Advise Needed (1 Viewer)

[sam04u]

Well here's my problem im a year 10 student and i have subject selection only problem is im ot sure whether or not to choose (physics/chemistry) i already know im quite good at chemistry but my freinds are telling me that physics is like maths and its hard . to anyone actually doing physics how hard is it and also for chemistry (PLEASE INCLUDE INFO FROM THE SYLABUS LIKE TOPICS)

P:S IM NOT THAT GOOD A mathematician but i am doing advanced maths so i can choose the subject

 

[Ragerunner]

Due to the new syllabus im inclined to say that maths isn't a high important factor in physics. If you know you will enjoy the course in what you will be studying such as:

Year11
<li> Communication
<li> Electrical energy in the home
<li> The cosmic engine

Year 12
<li> Space
<li> Motors and Generators
<li> from ideas to implementations

The new syllabus means that it focuses more on english-type questions that involveunderstanding concepts rather than doing mathematical equations. I recall doing my trial exams that there was only 3 mathematical questions. 1 of them being in the multiple choice.

It's up to you whether you think this new syllabus change from a maths-oriented subject to a concept-oriented will suit you well. This new syllabus change also applies for Chemistry.

 

[hipsta_jess]

i did both chem and phys for prelim, and i have to agree with ragerunner, maths is no longer as important as it once was for phys.
i dropped phys at the end of prelim yr, but that was coz we had a really crappy teacher (seriously, we would have a heading and our entire notes would be 'refer to text')

i think for chem, whilst you need to be able to do some maths, its more just being able to remember chunks of info.

 

[Ragerunner]

Note: Your school half-yearlys and yearly's in year 11 may not necessarily follow the syllabus outcomes of having more concept type questions. I'm talking about the HSC exam you sit in year 12. That one will not have large amount of maths.

 

[Misturi]

I am doing chem, l don't like it and l think its hard. You have to think about what area you would like to do. If you think you will like it then go for it! Also choose subjects that may go towards your career (if you have chosen one already).

I think chem is hard because l have to do the 2 year course in 1 year. I would advise you to do chem if you may do that in your career.

 

[Ragerunner]

Originally posted by sarah_#1_eel
I think chem is hard because l have to do the 2 year course in 1 year. I would advise you to do chem if you may do that in your career.

You don't need to know the preliminary course for the HSC, except some things that overlap.

I do Chemistry and i find it a lot easier than physics in grasping the concepts.

 

[flyin']

A question to answer your question: How good are you at History, English, and the odd Caluation? If you perform well in History and English, you shouldn't have too much trouble with them, provided of course, you study them.

 

[Ragerunner]

Originally posted by flyin'
A question to answer your question: How good are you at History, English, and the odd Caluation? If you perform well in History and English, you shouldn't have too much trouble with them, provided of course, you study them.

Actually English/History don't require you to learn many concepts. You may be good in english but still bad at physics if you can't understand and apply your knowledge. Physics now is more of the -why- and -how- things work and test whether you can explain them

 

[flyin']

Well, that's true to a certain extent, but one's ability to BS helps greatly.

 

[Ragerunner]

Essay questions are easy to BS, thats why, English is easy to BS .

Physics and Chem close to impossible unless you understand it all.

 

[sam04u]

well the reason i think il do good is that in my half yearly science (5 ?'s on chem) i answered 5 of them correct and the best after me only got 2 right my teacher said he tryed to make them real hard

im good at english and history

 

[Rahul]

the hsc course for physics does not require much maths actually. it is much more 'english' based. this doesnt mean that its easy, the concepts can and will be hard to understand.
prelim physics, i think had more maths, with the work on tension and momentum, someone can maybe correct me here.
they are worth a try. even if you carry a lot of units in yr 11, you can see which courses you want to keep.

 

[Ragerunner]

Even if you somehow do very badly in the prelim don't let that put you off because the HSC course is very different. you have to wait till you realise that you don't like the HSC course first before you drop it (assuming you chose to do it).

I failed year 11. 30/100 -_-

HSC i got 83/100

 

[iambored]

u would be able to do chem with gen maths - all you have to do is divide and multiply. the prob is, most of our class can't even do that and they do higher levels of maths (because it can be complicated to know what to divide and multiply. the teacher says the calculations are easy, but we find them hard, even if we onyl use basic maths

 

[Ragerunner]

Yes the maths is actually pretty easy. It's just knowing which forumula to use that can be confusing. *Damn you projectile motion*

It's normal add, subtract, multiply, divide etc.. they don't have any advanced stuff that requires you to learn a whole new topic. But you have to know your equations well.

 

[McDaddy]

With the new syllabus you don't really have to have maths as your strong point. They give you all the equations you'll need, which is the same in gen maths. Its just remebering/understanding the concepts involved and conveying them in structured and sometimes lengthy response which can be hard.

 

[flyin']

Originally posted by Ragerunner
Essay questions are easy to BS, thats why, English is easy to BS .

Physics and Chem close to impossible unless you understand it all.

Well, besides Q2Q, last year's Physics paper was very easy to BS through, even under exam conditions.

 

[Raiks]

One option would be to ask your teachers because they often have the best idea of if you're heading in the right direction because they often have a guide from previous students.... but remember to ask the teachers who are teaching the HSC courses and also teach you if possible, because if you ask others, they're likely to BS and won't provide the best information.

 

[Ragerunner]

Teachers will just look ath their mark and say what they think. Unless they really know you, its hard to determine. My teacher strongly suggested me to drop Chemistry, even I wanted to but i was stuck with 11 units so i can't drop anything.

Now I am happy I never got the chance to drop it