General Physics I & II

[xe75]

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Hello,

I need to take the General Physics (non-calculus based) sequence at the local CC. They suggest college-level coursework in trig prior to taking general physics 1. Problem is I took trig 17 years ago in HS and don't remember a thing except a2+b2=c2. My question is will I learn everything I need to know in the physics class or is it really necessary to take a college level course in trig before taking physics? Thanks!

 

[Grey Wind]

I'd repeat the trig class. Physics is abstract enough as it is without trying to learn trig at the same time. You will need to understand sin/cos/tan pretty well for certain concepts like linear motion, competing forces, etc

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I'd repeat the trig class. Physics is abstract enough as it is without trying to learn trig at the same time. You will need to understand sin/cos/tan pretty well for certain concepts like linear motion, competing forces, etc

Agreed, I'm suprised they only "suggest" and not require college level trig. You'll need sin/cos/tan down pat.

 

[xe75]

Thanks! Looks like I will be taking trig again. Luckily the local CC offers it online so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle

 

[engineeredout]

Sin = Opp/Hyp

Cos = Adj/Hyp

Tan = Opp/Adj



Bam. I just save you 800$ for an online CC class. I'll collect 25% of that now.

 

[ktpinnock]

My school actually requires you to take Calc before taking Physics, so yes, like the other have said, you should retake that class. Idk why my school requires calc tho..wierd..

 

[rddoms]

It depends on your abilities in math. If you can pick up a trig text and get the necessary elements (for physics) down, then don't waste your time or money on the class. If you are the one who always goes to class and actually benefits from it, then take the class before physics begins.

Good luck.

 

[FlaMedic]

I just re-took Phys. I after having Trig 15 years ago.

You do not need to re-take the trig.

All you need to know is SOH CAH TOA...nothing more.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

LOL. I hope its as easy as you guys say cause I'm taking Phys I this semester after getting a C+ in Trig. Oh gawd I hate that class.

 

[Melicopter]

Sin = Opp/Hyp

Cos = Adj/Hyp

Tan = Opp/Adj



Bam. I just save you 800$ for an online CC class. I'll collect 25% of that now.

I agree with this IF you are really good at algebra. Those three little functions are the only trig I used, but all the dumb simultaneous equations and complex fractions (I know, sounds simple) are what killed me, and I was also coming from several years with no math.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Sin = Opp/Hyp

Cos = Adj/Hyp

Tan = Opp/Adj



Bam. I just save you 800$ for an online CC class. I'll collect 25% of that now.

Yeah, really. You can learn the trig for non-calc physics in about half an hour.

Don't bother with some elaborate course in it.

 

[FlaMedic]

Another thing you should do is buy the ExamKrackers physics book and follow along in class highlighting as you go along...that really helped me.

 

[TeamZissou]

I dunno about other review books but TPR books have a math review section in the back of one of them and that is all the math you would need for the MCAT and physics. Probably a good place to review it and save yourself the $$ and time instead of taking a course.

 

[Semicolon]

I would not take the math class beforehand. The math used in physics is fairly simple algebra. Unless you're very bad at math, you should be just fine. As many others have said, SOHCAHTOA takes care of most issues. 😀

 

[xe75]

Thanks for all the feedback. Maybe I won't take trig after all. My algebra is quite rusty tho'

 

[soby10]

you might want to take the two simultaneously if time is of the essence and your math is rusty. I would prob go this route if i felt uneasy about trig. phys 1 is trig heavy not so much phys 2 or 3.

 

[FlaMedic]

Order the ExamKrackers physics book from Amazon, like maybe 20 bucks. It dedicates a page or two to all the trig/algebra you will ever need. Do a couple practice problems and youll probably not worry about it anymore.

Like riding a bike. Except theres no peddling of course.

 

[Isoprop]

NO NO NO, why are people saying that physics is trig heavy?????? Yes there are sines and cosines here and there, but there is absolutely no reason you need to learn all those identities taught in a full-blown trig class.

trig you have to know:

pythag theorem
sin, cos, tan and their inverses
sin(x)/cos(x)=tan(x)

that's it!!!!!

edit: I would go as far as saying that if you are uncomfortable with trig, you should NOT take a trig class. You will struggle with trig and will have no use for 99% of the stuff taught in the class.

 

[Artful Dodger]

Another thing you should do is buy the ExamKrackers physics book and follow along in class highlighting as you go along...that really helped me.

Get the EK Physics

and the EK MCAT Verbal Reasoning & Math book (it has all the math you'll ever need for physics and other subjects - and i think it highlights trig & alg subjects).

 

[Krisss17]

Another thing you should do is buy the ExamKrackers physics book and follow along in class highlighting as you go along...that really helped me.

that's a great idea, thanks! I'm taking Physics I/II in the fall!