Should I Try Newtonian Mechanics Again?

[andyroo]

I took a term of Newtonian Mechanics (foundation of physics type of class) and found that I didn't enjoy it very much. I think it was because I never read the textbook and tried to just dive right into problems, I didn't feel attending lecture ever really helped explain things to me, and I also am not the biggest fan of memorizing equations. NOW, that being said, I've finished single-variable calculus and I am taking multi-variable and lin. algebra next fall term. I truly am interested in physics, but it seems like I'm only interested in it when it's on my terms, but I think it might be worth trying physics again.

Opinions? Thanks.

 

[Jack21222]

If you were trying to learn physics by memorizing equations, you were doing it wrong.

 

[andyroo]

If you were trying to learn physics by memorizing equations, you were doing it wrong.

I don't mean like equations for entire problems. But let's say, whatever the equation for a Joule is...

 

[Jack21222]

I don't mean like equations for entire problems. But let's say, whatever the equation for a Joule is...

Forget the "equation" of a Joule, do you know what a Joule is, without looking it up?

 

[andyroo]

Meh. I'm leaning towards work

 

[andyroo]

Like okay. I understand the differences between forces being acted ON an ojbect and BY an object, I understand work and etc. But here's my problem. Let's say the problem is, "Figure out the velocity of a satellite in orbit around the earth, given variables distance from earth, and et cetera type variables." I'd assume you use gravitational constant to figure out the problem in some way. I just cannot seem to figure out these types of equations though for some reason

 

[Akirus]

Like okay. I understand the differences between forces being acted ON an ojbect and BY an object, I understand work and etc. But here's my problem. Let's say the problem is, "Figure out the velocity of a satellite in orbit around the earth, given variables distance from earth, and et cetera type variables." I'd assume you use gravitational constant to figure out the problem in some way. I just cannot seem to figure out these types of equations though for some reason

You don't really need much memorization to solve something like that, though. If you understand what it all means, it's easy to derive. For instance, with your example:

$$v = d/t$$

In a circular orbit, d is given by $$d = 2\pi r$$ (the circumference of a circle)

$$\implies v = \frac {2\pi r}{t}$$

You can derive that from the basic definition of velocity and simple mathematics.

 

[essecks]

You don't really sound like you like physics at all, to be honest.