Well I decided to take a Physics class dealing with mechanics this summer and I am off to a rough and slow start. It is fast-paced, and worth 5 credits. Plus it's in the summer, a time I do not want to be taking a class. I took it because I didn't want to live with my parents again and it will allow me to get my degree faster. Anyway, for anyone that has taken physics, what helped you get through it?
Classical Physics, tips for succeeding?
- Thread starter dredg
- Start date
Anubis
No Lifer
i majored in it, just study read the book and do the work, intro physics really isnt that hard, its just applied math
i took 5 sems of it in college, the only tips i can give you to suceed is to not fall behind becasue the matierial builds. also becasue this is a summer class i assume it moves quickly.
Yes I've learned that falling behind is a very bad thing to do. It does go by very quickly. I HATE IT!
Too bad I don't have $150 to throw down on a calculator. Is the TI-89 worth it? I have a TI-83+ right now.
A TI89 will pay for itself many times. $150 is nothing for the amount of utility it will give you. Trust me on this, you'll just have to worry about setting up the integro-differential equations, and not solving them - delegate it to the 89.
At least in my experience, summer classes are much, much easier than the ones in full-term school. It moves fast but it also skims the surface and leaves out a lot of the deeper stuff. People that took physics I in the spring and physics 2 in the summer said that Physics 2 (E&M) was easier than Mechanics...eveyone who took E&M in the fall (and took Physics 1 with the same professors in the prior Spring) thought that E&M was much, much harder, and this was across at least four professors.
I'd almost be worried that if you struggle with mechanics, when you take E&M in the fall (which you probably have to) you might not have the process entirely figured out. Summer classes, although faster, are much less detailed and should be easier. If that's not the case, you need to evaluate your process flaws and fix them fast, because they will become crushing when you get to E&M.
At least in my experience, summer classes are much, much easier than the ones in full-term school. It moves fast but it also skims the surface and leaves out a lot of the deeper stuff. People that took physics I in the spring and physics 2 in the summer said that Physics 2 (E&M) was easier than Mechanics...eveyone who took E&M in the fall (and took Physics 1 with the same professors in the prior Spring) thought that E&M was much, much harder, and this was across at least four professors.
I'd almost be worried that if you struggle with mechanics, when you take E&M in the fall (which you probably have to) you might not have the process entirely figured out. Summer classes, although faster, are much less detailed and should be easier. If that's not the case, you need to evaluate your process flaws and fix them fast, because they will become crushing when you get to E&M.
JetBlack69
Diamond Member
- Sep 16, 2001
- 4,580
- 1
- 0
well, before you get into astro physics (if you do) read: a brief history of time by: stephen hawking. I am in grade 11 and can't wait to do that stuff!
vshah
Lifer
- Sep 20, 2003
- 19,003
- 24
- 81
fiddle around with formulas. once you've memorized them all just sit there with a blank sheet and write em all at the top, then twist em around, set em equal to each other and all that stuff. i found this helped me because the exam problems are rarely as straightforward as homework probs, and this would just make me that much more comfortable with manipulating the info.
good luck,
-Vivan
good luck,
-Vivan
cronos
Diamond Member
- Nov 7, 2001
- 9,380
- 26
- 101
i think mechanics is one of the easiest parts of physics. but maybe that's because i'm a civil engineer.
just understand the basic and have it ingrained in your brain and you'll be fine.
Edit: i need to add, if you're working on a problem, sketch a alot. just draw the problem for every possible combinations that you can think of, the solution will come to you very quickly.
just understand the basic and have it ingrained in your brain and you'll be fine.
Edit: i need to add, if you're working on a problem, sketch a alot. just draw the problem for every possible combinations that you can think of, the solution will come to you very quickly.
the curve got me through. that's what. no graphing calcs are allowed in any math courses at my university. guy gave us no formula sheets either. I didn't learn a thing, I am screwed for physics w/cal 2.
Just make sure to do the homework. If you understand the homework, hopefully that means you understand the concepts, and that's really all mechanics is. The equations aren't terribly difficult to manipulate and the math isn't that tricky. You might try reading through the book before going to lecture too since physics lecture can be pretty confusing when it's new material.
As for the whole TI-89 thing, I've gotten by just fine with an 83+, but as mentioned, the 89 does have a lot of analytical solvers (and a ton of other cool stuff) so if you're running out of time on tests because of how long it takes to actually finish up a problem/get through algebra, it can probably save you significant time.
As for the whole TI-89 thing, I've gotten by just fine with an 83+, but as mentioned, the 89 does have a lot of analytical solvers (and a ton of other cool stuff) so if you're running out of time on tests because of how long it takes to actually finish up a problem/get through algebra, it can probably save you significant time.
i picked up a ti-89 on the AT FS forum for $65. best $65 I ever spent.
as far as the class, I think everyone already covered what you need to do. I actually thought EMF was easier than mechanics. but yea, f = ma, know it, know how to use it, and you'll be fine. if you can, start/join a study group. I find studying with others usually help. good luck.
as far as the class, I think everyone already covered what you need to do. I actually thought EMF was easier than mechanics. but yea, f = ma, know it, know how to use it, and you'll be fine. if you can, start/join a study group. I find studying with others usually help. good luck.
I hope you have a good professor and/or book.
Try to actually understand the material, from both the conceptual and quantitative/analytical points of view.
Read the book.
Do the homework problems.
Understand the derivations of formulas, and write them so that they conceptually make sense. (Best example is F = ma. Writing this as a = 1/m * F is more meaningful than the prior arrangement)
Huge plus points if you actually like the material.
...UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM BEFORE YOU TRY TO SOLVE IT!!! Draw it, write out notes, etc. This WILL make things easier.
Try to actually understand the material, from both the conceptual and quantitative/analytical points of view.
Read the book.
Do the homework problems.
Understand the derivations of formulas, and write them so that they conceptually make sense. (Best example is F = ma. Writing this as a = 1/m * F is more meaningful than the prior arrangement)
Huge plus points if you actually like the material.
...UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM BEFORE YOU TRY TO SOLVE IT!!! Draw it, write out notes, etc. This WILL make things easier.
There are few basical formulas, and from there you can solve almost everything with ease... but the solution will flow from your pen
(yes, you need to train alot, but the problems of that kind of physics are somewhat simple and straightforward)
Calin
maybe *freshman* mechanics is straightforward, but I got slaughtered in my junior level course. damned two body problem and whatnot....
edit: scienceworld link: http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/Two-BodyProblem.html
im looking for a good physics book so i can do some extra studying. what do you guys recommend for a beginner at university? thanks!
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