how to study for physics

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share your secrets.....

Learn where the equations come from-and memorized it, then do alot of application problems since it will help to reinforce concepts. Physics is like math, the more problems you do the better you get at it.
 
Learn to read the math (equations) Plug and chug. Easy as pie.
 
1) make sure you understand all the "physics" to it. By reading or lecture or anything that helps you learn it
2) Understand the equations/math stuff and where/when to apply those equations
3) Once you can do both of that, try practice problems....
 
i think being able to visualize the problem is key in physics.

because every problem/situation is different, the only way to really get better at physics is HW, HW, and MORE HW.. that way, you can see different types and situations that can occur.
 
i think being able to visualize the problem is key in physics.

because every problem/situation is different, the only way to really get better at physics is HW, HW, and MORE HW.. that way, you can see different types and situations that can occur.

But if you like to save hw till the very last minute and to the point where you dont have time left for hw......step 1 and step 2 is a must...hehe
 
But if you like to save hw till the very last minute and to the point where you dont have time left for hw......step 1 and step 2 is a must...hehe

haha. very true. i never studied for the quizzes until 30 min before it. lol so i only had time to look over the concepts like.. "tension forces are equal in an ideal pulley" (is that even true? lol i forgot already. lol) and PRAY that i can APPLY the concept. lol.

but if you're the type that has a hard time applying concepts. HW is the KEY!
the problems are long and annoying but hey.. if it means getting in an A in the class. then just do it. i remember it would take me like 20 min just to do a problem and really understand it, while others got it down within 10 min. -_- ..

do whatever works for you. =] gluck!
 
Physics did not come intuitively to me, but I just finished the first semester with an A-. I had to work hard to come by that grade though. I bought Physics for Dummies to supplement my textbook, which is terrible. I also worked through a lot of questions and had to be a bit of a pain in the ass during class (ie if you don't get something ASK no matter how dumb you feel and how everyone else in class just wants to go home!). That way, when you go over your notes later, you can be sure you wrote down everything correctly and can go through it again. Good luck. I hate physics and have another whole semester of it!
 
I would have to say go to the lecture at all costs. I find that professors filter out a lot of the garbage in the book and make it easy to understand.
 
Learn where the equations come from-and memorized it, then do alot of application problems since it will help to reinforce concepts. Physics is like math, the more problems you do the better you get at it.

My thoughts precisely when I saw this thread!

Also find someone to study with (who won't distact you!). Often times you will catch each other's mistakes and may be able to compliment each other's strengths.

It helps too if you take a problem, change the numbers and solve for a different varible - so you see different ways to manipulate equations

Good luck!
 
I learn things by experiencing it. Go outside throw a rock up in the air and let it hit you in the face...do it for a couple of times. You'll learn the magnitude of the force, direction of the force, gravity, and the speed that it will smack you on the face. Trust me...A+ on your first test.
 
To anyone; what was harder for you physics or organic chemistry? I more imtimidated at physics just because math isn't my strong point.
 
To anyone; what was harder for you physics or organic chemistry? I more imtimidated at physics just because math isn't my strong point.

o chem was just fricken boring...all u do is memorize rules
 
Do as much homework as possible, it is really the only way. Maybe check out a second physics book and do homework problems in it too. There are no shortcuts.
 
Do the hw and memorize 😳 ... what book are u using... i have the solution manual (PDF files) for the book by Serway... lemme know i ll email it to you or something...
 
thank-you! but mine is cutnell...essential physics
 
To anyone; what was harder for you physics or organic chemistry? I more imtimidated at physics just because math isn't my strong point.

math isnt my strong point either but i wasnt intimidated by it at first bcoz people kept saying ..."physics is all PLUG and CHUG" but i think trying to decide WHAT to PLUG is the HARD part... people say its common sense.. but i struggled through physics.. so i guess i dont have common senese. lol

and for o.chem....im not really sure wah all the fuss was about... everyones like "ITS SOOOOOOOOO HARD..hardly ANYYYYYYONE gets an A"
..and i didnt think it was bad at all... its rules and memorization. after doin a few hw problems you should be able to get the idea.

with that being said.. i spent majority of my time studying for o.chem and physics... microbiology and calcII were always last on the pile.

gluckk.
 
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