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lkasdfasfd
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Gen Physics w/calc or Physics for Health Sciences w.o./calc ??
- Thread starter wclubin
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Without calc. MCAT physics doesn't even really involve algebra. You only have to know how to do some simple manipulation of algebraic equations. The physics w/ algebra is plenty for the mcat.
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well, the math is far below the level of calculus for the mcat.
however, there are two other factors:
1) will it show up as a "NON-CALCULUS" course on your transcript?
2) your calc-based physics class may prepare you better for the mcat because perhaps it is taught better, maybe you'll get more out of it
however, there are two other factors:
1) will it show up as a "NON-CALCULUS" course on your transcript?
2) your calc-based physics class may prepare you better for the mcat because perhaps it is taught better, maybe you'll get more out of it
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If you take calc based physics its not exactly like you are taking a different kind of physics, you are just taking a more logical appaoch. You will know how to do the same things - and in many cases actually understand them. There are also some benefits to taking calc based physics in terms of memory. For instance,
if i recall correctly when dealing with waves algebra based physics gives you three equations (these may not be 100% accurtate).
position = a*cos(t*w )
velocity = - a*w* sin(t*w)
acceleration = -a*w^2*cos(t*w)
If you have taken calculus it is pretty obvious that each of those is a derivitive of the prior function, thus you only need to remember one of them. If you havent taken calc then you would need to remember each of those and wouldnt really understand why each equation worked.
if i recall correctly when dealing with waves algebra based physics gives you three equations (these may not be 100% accurtate).
position = a*cos(t*w )
velocity = - a*w* sin(t*w)
acceleration = -a*w^2*cos(t*w)
If you have taken calculus it is pretty obvious that each of those is a derivitive of the prior function, thus you only need to remember one of them. If you havent taken calc then you would need to remember each of those and wouldnt really understand why each equation worked.
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I am taking Calc 2 right now and sometimes I wished I would have taken my Calculus prior to physics so that I could have taken Physics with Calculus. Physics was like a love-hate relationship but in the end I really grew to love the subject. I think with calculus you can appreciate the concepts and the genius that went into the science. They were doing physics with calculus over three hundred years ago and I'm scratching my head thinking "Good God what the heck..."
That was a bit of a digression. My advice take the class you'll enjoy more (if you do you'll probably remember it better anyways!)🙂
Heb
That was a bit of a digression. My advice take the class you'll enjoy more (if you do you'll probably remember it better anyways!)🙂
Heb
