WHICH IS HARDER PHYSICS 1 or 2 ADVICE NEEDED

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the perceived difficulty of University Physics 1 and Physics 2, particularly in the context of a civil engineering major preparing to transfer. Participants share their experiences and concerns regarding the transition from Physics 1, which is focused on mechanics, to Physics 2, which covers electricity and magnetism.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confidence in their performance in Physics 1 but is apprehensive about the challenges of Physics 2, citing anecdotal evidence about low pass rates.
  • Another participant clarifies that Physics 1 typically covers mechanics while Physics 2 focuses on electricity and magnetism, suggesting that the latter may be conceptually harder for some students.
  • Some participants note that difficulty is subjective; what is challenging for one student may be easier for another, with specific mention of electricity and magnetism being difficult for some due to visualization issues.
  • Concerns are raised about the integration involved in the Electricity and Magnetism course, which may present additional challenges for students.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that both Physics 1 and Physics 2 present challenges, but there is no consensus on which course is definitively harder. Different students have varying experiences and perceptions of difficulty based on their backgrounds and strengths.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention that individual experiences with calculus may influence their perceptions of physics courses, but there is no detailed exploration of how these experiences specifically relate to the physics content.

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WHICH IS HARDER PHYSICS 1 or 2 ADVICE NEEDED !

Hello PEOPLE ...
I am currently community and very close to transfering.
My major is civil engineering. There's only 1 semester left for me then i transfer.
I need some advise asap.

I am currently taking University Physics 1 at my college and I have a A average so far with 1 more test to go. I am pretty sure I can pull an A in the class b/c the final will only be worth lik 8 % if if you have an average of 95% or higher. I am not overly smart or anything and my teacher is kind of easy that's why I have an A. But i also have studied a lot for this class.

PHYSICS 2 is really scaring me at this point and i have to take next semester. SHoud I be scared of will it be easier than PHY1.

When i took calculus 1 for the first time it was really hard b/c i was new to the subject and i got a B. But taking CALC 2 and Multivariable CALC 3 i got A s in both those classes. They were harder than calc 1 but i understood them easier.

My concern is will PHY 2 be easier than PHY 1. PHY 1 is by far the hardest class i have taken so far and people are telling me that only like 10 or people pass PHY 2 every semester per class of out of 30 kids. meaning 20 people drop the class every sem.
ANY ADVICE ...
 
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What are physics 1 and 2? I assume your Physics 1 is Mechanics-based, while Physics 2 is Electricity & magnetism?

What advice do you want? I assume you have to take Physics 2 so you don't really have a choice. Just do your best!

Some people have more trouble understanding concepts like electricity and magnetism versus mechanics-related concepts since they're not as easy to visualize. Either way, it's an introductory physics course and since you're in a science-related major I'd think you wouldn't have too much trouble with it.
 


dav2008 said:
What are physics 1 and 2? I assume your Physics 1 is Mechanics-based, while Physics 2 is Electricity & magnetism?

What advice do you want? I assume you have to take Physics 2 so you don't really have a choice. Just do your best!

Some people have more trouble understanding concepts like electricity and magnetism versus mechanics-related concepts since they're not as easy to visualize. Either way, it's an introductory physics course and since you're in a science-related major I'd think you wouldn't have too much trouble with it.

What's hard to one person is easy to another. What dav2008 says is right, E&M gives some people fits. But others think rotational mechanics is harder.

Most students find each class offers plenty of challenge.
 


lisab said:
What's hard to one person is easy to another. What dav2008 says is right, E&M gives some people fits. But others think rotational mechanics is harder.

Most students find each class offers plenty of challenge.

I am taking these courses right now. And yes, Rotational mechanics is something new for Engineering freshmen. However, in Electricity and Magnetism Course, there is a lot of integration.
 

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