When should I take Physics?

[IamGonzo]

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I am currently finishing a basic algebra course for my second semester here. I don't know if it is "College Algebra" or if I need to take that next before I move on to Calculus or Pre-Calc.

I have the option to take an Algebra based physics course Fall '12 but I am not sure if that I have enough math skills to do decently in the class.

I have been told by friends that I should have a "mastery" of college algebra and possibly Pre-Calculus if I want to do well in any physics course.

Does anyone have any recommendations or insight?

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Generally for General Physics Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry are required if not Calculus 1.

 

[235788]

I am currently finishing a basic algebra course for my second semester here. I don't know if it is "College Algebra" or if I need to take that next before I move on to Calculus or Pre-Calc.

I have the option to take an Algebra based physics course Fall '12 but I am not sure if that I have enough math skills to do decently in the class.

I have been told by friends that I should have a "mastery" of college algebra and possibly Pre-Calculus if I want to do well in any physics course.

Does anyone have any recommendations or insight?

Know triangles and how to multiply/divide.

Calculus is more for engineering physics. I took general physics (non-engineering) and knowing calculus was nice when they showed you how equations were derived, but not as helpful for the actual tests. It was much more focused on calculations and concepts.

I took it junior year.

 

[IamGonzo]

😱

So would it be advisable to wait until my junior/last year to finish with Physics before MCAT comes around?
That way I can "catch up" beyond my developmental math. I have a strong feeling it may require more than what I currently know.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

😱

Here let me elaborate a little. At my school we have Technical Physics which is calculus based for chemistry and physics majors. And then we have General Physics which is Precal algebra/trigonometry based which is for the life sciences and social sciences, etc. Besides most medical schools require 6 to 9 college credits in college level math. Usually introductory algebra, finite mathematics, basic math, etc do not fulfill the requirements. I tried getting out of it because I hate math as well, but I got through it and you can too OP!🙂

 

[235788]

😱

So would it be advisable to wait until my junior/last year to finish with Physics before MCAT comes around?
That way I can "catch up" beyond my developmental math. I have a strong feeling it may require more than what I currently know.[/QUOTE]


Example physics problem: Current =2, Voltage = 2, R =?

V=IR
2=(2)R
R=1

and this is physics 2.

The only part that might be a little tricky is when sin and cosine are thrown into a formula.

 

[jippyslim]

This is a great question you've asked. I happen to love physics and hopefully I can provide some of the insight that you asked for! Maybe.

Have you taken chemistry yet? College chemistry that covers molecular geometry etc? Take that if you haven't already, before you take physics.

Physics studies everything. All matter, the universe, sound, light, energy, force ..........So physics itself, despite it's language being mathematics, is not mind-blowing math. It's very philosophical. Yet it is mostly math. Actually its almost all math. But it also isn't....but I guess it really is. This probably sounds confusing. It's really not. Although I guess it actually is. When you think you understand what is going on and have things figured out...you actually don't. Yet, you do. But you don't, in light of new information. So what is wrong and what is right? There are a lot of in's and a lot of out's and a few whathaveyou's.

So to answer your question.....it doesn't really matter if you take calculus first or don't take calculus first because in algebra based physics if you don't know calc then you will have a totally different perspective on things than if you did know calc. But neither perspective is correct or right and you wont be missing anything by not knowing calc in algebra based physics because you can't miss something you don't know in the first place.

Hope that helps! 🙂

classic

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

This is a great question you've asked. I happen to love physics and hopefully I can provide some of the insight that you asked for! Maybe.

Have you taken chemistry yet? College chemistry that covers molecular geometry etc? Take that if you haven't already, before you take physics.

Physics studies everything. All matter, the universe, sound, light, energy, force ..........So physics itself, despite it's language being mathematics, is not mind-blowing math. It's very philosophical. Yet it is mostly math. Actually its almost all math. But it also isn't....but I guess it really is. This probably sounds confusing. It's really not. Although I guess it actually is. When you think you understand what is going on and have things figured out...you actually don't. Yet, you do. But you don't, in light of new information. So what is wrong and what is right? There are a lot of in's and a lot of out's and a few whathaveyou's.

So to answer your question.....it doesn't really matter if you take calculus first or don't take calculus first because in algebra based physics if you don't know calc then you will have a totally different perspective on things than if you did know calc. But neither perspective is correct or right and you wont be missing anything by not knowing calc in algebra based physics because you can't miss something you don't know in the first place.

Hope that helps! 🙂

😕

 

[Big N Tasty]

This is a great question you've asked. I happen to love physics and hopefully I can provide some of the insight that you asked for! Maybe.

Have you taken chemistry yet? College chemistry that covers molecular geometry etc? Take that if you haven't already, before you take physics.

Physics studies everything. All matter, the universe, sound, light, energy, force ..........So physics itself, despite it's language being mathematics, is not mind-blowing math. It's very philosophical. Yet it is mostly math. Actually its almost all math. But it also isn't....but I guess it really is. This probably sounds confusing. It's really not. Although I guess it actually is. When you think you understand what is going on and have things figured out...you actually don't. Yet, you do. But you don't, in light of new information. So what is wrong and what is right? There are a lot of in's and a lot of out's and a few whathaveyou's.

So to answer your question.....it doesn't really matter if you take calculus first or don't take calculus first because in algebra based physics if you don't know calc then you will have a totally different perspective on things than if you did know calc. But neither perspective is correct or right and you wont be missing anything by not knowing calc in algebra based physics because you can't miss something you don't know in the first place.

Hope that helps! 🙂

qft 😀

 

[deleted103644]

whats qft? quasntum field theory?

Most likely "quite fing true", although I like the way you think.