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Differentiation and Integration at post-A2?
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(Since I'm asking in the context of a Physics major but about Math I'm not sure if this is the right place - feel free to move if need be!)
So I'm just curious, how much is Differentiation/Integration needed post-A2 for a degree and for what? I can't help noticing it shows up in C1, C2, Diff in C3, and C4.
It's not that I'm bad at it, quite the opposite - just that I'm not sure exactly how much more important it is than the other topics, at least for Astrophysics. Shows up more than anything.
Kinda asking here because I did my A2 Physics last year without more than a C at GCSE and did fine, but I get the feeling this is different at MPhys level (hence studying C1-4/M1/M2).
So I'm just curious, how much is Differentiation/Integration needed post-A2 for a degree and for what? I can't help noticing it shows up in C1, C2, Diff in C3, and C4.
It's not that I'm bad at it, quite the opposite - just that I'm not sure exactly how much more important it is than the other topics, at least for Astrophysics. Shows up more than anything.
Kinda asking here because I did my A2 Physics last year without more than a C at GCSE and did fine, but I get the feeling this is different at MPhys level (hence studying C1-4/M1/M2).
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#2
I think maths in a physics degree will involve a lot more calculus and geometry than alevel. the maths in alevel physics isn't bad, it's essentially rearranging any equation, proportionality, some derivation and logs.
fairly certain that M3 involves calculus.
fairly certain that M3 involves calculus.
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(Original post by CastCuraga)
Kinda asking here because I did my A2 Physics last year without more than a C at GCSE and did fine, but I get the feeling this is different at MPhys level (hence studying C1-4/M1/M2).
Kinda asking here because I did my A2 Physics last year without more than a C at GCSE and did fine, but I get the feeling this is different at MPhys level (hence studying C1-4/M1/M2).
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(Original post by BTAnonymous)
I think maths in a physics degree will involve a lot more calculus and geometry than alevel. the maths in alevel physics isn't bad, it's essentially rearranging any equation, proportionality, some derivation and logs.
fairly certain that M3 involves calculus.
I think maths in a physics degree will involve a lot more calculus and geometry than alevel. the maths in alevel physics isn't bad, it's essentially rearranging any equation, proportionality, some derivation and logs.
fairly certain that M3 involves calculus.
But aye, will make sure to focus on those two then. Thank ye!
(Original post by Pangol)
As you've noticed, there is very little new maths in A level physics (just the logarithms and exponentials). But for any branch of physics at a higher level, calculus is essential. Physics is largely about how things change over time, and to tell how a thing (let's call it S) changes over time, you need to work out dS/dt, where t is time. And to work out the total effect of lots of small effects, you need to integrate. So yeah, it's pretty much everywhere in higher level physics.
As you've noticed, there is very little new maths in A level physics (just the logarithms and exponentials). But for any branch of physics at a higher level, calculus is essential. Physics is largely about how things change over time, and to tell how a thing (let's call it S) changes over time, you need to work out dS/dt, where t is time. And to work out the total effect of lots of small effects, you need to integrate. So yeah, it's pretty much everywhere in higher level physics.
Was struggling to understand how they'd be used, but I think I get it. Did you do Physics by chance? Am curious whether FP1 or M3-5 is worth looking at over the summer for 1st year.
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#5
(Original post by Pangol)
As you've noticed, there is very little new maths in A level physics (just the logarithms and exponentials). But for any branch of physics at a higher level, calculus is essential. Physics is largely about how things change over time, and to tell how a thing (let's call it S) changes over time, you need to work out dS/dt, where t is time. And to work out the total effect of lots of small effects, you need to integrate. So yeah, it's pretty much everywhere in higher level physics.
As you've noticed, there is very little new maths in A level physics (just the logarithms and exponentials). But for any branch of physics at a higher level, calculus is essential. Physics is largely about how things change over time, and to tell how a thing (let's call it S) changes over time, you need to work out dS/dt, where t is time. And to work out the total effect of lots of small effects, you need to integrate. So yeah, it's pretty much everywhere in higher level physics.
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#6
(Original post by CastCuraga)
That makes more sense, thank ye!
Was struggling to understand how they'd be used, but I think I get it. Did you do Physics by chance? Am curious whether FP1 or M3-5 is worth looking at over the summer for 1st year.
That makes more sense, thank ye!
Was struggling to understand how they'd be used, but I think I get it. Did you do Physics by chance? Am curious whether FP1 or M3-5 is worth looking at over the summer for 1st year.
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#7
(Original post by CastCuraga)
That makes more sense, thank ye! Was struggling to understand how they'd be used, but I think I get it. Did you do Physics by chance? Am curious whether FP1 or M3-5 is worth looking at over the summer for 1st year.
That makes more sense, thank ye!
Was struggling to understand how they'd be used, but I think I get it. Did you do Physics by chance? Am curious whether FP1 or M3-5 is worth looking at over the summer for 1st year.
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#8
1st year at the moment (Astro, actually doing it in the first year through direct entry)
Good amount of calculus and differentiation. First thing we did was literally use calculus for Planck's Law, i.e. for blackbody relationships and intensity/wavelength relationships for a blackbody source. In the actual Physics course, we used calculus for everything from friction on a pulley down to the energy density relationship of a string... you can do this without it, but teacher had fun with us.
Either way, it's very useful.
Good amount of calculus and differentiation. First thing we did was literally use calculus for Planck's Law, i.e. for blackbody relationships and intensity/wavelength relationships for a blackbody source. In the actual Physics course, we used calculus for everything from friction on a pulley down to the energy density relationship of a string... you can do this without it, but teacher had fun with us.
Either way, it's very useful.
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