I cannot solve physics problems without solution help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by an undergraduate student in solving physics problems, particularly in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. Participants share suggestions and personal experiences related to improving problem-solving skills in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in initiating problem-solving in quantum and statistical physics, seeking advice on improving skills.
  • Another suggests revisiting problems after some time to recognize patterns, especially in final year courses.
  • A participant mentions they can solve problems upon seeing the solution but struggles with the initial approach.
  • Sharing ideas with peers is proposed as a method to generate insights when tackling problems.
  • Concerns are raised about the participant's ability to solve quantum mechanics problems independently.
  • Some participants reflect on their own strengths in classical mechanics versus challenges in quantum mechanics.
  • Criticism is directed towards the participant's engagement with quantum mechanics, suggesting a lack of effort in learning the material.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the best approach to improve problem-solving skills. Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of various strategies, and some disagreements arise regarding the participant's engagement with quantum mechanics.

Contextual Notes

Participants' suggestions depend on individual learning styles and may not universally apply. The discussion reflects a range of experiences and assumptions about problem-solving in physics.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students struggling with physics problem-solving, particularly in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, may find the shared experiences and suggestions relevant.

tfhub
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Hi, I have some basic problem with solving physics problems. I cannot solve the quantum or statistical problems without help or by myself. sometimes the problem is that I don't even get what to start with. I am in my undergrad last year now. do you have any suggestion how to improve my problem solving skill?
 
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Have you tried repeating the same question at a later time? If not then maybe repeat the question after a hour, if you get it right try it the next day, if you get it right again try it after two etc. You should notice that the questions tend to follow a similar pattern, especially in final year undergrad courses, as there's only a finite number of systems that can be solved on a reasonable timescale without a computer.
 
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Hi, I can do it well when I approach the same problem next time, I just have problem with the first time, like when i face a problem , I just don't know how to start it, as soon I see the solution I can do it. How can I know how to initialize the solving ?
 
Have you tried sharing ideas with your peers on approaching a problem? Often times you come up with good ideas just bouncing thoughts off one another.
 
How far back do you have to go before you can solve the problems on your own?
 
well I am pretty good with classical mechanics, I think everybody is, but I suck at quantum mechanics, my peers are not very intuitive though
 
So there are NO QM problems you can do without looking at the solutions?
 
nah
 
Then you somehow managed to get through QM without learning it. I don't know what to say - other than if you put the same effort into QM that you do towards crafting insightful and elucidating posts ("nah") that this may not be surprising.
 
  • #10
Try not cheating your way through life and maybe you won't be so bad at physics...
 

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