Can someone explain "Conceptual Physics" to me?

[Heather in VA]

I've seen this often on the board but I'm not sure exactly what that means. How does it compare to "regular" physics? It seems to be taken early in high school. Does that mean the math requirements are less? Is it a lighter course or just different?

 

Thanks

Heather

[In The Great White North]

Conceptual Physics is the title of a textbook. Actually, there are two: a high school version and a college version. Here's the latest edition of the college version:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Physics-Package-Paul-Hewitt/dp/0805391908/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220818399&sr=8-1

 

It has almost no math (maybe some algebra) and deals entirely with concepts, hence the name. The general assumption is that non-calculus physics is "lighter" than calculus-based physics, which is usually used for AP.

 

If you google Conceptual Physics, however, you will get a bunch of courses called that, using a variety of different textbooks.

[MaryM]

Yes, Conceptual physics only requires some algebra. It is an excellent book for a foundation before high school physics or for those non-science majors.

 

The math for the AP physics doesn't require calculus though. It does require solid algebra knowledge as well as trig. Calculus won't hurt you (!) but it isn't necessary for the Physics B AP and from all I can tell isn't require for the Physics C either but I cold be wrong on that since I haven't covered that material yet.

 

If you were looking for a good AP book that does an excellent job of presenting the material conceptually AND teaches problem solving skills too, I endorse the Giancoli book from Pearson.

 

Mary

[Jane in NC]

Conceptual Physics is the title of a textbook. Actually, there are two: a high school version and a college version. Here's the latest edition of the college version:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Physics-Package-Paul-Hewitt/dp/0805391908/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220818399&sr=8-1

 

It has almost no math (maybe some algebra) and deals entirely with concepts, hence the name. The general assumption is that non-calculus physics is "lighter" than calculus-based physics, which is usually used for AP.

 

If you google Conceptual Physics, however, you will get a bunch of courses called that, using a variety of different textbooks.

 

Clarifcation: AP Physics comes in two flavors: Physics B which uses algebra II/trig skills and Physics C which uses Calculus.

 

Engineers and hard core science majors will need to take Calculus based physics eventually, but many future engineers are first exposed to physics in a high school or AP course which uses precalculus mathematics.

 

Conceptual Physics offers intuitive and verbal explanation for phenomenon. For example, to understand the concept of center, Conceptual Physics will talk about the point where the mass of a body is concentrated whereas Calculus based physics will offer the following:

 

 

The latter is a precise definition and preferable for an engineer or rocket scientist; but the verbal explanations are perhaps more meaningful for a beginning student or non-science oriented one.

 

Hope this helps.

Jane

[Ruth in Canada]

and we will follow up with an honours or AP level physics class late in high school. Hewitt's Conceptual Physics requires some algebra. It is math-light, but the concepts are quite challenging. We really enjoyed it. It was exactly what we needed for kids who were ready for something challenging but not ready for a regular high school physics course.

[Storm Bay]

and we will follow up with an honours or AP level physics class late in high school. Hewitt's Conceptual Physics requires some algebra. It is math-light, but the concepts are quite challenging. We really enjoyed it. It was exactly what we needed for kids who were ready for something challenging but not ready for a regular high school physics course.

 

Right--sometimes people forget that the more you get into physics, the more challenging some of the concepts can be; it's not only about math. Not everyone brilliant at math is going to make a great physicist, although often people good at MATH (as opposed to engineering math) are also good at physics (or is it the other way around...?). Hewitt does have one out now geared for the Gr 9/10 student, and someone here gave a link to it in a previous thread.

[Janice H]

On this board I think all the posts are regarding Hewitt's books, whether they are the high school edition or the college.

 

There is another publisher, Kinetic Books, with a book called Conceptual Physics available in digital or print form. I don't know anything about the series, but thought you should be aware of this book in case you decide to buy a book with the word "conceptual" in the title.

 

This quote from the website even compares itself to Hewitt's book.

 

"The textbook is available in three versions, designed to meet the needs of different physics courses. Clicking on the heading for any of the three books will take you to a detailed table of contents listing for that book.

Conceptual Physics

This version of the textbook is designed for students who are taking their first physics course in high school, or for college students who are not science majors. The textbook is algebra-based. Like Hewitt’s Conceptual Physics, it does include some equations. It might be considered a somewhat more rigorous version of Hewitt."