Some quick advice from Computer Science majors?

[Hellhammer]

It is not that the math in Physic I or II is that hard. The most advanced math that they really ever will require is very basic Cal I and even than that is a stretch.

What makes Phys I and even Cal II is not the advance math it is the algebra that is what kills every one. Your more advance math class sharpen those skills.

In Phys it is figuring out what your knowns are and what you need to calculated to get the requested unknown which I have seen problems that are 4 to 5 calculation to figure it out. It having to wrap your mind around and figuring it out how to get those things.

Phys is one of those classes that I think is great to summer off with out the load of other classes. Like I said before it is one of those weed out classes to get people who can not cut the program.

I agree. The maths behind physics are basic algebra and sometimes trigonometry. Calculus will help but you can manage without, at least in here (mechanics and rotation courses in physics are done before calculus comes in maths, and that's where calculus really helps).

In the end, the hard part in physics is understanding your knowns and unknowns, and what equation or equation to use in order to solve them. Sometimes you have to use energy to solve the problem. Sometimes it's forces, or momentum. If you're lucky, you can use more than one way.

Physics is definitely time taking. Maths is mostly just numbers and theory, there is much less reading involved. In physics, you need to understand the actual physics as well as the maths behind it. Take your time and you will get it.

 

[dukebound85]

I agree. The maths behind physics are basic algebra and sometimes trigonometry. Calculus will help but you can manage without, at least in here (mechanics and rotation courses in physics are done before calculus comes in maths, and that's where calculus really helps).

I disagree. I really don't see how one can learn physics without using calculus.

Especially looking back

 

[Hellhammer]

I disagree. I really don't see how one can learn physics without using calculus.

Especially looking back

I guess it depends on the physics. Finnish curriculum is designed so that calculus is not needed in physics, and that's why mechanics courses are before calculus is even mentioned in maths. Then again, I guess upper secondary (where I currently am) is kind of a high school equivalent.

 

[acidfast7]

I disagree. I really don't see how one can learn physics without using calculus.

Especially looking back

when I was at university they had CHEM and PHYS for majors and non-majors. In both cases, the majors only sections spent a huge amount of deriving equations from principles, whereas the non-majors sections learned the equation through description, not derivation.

there's a huge difference between utilization of a method (i.e. equation) and actually understanding of a method (i.e. deriving the equation.)

 

[mobilehaathi]

Any physics that isn't absolute beginner's material will utilize calculus. That said, there are plenty of such beginner's physics classes in high schools and universities around the US (and most likely the rest of the world).

 

[Tomorrow]

The maths behind physics are basic algebra and sometimes trigonometry. Calculus will help but you can manage without, at least in here (mechanics and rotation courses in physics are done before calculus comes in maths, and that's where calculus really helps).

Where I went to college, there was physics for non-majors, physics for majors, and physics for engineering majors, which I took. It was absolutely calculus-based - we were frequently deriving equations of motion, energy, etc. using differential and integral calculus.

My understanding was that the physics for non-majors class (which was freshman level, unlike the others) was more algebra-based, and they spent more time being given the formulas, not deriving them.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Where I went to college, there was physics for non-majors, physics for majors, and physics for engineering majors, which I took. It was absolutely calculus-based - we were frequently deriving equations of motion, energy, etc. using differential and integral calculus.

My understanding was that the physics for non-majors class (which was freshman level, unlike the others) was more algebra-based, and they spent more time being given the formulas, not deriving them.

I have done the Physics for Engineering majors. We did some cacluses in it but for the most part not big deal. Now we would need to figure out some formals from our tool chest and I found it easier to do so as it required memorizing fewer.

But you also need to remember Phys I and II are just the begining point and most engineering majors generally have several courses that spend more time in their respective engineering so instead of covering all of physics they teach the students the basics and then in the major spend time on the key part.

Take for example Civil vs Mech. Now CE and ME both have to take dynimics but differences is the ME take I think Dynamics I and II compared to CE only taking I and this is on top of having other classes the ME have to deal with in moving parts.
CE have more classes on solid materials and how loads effect those. Plus have to derive quite a few problems that do require cal I and II to figure out. It just how they focus in the major.

 

[JoeG4]

Drop physics if you wish, but finish up Calc II first If your physics teachers are really math heavy it helps a lot because you don't get lost on the math.

If your college is like mine was, then the physics series lines up best so you take calc II with physics I and calc III (multivariable) with physics 2.

Also don't take it over the summer.

Don't panic dude, you kinda get used to learning klingon after a year of it or so