Reviewing Physics 111 During Summer Break

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around reviewing material from a Physics 111 class during summer break, with a focus on the necessity of calculus for understanding the content, particularly in relation to Halliday and Resnick's textbook. Participants explore the balance between self-study resources and formal education in calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to review Physics 111 material and questions how far they can progress without needing calculus.
  • Another participant suggests that calculus is not as difficult as it seems and mentions the possibility of teaching it to younger students.
  • A participant shares an anecdote about a young student taking calculus, indicating varying levels of advancement among learners.
  • There is uncertainty about whether the first nine chapters of the textbook require calculus.
  • One participant notes that while calculus may not be necessary for understanding basic concepts, it is beneficial for deeper comprehension, especially for topics like centers of mass.
  • Another participant reinforces the idea that knowing calculus is essential for a thorough understanding of physics, suggesting that calculus I is easier than algebra 2.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of calculus for understanding physics concepts. Some argue that basic physics can be grasped without calculus, while others contend that a solid understanding of physics requires calculus knowledge. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific chapters of the textbook and their calculus requirements.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different educational backgrounds and resources, indicating potential limitations in their understanding of the curriculum and the specific content of Halliday and Resnick's textbook.

cscott
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I've just finished grade 11 and it's now summer break for me, so I have plenty of time on my hands. I want to review some of the stuff I learned this year in my Physics 111 class and hopefully get ahead on some of the stuff I'll be studying next year. From what I hear, Halliday and Resnick's book is good so I was planning on getting it. I'm wondering how far past https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471232319/?tag=pfamazon01-20 I can get before I need some grade 12 maths (calculus + whatever), and if I continue past that point do you guys think I should crack down and get a book on calculus or can I get by reading some online courses?

I hope I posted this in the right spot...
 
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Calculus is not as hard as it looks - somewhere on these forums somebody was talking of teaching it to 9-12 year olds!

*edit* Also, coming from England I do not know what Grade11 maths involves so I do not know how far into marthematics you are - have you looked at basic number theory, series and the like? Or haven't you started that yet? *edit*

There are plenty of resources onlin and in books - and of course if you ever need help, just ask here!

-NewScientist
 
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A classmate of mine in my physics class has a daughter who will be taking calculus when she is like 10 he says. She's already so advanced. It's crazy. As far as I know, he doesn't like force her to do it or anything either.

PL
 
No one knows if the first 9 chapters need calculus?
 
i'm not familiar with halliday, resnik, and walker, but if it's anything like halliday, resnik, and krane, then it uses calculus starting with chapter 2.

and you probably don't *need* calculus to understand much of the basics (except for, say, finding centers of mass for continuous mass distributions), although i'd recommend knowing calculus as soon as possible, to make the most out of it.

that's what i did! :-p (except it was for the book by serway, not HRW/K)
 
Brad Barker said:
i'm not familiar with halliday, resnik, and walker, but if it's anything like halliday, resnik, and krane, then it uses calculus starting with chapter 2.

and you probably don't *need* calculus to understand much of the basics (except for, say, finding centers of mass for continuous mass distributions), although i'd recommend knowing calculus as soon as possible, to make the most out of it.

that's what i did! :-p (except it was for the book by serway, not HRW/K)

I need to learn some calculus then! :smile:

Thank you.
 
You can know about physics without calculus. You can only know physics with calculus. Thats how I see it. I'd say calculus I is easier than algebra 2
 

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