F=ma Prep and Resources for High School Students

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around preparation resources for high school students aiming to participate in the F=ma physics contest. Participants share their experiences with AP Physics courses and seek additional materials to enhance their understanding and problem-solving skills in physics, particularly in relation to the contest format.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses enthusiasm for the F=ma contest and seeks resources beyond past tests, indicating a desire for deeper understanding and creativity in problem-solving.
  • Another participant suggests specific textbooks, including Halliday, Resnick, and Krane, as well as Morin's books for targeted practice, emphasizing the importance of covering mechanics for the contest.
  • A different participant recommends learning calculus basics and provides links to online resources, including a course on classical mechanics from MIT, to aid in preparation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for additional resources and preparation strategies for the F=ma contest, but there are multiple suggestions regarding which materials and approaches are most effective, indicating a lack of consensus on the best preparation method.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific textbooks and online courses, but there is no consensus on which resources are definitively the best for preparing for the F=ma contest. The discussion includes various levels of mathematical preparation and understanding of physics concepts.

physicsferret
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Hi all. This is the first time I am using this forum, so please forgive me if this has been said before already.

I am a high-school sophomore and I took the AP Physics 1 course last year. I really enjoyed it because I had an amazing teacher and next year I will be taking AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C: E&M. I am trying to prepare for the F=ma contest since I have avidly done math contests in the past and really appreciate the creativity behind contest problems, and so I would like to try the physics contest as well.

I have found the website with the past F=ma tests from the past ten years or so. I was wondering if there are any other resources you all use such as other websites or really great mock test sites. I understand that this physics contest will go deeper and require a higher degree of understanding and creativity than the AP Physics classes probably will cover, which is why I would like to practice the problems this summer. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,

physicsferret
 
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physicsferret said:
Hi all. This is the first time I am using this forum, so please forgive me if this has been said before already. I am a high-school sophomore and I took the AP Physics 1 course last year. I really enjoyed it because I had an amazing teacher and next year I will be taking AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C: E&M. I am trying to prepare for the F=ma contest since I have avidly done math contests in the past and really appreciate the creativity behind contest problems, and so I would like to try the physics contest as well. I have found the website with the past F=ma tests from the past ten years or so. I was wondering if there are any other resources you all use such as other websites or really great mock test sites. I understand that this physics contest will go deeper and require a higher degree of understanding and creativity than the AP Physics classes probably will cover, which is why I would like to practice the problems this summer. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,

physicsferret
Hi
Have a read of the pf rules and one of the mentors will stick this in the intro section @berkeman

Cheers
 
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pinball1970 said:
one of the mentors will stick this in the intro section @berkeman
Academic Guidance, actually. :wink:
 
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berkeman said:
Academic Guidance, actually. :wink:
Oops thought it was pfs first post.
 
physicsferret said:
Hi all. This is the first time I am using this forum, so please forgive me if this has been said before already.

I am a high-school sophomore and I took the AP Physics 1 course last year. I really enjoyed it because I had an amazing teacher and next year I will be taking AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C: E&M. I am trying to prepare for the F=ma contest since I have avidly done math contests in the past and really appreciate the creativity behind contest problems, and so I would like to try the physics contest as well.

I have found the website with the past F=ma tests from the past ten years or so. I was wondering if there are any other resources you all use such as other websites or really great mock test sites. I understand that this physics contest will go deeper and require a higher degree of understanding and creativity than the AP Physics classes probably will cover, which is why I would like to practice the problems this summer. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,

physicsferret
I would highly suggest doing Halliday, Resnick, Krane. Chapters 1-17 of Volume 1 will cover all the mechanics necessary for F=ma. If you're on a time crunch, only do the Problems, and just skim through the other questions. For USAPHO prep, finishing all of HRK volumes 1 and 2 covers all the necessary theory and knowledge. I would recommend doing Morin Blue book for F=ma practice, and Morin Red for USAPHO. Also, you can try competitive physics by Wang and Ricardo.
 

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