Preparing for Second year physics

[Flat]

Unfortuantely I did not do so well in Newton mechanics in the first year physics course. In brief, I decided to take the honors version with no prior physics experience and no care to try to fill in the gaps. Fortunately I managed to pull off a C overall but I hardly retained any information from the class.

So now I am trying to prepare for second year physics because I have a feeling that my poor performance will come back to haunt me.

Just in case the second year curriculum varies by school, this is the description of the courses:
First Quarter
"Vectors and Kinematics Foundations of Newtonian Mechanics Momentum, Work, and Energy Conservative and Nonconservative Forces Potentials Angular Momentum Rotation About a Fixed Axis Also ... introduction to Mathematica "
Second Quarter
"Angular Momentum (ch 6) Rigid Body Motion (ch 7) Noninertial Systems and Fictious Forces (ch 8) Central Force Motion (ch 9) Special Theory of Relativity (ch 11) Relativistic Kinematics (ch 12) Relativistic Momentum and Energy (ch 13)"
Third Quarter
"The focus is on ensuring a solid foundation in mathematics and computational methods upon which subsequent physics (or other science or engineering) courses can build. It is neither a substitute for the standard math prerequisites nor is it a remedial math course. The goals of the computational component are to introduce selected concepts of numerical analysis and visualization along with a gentle introduction to programming by example"

The book for the classes is Morin's Introduction to classical mechanics:https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521876222/?tag=pfamazon01-20 I plan on looking over the Newton mechanics from Halliday's Fundamentals of Physics (which is the text for the regular version of first year physics). Will this be enough, or do you recommend something better? Thanks.

 

[mal4mac]

I would just plan to take a bit of extra time over your second year textbooks so you have time to look back to the appropriate chapters in Morin & Halliday, if you need to.

 

[Mene]

I understand the importance of building a strong foundation in physics, especially in a subject as fundamental as Newtonian mechanics. It is commendable that you have recognized your weaknesses and are taking proactive steps to prepare for your second year physics courses.

One recommendation I have is to not solely rely on reviewing material from a different textbook. While Halliday's Fundamentals of Physics is a reputable resource, it may not cover all the topics and concepts that were taught in your honors version of first year physics. It would be beneficial to also review your lecture notes and any additional materials provided by your professor.

Additionally, I would highly recommend seeking out extra help from your professor, teaching assistants, or peers who excelled in the first year physics course. They may be able to provide additional insights and explanations that can help solidify your understanding of the material.

In terms of preparation for the second year curriculum, it is important to have a strong understanding of vectors and kinematics, as these concepts are the foundation for many topics in mechanics. You may also want to review concepts related to forces, work, energy, and momentum, as these will likely be expanded upon in the second year courses.

Lastly, I would also suggest practicing problems and doing exercises from the textbook you will be using in your second year courses. This will not only help you retain the material, but also familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions that may be asked on exams.

Overall, it is great that you are taking the initiative to prepare for your second year physics courses. With dedication and hard work, I am confident that you will be able to overcome any challenges and succeed in your studies. Best of luck to you!