[GHOSH-5]

I heard that the mechanics modules for maths a-level (M1-5) are harder than the mechanics in physics a-level. is this really true?
cos then i don't have much reason to do physics a-level, except perhaps for the electricity stuff and waves..
x

[danidanidani91]

Yeah, the mechanics you do in M1 is harder than that in the physics AS anyway (we do the Advancing Physics spec). But physics is awesome :-D

[Aksan]

Yep, easily true. The mechanics in A level physics is really basic. But don't be put off physics just because of that. Mechanics will only make up a part of the A level.

[made_of_fail]

It most definitely is true. As with most areas of A level physics, mechanics is reduced to whether or not you can memorise a formula, whereas on the maths side the questions tend be far more demanding, and there are far more types of question they can ask you.

I may be wrong, but I bet M1-M3 would be better preparation for a physics degree than a Physics A level. Obviously, there are some key topics that are missed, such as electricity, but these are not done in any real depth.

[danidanidani91]

So true, mechanics in physics is pretty much just being able to use the suvat equations.
zzzzzzzzzz

[conroe-killed-the-k8-star]

Yes indeed the mechanics in Maths is a lot more rigourous and in depth than the mechanics in Physics where the focus is assimilating real-world situations and applying the mechanics to them.

Remember the Physics version has to be watered down for those that (inexplicably) don't do AS Maths.

The stuff in M1 is the same content as the AS Physics but the problems they can ask are more demanding -and M2 and 3 match with the A2 Physics but again it's a lot more rigourous.For example you have to resolve forces and use Newton's Second Law for a mass suspended from a string , then use Hooke's Law on the string to show that the acceleration of the particle is consistent with SHM.In Physics you'd be asked to just know the max acceleration and period etc.

[ooehsdxb]

ooof we've decided to do M1 M2 and M3 next year...i mean how hard could it possibly get.

Oh and FP1, FP2 and S2.

tooo muchhh maths

[Mathematician!]

You can NEVER do too much Maths!

[LadyJaneGrey]

Hmm...I don't think you ought to feel compelled to do Physics because it 'shows mathematical ability.' I mean, it may show you're serious about Maths (Cambridge have often given higher required STEP grades to those who don't do Physics because they feel without Physics you're 'not serious enough about Maths.') but it wouldn't show off Maths skills. Do Physics because you enjoy it and do Maths because you enjoy it...if you don't enjoy either then do Maths if you want to show 'you have mathematical skills.' Plus...I do advancing Physics, and technically, mechanics is half of unit 2 so you are automatically great at a 1/4 of the Physics course if you take M1.

[GHOSH-5]

Originally Posted by LadyJaneGrey

Do Physics because you enjoy it and do Maths because you enjoy it

Its not that i don't enjoy physics, i love physics really. just wondering if it could give me an edge, mathematically. probably put it wrong before. thanks for the advice.

[[Dark Prince]]

physics has beginner level M1 mechanics involved which is the easiest of the mechanics modules, certainly from my experience anyway the maths involved in physics has been a breeze, only if you do mechanics, i noticed that those that do physics without mechanics found it quite difficult.