Understanding physics and problem solving

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for improving understanding and problem-solving skills in physics, particularly at the level of Halliday-Resnick. Participants share their experiences and suggestions on how to deepen conceptual understanding and tackle new problems effectively.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to understand physics better and solve problems effectively, noting that they often feel stuck due to incomplete conceptual understanding or lack of insight.
  • Another participant suggests that familiarity with problems can lead to quicker solutions, while new or complex problems may require more time and practice.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes the importance of generating variations of existing problems to deepen understanding and encourages probing problems at a deeper level.
  • One participant reiterates the suggestion to create problem variants and agrees with the importance of deeper engagement with problems.
  • A later reply acknowledges that feeling stuck is common and emphasizes that skill development takes time and patience, suggesting that tackling difficult problems is part of the learning process.
  • Another participant inquires whether Halliday-Resnick is sufficient for their studies or if additional resources are recommended.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that encountering difficulties in problem-solving is normal and that practice is essential. However, there are varying opinions on the best methods to improve understanding and whether additional resources beyond Halliday-Resnick are necessary.

Contextual Notes

Participants express different levels of confidence in their conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities, indicating a range of experiences and approaches to learning physics.

Mastermind01
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Hello,

I would like to have a good understanding of physics at my level (level of Halliday-resnick) and to be able to solve problems. It so happens that I read a chapter and solve the all the problems and exercises and I feel I am done, I know the stuff. But then up comes a problem and I get stuck, this usually happens because -

a) I don't think of something or
b) some of my conceptual understanding is wrong or foggy.

How can I avoid this, after I have 'finished' the chapter?

Thanks.
Mastermind
 
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I know what you mean. To be honest usually one can solve a problem 'quickly' if he/she has encountered it before, or at least something similar. Otherwise, it would take considerably more time to be solved depending on the complexity of the problem. I don't have much to say except keep practicing new problems.

All the best.
 
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Generate your own variants on the given problems and solve those .

It is in any case a good idea to habitually probe problems at a deeper level than that just needed to 'solve' them . Asking ' what would happen if I changed this ' is a powerful learning and problem solving tool in both engineering and the sciences .
 
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Nidum said:
Generate your own variants on the given problems and solve those .
I second this.
 
Mastermind01 said:
Hello,

I would like to have a good understanding of physics at my level (level of Halliday-resnick) and to be able to solve problems. It so happens that I read a chapter and solve the all the problems and exercises and I feel I am done, I know the stuff. But then up comes a problem and I get stuck, this usually happens because -

a) I don't think of something or
b) some of my conceptual understanding is wrong or foggy.

How can I avoid this, after I have 'finished' the chapter?

Thanks.
Mastermind

Taken even in a limited context, I don't think that this is strange or not normal. a) and b) you give as causes, are things that can and do happen all the time, for a multitude of reasons. In a more general fashion, you'll always find some problem that you can't tackle in one sitting, even if you have studied a lot of the relevant material and solved a lot of exercises / problems. It simply is the case that any kind of skill set is built gradually, through time, with patience. In fact you must seek to find difficult problems that you can't tackle at first and give them the time they deserve.
 
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Thank you for your responses.

I'll certainly tweak the problems and try to solve them. Will Halliday--Resnick be enough or is there some other book I should also look at?

Thanks
 

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