<p>My friend is currently taking Calculus AB and Physics B. He finds that using some Calculus concepts he has learned in Physics B is easier than using the methods we learn in class. Our teacher tells him that he is not allowed to do that. Is he allowed to use Calculus on the Physics B exam and not get points taken off (assuming he does everything correctly)?</p>
<p>On the Free Response Questions, I think it’s okay as long as the steps are correct; I doubt they punish students for using more advanced and more efficient methods</p>
<p>You’re allowed to use calculus on Physics B.</p>
<p>How does one go about using Calculus on Physics B? Wouldn’t you have to be given a differentiable equation to use? I’ve seen some Physics-applications in my Calc class that seem interesting, but I don’t see how they apply when I’m not given equations to derive or integrate.</p>
<p>^Usually, it’s just that work=fnInt(Pressure, V, Vf, Vi) (I think that’s how upper and lower go; I get confused) when it comes to P-V diagrams. Or to determine acceleration if given a linear graph of velocity or something like that (i.e. given a graph of f, determine which would be f’). Most of the questions are written so that you don’t need to use calculus.</p>
<p>Aren’t they kind of written so that you can’t use Calculus? There have been several times when my Physics and Calc classes have complemented each other, like when we studied v-t graphs and such, but I think that’s about it.</p>
<p>^Exactly. But there are still times when calculus is applicable (e.g. find distance traveled from t=0 to t=3 when given the velocity vs. time graph).</p>