AP Chemistry and AP Physics

[MexicanDr]

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What are the differences between AP Chemistry and AP Physics compared to the college Chem and Physics pre-reqs?

Does AP Chemistry cover the college Chem 1 and 2 or just 1? Same for Physics, does it cover Physics 1 and 2 or just one?

 

[randombetch]

I'd say AP Chem covers about as much as the first two semesters of general chemistry. Sames with physics. I scored a 13 on the physical sciences section when I took a diagnostic MCAT while I was in high school having taken those AP classes. (lol no idea why I was looking so far ahead)

 

[ElegantWeapon]

if you have to pick one, definitely go with gen chem...very very useful

 

[TheMightySmiter]

My college physics class is exactly the same as my AP physics class was. Gen chem has been different than AP chem. But, remember that you've probably forgotten most of what you learned in high school if it's been more than a couple of years. I certainly did.

 

[vickpick]

college physics= AP phys
College chemistry </= AP Chem

in both cases, if u get worse than a 4, then take it in college

 

[NotSur]

.

 

[ElegantWeapon]

i took ap chem my sophomore year of high school and didn't take gen chem in college and did just fine on the mcat for whatever that's worth.

+1

 

[MexicanDr]

I was just wondering if AP Chem was the equivalent of Chem 1 and 2 and AP Physics, Physics 1 and 2..

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Depends on the school. My undergrad counted my AP Chem course as like "Introductory Chemistry" and not Gen Chem. But I suppose it would correspond to both Chem 1 and 2 in some schools. My undergrad also didn't count my Physics score. I took Physics C and there were two separate tests with two separate scores--Mechanics and E&M. I only took Mechanics, which would correspond to Physics 1. E&M is Physics 2.

 

[MexicanDr]

Hey guys, this question is a bit off subject. Can someone take Physics 2 without taking Physics 1 first? Or does doing well on physics 2 depends on what was taught on physics 1?

 

[Brent8927]

Hey guys, this question is a bit off subject. Can someone take Physics 2 without taking Physics 1 first? Or does doing well on physics 2 depends on what was taught on physics 1?

Of course you can--there are always exceptions. Most often permission of the instructor is all you need, which is very easy if you go to a small school.

Especially in the case of physics, the second semester isn't all that related to the first. It does help a little bit to take them in order, but if you just go to office hours a few times or self study the few things that carry over from the first to second semester (like dot and cross products... I think--it's been a while...) then you'd totally be fine.

I guess the best option is to always talk with the professor. If they don't recommend it then consider their advice, but if they say no worries then, well, no worries!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

You'll need a few basic concepts of Physics 1 to excel in Physics 2, but the previous poster is correct that they are very different from each other. If you took AP Physics in high school you should be fine taking them out of order. Depends on whether or not the professor and department will let you, though.

 

[mvenus929]

FWIW, my honors chemistry class in high school (I took IB Bio and IB/AP Physics) basically covered the first semester of gen chem in college. There was two full years separating the two, and I was bored out of my mind in gen chem.

I had to take the physics labs in college, because my undergrad only gave me credit for the lectures, but I only had to refresh on a few topics, most of them in the second semester. I got a 12 on the PS section of the MCAT.