Physics in High School

[NaCksm]

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Yes, I know this is my 3rd thread about Physics. I first thought about not taking it, but I kept it just in case(I can drop later anyways.)

I am very weak in math. I have not taken Pre-Calculus and will not take Pre-Calculus till college. I might be taking Physics next year, but I am worried I will struggle and be behind because I haven't taken Pre-Calc yet. People said you need to know pre-calc to do good in physics. They said you should have passed it or in it. Would I struggle and would I use pre-calc?
Thanks

 

[Algophiliac]

I don't recall needing pre-calculus at all in high school physics. Unless we're talking about Physics C, which requires calculus, none of the physics classes require much beyond algebra. 🙂 However, make sure you really do have excellent algebra skills.

 

[Isisfusion]

You do NOT need to know the slightest bit about precalculus in high school physics unless you're taking AP.

I took physics my senior year of high school and while it did help me to understand velocity/acceleration graphs by having AP Calc the same year, most of the other kids in my class did fine. I think the highest math level you need is algebra and a little bit of trig (i.e. what sin, cos, tan is).

If your teacher is anything like mine was, he/she will feed you the formulas you need to know and the hardest thing you'll do with those equations is solve for one of variables.

i.e. force= mass x acceleration. He/she gives you force and acceleration and you have to solve for mass. It's honestly not that hard.

Once I got to college, I found out that there were two physics sequences/courses I could take. There was the algebra based physics (pretty much high school level) and the calculus based physics (AP level). You'll be fine, stop freakin' out.

I will say, however, any physics is better than no physics when it comes to college, especially when you're taking MCAT. I'm glad I took physics because I'll have a bit of background knowledge when I take it next year as opposed to not knowing anything at all.

I remember high school being such a breeze!

 

[MilkmanAl]

No, he said only AP Physics classes have calculus. Big difference.

 

[Isisfusion]

Only AP classes in high school have calculus???!! In Mexico you're FORCED to take calculus, even in the semi mediocre schools. It's not even all that hard. If an idiot at math like me can pass it on the first try (albeit with a crappy grade).. so can the OP.

American high schools just continue to amaze me at how easy the curricula really is. And I thought my high school was a breeze.

No, I was referring to the AP Physics. I only know my high school offered AP Physics C, I believe, and that required calculus. I'm sure there was an algebra based one, but it wasn't offered at my school.

 

[huskerdye]

Yes, I know this is my 3rd thread about Physics. I first thought about not taking it, but I kept it just in case(I can drop later anyways.)

I am very weak in math. I have not taken Pre-Calculus and will not take Pre-Calculus till college. I might be taking Physics next year, but I am worried I will struggle and be behind because I haven't taken Pre-Calc yet. People said you need to know pre-calc to do good in physics. They said you should have passed it or in it. Would I struggle and would I use pre-calc?
Thanks

Eh, I'm currently taking physics and it's been a cake walk, granted that could be due to the teacher... In my class all you need is a very basic understanding of trigonometry, the calculator does the rest.. It's more of knowing formulas then it is of knowing how to do math.

If you worried about just not having enough math experience my advice is to go ahead and take it, because I believe you'll find that it's mostly trig and algebra. You defiantly dont need calc imo.

 

[Terpskins99]

Yes, I know this is my 3rd thread about Physics. I first thought about not taking it, but I kept it just in case(I can drop later anyways.)

I am very weak in math. I have not taken Pre-Calculus and will not take Pre-Calculus till college. I might be taking Physics next year, but I am worried I will struggle and be behind because I haven't taken Pre-Calc yet. People said you need to know pre-calc to do good in physics. They said you should have passed it or in it. Would I struggle and would I use pre-calc?
Thanks

When I was in high school, "pre-calculus" was actually "elementary functions and analytical geometry" (nicknamed "e-***" ). Now, algebra 2/trigonometry is considered pre-calc? Back in the day, that was a sophomore class you took after freshman geometry.

Anyhow... if you're talking about elementary functions/analytical geometry then no, you won't touch this again in college. But algebra 2 and ESPECIALLY trigonometry, these subjects you WILL encounter in college calculus and physics. I highly recommend getting as much exposure in these subjects while in high school before it counts (i.e. before college).

