Preparing for Calculus-Based Physics

[Amrator]

So I'm a starting freshman in college now, and I'm currently taking a summer calculus 1 course. This is my second time taking calculus 1. The reason for this is I did not feel AP Calculus AB was a good enough introduction to calculus even though I did very well. I'm going to be taking Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1 (calculus-based physics) in the fall since I want to major in physics; calculus 1 is a prerequisite. The problem is I never took physics in high school. I've watched Khan Academy videos and I took a mediocre, self-paced online physics course that used trigonometry and algebra; however, I never took a formal high school physics course. How can I prepare for the fall calculus-based physics course during the summer? I own the first volume of the Feynman Lectures but I never started reading it because I felt I wasn't ready.

Thank you.

 

[symbolipoint]

So I'm a starting freshman in college now, and I'm currently taking a summer calculus 1 course. This is my second time taking calculus 1. The reason for this is I did not feel AP Calculus AB was a good enough introduction to calculus even though I did very well. I'm going to be taking Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1 (calculus-based physics) in the fall since I want to major in physics; calculus 1 is a prerequisite. The problem is I never took physics in high school. I've watched Khan Academy videos and I took a mediocre, self-paced online physics course that used trigonometry and algebra; however, I never took a formal high school physics course. How can I prepare for the fall calculus-based physics course during the summer? I own the first volume of the Feynman Lectures but I never started reading it because I felt I wasn't ready.

Thank you.

The only way to prepare any better than you currently are, is to study your Calculus 1 during a regular lengthed semester. Trying to do so during the summer session is too short a time to learn it well unless you are exceptionally strong in the content.

 

[axmls]

Eh, I took physics in high school but didn't learn anything. I couldn't have answered any physics problems after taking that class.

You should be fine if you're comfortable with the calculus I material and you work plenty of example problems and study hard. Of course, the most important thing for both courses is to be strong with your algebra.

 

[Amrator]

I am quite comfortable with calculus so far. I already understand derivatives and integrals fairly well and I know how to solve problems involving them. At the calculus 1 level of course.