Physics appears in many students’ high school careers as a scientific essential and as a stepping stone to solving problems in other subjects, finding career paths, and more.
That said, if you are interested in pursuing science in college or eventually a STEM career (science, technology, engineering, and math), there’s no doubt that a solid foundation in physics is the first step towards reaching your goals.
On the other hand, other students in the Canadian system find themselves face to face with the subject and have absolutely no clue what to do. Some common questions they ask are: What do you learn in physics? Where can I find physics homework help? Where can I find a physics tutor near me?
Whether you are passionate about physics and looking for a physics tutor near me to help you become more of a physics pro or maybe just looking for physics help, Superprof is the right place for you to find all the answers and support you need.
Keep reading to learn more!
Head to our article to learn more reasons why you should pursue an academic path in physics.
Why Do Students Hate Physics?
What do you learn in physics? Physics is one of the oldest elementary sciences. It is the expert learning subject for the study of matter, energy, time and space, velocity, etc., and it also explores in-depth knowledge about the interactions between these elements. Its objective is to know the universe and understand the different phenomena that are manifested in it.
Still, even though it is a subject that helps us understand a lot about the world we live in and how we relate to things in a fascinating way, many students across Canada and the world find that they don't quite understand the use of physics in their day to day life and end up hating physics class in its entirety.
In Physics, students find it extremely hard to memorize theories, principles, and grasp the laws of Physics. More importantly, they do not possess the skills to apply their theoretical knowledge into problem solving practice. Some students blame the teachers’ way of teaching; others blame the complex nature of the subject. The list is a bit longer but each student has his or her own set of reasons why they dislike physics.
Students find physics difficult because they have to compete against different representations such as experiments, formulas and calculations, graphs, and conceptual explanations at the same time. This is no easy feat.
So, what to do if you feel like you absolutely despise physics and don't want to have anything to do with it?
Breaking down the topics into bite-sized chunks and rewarding yourself for completing each one is the greatest method to learn Physics without getting bored.
Doing Physics problems is by far the best (and only) way to learn physics. You must know the formulas and understand the math in order to solve the questions. It establishes the environment in which you will study the concepts, hone your intuitive understanding of how physics works, and comprehend the intricate interconnections of the ideas.
If you want to learn more about the grade 12 physics curriculum in Canada and what college physics looks like, check out our article on grade 12 physics here.
Physics 101: Tips for Students
As we previously stated, Physics has a tough reputation. It has less to memorize and it requires more critical thinking than other subjects. From the study of gravity, energy, fluids, energy, motion, and areas like quantum physics and thermodynamics there is a lot to learn.
It is not easy to summarize each and every area of this field. And at the most basic level, physics tries to quantify numerous forces in the universe. Just as, in order to describe velocity and electricity, numbers are used.
Good news is there are several tactics you can use to make studying physics more fun and approachable and help you ace your tests and get good grades at the same time. Here are some tips to help you become better at physics:
- Master the Basics: Physics as a subject is based on several central theories with which everything is developed. This means that every physics problem you will solve in an O level physics exam or assessment is based on the core principles and concepts. Don't try to memorise complex problems since this will give you the notion that physics is a difficult subject. Try to assimilate the basic concepts and theories first to help you understand the underlying physics principles and the connection between each concept.
- Memorise basic equations: The trick is to know the simple equations and how they are applied. This is one of the best ways of tackling both simple and complex physics problems to improve your grade. You can use our physics help guide in memorizing the basics.
- Force = Mass x acceleration
- Current velocity = Initial velocity + (acceleration x time)
- Momentum = Mass x velocity
- Work = Displacement x force
- Strengthen your maths skills: if you are studying Physics then you will see that it incorporates many mathematical elements. This means that you would easily master this subject if you were adept at tackling multiple formulas and problems. Review or study Mathematics alongside your Physics and this will help you to improve your management of the formulas and concepts.
- Keep up with the course: Once you fall behind it is very difficult to catch up. If you do fall behind, skim the passed-over course material for its most important points and move on to a thorough study of the current course material.
- Always account for small details: Every physics problem is a model of real-world situations, and they simplify the way things work to make the situation easier to understand.
- Think conceptually: taking a conceptual approach to learning physics can help you break down your problem into a series of basic steps. Focus on the fundamentals, but keep the big picture in the back of your mind. Bringing together concepts into a unified understanding of the problem at hand makes finding a solution much easier. Success depends on a firm knowledge of the basics, and a flexible mind that can assess these rules and determine when and how to apply them to a given problem.
- Focus on Illustrations: Visual learning is always effective and works more promptly. Whether it is a drawing, graphs, doodle, or image every visual illustration will help you to understand physics easily. Also, learning from graphs or pictures can help you to memorize more.
- Study derivations: Simple equations can be derived easily whereas complex equations are to be derived and you need to know why. A good understanding of the basic equations and how they are derived is important. Learning how each equation works is necessary.
- Devote a little time to studying physics each day, rather than a large amount of time once a week:
this allows the material to sink in. - Simplify: Try to simplify the situation as much as possible. The Physics problem you are reading may seem difficult to solve at first but take another look and begin to analyze it and you will realize that is easier than you first thought. It is important to remain calm and try to bring the problem to a situation which you are familiar with by simplifying it in your mind. You can try dissecting the problem on a piece of paper and divide it into sections. You can then start solving each part as you go along.
- Always Double-Check Your Answers: You should always practice answering physics problems and time yourself. This will help you manage yourself better during exams. Ideally, you should leave between 30 and 45 minutes to double-check your answers.
- Make use of correct units: In physics, it is important to write the correct answer with the right units to help you score high. If you wish to gain credit for whatever problems you did, then writing the correct unit is important.
- Use flashcards to study: Physics is a study which involves principles, concepts, units and new words. In order to remember all this, flash card or memory study can be useful and help you remember.
- Don't search through your book for "the right equation". You will not be able to solve your problem by finding an appropriate equation and then plugging numbers into it.
- Find a tutor to help you study!
If you want to learn more about homework resources and how they can help you with your physics class, head to our article here.
Find a Physics Tutor Near Me in Canada
Are you looking for a physics tutor near me that can help you better understand physics, how it works and how you can solve problems without it being a total pain? Superprof has your back!
Check out the available physics tutors in your area to get private and personalized physics lessons and start learning the best of physics from an expert in Canada!
Don't wait any longer, get the physics help that you need and start taking private lessons with a Superprof tutor!
Find physics help here on Superprof.
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