Preparing for Physics Course - Strategies & Topics to Study

[QuarkCharmer]

It's finally time for me to start the physics track next semester. I sent the professor an email asking about the book, syllabus, and such. She replied by simply stating that the syllabus will be available at a later date, and the book we will be using is University Physics with Modern Physics by Young and Freedman, 13th edition.

Then I read, that there the homework will be online! Am I the only person that absolutely hates online homework? I rather enjoy doing my work with pencil and paper, I thought I finished all the courses with this lazy garbage!

Anyway, I was curious how I can better prepare myself for this series of courses. What is a good strategy, should I work ahead? I usually work a few weeks ahead of the class schedule so I am not surprised when I hit a roadblock. What particular topics should I study in the weeks before the course starts?

Thanks,
QC

 

[romsofia]

The thing that got me in mechanics was the rotational inertia, rolling, etc. That kind of stuff, and I don't think I'm the only one. I would suggest looking at that stuff! E&M, IMO, was pretty easy compared to classical mechanics.

Good luck!

 

[Ivan92]

It is always good to read ahead prior to starting the semester. I would suggest go over the beginning and work your way up in the time between now and when your school starts. Try doing the practice problems yourself.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

Ugh, I just read that the MasteringPhysics online homework component is by Pearon. I really hate those people, that makes me so angry!

 

[mege]

I'm sorry to hear that you dislike the online homework, personally I love it because of the instant feedback it's able to give. For Calc III and Econ II I've had online homework via Pearson's site (MyMathLab, etc). I would do the online homework first, iron out any kinks in my method then do the paper/book homework. I found that I had a harder time when I would do the paper-homework first because (at least once) I would make a mistake and not realize it throughout the section.