How can I succeed in AP Physics C?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around frustrations with a physics course focused solely on mechanics, where the instructor is perceived as ineffective. The main challenge is understanding vectors, which the student finds complicated. Suggestions for improvement include utilizing the University Physics textbook, particularly its worked problems and end-of-chapter exercises. External resources like MIT online lectures are recommended for additional support. The importance of mastering vectors is emphasized, as they are foundational for the rest of the course and future studies. Participants encourage the student to specify their difficulties with vectors to receive more targeted help, while also acknowledging that self-study can be challenging, especially when struggling with concepts and accuracy in problem-solving.
elpermic
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we are only doing mechanics the whole year, and my teacher sucks. He doesn't teach us, I have the book University Physics 9th Edition. The book is literally horrible. we started class a week ago and I'm trying so hard with no results. We are on vectors which I find very complicated. How can I understand it better? I'll look at the problem then have no idea what to do.
 
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I have used University Physics book (latest edition is 12th btw) and i find it decent enough. It has several worked out problems, you should definitely try those. Furthermore, there are like 100 or so end of chapter problems, take a look at them. If you can find an "Instructors Solution" use it throughout...it has solution to all those problems (i used ebook version). If doubt of concept, read the book thoroughly.

Then there are external resources you can look into. MIT online lectures are excellent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmJV8CHIqFc&feature=PlayList&p=F688ECB2FF119649&index=0 You can also use this forum to ask Physics related problem you have.

If you can't get through chapter one (vector), you are in whole lot of trouble. You'll be using vectors throughout the course and even latter in higher courses. Think of that and study till you get it right!
 
elpermic said:
we are only doing mechanics the whole year, and my teacher sucks. He doesn't teach us, I have the book University Physics 9th Edition. The book is literally horrible. we started class a week ago and I'm trying so hard with no results. We are on vectors which I find very complicated. How can I understand it better? I'll look at the problem then have no idea what to do.

What exactly about vectors are you unsure about? Maybe we can help you better if you describe specifically what your problem is.

And I don't think University Physics is a bad book at all.
 
What can I say.. EVERYTHING! My teacher will try to teach us the material and nobody will understand it. Horrible teacher who can't teach. It's like I'm trying to self study Physics by myself. I have tried it myself and I do get the method of components but it's still kind of confusing. especially when my answer is 0.2 units off of the real answer
 

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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"...
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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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