Login

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

March 29, 2024, 09:45:40 pm

Author Topic: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?  (Read 3887 times)  Share 

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

KatherineGale

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 110
  • Respect: +92
Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« on: September 23, 2018, 11:07:46 pm »
0
Hi...

So, my question is pretty much in the title. I'm just wondering if anyone here has done so and what their experience was like (I will be taking this subject through DECV if I do it next year, does anyone have particular experience with Physics at DECV?). Maths isn't my strongest suit - I'm not bad at it per say,  I'm just more of an English based person. Within maths however,  algebra was where I thrived and I've heard algebra is a big part of Physics.

To be honest, I wouldn't have even considered taking it (although it does seem quite interesting) but I've made a few bad subject decisions and have pushed myself into a corner with only a few options for uni courses (and medicine courses are rather competitive). At the moment it's Physics without 1/2 or Methods without 1/2, and I am leaning towards the former.

Any help would be appreciated!  I'm not really sure what to expect with the subject whatsoever :)

S200

  • Part of the furniture
  • *****
  • Posts: 1108
  • Yeah well that happened...
  • Respect: +244
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2018, 07:49:34 am »
+5
Hey there!

I did Physics this year, and from what I recall, there is very little overlap between 3/4 and 1/2.
Algebra is pretty big, particularly for projectile motion, and a good grasp of the trigonometric ratios would be beneficial as well, going into the subject.
So, here is the study design for Physics. I think the main issues with not taking 1/2 is that you miss out on the electricity module in Unit 1 AOS 2, and the basic force concepts in Unit 2 AOS 1. This second one is the one you'll have to google a little bit on, but YouTube should be able to help if you run into any real issues down the track... :D

Overall, I'd highly recommend that you take Physics 3/4, as it's much easier to pick up than Methods, and you get to take an A3 summary sheet into the exam, which should fit all the formulae you will ever need... ;)
« Last Edit: September 24, 2018, 07:55:00 am by S200 »
Carpe Vinum

\(\LaTeX\) - \(e^{\pi i }\)
#ThanksRui! - #Rui\(^2\) - #Jamon10000

5233718311 :D

KatherineGale

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 110
  • Respect: +92
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2018, 12:09:36 pm »
0
Hey there!

I did Physics this year, and from what I recall, there is very little overlap between 3/4 and 1/2.
Algebra is pretty big, particularly for projectile motion, and a good grasp of the trigonometric ratios would be beneficial as well, going into the subject.
So, here is the study design for Physics. I think the main issues with not taking 1/2 is that you miss out on the electricity module in Unit 1 AOS 2, and the basic force concepts in Unit 2 AOS 1. This second one is the one you'll have to google a little bit on, but YouTube should be able to help if you run into any real issues down the track... :D

Overall, I'd highly recommend that you take Physics 3/4, as it's much easier to pick up than Methods, and you get to take an A3 summary sheet into the exam, which should fit all the formulae you will ever need... ;)



Thank you so much for your reply!

The idea of taking Methods without Units 1/2 was a fair bit more daunting than taking Physics without 1/2, because I assumed Methods would have more prior knowledge needed, but I wanted to do some more digging about Physics before I decide on anything. I've only done General 1/2 (one of my many silly subject decisions in terms of prerequisites)

It's great to know which areas I'll need to know more about, so again, thank you for that. The Physics teacher at my school has recommended the 1/2 textbook, but I think I'd prefer to look for alternate resources. Is there anyone in particulular that you'd reccomend on YouTube?

And that's good to know that in Physics you get a formula sheet for the exam. I'm usually fine with understanding concepts, but have a rather terrible memory when it comes to formulas for some reason :)

Bri MT

  • VIC MVP - 2018
  • Administrator
  • ATAR Notes Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 4719
  • invest in wellbeing so it can invest in you
  • Respect: +3677
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2018, 12:26:28 pm »
+5
I found that KhanAcademy had some good physics videos :)

Not only do you get to bring in your own double sided A3 sheet, there's also a provided formula sheet - so remembering formulas really isn't a necessary skill

Vaike

  • Victorian
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 243
  • Respect: +236
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2018, 12:36:19 pm »
+5
I found that KhanAcademy had some good physics videos :)

100% agree with this, KA has some fantastic physics videos that would be great to have a brief watch of to get an idea of what you'll study in 3/4 Physics. Particularly, the topics you'd wanna look at include:

  • One dimensional motion
  • Two dimensional motion
  • Forces and Newton's laws of motion
  • Centripetal force and gravitation
  • Work and energy

That's a lot of topics, but those are topics that would be great to have a bit of an idea about before starting 3/4 :-)

S200

  • Part of the furniture
  • *****
  • Posts: 1108
  • Yeah well that happened...
  • Respect: +244
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2018, 01:10:15 pm »
+3
Thank you so much for your reply!

The idea of taking Methods without Units 1/2 was a fair bit more daunting than taking Physics without 1/2, because I assumed Methods would have more prior knowledge needed, but I wanted to do some more digging about Physics before I decide on anything. I've only done General 1/2 (one of my many silly subject decisions in terms of prerequisites)

It's great to know which areas I'll need to know more about, so again, thank you for that. The Physics teacher at my school has recommended the 1/2 textbook, but I think I'd prefer to look for alternate resources. Is there anyone in particular that you'd recommend on YouTube?

