Help with learning phyics over the course of the year

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on effective study strategies for high school students preparing for the physics olympiad, specifically using "Physics" by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane. Participants recommend dedicating one to two hours daily to cover the material, suggesting a pace of one chapter per week, with additional time allocated for problem sets. The goal is to complete mechanics and thermodynamics within six months, followed by electromagnetism (E&M) and advanced problem-solving with Irodov. The conversation emphasizes balancing physics study with other academic responsibilities.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of high school physics concepts
  • Familiarity with "Physics" by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane
  • Basic problem-solving skills in physics
  • Time management skills for balancing multiple subjects
NEXT STEPS
  • Research effective study techniques for physics, such as spaced repetition
  • Explore online resources or forums for physics olympiad preparation
  • Investigate colleges that utilize Halliday, Resnick, and Krane for course assignments
  • Learn advanced problem-solving strategies using "Problems in General Physics" by Irodov
USEFUL FOR

High school students preparing for physics competitions, educators seeking structured study plans, and anyone interested in mastering undergraduate-level mechanics and thermodynamics.

discordplus
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Hey guys, I'm starting my sophomore year in high school this week and I'm intending to study for the physics olympiad for the next two years but I had a question about how to manage my work load. I already get a lot of work as I go to one of those competitive high schools, but I'm making it my duty to learn all of mechanics/thermo at intro undergrad level (I sort of did already but not as focused as I'm intending to do so now). I'm using Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane. So my question is:

How much physics should I manage to do every day without really screwing up with my other classes. I've decided that an hour or so every day will do fine (although other opinions/ideas are surely welcome), but in that hour how much should I get accomplished?

Two or three sections? More than that? There's a total of 26 chapters of thermo and mechanics in the book.

Maybe a better question is, are there any colleges that use this book that put the reading assignments on a website or something so that I can have an idea of how I can do the work within maybe 6 months time?

If I finish mechanics by then, I can try to get through E&M by the end of the summer and work on Irodov and such until the olympiads.
 
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Well it really depends on your schedule; if you have a busy work load for other classes 1 and a half hour is good. However, if you have spare time in hand 2 will be fine. =)

Good luck
- Maroc
 
when I self studied HRK's Physics I spent one week on each chapter, probably about an hour or so (whatever I could finish at that time span). most of the time that kind of pacing was fine, and then starting friday night I'd work on the problem sets at the end of each chapter. took me the whole weekend (about 2 or so hrs each weekend day) to complete the entire problem set.

at that rate it took me the whole year + the summer to work through vol. 1 and 2, which I thought wasn't bad.
 

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