Hard time with physics..

[jsmith1]

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I am taking a summer physics class and I understand most of the info being given out but there are random things that seem to come out of nowhere. For example we were doing some projectile motion problems and the professor just threw up an equation on the powerpoint that I had never seen before and doesn't seem to be in the book. (x = (tan theta +/- sqrt(tan^2 theta - 4delta Y (g/2V^2 cos^2 theta)) / (g / (2v^2 cos^2theta))

This professor is terrible at teaching which is why I am using many outside resources but what am I suppose to do if something like this comes up? It's not online or in my book..Any other resources? Ugg

 

[OREdwardsJR]

I am taking a summer physics class and I understand most of the info being given out but there are random things that seem to come out of nowhere. For example we were doing some projectile motion problems and the professor just threw up an equation on the powerpoint that I had never seen before and doesn't seem to be in the book. (x = (tan theta +/- sqrt(tan^2 theta - 4delta Y (g/2V^2 cos^2 theta)) / (g / (2v^2 cos^2theta))

This professor is terrible at teaching which is why I am using many outside resources but what am I suppose to do if something like this comes up? It's not online or in my book..Any other resources? Ugg

Hold on...

 

[Double A]

I'm not sure about that particular example, but sometimes professors derive equations to show you relationships and what not. It can be helpful, but it can also just confuse you. Try to think about what types of questions he can ask you on an exam. For example, be able to calculate the maximum height in a projectile motion problem when given certain variables. Eventually it will click. I had a very steep learning curve with physics, you're not alone.

 

[von Matterhorn]

A lot of people struggle with Physics. I know I did and I managed to get As both semesters, so don't lose hope. Like ^^ said above, profs often derive equations to show how things work to hopefully make a stronger connection/understanding in the students. Obviously it doesn't always work, but I doubt you'll be tested on a random hanging equation like that

 

[Frazier]

I am taking a summer physics class and I understand most of the info being given out but there are random things that seem to come out of nowhere. For example we were doing some projectile motion problems and the professor just threw up an equation on the powerpoint that I had never seen before and doesn't seem to be in the book. (x = (tan theta +/- sqrt(tan^2 theta - 4delta Y (g/2V^2 cos^2 theta)) / (g / (2v^2 cos^2theta))

This professor is terrible at teaching which is why I am using many outside resources but what am I suppose to do if something like this comes up? It's not online or in my book..Any other resources? Ugg

The first thing on your "to do" list should be to understand why he is showing that stuff to you.

If he says something like "I am just deriving it for your own background knowledge"... then forgetta bout it ASAP.

If he says something like "I am showing you how to derive it for your upcoming exam"... then ask him to clarify the slide after class.

 

[KobeshouldbeaMD]

I am taking a summer physics class and I understand most of the info being given out but there are random things that seem to come out of nowhere. For example we were doing some projectile motion problems and the professor just threw up an equation on the powerpoint that I had never seen before and doesn't seem to be in the book. (x = (tan theta +/- sqrt(tan^2 theta - 4delta Y (g/2V^2 cos^2 theta)) / (g / (2v^2 cos^2theta))

This professor is terrible at teaching which is why I am using many outside resources but what am I suppose to do if something like this comes up? It's not online or in my book..Any other resources? Ugg

The equation you mentioned happened to be the flight equation, it's pretty much the go to equation with projectile motion, it combines the range equation and the delta Y (max) equation, using that will help you solve for most things.

On the other hand, with physics, you have to dedicate a lot of time into doing problems and reading the book, the concepts are honestly not difficult to grasp at all, you have to learn how to "play" with the equations to solve for what you're looking for, I'm in the same boat, I'm taking physics in the summer too.