Miss Marple Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 I would like my ds (10th) to have a physics course next year. He did Conceptual Physics in 8th grade, Biology 9th, Chemistry 10th. He will be taking College Algebra concurrently in 11th (fall) and Trig (spring). Is there a physics program that isn't Calculus based, but that does require higher math than Conceptual Physics? While I'm not a huge Apologia fan, I'm wondering if this might be a good fit. Basically I just want him to have a physics background so that he can take it at the college level. I never had it in high school and consequently had to work very hard to make it through my college level physics classes. The other option is to wait until his senior year. He will take a calculus course (possibly Business Calc.) concurrently his senior year. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periwinkle Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 (edited) Apologia Physics was a good introduction for oldest ds; of course, he appreciated Jay Wile's style and format. I do wish that I had pushed him to complete (or at least try to complete) both the first course and the advanced course during high school. He had to take engineering physics during his first semester this fall and, evidently, he was fine the first 6 weeks until they started new material; then, he started sinking (along with many other students). And starting this month, he has to take second semester physics (groan). All this would depend on your ds's chosen major, of course. The introductory course of Apologia would be fine prep for a basic college course. Edited January 3, 2009 by periwinkle clarification Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Giancoli might work. There is a book that require Algebra II/Trig skills, another which is Calculus based. The former uses more math than Hewett in Conceptual Physics. Will he be seeing Trig for the first time during the spring of 2010? This might be a problem for a physics course beyond the Conceptual level. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryM Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Giancoli is an excellent book and Pearson let's you buy all the support materials as well. I got the disk with everything on it (for teacher's). You will need trig under your belt for this course, period. We also just finished Kinetic Books Principles of Physics. They have three levels of courses: http://www.kineticbooks.com/ I was able to get the SM for a hefty fee... You need trig for this as well. But the online interactive components are a plus! Let me put in my two cents about the math levels and physics. Physics can be FUN but after going thru it w/o calculus, I will say that I wish I had waited and done a calculus based physics (we had conceptual completed already too). There are so many tedious problems when restricted to trig that it becomes another dreaded math class. The fun of the concepts and applications gets lost in the lengthy plug and chug. OR at least it did for us. I was running calculus concurrently so didn't want to do calculus based physics feeling I'd hit some math roadblocks but in hindsight I think it was a mistake. The tedious math killed any interest in the subject despite supplementing with the wonderful Lewin video clips from MIT Courseware and other superb supplements available. Feel free to PM me with any questions about these two products. Of course there is saxon which is still a solid physics book and proven but it won't prepare you for AP Physics but it will get the job done for those going on in the sciences! Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 Yes, trig in spring of 2010. Maybe it would be better to wait until his senior year. If the calculus we are looking at is offered in summer 2010, he will probably take it then. That would allow him to have a bit of calculus under his belt before physics. I'll look at the Giancoli text since both you and Mary recommend it. I would rather avoid Saxon if possible because I've heard so many negative things about it. And it sounds like the Apologia might be too light based on Periwinkle's post. Now to go alter the projected schedule... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoriM Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Giancoli was the text used in my dd's CC Physics class. It was a strong text, and really stretched her math and reasoning skills. (It also convinced her not to pursue an associate's of science...LOL!) Lori M Yes, trig in spring of 2010. Maybe it would be better to wait until his senior year. If the calculus we are looking at is offered in summer 2010, he will probably take it then. That would allow him to have a bit of calculus under his belt before physics. I'll look at the Giancoli text since both you and Mary recommend it. I would rather avoid Saxon if possible because I've heard so many negative things about it. And it sounds like the Apologia might be too light based on Periwinkle's post. Now to go alter the projected schedule... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 (edited) The AP Central website lists Giancoli Physics: Principles with Applications as a possible AP text. Is this the one you all are referring to? Here's the general description: For algebra-based introductory physics courses taken primarily by pre-med, agricultural, technology, and architectural students. This best-selling algebra-based physics text is known for its elegant writing, engaging biological applications, and exactness. Physics: Principles with Applications, 6e retains the careful exposition and precision of previous editions with many interesting new applications and carefully crafted new pedagogy. It was written to give students the basic concepts of physics in a manner that is accessible and clear. The goal is for students to view the world through eyes that know physics. *I'm assuming that this will be more in-depth than the Hewitt CP book? Edited January 3, 2009 by CynthiaOK clarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 The AP Central website lists Giancoli Physics: Principles with Applications as a possible AP text. Is this the one you all are referring to? Here's the general description: For algebra-based introductory physics courses taken primarily by pre-med, agricultural, technology, and architectural students. This best-selling algebra-based physics text is known for its elegant writing, engaging biological applications, and exactness. Physics: Principles with Applications, 6e retains the careful exposition and precision of previous editions with many interesting new applications and carefully crafted new pedagogy. It was written to give students the basic concepts of physics in a manner that is accessible and clear. The goal is for students to view the world through eyes that know physics. *I'm assuming that this will be more in-depth than the Hewitt CP book? That's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryM Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Yes, that's the one. It is waaaay more physics than Hewitt! But well done. I advise looking at some of the syllabi for AP because not all of the chapters are necessary, even for AP. If you are not doing AP you can even consider deleting some of the modern physics if time is a constraint. That's fun stuff though so you might not want to! Btw, you can sometimes find an international edition of this book in paperback form and it is considerably cheaper used than the hardcover. Exactly the same book too. Mary The AP Central website lists Giancoli Physics: Principles with Applications as a possible AP text. Is this the one you all are referring to? Here's the general description: For algebra-based introductory physics courses taken primarily by pre-med, agricultural, technology, and architectural students. This best-selling algebra-based physics text is known for its elegant writing, engaging biological applications, and exactness. Physics: Principles with Applications, 6e retains the careful exposition and precision of previous editions with many interesting new applications and carefully crafted new pedagogy. It was written to give students the basic concepts of physics in a manner that is accessible and clear. The goal is for students to view the world through eyes that know physics. *I'm assuming that this will be more in-depth than the Hewitt CP book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Hen Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 How is Saxon Physics for a kid who has had calculus? Or is there another text the wise-bee-hive would recommend for such a kid. The goal also is to be ready to take the AP Physics B or C test. Thanks, Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryM Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Saxon won't prepare you for the AP exams....too many missing topics. Very minimal and very basic calculus too (tiny bit of integration). It''s a solid book for a foundation course if you like that spiral approach (it drives me nuts!) but your student woould need to supplement with outside material for the modern physics topics for AP B and it will not prepare anyone enough for either AP C exam. Mary How is Saxon Physics for a kid who has had calculus? Or is there another text the wise-bee-hive would recommend for such a kid. The goal also is to be ready to take the AP Physics B or C test. Thanks, Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Hen Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Thank you! Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 Has anyone used or previewed Physics (5th ed) by Johnson which is also recommended at AP Central? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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