F=ma Prep and Resources for High School Students

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A high school sophomore is seeking resources to prepare for the F=ma physics contest after enjoying AP Physics 1 and planning to take AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C: E&M. The student has found past F=ma tests online and is looking for additional study materials. Respondents recommend several resources, including Halliday, Resnick, and Krane textbooks, which cover essential mechanics, and suggest focusing on problem-solving. They also mention the Morin books for practice and advise learning calculus fundamentals to enhance problem-solving skills. Additionally, they recommend online courses and resources for further study in classical mechanics.
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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