is calc-based physics THAT bad?

[pioneer22]

Hey everyone,

I hear the perception around calc-based physics is that its pretty difficult compared to the normal physics...Could I get some opinions on the difficulties of both, comparatively?


Thanks

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[RunawayGrape]

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[Lucca]

It is harder than algebra-based but it is not that hard at all. If you did well in your calculus courses, it probably won't be much different for you. Like most things in college, people hype up the simple stuff too much and people forget to tell you about the things that will definitely **** you lol.

 

[pioneer22]

It is harder than algebra-based but it is not that hard at all. If you did well in your calculus courses, it probably won't be much different for you. Like most things in college, people hype up the simple stuff too much and people forget to tell you about the things that will definitely **** you lol.

Thank you.
I took BC Calc in HS and got credit for Calc I and II; so I will be about a year removed from the calculus before the physics classes begin

 

[freak7]

Thank you.
I took BC Calc in HS and got credit for Calc I and II; so I will be about a year removed from the calculus before the physics classes begin

You'll be just fine.

 

[longhaul3]

If your calculus is really solid, it might actually make it easier for you. Everything becomes much more conceptual, and then you can work from there to the formulas that you would otherwise have to memorize.

For example: if you can remember that the rate of change of something is proportional to the amount of that thing, and your calc skills are good, you can just start with a differential equation and solve it for the more complicated exponential formula that your non-calc peers would have to memorize.

 

[pioneer22]

If your calculus is really solid, it might actually make it easier for you. Everything becomes much more conceptual, and then you can work from there to the formulas that you would otherwise have to memorize.

For example: if you can remember that the rate of change of something is proportional to the amount of that thing, and your calc skills are good, you can just start with a differential equation and solve it for the more complicated exponential formula that your non-calc peers would have to memorize.

makes sense.
Would anyone say calc-based is better for the MCAT than alg-based, since it tends to be more conceptual?

 

[freak7]

makes sense.
Would anyone say calc-based is better for the MCAT than alg-based, since it tends to be more conceptual?

I'd say so. The MCAT only requires alg-based, but after calc-based all the physics on the test gets super trivial.

 

[benjamin94559]

If you think you can hack the math go for calc. you'll understand everything much better and its more fun (if you're into that).

as for the mcat, yes and no. you'll be able to work your way back to things if you've forgotten a formula and have extra time but sometimes its just better to crunch it as fast as possible for the mcat and you might over think things.

 

[aldol16]

If you understand calculus, calc-based physics will be easier. You won't need to memorize many formulas and will be able to derive most of them. That's what calculus allows you to do. If you don't know/like calculus, then you probably won't have a fun time in calc-based physics.

 

[JB50]

Yes because you don't need it.

 

[pioneer22]

So for calc-based, do you learn the equations used on the MCAT, like the kinematic functions? I took AP Physics in high school, so I am familiar with the equation memorization...so do you only derive the equations or do the derivations serve as a backup if you forget the equations?

 

[Saifa]

Many will say don't take it to conserve GPA/time, many will say do because you will hone your general problem solving skills and be a smarter person overall. Both are smart ideas. I have taken calc-based and done well, but most (including me) will not be able to schedule it and write it off as a minimal effort course. It makes for an interesting time, I am the sole biology major in a class of engineers.

Taking calc.-based may also afford you the somewhat interesting opportunity to participate in physics research/projects if that would appeal to you. My professor and I write computer animations and applets for physics and astronomy.

 

[pioneer22]

Many will say don't take it to conserve GPA/time, many will say do because you will hone your general problem solving skills and be a smarter person overall. Both are smart ideas. I have taken calc-based and done well, but most (including me) will not be able to schedule it and write it off as a minimal effort course. It makes for an interesting time, I am the sole biology major in a class of engineers.

Taking calc.-based may also afford you the somewhat interesting opportunity to participate in physics research/projects if that would appeal to you. My professor and I write computer animations and applets for physics and astronomy.

That's sweet! I'm considering an astronomy minor, so the calc physics is required for that..

 

[Meeehai]

Pro tip - the difficulty of the class depends on the professor 99% of the time. You can take quantum physics with a chill guy that makes things straight forward and allows the students an easy path to scoring a high grade. On the other hand you can take introductory physics with some mean try hard professor that will ask the most convoluted kinematics questions imaginable. With that being said I would take the one you will find more interesting or aligns better with classes you will have to take in the future.

 

[number9]

Just wanted to chime in and advocate for calc-based physics (assuming you are comfortable with calculus, of course!). In addition to the fact that it may be less frustrating if you're the type of person that doesn't like taking equations for granted/rote memorizing them, as others have mentioned calc-based physics encourages a lot of useful problem-solving skills that will serve you well in future any science class.

In terms of the MCAT, I personally found that there was very little straight physics, and many times the equations I needed were provided in the passages or were the basic/obvious ones (V=IR, F=ma, etc). There's also no direct calculus on the MCAT (though as others have mentioned the physical intuition calculus gives you may come in handy). As a physics major myself, this was slightly disappointing, but I would still say that the problem-solving skills I have gained through studying physics were hugely helpful on the exam. Most of the time, the information you need is right in front of you, and the important and tough part is thinking through the problem/developing an intuition about how to solve it. These are all skills that will be emphasized more in a calc-based physics class where the reliance on memorization is much lower. So if you're feeling up to it I think calc-based is a good way to go!

 

[Saifa]

Pro tip - the difficulty of the class depends on the professor 99% of the time. You can take quantum physics with a chill guy that makes things straight forward and allows the students an easy path to scoring a high grade.

This is important too. I had the same professor for mechanics and E+M. He really made an effort to know our class and work with our strengths and weaknesses as a whole.

 

[longhaul3]

So for calc-based, do you learn the equations used on the MCAT, like the kinematic functions? I took AP Physics in high school, so I am familiar with the equation memorization...so do you only derive the equations or do the derivations serve as a backup if you forget the equations?

It just depends on how you look at it. The kinematics equations all stem from the concept that a(t) = y''(t). Again, just one simple concept. From there you can integrate and get v(t) = y'(t), integrate again to get y(t). If you have even the most rudimentary integration skills, it takes 10 seconds to get from a(t) = g to y(t) = 1/2gt^2 +v(0)t + y(0) and back again.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

It is slightly harder to much harder depending on the prof. That said, you cannot get a complete understanding of the physics without calculus. I recommend it unless your math skills are seriously lacking. If you can handle calc 1, you can handle calc-based physics.

 

[pioneer22]

gotcha.
I guess derivatives and integrals would be something to refresh myself upon before starting the course lol

 

[aldol16]

So for calc-based, do you learn the equations used on the MCAT, like the kinematic functions? I took AP Physics in high school, so I am familiar with the equation memorization...so do you only derive the equations or do the derivations serve as a backup if you forget the equations?

Yes, they will cover those. They will also derive those equations using calculus. It helps you understand it better if you're mathematically-oriented. You don't want to have to sit there and derive equations on the MCAT but I found that having derived them many times before helped me understand and remember it better.