Trig and Calc-Based Physics. Which is easier?

[Bogrune]

I don't really know if "easier" is the right word for this question, but I'm undecided about whether I should take trignonometry-based physics in order to get ready for calculus-based physics.

I heard from numerous students that calc.-based physics is probably one of the hardest classes that I'll take. At the same time, other students told me that Accounting 101 was going to be a lot harder than Accounting 100, but I found Accounting 101 a lot easier than Acc. 100, and the reason for that is because Acc. 100 was a lot more simple and to-the-point, but I felt like that was the reason that I found the more basic class harder than the more advanced class. Thus, I felt like I never really needed Acc. 100 to get ready for Acc. 101. Will it be the same story for Trig-based physics and Calc-based physics?

 

[jtbell]

More or less. At most schools, calculus-based physics and algebra/trig-based physics are pretty similar the first semester. Calculus is usually used only to simplify certain derivations. In the second semester (which is mostly E&M) they diverge more, because calc-based courses usually get into the integral versions of Gauss's Law and Ampere's Law, whereas algebra/trig-based courses might not cover those two laws at all.

 

[twofish-quant]

Thus, I felt like I never really needed Acc. 100 to get ready for Acc. 101. Will it be the same story for Trig-based physics and Calc-based physics?

It could be. One thing that I found was that calculus made things *easier*. Without calculus, doing equations with a hand saw, but once you have calculus, it's like someone handing you a power saw. It takes a bit of effort to learn how to use it, but it makes your life a lot, lot easier.

If you can handle the calculus, I'd skip the trig-based physics.

 

[jhae2.718]

In my opinion, there's something you get from calc-based physics that is just lacking in algebra-based physics. While you might understand how to solve problems in algebra/trig-based physics, calculus-based physics shows you where the equations come from.

Calc-based physics is really quite beautiful.

 

[contramundum]

It helps to take algebra/trig physics beforehand (if you've got the time for it). I say this because you're basically going through the same material again, just at a deeper level. I took general physics 1 last summer and now I'm taking calc-physics 1. I recognize/remember a lot of the concepts from the earlier class. I think it helps me. This is just my experience though and I'm sure it's different for everyone else.

 

[lisab]

It helps to take algebra/trig physics beforehand (if you've got the time for it). I say this because you're basically going through the same material again, just at a deeper level. I took general physics 1 last summer and now I'm taking calc-physics 1. I recognize/remember a lot of the concepts from the earlier class. I think it helps me. This is just my experience though and I'm sure it's different for everyone else.

I agree. It's good to get an introduction to the concepts, especially if you didn't have physics in high school. Even in an intro class you'll learn a lot, like how to draw force diagrams.

 

[Chunkysalsa]

Usually algebra based physics is catered to premed type students so although the material is more or less similar the work given and the expectations about it are much less.

I mean while I have homework that takes me like 5 hours to do and that gets assigned 3 times a week, a premed friend gets a little worksheet where it asks for a torque and he just multiplies the given force times a given distance.

The calculus helps you understand things easier if you can speak the language.

 

[contramundum]

I mean while I have homework that takes me like 5 hours to do and that gets assigned 3 times a week, a premed friend gets a little worksheet where it asks for a torque and he just multiplies the given force times a given distance.

To provide a counter-example for the OP, in my general physics 1 class there were no "plug and chug" worksheets as Chunkysalsa describes. We were usually assigned about 15 problems per week out of the textbook (Physics by Giambattista).

 

[Bogrune]

Sorry for the late reply everyone, I've had a pretty rough week at school. Through my opinion of all your comments, I think I'll take my chances and take Calc-Based Physics once I've finished taking Calculus 2. I'm both good at mathematics because I am very dependent on independent studies, and I like to study topics on both the textbooks and on external sources. Mostly, becuase I'm the kind of person who simply loves math. Thanks again everyone!