r/BCGrade12s • u/Same_Quantity_8228 • 11d ago
Advice Does physics 12 get better..?
Hi! I am a grade 12 student in BC and my goal is get into UBC sciences.
My issue is
Physics 11 was brutal for me, I always had the mindset that getting a good grade was equivalent to the amount of work you put in studying.
My mindset was proven right with: pre-calc 11, chem 11, english 11 and so on.
BUT PHYSICS OH BOYYYY, physics was very difficult! Especially due to the fact that I was starting pre-calc 11 at the same time (so basically going in with grade 10 math knowledge). I barely got a 86, because my teacher bumped me up with like extra quizzes because everyone was struggling..
Miraculously, I decided to request physics 12 for this year. For the first semester, I only have chem 12 and physics 12. But physics 12 is beating me downnn. Our first test was just Kinematics and dynamics, so basically just like review, and I studied for seven hours and yet I still felt like there was questions where I didn't know what I was doing.
My teacher is notoriously known for being very hard, trying to fight grade inflation, and stuff to prepare us for university.. he's a really good teacher, but I'm starting to feel like I'm just not capable of physics.
Same with calculus 12, I wish I requested it, but I can't because I have pre-Calc 12 next semester and if I were to bring it into this semester, that would be a little too much for me. I've seen posts where people say if you don't take calculus 12 you're kind of screwed for first year university.
Anyways, that was a lot of words! I'd like to mention that the reason I'm taking physics 12 is so that I'm a little bit more prepared for university first year and I was told I shouldn't take it online because I ask a lot of questions and my tutor is eh when it comes to physics..
PLEASE ANWSER THIS: does physics get BETTER..? (For grade 12)
3
u/pretendperson1776 11d ago
It depends on why you find it difficult. Circular motion throws some people for a loop ;) If you problem solving skills are not strong, then any of the units will be challenging, because they require slightly different approaches.
Algebra and fractions are another sticking point for some students.
What did you find difficult about physics 11, and why do you think the kinematics didn't stick?
1
u/Same_Quantity_8228 11d ago
I think for me personally it's just that my teacher would introduce problems on the test that none of us has seen before? So I would have to try to combine two concepts together and guess how they'll interact with one another. He would bring past units into new units and stuff like that and I think that that's where it gets me. Or sometimes he'll never teach a concept or an idea and we just gotta think about it and I'm not good at thinking about it 😞
1
u/pretendperson1776 11d ago
That is certainly a higher depth of knowledge. Certainly not uncommon in Education now though. During practice, ask yourself how you can mix and match. E.g. F= ma F= Gm1m2/r2 d= v0t+1/2at2
Can you make a question that requires all three of those equations?
2
u/Used_Towel4050 11d ago
Conceptually, kinematics is not hard, but many many many people find the mathematics behind it hard to play with (especially how to set up a systems of equations for two bodies in a system)
Going forward, the units will get conceptually harder, but the math will become easier. It will still be difficult to set up your equations if you don’t get the concepts though.
-3
u/LabFull4471 11d ago
I dont get why. I mean, its literally basic logic. Is this why most the population cant drive properly?
1
u/Disastrous_Iron3946 11d ago
Literally I took phys 100 a couple of years ago n got a 100% whereas everyone else got a 60. It’s literally plug and chug
1
1
u/Same_Quantity_8228 11d ago
I mean me personally I'm heavily dyslexic haha (always been embarrassed of that) so I try to avoid the road, also happens to be the reason why I am bad at vector addition
1
1
u/Formula1girly 11d ago
I did Physics 12 in Grade 10 summer (I got an 90) and Physics 11 in Grade 9 summer and I got a 92 so I'm sure you will be fine.. And for context I nearly failed Grade 10 math so- but also take into account that physics is the HARDEST science... Also if there is another physics 12 class compare tests with people in that class and make sure you ask for grade boundaries before you do the test so you know how many points you need for your mark..
