Should I do Physics? (from a yr 11 student) (1 Viewer)

[etc. etc. etc.]

Hi all,
I've just started year 11 and am so far loving all my subjects but one.... Ancient History. I originally wanted to do Society and Culture, but it was on the same line as the Art class and there's no way I was going to drop that as it is my strongest and most loved subject. So I chose Ancient History because it looked the best from all the subjects that were left over. So far I am not enjoying it, I don't like the class much, and don't think I can learn very well from this particular teacher (likes hand-outs and overheads.... no discussions)

So I'm thinking of doing Physics. My science teacher from last year really wants me to do it and keeps pestering me when she sees me. It's not that I'm really all that good at science.... I just find it extremelly interesting. I love the concepts.
So what's the problem? I'm not that good at Maths. I'm fine in science as long as I'm reading information, I can understand, process and picture most of it - but as soon as maths and calculations comes into it I'm ruined. I was in standard Maths in 9-10, and get really frustrated by numbers.

So my question is, how heavily does the Physics course rely on maths? I'm particularly interested in Astrophysics.... and also waves and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Oh and my mark in the SC for Maths was 72 and for Science 78, if that helps. My other subjects are-
Advanced English
Studies of Religion II
Visual Arts
Design and Technology
Visual Design (1 unit prelim)
Photography (1 unit prelim)

Do you think Physics would be too much to handle in the HSC year for someone not too strong in Maths, and someone who's also doing 2 major work subjects?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I really want to change before I miss out on too much work!
Thankyou,
Collette

 

[zeropoint]

If you're in prelim, then don't worry about missing work . For the HSC, the level of mathematics is no more advanced than rearrangement of simple algebraic expressions. Perhaps the hardest thing you will run into is projectile motion, but with plenty of practice you will be an ace in no time. So, my advice is go for it. There are plenty of people here willing to answer questions you might have, feel free to email me if you ever run into trouble, and good luck with your HSC!

 

[FinalFantasy]

do physics! just work hard if u need to

 

[Li0n]

Maths can help, but if you love it do it

 

[JumboKHS]

Its really all up to how prepared you are to work hard.

Some things to note,

Not all formulae needed to answer questions are given to you in the test, sometimes to answer a question you will have to derive a formula using given information and another formula allready given to you.
You will also need to be able to change the subject of a formula very quickly. Not being good at maths might not restrict you from answering questions but it might slow you down alot in the tests.

Download a previous hsc physics paper and see if there is too much maths for your liking.

If you want to go on the safe side, drop visual design and photography as they dont count towards your uai and replace them with a 2unit subject and also do phyics. That way when it comes to year 12 when you can drop down to 10 units if your having trouble with the maths in physics you can just drop it.

 

[Jago]

the math really isn't that bad (so far) most of the stuff i've done is basically substituting values into a formula. I don't really enjoy physics because there isn't ENOUGH maths :/

 

[KFunk]

Just make sure you remember basic trigonometry ( incl. sine rule, cosine rule and your right angle triangle properties). This stuff can come up in vector addition in yr11 but don't expect any rigorous maths in yr12.

Physics is a great subject with the potential to open up a whole new world for you. Few things fascinate me more than the fundamental nature of space, time and matter. While the best parts of this subject are only briefly lighted upon, HSC physics gives you the [very] basic background knowledge needed to further investigate the inner workings of the universe. If the idea of a greater understanding of everything captures you like it does me then do physics, you wont regret it (...until you realise the physics in society focus and go mad as you see them try and make relativity socially relevant ).

 

[go_elizabeth]

i tried it with general math... i got the conceots but not the math, which was hard