How hard is calculus-based general physics II

[SN1]

This fall I will only be taking a total of 8 credits since it is my last semester at the community college. I only need to take these two classes in order to receieve an associate degree in chemistry.

Calculus II
General Physics II calculus-based

my question is that how hard is generaly physics II compared to general physics I? I studied a TON in physics I and it wasn't a breeze for me but still got a good grade in the class but I am scared because I heard so many people say that electricity and magenetism are wayy harder. My physics I teacher also told me that physics II is harder than physics I.

what do you think?

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[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Take Physics II not Calculus based Physics II...

I'm not going to even touch that. Physics was never my strong point 😳

 

[SN1]

Take Physics II not Calculus based Physics II...

I'm not going to even touch that. Physics was never my strong point 😳

Yeah, I wish I could take the algebra-based one. But the university I am transferring to only accept calc-based physics from my CC.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Yeah, I wish I could take the algebra-based one. But the university I am transferring to only accept calc-based physics from my CC.

...

Does the university allow you to complete a degree in chem if you take regular physics over there instead of trying to transfer it? If its possible, I would take a different class in the meantime.

Its not worth it if you don't think you can A it. No one cares if you get a B in a harder physics class if you could've gotten an A in the regular one.

If you get an A in Physics II and they see it on the transcript they'll go, "Oh, cool".
If you get a B in Calc Phy II and they see it on the transcript... There will definitely be a negative connotation attached to whatever thought they were having.

 

[SN1]

...

Does the university allow you to complete a degree in chem if you take regular physics over there instead of trying to transfer it? If its possible, I would take a different class in the meantime.

Its not worth it if you don't think you can A it. No one cares if you get a B in a harder physics class if you could've gotten an A in the regular one.

If you get an A in Physics II and they see it on the transcript they'll go, "Oh, cool".
If you get a B in Calc Phy II and they see it on the transcript... There will definitely be a negative connotation attached to whatever thought they were having.

The CC won't allow me to sub calc-based physics with algebra based one if I want to get an associate degree in chemistry. If I don't get an associate in chem, I won't be eligible for scholarships at the university. Once I am at the university, I will major in bio so I can take upper level classes like micro, anatomy, physiology, histology, immunology, biochem, etc. The algebra-based physics in my cc will satisfy for the physics requirement for bio majors at the university but I don't think it is a good idea to do two different types of physics.

I guess I'll just try to tough it out and do the best I can.

 

[Bereno]

I actually think the algebra based physics is harder than calc based. In algebra based, you just memorize a crap-load of equations, whereas in calc based you can memorize only a few and derive the ones you need (if need be). I am a tutor for my university and one of the subjects I tutor is both algebra and calc based physics.I have to help more people with the algebra based one because they feel there is so much to memorize, and/or never know when to apply what equations. Those taking the calc based don't seem to have this problem... Thats what I have noticed at least

 

[Awhy]

I actually think the algebra based physics is harder than calc based. In algebra based, you just memorize a crap-load of equations, whereas in calc based you can memorize only a few and derive the ones you need (if need be). I am a tutor for my university and one of the subjects I tutor is both algebra and calc based physics.I have to help more people with the algebra based one because they feel there is so much to memorize, and/or never know when to apply what equations. Those taking the calc based don't seem to have this problem... Thats what I have noticed at least

I agree this was true for Physics 1... I took both versions.

For phy II--- how good are you at calculus? If your math skills aren't that strong you will struggle.

 

[jackalo34]

This fall I will only be taking a total of 8 credits since it is my last semester at the community college. I only need to take these two classes in order to receieve an associate degree in chemistry.

Calculus II
General Physics II calculus-based

my question is that how hard is generaly physics II compared to general physics I? I studied a TON in physics I and it wasn't a breeze for me but still got a good grade in the class but I am scared because I heard so many people say that electricity and magenetism are wayy harder. My physics I teacher also told me that physics II is harder than physics I.

what do you think?

It is very subjective and depends on the school. I know at my school, calc based is notoriously harder than algebra based, because it was designed for those who wanted to have a future using physics. The class was made specifically difficult for that fact. YES, you can derive in it which is nice, but everything else was jacked up in difficulty.

 

[mitrieD]

At my CC I took up to multivariable calculus, and completed Calc Based Physics 1 with a "B" grade.

