Is physics like chemistry...

[ArkansasRanger]

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Is general physics like general chemistry in that it's nothing but the manipulation of a bunch of numbers?

I feel like (once again) chemistry is basically nothing more than a math class rather than a science class where one learns the application of science. Will I have this to look forward to with physics which is a course I've never taken?

 

[Mr Karatepants]

Chemistry? Chemistry is just drawing pictures and hand-waving. Just wait until you get to physics.

The physical concept is the important part, but after you get the concept you still have the other 90% of the issue, which is the math.

 

[Nasrudin]

They are born or similar processes. Pedagogically speaking. The quantification of properties of the physical world built around algebraically simplified puzzles.

In lab. Much like the other. You will collect data that will illustrate a certain process. And you will be trained in some basics of documentation and statistical methods. As well as the presentation of these in the scientific idiom.

The physical sciences are kin in this way. And have their share in common with all the sciences as well.

If it becomes entirely tedious. You could try picking up a good science history of the subject matter in question. The mental leaps it took to arrive at what is now taken for granted. Might involve you more in the curriculum. Of course. That's just me. In full dork mode.

 

[ShyRem]

I liked physics. More math, more unknowns, less raw data manipulation. More equation generation (or memorization, but that was way too much work for me).

 

[TrimtheChute]

Once you learn F=m*a, then you can derive most everything else. 😀

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I ask this because setting up equations has always been difficult for me. I can work the math. Arithmetic isn't the issue. I just stare at the question unsure about how to stick what where and then progress from that equation to the next until the problem is solved. Guess I'm in for trouble there too.

 

[NTF]

Yeah, physics is way more mathematical than chemistry. While it helps conceptually to know calc (since newton invented calc precisely for physics), you can get buy with basic algebra and trig for most intro physics classes.

I enjoyed physics though because it finally made calculus make sense to me.

 

[loveoforganic]

I ask this because setting up equations has always been difficult for me. I can work the math. Arithmetic isn't the issue. I just stare at the question unsure about how to stick what where and then progress from that equation to the next until the problem is solved. Guess I'm in for trouble there too.

If that is a weakness of yours, I would definitely be prepared to bust your balls for physics!

 

[Nasrudin]

Yeah. I agree training in calculus seems to make it make more sense for such individuals. From what I can tell and hear. I could sense the careful avoidance of certain phenomenon, even without this training.

Still. I can sympathize with the OP. Having come to a science re-education from a zero math background.

I struggled hard at how to shape equations to the physical concepts. I had to work really hard. And got by with low A's despite huge effort. I wasn't until my 2nd pass at MCAT material that I finally understood the trickery of reshaping equations to fit the problem construction at work.

OP. There is a certain technique to the writing of problems. It can be reverse engineered with enough work. Like a bomb squad guy. You can learn the art of making bombs in reverse.

There are certain conventions at work. Certain limitations. That can give you the insight to say....oh...one of these problems.

To get there it will just take a lot of work. It's not like there is something magical that these clever people just have in their brain. That enable to say...."just derive the equations..." or whathaveyou. They just have been taking upper level math since middle school. And they speak the language.

For others. It would seem. Us. You'll have to work harder to cover the same ground. And work smart too. At understanding the construction of problems. And how each concept introduced in these classes will have certain problem archetypes that will accompany them.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

it is easier to come up with the equations because physics is easier to see, and can be more intuitive. for example you can see how velocity, gravity, time, acceleration, and distance all relate to each other in a projectile, so you have a general idea what equations you might be able to use. you can see that a mass moving with acceleration will have a force. it is easier to make sense.

 

[CajunMedic]

Amen on Chemistry and the math involved.....I missed the class we did stoichiometry and was lost the rest of the semester. I didn't get it until we did the ideal gas law, then it finally clicked! I managed a B this semester

My Calculus professor used physics problems to illustrate many of the principles, It made much more sense and was easier to visualize the problems.

 

[EdLongshanks]

it is easier to come up with the equations because physics is easier to see, and can be more intuitive. for example you can see how velocity, gravity, time, acceleration, and distance all relate to each other in a projectile, so you have a general idea what equations you might be able to use. you can see that a mass moving with acceleration will have a force. it is easier to make sense.

There are 2 ways that physics is taught. Physics for engineering - which requires you to do a bunch of calculus and physics for algebra students - which gives you the formula and lets you plug and chug.

My physics teacher actually gave us an equation sheet and each chapter was simply a conceptual overview and then a "how to use the equations" lesson. We did need to solve for specific variables, so you had to know that if x=1/2 gt^2, then t=sqrt(2x/g). That's the extent of math in our class.

On the other hand, math is instinctive with me, so there may have been more math and I just didn't notice it, like walking, standing up, or sitting.

 

[riverjib]

For me, the difference was that in gen chem, I needed to understand the concepts before I did the math. In physics, I needed the math to understand the concepts. But I took AP physics and AP calc concurrently (a LONG time ago) and our teachers treated the two classes as complementary ones. I know that I was really confused in regular high school physics, and I only did well because I spent hours memorizing equations and doing problems until I basically "memorized" patterns in the problems. AP physics was actually much easier for me than the basic algebra-based high school physics class because calculus provided a basis that made physics more intuitive to me.

I guess the short answer is that both rely heavily on math. You could probably ace both full-year courses simply by practicing problems ad nauseum and replicating familiar patterns on exams, but the MCAT simplifies the math and requires that you REALLY understand the underlying concepts in both subjects. When you take physics, try to relate it to everything else you already know. It'll make it a lot easier.