 

[Tots]

I never took Pre-Calc before I took physics.(or during)
The only trouble I had was with some of the trig but it wasn't that bad. I picked up the basics you need quickly(you might have covered what you needed in Algebra 2).
I wasn't much of a math person in High School but I am glad I took it and in the end I enjoyed the subject.

 

[Eisley]

Phys B is a lot of Alg II

 

[LovinPsych]

I took Physics in High School , I never needed to know Pre-Cal before hand , my gosh I couldn't handle it if I did . I simply had alot of Algebra I and II with some Trig in it . I don't believe it's required to know Pre-Cal before taking Physics . Unless something new has happened since I took it ? 😕 Now I did okay in the trig part of Physics merely because I was taking Trig during that same year , which I got a C but that's the beyond the point . I am not that good in the advanced maths . I'm dreading college simply cause I will have to take college algebra as a requirement . But again , I don't believe Pre-Cal is required either .

 

[SoulZero]

Physics is cake compare to AP physics. Yes u need to know pre-cal but so little to a point it's unneeded

 

[tennisball80]

Only AP classes in high school have calculus???!! In Mexico you're FORCED to take calculus, even in the semi mediocre schools. It's not even all that hard. If an idiot at math like me can pass it on the first try (albeit with a crappy grade).. so can the OP.

American high schools just continue to amaze me at how easy the curricula really is. And I thought my high school was a breeze.

Grade 11 in my country takes Calculus.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Can I ask something? Will not taking honors Physics screw me?

 

[tennisball80]

Can I ask something? Will not taking honors Physics screw me?

No. It won't. But Honors Physics will certainly prepare you better for college. But if you are weak at math, I suggest you to get the Algebra done first.

 

[pharmbebe]

No. It won't. But Honors Physics will certainly prepare you better for college. But if you are weak at math, I suggest you to get the Algebra done first.

Alright, i had the same question as above...i've taken honors chem and bio in high school...but no ap sciences yet...im taking ap bio next year and HL chem (i'm going to be a senior)...

but i was thinking of taking physics at a community college starting in the fall too so i can at least say i'm taking all three sciences when i apply...i'm probably going to die, but my counselor made a mistake and i ended up taking no science my junior year... 😕 is that going to kill me? i want to apply to a pre-pharm program...it's a big mistake i know, but can i make it up by taking more than one science my senior year?

 

[deleted357625]

Yes, I know this is my 3rd thread about Physics. I first thought about not taking it, but I kept it just in case(I can drop later anyways.)

I am very weak in math. I have not taken Pre-Calculus and will not take Pre-Calculus till college. I might be taking Physics next year, but I am worried I will struggle and be behind because I haven't taken Pre-Calc yet. People said you need to know pre-calc to do good in physics. They said you should have passed it or in it. Would I struggle and would I use pre-calc?
Thanks

yo you use a calculator most of the time don't worry, and all you need to know being math-related is knowing how to re-arrange equations. But it's good your learning it in high school so went you get to college you won't have a problem. other then that it's all good. Chem is the same way to a certain extent.

It's all knowing how to read a problem and applying a way to set up the problem.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Physics shouldn't require too much numerical math. It's all about setting up equations and rearranging variables. In any event, you're not screwed at all for your pre-pharm goals. It's often a good plan to retake courses you got AP credit for anyway since they'll be easy A's, so you'll be taking a similar amount of courses in either case.

 

[deleted393595]

Yes, I know this is my 3rd thread about Physics. I first thought about not taking it, but I kept it just in case(I can drop later anyways.)

I am very weak in math. I have not taken Pre-Calculus and will not take Pre-Calculus till college. I might be taking Physics next year, but I am worried I will struggle and be behind because I haven't taken Pre-Calc yet. People said you need to know pre-calc to do good in physics. They said you should have passed it or in it. Would I struggle and would I use pre-calc?
Thanks

Yes and No.

If we're talking about calculus based physics, yes.
If it's algebra based physics, then you'll be fine as long as you understand what a sine wave is.

But I don't remember Pre-Calc being so useful. It was a rehash of Algebra II except for the trig stuff (Which was pretty basic).