'F=ma' Physics competition preparation help

AI Thread Summary
To prepare for the F=ma physics competition, it's crucial to start early and familiarize yourself with the exam format. Downloading past exams from the competition's website is recommended to understand the types of problems and time constraints. Practicing with these exams can help identify weaknesses and areas needing improvement. Mastery of AP Physics C is beneficial, as it provides a solid foundation in physics concepts, even though calculus is not heavily emphasized. Memorizing around 20-30 key equations is essential; if you find yourself looking up an equation during practice, it's a sign that you need to commit it to memory. Engaging in practice tests will enhance your readiness and confidence for the competition.
mathisrad
Messages
20
Reaction score
10
TL;DR Summary: How should I study for the F=ma competition as a total newby to competition physics?

Hi, next year I'm hoping to do the F=ma physics competition. I wanted to start preparing beforehand so Im not too panicked a day before the competition. Does anybody with experience in this competition know any good places to start? Should I just learn AP Physics C well? Or should I look at the competition differently than the school system's way of teaching physics? I know most of Calculus 1 and some Physics but not many of the formulas memorized, I'm also experienced in competition math and science olympiad.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think that the best preparation is to know what to expect. Go to the F=ma competition site and download one of their actual exams. This one from 2025 has 25 problems to be completed in 75 minutes. Use it as a self-test and see how many you can do within the allotted time. Solutions are provided, but I wouldn't peek if I were you. The idea is to expose your weaknesses under field conditions and see where you need to concentrate your efforts towards improving your performance.

I think that mastery of AP Physics C will be very useful. It seems that calculus is not expected but you should know that rate of change of a parabola is a straight line and conversely when the rate of change of a function is a straight line, the function itself is a parabola.

Also you need to memorize the basic equations that should serve as starting points for constructing your solutions. My guess about their number is 20-30. If you have to look up an equation when you do the self-test, then that is an equation that you need to memorize.
 
  • Like
Likes bhobba, MatinSAR, berkeman and 1 other person
kuruman said:
I think that the best preparation is to know what to expect. Go to the F=ma competition site and download one of their actual exams. This one from 2025 has 25 problems to be completed in 75 minutes. Use it as a self-test and see how many you can do within the allotted time. Solutions are provided, but I wouldn't peek if I were you. The idea is to expose your weaknesses under field conditions and see where you need to concentrate your efforts towards improving your performance.

I think that mastery of AP Physics C will be very useful. It seems that calculus is not expected but you should know that rate of change of a parabola is a straight line and conversely when the rate of change of a function is a straight line, the function itself is a parabola.

Also you need to memorize the basic equations that should serve as starting points for constructing your solutions. My guess about their number is 20-30. If you have to look up an equation when you do the self-test, then that is an equation that you need to memorize.
Thanks so much, I'll definitely try doing a practice test or two to see what I need to work on
 
Bit Britain-specific but I was wondering, what's the best path to take for A-Levels out of the following (I know Y10 seems a bit early to be thinking about A-levels, but my choice will impact what I do this year/ in y11) I (almost) definitely want to do physics at University - so keep that in mind... The subjects that I'm almost definitely going to take are Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and I'm taking a fast track programme which means that I'll be taking AS computer science at the end...
After a year of thought, I decided to adjust my ratio for applying the US/EU(+UK) schools. I mostly focused on the US schools before, but things are getting complex and I found out that Europe is also a good place to study. I found some institutes that have professors with similar interests. But gaining the information is much harder than US schools (like you have to contact professors in advance etc). For your information, I have B.S. in engineering (low GPA: 3.2/4.0) in Asia - one SCI...
I'm going to make this one quick since I have little time. Background: Throughout my life I have always done good in Math. I almost always received 90%+, and received easily upwards of 95% when I took normal-level HS Math courses. When I took Grade 9 "De-Streamed" Math (All students must take "De-Streamed" in Canada), I initially had 98% until I got very sick and my mark had dropped to 95%. The Physics teachers and Math teachers talked about me as if I were some sort of genius. Then, an...

Similar threads

Back
Top