Good resource for learning motion and rearranging formulas

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The discussion centers on challenges faced by a high school student struggling with concepts of centripetal acceleration and momentum, as well as the need for better algebra skills for rearranging and combining formulas. Recommendations for resources include Schaums Outline for introductory physics, which offers worked examples, and Khan Academy for basic formula manipulation. For deeper understanding, Giancoli's "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" is suggested, particularly for its clear explanations and derivations. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding the relationships between concepts rather than rote memorization, advocating for a conceptual approach to learning physics. They also highlight the significance of visual aids, such as diagrams, to grasp complex ideas like vector behavior in acceleration. Overall, the focus is on developing a solid foundational understanding to facilitate learning in physics.
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My class is currently doing thing like centripetal acceleration, momentum etc. and I am not quite getting it.
We are also meant to know how to rearrange and combine formulas really well, but I have missed a lot of algebra on previous years so I only know the basics... Can someone please reccomend me some links that explains these things? Thank you
 
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You need to tell us what level you are in? High school? College?

There are lots of texts for this. A really introductory one might be Schaums Outline. Cheap, lots of worked examples. And on many different subjects.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071821813/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
DEvens said:
You need to tell us what level you are in? High school? College?

There are lots of texts for this. A really introductory one might be Schaums Outline. Cheap, lots of worked examples. And on many different subjects.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071821813/?tag=pfamazon01-20
I am entering my last year of high school... I was thinking of a website that i can access for free
 
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Perhaps some Khan Academy videos? For higher-level mathematical learning, I wouldn't recommend it, but for brushing up on the basics of formula manipulation, I'd definitely suggest it.
 
The best way to go about it, is to get a general calculus based physics book. I would recommended Giancoli Physics for Scientist and Engineers. An older edition can be purchased for five dollars shipped.

Read the sections and ask why. Then follow the derivations and replicate them.

In my opinion, I liked to think of these Laws/Theorems as sets. Ie mathematical sets to simplify what i mean about sets. How do these things behave and interact with each other. What is possible and not possible. Then apply analogies to simplify the process.

Ofcourse their are better mechanics books such as Keppler, but these books are not recommended for your ability currently.

For example Centripetal Acceleration. We all know that acceleration is defined as the change in velocity over the change in time.

We know that velocity and acceleration is a vector. Then ask what is a vector? It is an object having both magnitude and direction.

However, we assume velocity=0. But hey wouldn't 0 velocity= acceleration? Not quite, since the velocity vector is changing direction, then acceleration must exist.

Then you draw the diagram that is given in your book. and notice that acceleration can be thought of as the hypotenuse of the 2 components of velocity making up the legs.

then so on.

if you follow the derivation in your book, you will understand why velocity= 2pie*r*f

and radial acceleration= v^2/r.Momentum can be described along a similar manner using the analogy of a car traveling in a positive direction.You want to actually understand and not plug and chug. If you have tried to understand how things are connected then it would be easier to understand the bigger picture. Doesn't matter if you got it wrong, but that you used brain cells trying to understand it.

Don't become a plug and chug robot.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
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