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xforeverlove21
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I try doing the assignments and I just can't do it, like my approach is completely wrong. What do you think went wrong? What is the best way to approach this?
Thanks
Thanks
xforeverlove21 said:I try doing the assignments and I just can't do it, like my approach is completely wrong. What do you think went wrong? What is the best way to approach this?
Thanks
xforeverlove21 said:I try doing the assignments and I just can't do it, like my approach is completely wrong. What do you think went wrong? What is the best way to approach this?
Thanks
Dishsoap said:That's how I feel whenever I do homework as well. I try something, realize it doesn't get me to an answer (or that I made some false assumption along the way), and then try again using a different approach. This was very discouraging when starting out in undergrad, but eventually you'll find that it really helps you learn! I do a lot of problems on whiteboards so that redoing is easy before transferring homework to paper.
No. Did you understand the reply by @Student100 ?xforeverlove21 said:Do you just have to keep going at it and re-trying until you finally get it?
Student100 said:There are two areas to a typical physics problem, understanding the physics and applying mathematics.
Student100 said:Concrete example?
There are two areas to a typical physics problem, understanding the physics and applying mathematics. Most students struggle with the latter, simply because they don't know, or remember, all the tools they've learned in their mathematics coures.
When you look at a problem, you first figure out what type of problem it is. Accelerating masses? Uniform circular motion? SHM? Projectile motion? etc.xforeverlove21 said:Maybe it's the understanding part? Am I supposed to go over several textbooks, lecture notes... before I even attempt questions? Usually I just write the main points and formulas down.
xforeverlove21 said:Do you just have to keep going at it and re-trying until you finally get it?
xforeverlove21 said:The thing is this is an introductory physics course (Physics 1) since I am taking it in 2nd year I already did calc I and calc II, I even aced calc II so I'm assuming my math background is pretty strong. Maybe it's the understanding part? Am I supposed to go over several textbooks, lecture notes... before I even attempt questions? Usually I just write the main points and formulas down.
One approach is to first carefully read and understand the problem, identifying the given information and what is being asked. Then, draw a diagram or visualize the situation to help identify relevant equations and concepts. Finally, plug in the given values and solve for the unknown variable.
It is important to have a strong understanding of the basic equations and concepts in physics. Practice and familiarity with different types of problems will also help in choosing the appropriate equation. Additionally, carefully reading and understanding the problem can provide clues as to which equation to use.
Units are an important part of physics and must be handled correctly in order to obtain accurate solutions. Make sure to convert all units to the same system (e.g. SI units) before plugging them into equations. Also, pay attention to the units in the final result to ensure they make sense and match the given units in the problem.
Some common mistakes to avoid include using incorrect equations, not paying attention to units, and not double-checking calculations. It is also important to carefully consider the given information and not make assumptions or skip steps in the problem-solving process.
Practice and exposure to a variety of problems is key to improving problem-solving skills in physics. It is also helpful to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps. Seek out additional resources, such as textbooks or online tutorials, to further solidify understanding of concepts and equations.