So this summer a friend and I are taking classes at Virginia Tech. He needs physics for med school and I need a lab science so I decided to enroll in physics with him. It's something that I think would be cool to learn but something that I wouldn't take on my own since science/math aren't my strong subjects. He's the opposite in that science is his thing, and since we have an apartment together I figured this would be a chance for me to take it, do well, and have him help me when I need it. I'm guessing most people here have probably taken it, so what should I read up on before I start the class to kind of get a head start? It's the non-calculus variety.
Projectile motion!
You'll want to be fairly comfortable with trigonometry and simple algebra. If you don't feel confident with your abilities in either, I'd recommend doing some practice problems to refresh your memory.
Introductory physics isn't too bad, though. Probably the most useful tip I can give is: don't just memorize the formulas and apply them mechanically. Instead, try to understand why the formulas are structured the way they are. This will make memorizing them mostly unnecessary, and will make it much clearer when they're appropriate for use.
Classical mechanics is simple algebra. :P
Quote from: dark_drake on May 08, 2009, 12:30:37 PM
Projectile motion!
quoting in case anyone didnt get it
lolol
Quote from: Newby on May 08, 2009, 03:56:39 PM
Classical mechanics is simple algebra. :P
Quote from: Sidoh on May 08, 2009, 01:52:24 PMdon't just memorize the formulas and apply them mechanically. Instead, try to understand why the formulas are structured the way they are. This will make memorizing them mostly unnecessary, and will make it much clearer when they're appropriate for use.
Quote from: Hitmen on May 08, 2009, 04:00:39 PM
Quote from: dark_drake on May 08, 2009, 12:30:37 PM
Projectile motion!
quoting in case anyone didnt get it
lolol
bahahahahahaha
Its really easy, imo. Especially since you aren't using calculus...
vectors play a huge role in this class, make sure you remember how to use sine and cosine :P
Oh, and drawing a proper diagram for each problem is necessary.
Physics I Mechanics was really easy, just basically memorize the formulas and know when to use them. Physics II Electricity and Magnetism is a bitch though.
(http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/49612/screenshots/1241827048-14c6cba3c464c4bc24e39a1fb48f57ec.png)
Quote from: Falcon on May 08, 2009, 07:19:00 PM
Physics I Mechanics was really easy, just basically memorize the formulas and know when to use them. Physics II Electricity and Magnetism is a bitch though.
(http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/49612/screenshots/1241827075-196c4f4b5ec41fc53a59c409d87ec5d6.png)
I thought E&M was of the same level of difficulty as mechanics.
I also thought E&M was equal to mechanics in difficulty, but I think the majority of the people in my class wouldn't agree.
I get the projectile motion line now. LOL.
Quote from: Falcon on May 08, 2009, 07:19:00 PM
Physics I Mechanics was really easy, just basically memorize the formulas and know when to use them. Physics II Electricity and Magnetism is a bitch though.
QFT