Formula Manipulation Basics: A Beginner's Guide

[rodneyspoon]

Hi, I've just taken higher physics at my local college, its been a few years since i left school and need to do some revision.

They expect me to be able to do some formula manipulation, i have no idea how to do this.. i need a beginners tutorial or if someone really nice person can explain the basics, because i am totally stuck, I am not even sure what i should be looking for on the net.

it's only my first lesson, my second on friday and i feel like I am falling behind already.
also if if anyone could advise on what kind of skills i should need at higher level i would be greatful.

Cheers.

 

[berkeman]

Hi, I've just taken higher physics at my local college, its been a few years since i left school and need to do some revision.

They expect me to be able to do some formula manipulation, i have no idea how to do this.. i need a beginners tutorial or if someone really nice person can explain the basics, because i am totally stuck, I am not even sure what i should be looking for on the net.

it's only my first lesson, my second on friday and i feel like I am falling behind already.
also if if anyone could advise on what kind of skills i should need at higher level i would be greatful.

Cheers.

Welcome to the PF. Do you mean like algebraic manipulations?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_algebra

.

 

[Bob S]

One very useful property of physics formulas is that they have units, and the units must be the same on both sides of the equation:

F = ma (Newtons = kilograms times meters/sec²)
F dx/dt = ma dx/dt = ma v ( Newton meters/sec = Joules per sec = watts)

 

[ZapperZ]

Hi, I've just taken higher physics at my local college, its been a few years since i left school and need to do some revision.

They expect me to be able to do some formula manipulation, i have no idea how to do this.. i need a beginners tutorial or if someone really nice person can explain the basics, because i am totally stuck, I am not even sure what i should be looking for on the net.

it's only my first lesson, my second on friday and i feel like I am falling behind already.
also if if anyone could advise on what kind of skills i should need at higher level i would be greatful.

Cheers.

You need to learn basic algebra, and that's mathematics, not physics.

Zz.