Oh, I thought I was in College

MrCodeDude

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
13,674
1
76
Now, I'm in Physics 141, which is introductory phyiscs for college students. This is the first physics class that all EE's have to take unless they AP tested out of it. I didn't take AP Physics, so I'm in the class.

Anyway, we're doing simple velocity equations with constant accelleration and all that good stuff. He requires that we draw both a pictorial representation and motion diagram FOR EACH PROBLEM. Even the problems in the book that don't ask for them. He says, "If you can draw one, then you must." WTF? These are stupid three variable problems and I have to spend time drawing a bloody skier going down an incline?

Here's the kicker. Each problem is worth 8 points. Setup (the pictures and diagram + equation) are worth 5 points, the answer is worth 3. I thought I was in college.

I'm all for giving partial credit if people show their work and get the answer wrong, but all of these problems could be done in your head with a calculator. I didn't have to do this in HS Physics, it was optional. I thought motion diagrams were there to help you if you didn't understand the problem, not that they are mandatory for solving one. :rolleyes;

Please tell me college classes get better in the later courses.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
Ummm....it's for you own good. When you get to Newtion's law, you will have draw a block diagram that will help a bunch.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
What you fail to realize is that 75% of the people taking that class will still fail it.
 

CarlKillerMiller

Diamond Member
Jul 14, 2003
3,099
0
0
I know there are going to be morons who say "OMG Be happy that's all you have to do!!!"

But you're right. Tedious work like that teaches the student nothing, it only eats your time. From what I hear, it doesn't get better. The stuff that you have to do just gets harder.
 

NatePo717

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2005
3,392
4
81
Most of the problem is understanding. The math part is trivial. Once you understand what is happening in the problem the math part is a snap.
 

radioouman

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2002
8,632
0
0
Originally posted by: NatePo717
Most of the problem is understanding. The math part is trivial. Once you understand what is happening in the problem the math part is a snap.


And drawing the diagram makes sure that you understand the problem and don't just solve it by multiplying 2 numbers together.
 

MrCodeDude

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
13,674
1
76
Originally posted by: radioouman
Originally posted by: NatePo717
Most of the problem is understanding. The math part is trivial. Once you understand what is happening in the problem the math part is a snap.


And drawing the diagram makes sure that you understand the problem and don't just solve it by multiplying 2 numbers together.
I KNOW HOW THE BLOODY PROBLEM WORKS. I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE IN REGULAR PHYSICS. ME DRAWING A STUPID DIAGRAM DOES NOTHING FOR ME, EXCEPT TAKING UP SPACE AND TIME.
 

RandomFool

Diamond Member
Dec 25, 2001
3,913
0
71
www.loofmodnar.com
It does help especially with the later courses, help to get you in the habit of drawing everything out so you can understand it better. Most of physics is really under standing what is going on doing the math is the easy part.
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Wait till you have to take upper-division Physics for engineering, then we'll talk. You'll be begging to go back to an easy class. ;)
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
Originally posted by: RandomFool
It does help especially with the later courses, help to get you in the habit of drawing everything out so you can understand it better. Most of physics is really under standing what is going on doing the math is the easy part.


Exactly....wait till you get to circuits...you get the problem, but you cannot do any math because you have no idea what to do with the circuit.
 

theknight571

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,896
2
81
ahhhh... Physics....

I took the "entry" level physics and after 2 tests was averaging a 35% in the class.

Decided it was better to drop than fail so I went to talk to the prof... he asked me why I wanted to drop I was at a "B" level.

I was like WTF... 35% is a "B".. LOL

I stuck it out... ended up at like 42%...which by then was still a "B".

One hell of a Curve.... lol

-TK
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
10,621
1
0
Ahh...drawing force diagrams. Those were the days.

/goes back to dealing with Hartree-Fock equations and spin-orbit coupling :confused:
 

Rogue

Banned
Jan 28, 2000
5,774
0
0
You know, this is my whole problem with college. It all feels like busy work to me. I'll be half way done in December and then I'll probably enroll in one of those accelerated learning, evening adult programs to finish the rest.
 

tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
0
Maybe you should have enrolled in a better college?

I sure as heck did not have to draw any basic diagrams in my college physics course. Anyway, enjoy it while you can, because if you're at a decent school, it'll get really hard, really fast.

D*mn pre-med weed-out courses!
 

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
1
76
Originally posted by: Rogue
You know, this is my whole problem with college. It all feels like busy work to me. I'll be half way done in December and then I'll probably enroll in one of those accelerated learning, evening adult programs to finish the rest.

The purpose of college (at least engineering and sciences) is not how to solve Newton's or Maxwell's equations, it is to teach you how to think. If you can't be bothered learning problem-solving techniques now you will have serious trouble with the more advanced stuff later on.
 

habib89

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
3,599
0
0
yah, it's easy now.. and who knows maybe you're exceptional and won't need to draw diagrams for upper division classes.. in that case, great.. you'll breeze through the rest of your college education.. i had to do diagrams for every a lot of my engineering classes.. fluids.. thermo.. mechanics.. vibrations.. statics.. dynamics.. all that fun stuff.. it's just to get you in a good habit of drawing things out
 

Lenine

Senior member
Apr 19, 2003
371
0
0
As others have said, the point isn't whether you can do the problems or not, but rather to teach you the problem solving methods that you can use on actual hard problems. When problems get harder in school, or you are doing real problems in the workplace as an engineer, I am sure you will have to draw some diagrams. What will you do when you can't draw the diagrams, or worse, don't even think to draw the diagrams--and can't come up with the solution?
 

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,946
11
81
Originally posted by: MrCodeDude
Originally posted by: radioouman
Originally posted by: NatePo717
Most of the problem is understanding. The math part is trivial. Once you understand what is happening in the problem the math part is a snap.


And drawing the diagram makes sure that you understand the problem and don't just solve it by multiplying 2 numbers together.
I KNOW HOW THE BLOODY PROBLEM WORKS. I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE IN REGULAR PHYSICS. ME DRAWING A STUPID DIAGRAM DOES NOTHING FOR ME, EXCEPT TAKING UP SPACE AND TIME.

CRAWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLING INNNNNNN MY SKINNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!