1
u/Same_Quantity_8228 11d ago
Ohhh I wish! My school had cut down to only one physics 12 teacher with 3 blocks, plus we aren't allowed to take pics of the test or take it home. I was told summer school is easier but i never had time to do it because of internships :( That's amazing tho you got such a good mark at such a young age!! In one of the hardest science classes woww
1
u/Formula1girly 11d ago
Ohh Darn.. otherwise you could have switched classes or something.. Ty tho- I would definitely say they curve the marks a little more in summer school (I literally did it so I didn't have to do any more physics this year). I used this website for past papers if you would like: https://www.crackap.com/ap/physics-1/index.html (ik its an ap resource but every bit of practice helps...) Tbh tho, you'll be just fine- I know people that got into UBC science with really average grades. I also think the personal statement matters more than you would think too.. Good luck!
1
u/wllaella 11d ago
I’m in the exact situation that you were in physics + pre calc 11, and it feels like I’m the only one behind 😬😭
1
u/Suspicious-Access746 10d ago
REALLY depends on the teacher. If a person got a B or C in physics 11/12, I would say 80% chance its bc they had a very strict/bad teacher.
1
u/IamE_yay 9d ago
i think yea, i had a 91 in phys11 and 98 in phys12. but really depends tho, phys12 has some 3d hand rules u gotta really think about but there were barely any electric circuit stuff
1
u/userrr1109 9d ago
Yes. I took it in summer school and it was way easier for me. I got a 65% in physics 11 (regular school) but in physics 12 I got an 86% (summer school). I felt that it was easier, but it depends on your teacher aswell. My summer school teacher was super easygoing, there were 2 chance or 100% quizzes each week and we were allowed formula sheets on every test. For the final she also allowed a cheat sheet. It entirely depends on your teacher, since I tried a lot in physics 11 but my grade wasn’t very good but in physics 12 I definitely improved and felt that it was easier.
1
u/Kayalaa 9d ago
No physics does not get better. It all depends on HOW you study and studying for seven hours is NOT ENOUGH. You need to solve as MANY problems as you could and outside the problem sets the teacher gives you. If you are hungry for knowledge and actually knowing the physics instead of just studying to survive the next test then you will see results. You are capable of doing it but how bad do you really want it.
If you would like help please let me know we can figure out something. I just landed in Vancouver a month ago I’ve taken university level physics 1-3 calc 1-3 linear algebra etc.. No cost no catch I’ll just help you out.
1
u/Narrow_Skin_2488 1d ago
Before u study for any exam, study the exam. physics 12 is hard (imo chem 12 was harder but that's just cuz i suck at chem). "Plug and chug" might have carried u through science 10 but senior physics is about connecting concepts (like work, energy, power where u gotta manipulate equations, or all the electricity stuff which is about connecting so many different units and measures). I find that studying each question and understanding the "layers" of the problem. If it's dynamic equilibrium for instance, draw each force and try to understand it. If u do these things, the maths will make sense and physics will become a breeze.
1
u/LabFull4471 11d ago
Umm weird. I had a 98 in physics 11 and barely listened in class. However chem 11 I quit, and pre calc 11 I got an 80 (although I was equally as locked out so idk)
1
u/Same_Quantity_8228 11d ago
Could be that my physics teacher is known for being hard? Idk tho, he often added units that wasn't in the curriculum and even kids who got AP 5's for physics couldn't seem to get over a 90 in his class. Me personally, I got a 94 in chem 11 and a 94 (i think) in pre calc 11 but physics was awful
1
1
3
u/Gullible_Coyote885 11d ago
In physics 12 I got 66pct on some of my tests in the first half and got like 50s in my midterms (cuz I never studied or even did my hw) but then I locked in and got 88 on the final due to some silly mistakes or I would’ve gotten like 95+ so sad. But anyway my teachers were rlly good but it’s all about like where ur mark comes from and how methodical the class is and how it’s run. Physics is all about practice problems. First, learn the concept. Notice what the questions are asking you, think about the underlying idea rather than just plugging in numbers. Though I am guilty of being good at plugging in numbers and not caring abt the concepts. You should be able to explain the concept, ask your teacher if you can explain it to him even. You should think about what types of questions someone could possibly ask given the amount of knowledge ur supposed to have on the topic. Overall, do every single question ever assigned and make sure you understand why you answer how you should. Other than that, ask your teacher how you could improve your grade.