And that's good to know that in Physics you get a formula sheet for the exam. I'm usually fine with understanding concepts, but have a rather terrible memory when it comes to formulas for some reason :)
Anytime... :D

I generally watched Professor Dave Explains or Crash Course Physics, depending on what I wanted to learn...
PDE Classical Physics and Modern Physics playlists...
Crash Course Physics


As the others have said, Khan Academy is good as well.
« Last Edit: September 24, 2018, 01:11:57 pm by S200 »
Carpe Vinum

\(\LaTeX\) - \(e^{\pi i }\)
#ThanksRui! - #Rui\(^2\) - #Jamon10000

5233718311 :D

KatherineGale

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 110
  • Respect: +92
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2018, 04:03:27 pm »
0
I found that KhanAcademy had some good physics videos :)

Not only do you get to bring in your own double sided A3 sheet, there's also a provided formula sheet - so remembering formulas really isn't a necessary skill


Thank you miniturtle :)

I've had a look at Khan Academy before for other subjects and I just checked out the Physics section. I'm sure this will really come in handy.

That's great about the formula sheet! It makes me a bit less worried about possibly taking on Physics without 1/2. I need a bare minimum of 25, but I'd like to do well in the subject if I can.





 

KatherineGale

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 110
  • Respect: +92
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2018, 04:08:06 pm »
0
100% agree with this, KA has some fantastic physics videos that would be great to have a brief watch of to get an idea of what you'll study in 3/4 Physics. Particularly, the topics you'd wanna look at include:

  • One dimensional motion
  • Two dimensional motion
  • Forces and Newton's laws of motion
  • Centripetal force and gravitation
  • Work and energy

That's a lot of topics, but those are topics that would be great to have a bit of an idea about before starting 3/4 :-)

Thank you for the list of topics Vaike! I've had a few people tell me a couple of different topics I should look into, but it's great to have a few more. I like to be ahead of the game, so the idea of possibly starting off next year with a subject like Physics without 1/2 makes me want to bury my head in anything and everything possibly relevant to Physics 3/4 :)



KatherineGale

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 110
  • Respect: +92
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2018, 04:17:06 pm »
+2
Anytime... :D

I generally watched Professor Dave Explains or Crash Course Physics, depending on what I wanted to learn...
PDE Classical Physics and Modern Physics playlists...
Crash Course Physics


As the others have said, Khan Academy is good as well.


Great! I'm familiar with Crash Course from other subjects (love their videos) but didn't know they did Physics too. I'll certainly look into it! I haven't heard of Professor Dave Explains, but I'll look into that too. Thanks for all you help :)




Yertle the Turtle

  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 987
  • This page is blank
  • Respect: +478
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2018, 04:47:19 pm »
+3
You can write all of those responses in one post if you like. You just click the "Quote" link and it will add the quote to your response.

I will just say that my experience of DECV has not been good at all, I have not found them helpful at all, and it's not been great for me, doing Spesh with them. I will say, though, that Physics is a great subject, and is really fun, I would definitely advise you to pick it up. Good luck! :D
2017-2018: VCE
Methods | Specialist | Physics | Chemistry | English | Texts and Traditions

2019: B. Eng (Hons) | Monash
2019-?: Certificate III  in Bricklaying and Blocklaying

Have counted to 80

KatherineGale

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 110
  • Respect: +92
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2018, 09:51:33 pm »
+2
You can write all of those responses in one post if you like. You just click the "Quote" link and it will add the quote to your response.

I will just say that my experience of DECV has not been good at all, I have not found them helpful at all, and it's not been great for me, doing Spesh with them. I will say, though, that Physics is a great subject, and is really fun, I would definitely advise you to pick it up. Good luck! :D


So that's how you do it! Thank you :) I spent fifteen minutes trying to figure it out and then gave up :/ I was not made out for this technological era.

You're not alone with your experience with DECV. I've heard of a lot of people who didn't have a good time, in particular with some teachers. I've been doing DECV since 2015  (life with chronic migraines suck :/ ) and have had my fair share of mixed experiences. I've been blessed with two amazing teachers in the last couple of years though, so I'm lucky in that sense.

And thank you! I'm certainly leaning towards taking it, I just want to get my study scores from this year to say yes indefinitely. It seems like a great subject and the more I look into it, the more I'm liking it (I'm being optimistic, although I'm sure I'll be kicking myself next year when I'm in over my head :) )



S200

  • Part of the furniture
  • *****
  • Posts: 1108
  • Yeah well that happened...
  • Respect: +244
Re: Can I take Unit 3/4 Physics without Units 1/2?
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2018, 11:12:23 pm »
0
And thank you! I'm certainly leaning towards taking it, I just want to get my study scores from this year to say yes indefinitely. It seems like a great subject and the more I look into it, the more I'm liking it (I'm being optimistic, although I'm sure I'll be kicking myself next year when I'm in over my head :) )
It'll be ok. If you feel like you're missing something, there's a great community here on AN, so you always have options... :D
Carpe Vinum

\(\LaTeX\) - \(e^{\pi i }\)
#ThanksRui! - #Rui\(^2\) - #Jamon10000

5233718311 :D