
Physics C is definitely more math-based. If you’re coming off of Physics 1/2, expect more of the
plug-and-chug type questions rather than conceptual questions.
Do I have to memorize the moments of inertia?
No, you don’t. It might be nice to memorize some of the more common objects (solid sphere,
hollow sphere, cylinder, etc.), but any question involving moment of inertia will give you the
moment of inertia. For the times that you will have to derive the moment of inertia for an object,
it will be its own entire question. Note: only the Mechanics will ask you to derive the moment of
inertia of an object.
What derivations should I know for the AP exam?
For Physics 1: Check ‘AP Physics Reference Tables’ above
For Mechanics: Know how to derive Kepler’s third law, moment of inertia for an object,
equations concerning Atwood machines, equations concerning elevators, escape velocity, orbital
velocity, springs in series and parallel, period/frequency of a pendulum (or any simple harmonic
oscillator for that matter), and solving separable differential equations (especially ones
involving air resistance, since these are the most basic and most likely to show up on an AP
exam)
For E&M: Electric field due to a line of charge, electric field due to a ring of charge, electric
field due to a semi-circle of a charge, potential due to a ring of charge, potential due to a
semi-circle of charge, electric field due to an infinitely long line of charge using Gauss’ Law,
electric field due to an infinity long wide sheet of charge using Gauss’ Law, electric field
between a parallel-plate conductor using Gauss’ Law (or known derived equations), electric
field due to an infinitely wide slab using Gauss’ Law, electric field involving concentric
spherical shells, electric field due to a conducting sphere, electric field due to a uniform
insulating sphere, electric field due to a nonuniform insulating sphere, electric field due to
coaxial cables, electric field due to an insulating cylinder, potential difference as a path integral,
separable differential equations of RC circuits, separable differential equations of RL circuits,
time constants for both RC and RL circuits, magnetic force between two current-carrying wires,
Faraday’s Law as it applies to a bar moving on two conducting rails, basic equations of LC
circuits, conceptual understanding of RLC circuits
Should I get review books?
From my experiences from the Barron’s book for Physics C, review books are awful for studying
the topics -- they’re overly complicated, chock-full of mistakes, and include a superfluous
amount of information. If the other review books are like that (which I’ve heard), you’re better
off not buying these, and at best, use these as a last-resort or a final review. If you’re determined
to use review books, 5 Steps to a 5 has the best reputation; Barron’s and Princeton are not good.
Do you recommend textbooks?
I rarely used a textbook, but ones I’ve found helpful/heard were useful include: College Physics
for AP Courses (OpenStax), Halliday’s Fundamentals of Physics, Giancoli’s Physics, or
Freeman’s University Physics.
How much has the Physics C exam changed? How far should I go back in using old exams?
The course content hasn’t changed in decades. You can use any exam you get your hands on, but
I’d recommend doing recent FRQs as the modern questions are worded a little different; the MC
is nearly the same.
Who is the author of this document?
I’m currently a student at NC State (Class of ‘21 and go Wolfpack) studying physics. I got 5’s on
all four of the physics exams and wanted to give back to the community that helped me get to that
point.
You have typos/broken links/I want to give a suggestion/I have a question not answered by
the FAQ/I want to donate.
You can contact me at my email bip.rilly@gmail.com for suggestions, questions, or corrections.
If you want to donate, there’s information at the top of the document about it. Thanks!