AAMC 3 28 9/8/11
AAMC 4 26 8/8/10
AAMC 5 30 8/10/12
AAMC 7 25 7/8/10
The issue is mostly physics (specifically waves and optics)...two topics that I KNOW will show up on the test. So maybe I should stop taking FLS for 2-3 days and try (again) to get those concepts down? I also have all of the TBR books that I haven't had the chance to touch because of the way things turned out (took TPR course and working FT, so not much time outside of TPR course/homework/ and work). But maybe if I DID reschedule, I would have time to do all of TBR passages, and make sure I have ALL of the concepts down, as well as not having the essays to worry about, which is somewhat of an issue for me...hmmm..
Where from do you reason that waves AND OPTICS is "mostly" the issue? I have seen waves persistently on aamc's, however, optics questions might be asked once or twice on a FL. You can probably miss 4 or 5 questions and still only drop only 1 point on a PS section.
That you are not familiar with optics is one thing. But can learning every detail in optics cause your score to go up by more than two points? NO WAY!
Waves is a whole different ball game, there are scores of waves and specifically DOPPLER effect questions on every AAMC I have completed.
Most commonly questions are that I have noted on PS section are
1. Wave Characteristics and differences(transverse vs Longitudinal) (V=(lambda) etc.
2. Doppler effects
4.Newtons laws 3 laws! (F=MA ect.)
6. Momentum and energy problems
5.Ohms law and P=IV
Chemistry
6.Le Chatelier's this concepts is everywhere!
7.Radioactive Decay
8.Gibbs free energy
9.Electrolytics cells
10. Peridioc Trends!!
If someone would NOT be familiar with any ONE!!!! of these subjects, I would suggest to not test yet.
However, optics you can do with out, but if you know it, it will definitely help cushion your score minutely.
This is only an observation that I noticed, and decided to point it out to you.
Hope you don't waste your time too much on optics, but if you must, definitely know that..
Mirrors and Lenses are the same...but different! Here is why..
They are the same in the sense that they both deal with light.
Lenses have light go through them, and mirrors reflect it.
If they are
converging mirrors and lenses...then the same concepts apply
If they are
diverging mirrors or lenses......then same concepts or truly (A RULE) actually applys.
However ever....
Lenses that CONVERG are conVEX, and
Mirrors that CONVERGE or conCAVE
alternatively........
Lenses that DIVERGE are conCAVE and
Mirrors that CONVERGE are conVEX
now that you set up your definitions, the concepts can be divided in to two categories as follows...
Converging vs
Diverging concepts
FOR DIVERGING...
Diverging
concave lenses and Diverging
Convex mirrors - generate smaller, upright virtual images or (SUV), image is always smaller than the focal point(a numerical distances from the lens or mirror) .....this is good enough info for diverging systems
Converging have 5 different scenarios play out...
WHY?
Because there are three 3 points from the distance of the lens that are the CRUCIAL to know
Point
A. =The lens location
Point
B.= f = focal length ( a distance from LENs with a (random) numerical value.)
Point
C. [/B=]R =Radius of curvature which ONLY equals 2f! (thats all)
basically looks like this A.<------distance=(2f)----> B.=f <---distance------->C.(lensORmirror)
notice you can put an object in one of 5 different locations from the LENS or (C)
Location 1. left of A <--beyond radius of Curvature
Location 2. at A.....at radius of curvet
Location 3. between A and B (between radius of curvature and focal length
Location 4. at B at focal length
Location 5. and Between B and C between focal length and les
Now, when you are told what location the object is put at (which you are usually told) you can predict the .... size(magnification), if it is up or upside-down and real or virtual of the image that resulted from the location of the object.
A stupid equation people use that I never use( and it works for me not to) is the lens makers equation or 1/f = 1/o + 1/i. Where f = focal length, o= object placed and i= the objects image
Here are the concepts you NEED memorize for each location previously mention and its resulting image.
PLACEMENT OF OBJECT AT......(you can ignore the formulas at the end of each sentence, however, they are the lens makers equation reason for the result.)
1.Beyond radius of curvature (R)- image is Real, Inverted, Smaller(----R>I> ----1/f=1/#>R + 1/f<R
2.at radius of curvature...image is (R)- Real, Inverted, Same----I=R----1/f=1/R + 1/R
3.inside radius of curvature but beyond focal point - image is Real, Inverted, Larger---I>R--1/f=1/#<R + 1/#>R
4.at focal point ---NO IMAGE-- 1/f= 1/f + 1/∞(infinity)
5.inside focal point--(image is ) Virtual, Upright, Larger-----1/=1/#< + 1/-#
Other minor details play out, but if you understood what I tried to explain (assuming I explained correctly or coherently) then you can practice on any EK 1001 or Princeton discretes...they are not so difficult and you can fine tune some details I missed out on.
Goof luck....keep us posted.
!!!!!!
Just a warning to those who are also doing their practice tests in the morning...start practicing at 1pm
