calc physics vs. algebra physics

starchild75

Hi, all

I have never taken a physics course before, but i find it interesting, and may want to major in it. If I start with calc based physics after taking calc 1, what would I be missing from algebra physics?

Pyrrhus

Nothing, go the calculus way.

Daverz

Nothing that you couldn't pick up in a week with one of those "Physics for mystified dummies and idiots" type books (hey, I didn't come up with the titles). Isaac Asimov wrote a Physics book you could probably read very quickly, and that wouldn't look embarassing on your shelf.

leon1127

if you know cal already, go to the cal base.
if you are starting simutaneously, it would be very hard to learn both

CPL.Luke

a calc based physics course usually doesn't require that you know anything about physics when you go into it, so you should be fine

berkeman

Here's a recent thread with a relevant discussion:

http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=130461