Why do the collegeboard offer Electricity and Magnetism?

In summary: Lots of people do it that way now.There's no harm in taking AP Calculus BC, but it's not a substitute for taking a full course in multivariable calculus.
  • #1
khalkash
16
0
If a prerequisite for E&M is Multivariable calculus, why is it offered in high school (without that pre-req)? Is the High School E&M equivalent to physics 2 in college, and if that is so, Physics 2 is still offered before Multivariate calculus. Can someone clear this up for me. Am I getting two different courses confused all together? I will be taking Physics AP next year, but I am very nervous about it as I am taking my first Calculus course along with it as well (BC).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Multivariable calculus is pre-requisite for an E&M course above the introductory level, using a textbook such as Griffiths. This is a different course, at a more advanced level, than the second semester of a typical university introductory physics course (which AP Physics in high school is supposed to be equivalent to).
 
  • #3
The ap physics requires only basic calculus. Strictly speaking there are a few things not ap in calculus that are useful and a full course in multivariable calculus would not hurt, these things can be covered in a few lectures in the physics class. Calculus the year before or concurrent is plenty and some people have even less. College courses vary, a few used multivariable calculus extensively and many use a little, but few focus on it.
 
  • #4
Electromagnetics is a pretty tough nut to crack, at least in my experience, because it's one of the most math-heavy things you'll see at a high-school/undergrad level. The good news is, though, that you wouldn't jump right into the vector calculus. It seems that you pretty much learn E&M by making a bunch of passes over it, each time making it more in-depth and getting more involved with the math. A first pass, like you would see in high school, might not use any calculus at all. The focus would just be to try to familiarize you with concepts like charge, current, electric and magnetic fields, etc. You'll probably mostly see specific examples where they give you the formula for the electric/magnetic field rather than any of the general laws governing charges currents and electromagnetic fields. Even after a high school level exposure, you'll probably see another college-level E&M course (probably based on single-variable calculus) before you jump into the real meat of the theory with vector calculus.

So don't worry about it too much. Third year physics and electrical engineering students have a hard enough time making sense of the vector calculus they see in their E&M courses that it would be ludicrous to try to make a vector calculus-based high school course for people who have just seen calculus for the first time.
 
  • #5
Although I did not in high school, some of my classmates took AP Physics C concurrently with AP Calculus BC. It's not easy by any means, but it's doable. By the time you start E&M, it'll be around December/January, and you will have already covered most of the calculus necessary. This is assuming you're taking Mechanics and E&M in one year, not two.
 
  • #6
I am going to put my full effort in my first physics course ever. But I am ambivalent (am I using this word right?) in whether I should use my AP credits (if accepted) towards my decided major (most likely physics, if not Applied Physics). I have read many threads on if you should use credits towards your major and the battle is 50/50. I want to LEARN physics, but I also would like to get ahead of the game. Any experiences here on this? Maybe I am just being too naive in trying to get ahead, perhaps slowing down might be the best. I still have a year to decide atleast.
 
  • #7
I personally would take AP Physics C EM but only use the credit if your future university does not offer an honors introductory EM course. Don't worry about the math though because in my opinion the math in AP Physics C EM is quite elementary; it's just the physics you have to really focus on.
 
  • #8
I certainly hope so WannabeNewton, many teachers rolled their eyes when I said I am going to jump to BC from Precalc (not usually done), and especially because I have big gaps in mathematics. While their perspectives are discouraging, I am working my fullest throughout the summer to fill those gaps. And I mainly just have to thanks physics-forums for hearing many great stories similar to mine to give me motivation. Thanks for your help.
 
  • #9
In my HS there were many people who went straight from honors trig/algebra 2 to calc AB/BC including me. There were also many people who went from precalc to calc AB/BC. Ay my HS there was a calculus placement exam to take BC in the first place so they didn't really care what exact level you were in school as long as you knew all the stuff necessary to start BC. My point is, don't let people discourage you or intimidate you; if you prepare yourself over the summer you will do just fine as long as you put as much effort as you can into homework. Best of luck.
 