I'm transferring to UCSD and finishing my physics reqs. in the algebra based series so I can get better grades. Plus I don't want to compete with engineers who love physics. My counselor told me its better to take algebra based unless you got great calc skills. I'm a biology major...

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

I actually think the algebra based physics is harder than calc based. In algebra based, you just memorize a crap-load of equations, whereas in calc based you can memorize only a few and derive the ones you need (if need be). I am a tutor for my university and one of the subjects I tutor is both algebra and calc based physics.I have to help more people with the algebra based one because they feel there is so much to memorize, and/or never know when to apply what equations. Those taking the calc based don't seem to have this problem... Thats what I have noticed at least

You gotta take into account that the calculus-based physics kids are more of the gunner types, while the algebra-based physics kids just needs to take this course for a bigger purpose.

 

[SN1]

I agree this was true for Physics 1... I took both versions.

For phy II--- how good are you at calculus? If your math skills aren't that strong you will struggle.

I am pretty good at math but NOT a genius at it. I took pre-calculus in high school but was placed in intermediate algebra(3 semesters away from calculus I) at CC. I aced all of them including calculus I. A lot of my friend told me that calculus I is easy because it is introduction to all the new topics like limits, derivatives, integrals, continuity, related rates, etc. I heard that in calculus II the integration gets complicating and heavy.

I don't know why people keep saying that you need to be good at math to do well in physics. I thought the math in physics don't go beyond simple algebra(maybe some occasional derivative like chain rule and simple integration). I believe they were mostly plug and chug and knowing what to solve for. IMO, the hard part is knowing what information you are given and how to apply them into the formulas.

Calculus II is actually a prerequisite for physics II calc-based at my CC. I had to get an approval from the department of engineering to take the two together.

 

[Bereno]

You guys bring up some good points! I never thought that at some schools the calc based class is harder because they intentionally make it harder... makes sense. I took calc based, but I'm a math tutor so I'm probably biased. If math is not your strength, then maybe algebra based is for you. 👍

 

[DentistDMD]

It should be significantly easier than getting good grades during your first year of dental school, if you can even get in that is.

 

[molar3]

This fall I will only be taking a total of 8 credits since it is my last semester at the community college. I only need to take these two classes in order to receieve an associate degree in chemistry.

Calculus II
General Physics II calculus-based

my question is that how hard is generaly physics II compared to general physics I? I studied a TON in physics I and it wasn't a breeze for me but still got a good grade in the class but I am scared because I heard so many people say that electricity and magenetism are wayy harder. My physics I teacher also told me that physics II is harder than physics I.

what do you think?

um imo, calc based physics WAS A HUGE BIATCHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. i took it like....my junior yr in undergrad? holy balls i was in the professors office along with the rest of my class like everyday trying to understand the problems. never-AGAIN. our class averages were generally in the low 80s.
i made the mistake of signing up for the class and didnt realize it was CALCULUS BASED. wow ridiculous.
but if u gotta do it, then u gotta do it.....plus ur only taking 8 credits so youll have time to understand it or w/e
gluck👍

 

[Bereno]

um imo, calc based physics WAS A HUGE BIATCHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. i took it like....my junior yr in undergrad? holy balls i was in the professors office along with the rest of my class like everyday trying to understand the problems. never-AGAIN. our class averages were generally in the low 80s.
i made the mistake of signing up for the class and didnt realize it was CALCULUS BASED. wow ridiculous.
but if u gotta do it, then u gotta do it.....plus ur only taking 8 credits so youll have time to understand it or w/e
gluck👍

Our class averages were in the low 50s.... low 80s does not sound that bad 👍

 

[Odontos2015]

Calc-based physics 2 was the hardest course I took in undergrad.

 

[ROS0001]

BERENO, thanks to your post I have now more clear thoughts. I took physics 1 without calculus and had the same problem you described. This was horrible trying to memorized the large number of equations and on top of that I wasn't too sure when to used them. So that is the way that Im planning to take physics 1 again since I got a C when I took it. I dont know if I should try again but this time take it with calculus base. Since you are an tutor and have experience with students taking physics, what advice regarding my plannings can you offer me. Any advice would be very welcome and appreciated.

 

[YoHomey]

Take arithmetic based physics. Much easier.

 

[ROS0001]

I'm a pre-Med student

 

[ugotismail]

i go to UT and i took algebra based physics and that was still hard for me, but if you're good at math go for it