Preparation for Physics?

[takeabow]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi guys,
I'm about to take physics next year and I already know it's the science I'm weakest in so I'm pretty anxious. How do you suggest preparing or pre-studying for it? Are the Khan academy videos any good for physics? any good study books? thanks 🙂

 

[aSagacious]

Nothing much to do beforehand, just brush up on your algebra and you'll be fine.

 

[kpcrew]

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/ I used these videos to try to shore up the subjects that I was not as familiar with. At the very least, you could use them to try picking up the concepts. Then maybe read up online about the things that you don't understand. Also try doing some practice problems and if you have someone who has already taken the course or a grad student, ask them to go through your work with you. I think that doing the problems is the best way to test yourself to see if you really know the material and deficiencies should be apparent.

 

[Ellipsis1104]

I like to preview courses (when I have the time), so I have a general idea of what the class will cover.

UF often keeps old class sites like this one, online:
http://www.phys.ufl.edu/courses/phy2053/fall09/phy2053_09.html

There's not likely to be too much difference among physics courses across the US. Don't go overboard on pre-studying, but looking through the schedule and lecture notes may help.

 

[CodeBlu]

If you have the time and patience. Go through the Khan academy videos!!!!

They rock. I whole heartedly endorse them.

 

[Lil Mick]

The demystified series is pretty good for self-teaching, although I doubt it's necessary for introductory physics. Most algebra-based courses don't assume a background in physics 🙂

 

[takeabow]

thanks 🙂

BTW Has anyone watched the physics vids from the freelance teacher & know if they're helpful? i saw a few for organic chem and they seem kind of repetitive and long

 

[takeabow]

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/ I used these videos to try to shore up the subjects that I was not as familiar with. At the very least, you could use them to try picking up the concepts. Then maybe read up online about the things that you don't understand. Also try doing some practice problems and if you have someone who has already taken the course or a grad student, ask them to go through your work with you. I think that doing the problems is the best way to test yourself to see if you really know the material and deficiencies should be apparent.

this series is for calculus-based physics right? do u know if they have one for algebra based?

 

[circulus vitios]

Know your algebra and the basic trig functions (sin/cos/tan).

 

[curt656]

It would be helpful if you brushed up on vectors. Easy enough, but helpful if you don't have brush up on them while in the middle of learning concepts.

 

[StudyShy]

Khan Academy rocks. I'm doing ochem now with gold old Khan.