The discussion centers on the best chapters from Morin's "Introduction to Classical Mechanics" for preparing for the F=ma exam, particularly for high school students. Participants recommend using Morin's "Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics" instead, as the original text is deemed too advanced without knowledge of calculus of variations and Lagrangian mechanics. The user expresses difficulty with the complexity of Morin's chapters and seeks targeted advice for effective exam preparation.
PREREQUISITESHigh school students preparing for the F=ma exam, AP Physics instructors, and anyone seeking to strengthen their understanding of classical mechanics concepts.
What level? HS? College? Grad school? It's a bit late in the conventional school year to be asking for such assistance.crescentcavae said:the F=ma exam?
I'm a high schooler in AP Physics Mechanics, and AP Calculus AB. I've gotten through the practice exams for the f=ma exam, and four chapters of Morin, but I feel as though he is overcomplicating some problems, and my teacher feels the same. I don't want to go through the entire book from cover to cover, rather I'd learn the topics that I'll really need.Bystander said:What level? HS? College? Grad school? It's a bit late in the conventional school year to be asking for such assistance.
"Ready is ready." "O-C" is for pre-meds.crescentcavae said:I'm a high schooler in AP Physics Mechanics, and AP Calculus AB. I've gotten through the practice exams for the f=ma exam, and four chapters of Morin, but I feel as though he is overcomplicating some problems, and my teacher feels the same. I don't want to go through the entire book from cover to cover, rather I'd learn the topics that I'll really need.
I suspect he/she is referring to this:Bystander said:What level? HS? College? Grad school?
Bystander said:"Ready is ready." "O-C" is for pre-meds.
Yes! I was talking about the f=ma exam which is the preliminary exam for the USAPhO. I'm so sorry for not clarifying!jtbell said:I suspect he/she is referring to this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Physics_Olympiad#Physics_Team_Selection
(OP, please correct me if I'm wrong!)
crescentcavae said:What chapters from Morin's Introduction to Classical Mechanics Textbook will help me prepare for the F=ma exam? I also have the Feynman Lectures and the Halliday Resnick textbook. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)
Thank you so much! I was pushing through the first four chapters of Intro to Mechanics, and I was astounded by how much calculus there was. It was understandable but I looked at Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics, and I feel as though it'll help me understand both books much better.Buffu said:You picked a wrong book. If you don't know calculus of variation and lagrangian mechanics, there is no hope with that book. It is not a basic high school book.
Use Morin's other book, Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics.