How long should it take to complete an undergrad physics problem set?

[aissam]

I have program that i want to follow to try to self learn undergrad physics deeply but i find myself hating when i have to check the solution of a problem set but at the same time if i didn't do that i wouldnt have the time to do other problem sets. So i want to know how much it takes you guys to finish an undergrad physics problem set on average. Do you think 3 hours is a good estimate

 

[Vanadium 50]

The usual rule of thumb is 3 hours of study for every hour in the classroom. So 3 hours per set is not a crazy number. Note that it may take more than 3 hours of clock time to do 3 hours of work.

 

[jrmichler]

There is no one good number for that. In my undergrad thermodynamics class, I allowed 8 hours on a problem before moving on. That one class took as much study time as all of my other classes that semester. I was only able to finish about 2/3 of the problems in each set. But I got an A in the course.

Concentrate on understanding the concepts being taught. Some classes are harder than others, and take more time.

 

[aissam]

thanks

 

[hutchphd]

Do you have access to either a professor (mentor) or other similarly minded students at your level? That can make things much less frustrating.

 

[aissam]

actually no

 

[symbolipoint]

I have program that i want to follow to try to self learn undergrad physics deeply but i find myself hating when i have to check the solution of a problem set but at the same time if i didn't do that i wouldnt have the time to do other problem sets. So i want to know how much it takes you guys to finish an undergrad physics problem set on average. Do you think 3 hours is a good estimate

Too too long ago; but three hours for most single problem-sets (exercises) is not enough. I do not say how long the time should be; only that three hour is not enough.