How can physics majors help with problem solving in Physics 111?

[john16O]

This is my first college physics class and I am having some difficulty with the problem solving aspect of the course...the actual concepts I am able to grasp quite easily but when it comes to word problems I am finding that i hit a road block...we are only doing motion in one dimension right now and I still am not able to solve the problems without having any difficulty...is there any advice that the physics majors can offere up towards problem solving?? thanks in advance!

 

[Howers]

It just means you are not adequately prepared. The best thing to do is write everything in the sentence in mathematical form. Look out for things like "from rest" and "stops".

With practice you will get better. Its good to look at solutions initially so that you have an idea of how to do things. Also, you might just be doing the hard problems too soon. Get your confidence up with some easier word problems.

I promise you, if you work hard you will see improvement in a matter of weeks. Every struggles at first. Some just get their struggles over with before college.

 

[john16O]

yea, I am probably going to have to do a bunch of extra problems every weekend so that way i can be better prepared...thanks for the advice!

 

[Howers]

Well initially anyway. All I'm saying is you have a crappy background, so it will take some work to get up to speed. Afterwards, you should have no problems with word problems.

 

[v.dinesh]

blindly apply laws in their mathematical form...i'm sure you willwin

 

[Wecht]

I'm also taking Physics 111, and I have some similar problems. What I do is refer back to my notes from Physics 30 and Physics 20 (Grade 11 and 12 physics). The simpler concepts might have been better explained to you back then compared to any explanations you might get from university professors, as they're not completely accustomed to teaching that sort of stuff. So, hopefully you took notes in high school.
I'm actually working right now on preparing a few sheets to stick in with my class notes, to help me remember the concepts and theories behind the things discussed in class. If you'd like, I can sen you a copy when I'm finished it.

 

[john16O]

I'm also taking Physics 111, and I have some similar problems. What I do is refer back to my notes from Physics 30 and Physics 20 (Grade 11 and 12 physics). The simpler concepts might have been better explained to you back then compared to any explanations you might get from university professors, as they're not completely accustomed to teaching that sort of stuff. So, hopefully you took notes in high school.
I'm actually working right now on preparing a few sheets to stick in with my class notes, to help me remember the concepts and theories behind the things discussed in class. If you'd like, I can sen you a copy when I'm finished it.

yea sure, that would be cool! Although since they are YOUR notes i don't know how much I would be able to understand and follow the logic behind them(not implying you take bad notes). But yes, i would def. use them to see if I can fill in any gaps that I may have. Thanks! I guess you can just pm me and I'll give you my email address...thanks again!

 

[Hippo]

Since it looks like you're both studying in the same Institution, besides trading notes, get together and meet up for group studying? Two heads are better than one.

 

[john16O]

I don't think we go to the same school, but if we did that would be a good idea...