Hey guys I would like to take your opinions again and see if anyone is like me on that. I realized that most concepts in physics and general chemistry can simply be derived by looking at the straight equations without reading too much or remembering certain facts from reading. Most concepts relate to direct or indirect proportionality (increase increase, increase decrease) this type of stuff. I feel like I wouldn't remember much of the concepts if I don't remember the formula and by looking at the formula, I can remember most of the concepts related to it and apply it on questions that require concepts. I know that most details in the review books are explaing how the formula is derived and what is the concept of it but still, the most important thing for me is to see the formula and then I can remember what it was about. Anyone the same as me?
Concepts vs Formulas
- Thread starter MShopes
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Mathematically inclined would actually be able to do both well... going from physical meaning to formula and physical meaning to formula.
I initially adjusted to studying by remembering some basic daily life applications... esp since it was the most relevant with physics 1. a really old example I can remember of my confusion on derivation of formulas and meaning was getting the quadratic equation... but it set up later for me to even now, remember everything that went on. Now, I study both to make sure in case I forget one, I remember the other. A very visual example that has many possible manipulations with a formula.
I initially adjusted to studying by remembering some basic daily life applications... esp since it was the most relevant with physics 1. a really old example I can remember of my confusion on derivation of formulas and meaning was getting the quadratic equation... but it set up later for me to even now, remember everything that went on. Now, I study both to make sure in case I forget one, I remember the other. A very visual example that has many possible manipulations with a formula.
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Physics restricts to model or ideal systems where formulas can be a complete language or system of understanding. Physics is different from a descriptive science like biology.
Physical quantities have noun/verb relationships built inside the formulas because just like human language physical formulas represent what changes and what remains the same, correlation and causation. Looking at the formulas and trying to restrict your imagination to understanding just that play of signifiers within the process of understanding change in the world around you is the essence of learning physics. Ask physics formulas to mean something and they will speak to you about what changes with what and how, what leads to what, such as the rate of heat flow through a wall, or what causes what, such as cardiovascular turbulence. Formulas will give you insight into many varieties of situations because there are patterns in the interplay of physical relationships around us that can be empirically derived and represented as mathematical expressions.
There is no concepts vs formulas. Physics formulas are concepts in that each is an idea and a representation. The best way I have seen in trying to get to know a formula better is to try to restate any formula as a sentence without saying 'equals'.
Physical quantities have noun/verb relationships built inside the formulas because just like human language physical formulas represent what changes and what remains the same, correlation and causation. Looking at the formulas and trying to restrict your imagination to understanding just that play of signifiers within the process of understanding change in the world around you is the essence of learning physics. Ask physics formulas to mean something and they will speak to you about what changes with what and how, what leads to what, such as the rate of heat flow through a wall, or what causes what, such as cardiovascular turbulence. Formulas will give you insight into many varieties of situations because there are patterns in the interplay of physical relationships around us that can be empirically derived and represented as mathematical expressions.
There is no concepts vs formulas. Physics formulas are concepts in that each is an idea and a representation. The best way I have seen in trying to get to know a formula better is to try to restate any formula as a sentence without saying 'equals'.
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