Knowledge

[Xain]

i was told today that i need to learn Trig before i get into a physics class

is this true?

 

and what do i need to know when i go into a physics classroom?

[ecoli]

it does help, depending on what level you're taking.

[Xain]

im taking physics 1, then 2 , then ill probibly take some in college

off topic, is it normal for a high school to have a class for nuclear radiation?

[insane_alien]

seeing as we have no diea what level 'physics 1' is then that doesn't help. but trigonometry will be very very useful, so would vector maths.

 

my highschool didn't have a seperate class on nuclear radiation but that was a whole topic in the normal physics class. i'd say it was normal. it covers a fair number of fields in physics and is a good allrounder to study.

[ajb]

Some knowledge of trigonometry and basic euclidean geometry is essential unless you are only dealing with 1-dimensional systems. As I (like insane_alien) have no idea what is covered in physics 1 and physics 2 it is impossible to say if you need it or not. Either way, it will prove useful to you to get to grips with trigonometry.

[CDarwin]

i was told today that i need to learn Trig before i get into a physics class

is this true?

 

and what do i need to know when i go into a physics classroom?

 

I'm assuming your referring to a standard American high school physics curriculum, in which case, I'd say yes. You'll be making and interpreting graphs and you need some things you learn in trigonometry for that. They'll probably review it for you but it would be easier just to take the class first. You'd probably need it as a math credit to graduate anyway, right?

 

Not a very sciency answer, but I think it's what you're looking for.

[Xain]

thanks all

CD: i dont need it, all i need is algebra 1 and geometry, all this stuff is just going to be for fun

[Mr Skeptic]

You'll need to know enough trigonometry to tell which parts of a triangle are being referred to when someone says "sine" or "cosine". And where to find it on your calculator.

[Xain]

cool, thanks

ill probibly end up taking a year anyway

[DJBruce]

If you are planning to eventually take college physics I would think you need at least trig and possible some calculus.

[Kyrisch]

I would say so. Understanding vector maths is sort of dependent on understanding trig.

[Xain]

i have to take calc to take high school physics

and ill end up takin trig anyway

[honestdude14]

I would have to agree with Kyrisch. Vectors are an important aspect to the mechanics and the electromagnetics of physics. Trig would be most helpful.