  • #10
Regarding the original question: I just did Physics C EM and the math is, well, sort of funny. You won't use most of the more advanced stuff in BC (polar coordinates, taylor series, etc) but there is a bit of vector calculus in there. The math can get confusing, but only because it is new to the student. Sometimes it is the notation that is confusing! For example, I spent about five hours staring at a few pages of a physics book trying to make head or tails of Gauss's law because at the time I had no idea what a surface integral was. If you have the time and interest, skim through a multivariate calculus book before/during your study of E&M. You only need the basic concepts.
 
  • #11
At many/most colleges, the "normal" physics major course sequence has freshmen taking calculus-based introductory physics at the same time as Calculus I and II. The "normal" student taking the second semester of intro physics (E&M) has not yet taken Calculus III (multivariable calculus).

Intro physics courses usually introduces the concepts of line, surface and volume integrals in a pictorial / geometrical / conceptual manner. You evaluate them only in very symmetric situations where you can pretty much evaluate the integral by inspection of the geometry, rather than working out a full-blown integral like you would in Calculus III. I call them "Geico integrals:" so easy a caveman can do them.
 
  • #12
jtbell said:
Intro physics courses usually introduces the concepts of line, surface and volume integrals in a pictorial / geometrical / conceptual manner. You evaluate them only in very symmetric situations where you can pretty much evaluate the integral by inspection of the geometry, rather than working out a full-blown integral like you would in Calculus III. I call them "Geico integrals:" so easy a caveman can do them.

That is correct. It seems easy to you, and it seems easy to me now, but I'm not kidding about the five hours on Gauss's law. Sometimes the difficulty comes from trying to utilize a mathematical concept when you have no idea of the theory behind it. Add the fact that authors of intro textbooks throw at he reader notations that they likely have never seen before. Personally, I think that physics is easier with more math, some author (I don't recall which one) said in a preface that doing physics with little math is like digging with a screwdriver. Learn to use a shovel, even if the hole you need to dig is small.
 
  • #13
I agree; I'm not trying to minimize the initial conceptual difficulties of surface integrals, as in Gauss's Law which is where I think most physics students first see them (in physics). At least they're not also struggling with the mathematical machinery of evaluating surface integrals using Calculus III techniques, which is why Calc III isn't a prerequisite for this.
 
  • #14
Well you are right in many ways, but when I first learned vector calculus (after intro E&M), I found myself several times going like,"Well THAT's what Mr [Giancolli, Serway, Halliday, insert name of author] was trying to say!"
 
  • #15
There are introductory EM texts that introduce all the necessary math for EM to be studied properly (i.e. vector calculus). Purcell's EM text for example does just that and is intended for first year students; it is used in honors introductory EM courses at various unis. This is why I said if the OP's future university offers honors EM, then it would be worthwhile taking it if desired.
 

Why do the Collegeboard offer Electricity and Magnetism?

The Collegeboard offers courses in Electricity and Magnetism as part of their Advanced Placement (AP) program, which is designed to provide students with college-level courses and the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Electricity and Magnetism is a fundamental topic in the field of physics and is an important subject for students pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields of study.

What are the benefits of studying Electricity and Magnetism?

Studying Electricity and Magnetism provides students with a strong foundation in the principles of electromagnetism, which is essential for understanding a wide range of phenomena in the natural world. It also allows students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as gain hands-on experience with experimental techniques and data analysis.

Who should take a course in Electricity and Magnetism?

While Electricity and Magnetism is typically taken by high school students in the AP program, anyone with an interest in physics and a strong background in mathematics can benefit from studying this subject. It is particularly useful for students planning to pursue a degree in a STEM field, such as engineering or physics.

What topics are covered in a course on Electricity and Magnetism?

A typical course on Electricity and Magnetism covers topics such as electric charge, electric fields, electric potential, electric current, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and electric circuits. It also includes hands-on laboratory experiments to reinforce the concepts learned in class.

How can studying Electricity and Magnetism prepare students for college?

Studying Electricity and Magnetism in high school can provide students with a head start on college-level coursework and help them develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a college setting. It can also fulfill college prerequisites and allow students to earn college credit, saving them time and money in the long run.

Similar threads

  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
776
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
6
Views
636
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
983
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
988
Back
Top