This has been briefly touched on in the past, but I am looked for some fresh advice. I am currently in physics 1 and was planning on taking physics 2 next semester. However, the professor list was just released, and the professor who will be teaching it does not give As. My school published grade distributions and this professor literally has never given an A to the non-physics major courses he teaches. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but physics 2 is 5 credits at my school. If I wait until next spring to take it will I be at a disadvantage, or is the material function independently from physics 1 (mechanics). Thanks
Break between Physics 1 and 2
- Thread starter chrisski
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I wouldn't worry about it. At my school they were not really related even though 1 was a prerequisite for 2. You should be able to check the syllabus to get a concrete answer. Besides, you'll need to know this stuff for the MCAT. Just don't let yourself forget it.
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Good call if you know you can't get a good grade.
Physics I has basically zero material roll-over into Physics II. And I say basically no material because I guess maybe there might be something but if there is, I can't think of it.
DO IT!
Physics I has basically zero material roll-over into Physics II. And I say basically no material because I guess maybe there might be something but if there is, I can't think of it.
DO IT!
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👍 skip it. professor makes or breaks the class, you know that already, what are you asking a bunch of strangers on the internet for, anyway? 🙄
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The two courses really do involve different material. I'm actually taking Orgo II now (and I had Orgo I over a year ago) and I'm doing fine with that. And in my case, the two courses actually relate. Go for it. You should be fine.
I'm taking physics II right now, 2 whole years after taking physics I. There is almost no overlap, unless you have a really mean teacher. The only concepts I've had to use from Physics I are:
-vectors/trig
-kinematics equations
-energy and work (and conservation of energy)
-specific heat
Basically, if you can refresh yourself on your trig and remember how to break a vector up into components, you'll be at no disadvantage. The other things have really only come up on a problem by problem basis. Besides, if you're preparing for the MCAT any time in the future.... relearning it will be to your advantage there anyway. Good luck!
-vectors/trig
-kinematics equations
-energy and work (and conservation of energy)
-specific heat
Basically, if you can refresh yourself on your trig and remember how to break a vector up into components, you'll be at no disadvantage. The other things have really only come up on a problem by problem basis. Besides, if you're preparing for the MCAT any time in the future.... relearning it will be to your advantage there anyway. Good luck!
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skip it...it won't hurt you at all
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I took a 1-semester break between physics 1 and 2 for scheduling reasons, and though there were a few concepts that reappeared in #2 that made me go, "Oh, crap...," I remembered them easily enough, and there wasn't a very significant overlap between the courses. I managed an A even after splitting them up, so you should be able to do the same. Besides, it's always a good idea to drop the "I don't give A's" professors. That's just not fair.
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The material is independent.
the things you listed was pretty much all of Phys I...but in terms of topics no, there's no specific accumulations. however, the fundamentals such as kinematics/vectors/work/energy all are very important for electricity/magnetism. especially for later usage on the mcat, understanding it well as a big concept will save much time for content review for weaknesses.
take the break. i took physics I in June of the summer and waited to take Physics II until this semester (roughly 6 months in between 2) and there is basically no relevance at all. when there is (which is VERY rare)🙄, it is so minimal and basic that it would not even make a difference. hope this helps.
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Assuming you're talking about calculus-based physics, the only thing that'll overlap is the calculus.
The topics you cover (thermodynamic laws, kinetic theory, electric charge, field, potential, current, dielectrics, circuit elements, magnetic fields and materials, electromagnetic oscillations) are different.
The topics you cover (thermodynamic laws, kinetic theory, electric charge, field, potential, current, dielectrics, circuit elements, magnetic fields and materials, electromagnetic oscillations) are different.
