Physics Equations & Memorization

[bluishgreen]

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I began studying chapter 1 of BR Physics today, and have come to realize that there are many equations per chapter. Which ones are the ones we need to memorize? I know we don't need to memorize all of them, but is there a list anywhere that narrows down to the ones that are most important, and we should know?

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I began studying chapter 1 of BR Physics today, and have come to realize that there are many equations per chapter. Which ones are the ones we need to memorize? I know we don't need to memorize all of them, but is there a list anywhere that narrows down to the ones that are most important, and we should know?

The problem is that such a list is a moving target. An equation that is given on one exam might not be given on another exam. Maybe one test writer will give you the equation for deformation of a solid deltaL = FxL/YxA while another one won't give it to you.

Your best bet is to recall as many as you can as the result of practicing with them repeatedly. Don't consciously try to memorize them, but instead, work through problems and try not to look back at the reference pages unless you have to.

No doubt your exam will have many equations that are given, but there's no surefire way to know which ones those will be. It's better to err on the side of knowing too many equations than not enough. And for any you may not recall on the exam, you can infer from the units what the relationships are.

BTW, the ones on the chapter lead in page for each section (the back side of the chapter's cover page) are the ones you should most likely know.

 

[bluishgreen]

Memorizing over 100 equations is virtually impossible for a test like the MCAT. My theory is the BR book is just another textbook that gives too much excess information, and doesn't narrow down anything. I will give this book one more shot before I go to EK.

 

[Pisiform]

There are not many equations you need to memorize. There are just few of the basic ones which you should know and you can derive the rest. Let me give you an example:

you know P = F/A
P = m a /A
= density * Voume * a /A
= density * Area * length * a /A
= density * lenghth * acc
P = density * g * h

This is just one example. Once you know how that equation cam into being, you would have no problem remembering it as soon as you see the values

 

[whiteshadodw]

you should really only memorize and understand the equations given on the official AAMC outline.

 

[blue0rchid]

For Physics, I think you'll need to memorize most of the formulas. I couldn't memorize them before, but I did the 1001 EK question for chapter 1,2,3 in physics and now all the formulas are tattooed in my brain.