Start Solving Physics Problems: Tips & Techniques

[cs23]

Hello everyone,

After reading a physics problem or any problem, do you ever find you don't know where to start? If you have, what are some ways to overcome that?

 

[DaveC426913]

Draw a diagram.

 

[Choppy]

- Do you understand what is being asked?
(If not, try rephrasing the question in your own words, or seek clarification.)
- Are there terms used in the question that you don't understand?
(If so, you need to do some mroe reading.)
- Collect and organize the given information.
- Is this sufficient information to solve the problem?
(You may not know this from the onset, but it's a good question to continually ask yourself. Sometimes not everything is provided and you have to do a little more reading to collect the relevant data.)
- What are the relevant equations? What concepts (such as conservation of energy, momentum, etc.) apply?
- Draw out a diagram of what's happening if possible.
- If you're really stuck you can try to look up similar problems that have solutions.
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