Q&A for How to Learn Physics

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  • Question
    Should I start learning physics through textbooks or through summary notes?
    Meredith Juncker, PhD
    Scientific Researcher
    Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.
    Scientific Researcher
    Expert Answer
    Everyone has different styles of learning, so identifying which style works best for you is a great place to start. Maybe summary notes would be a good place to find a point of interest and then using a textbook to go deeper into a particular concept would be helpful!
  • Question
    What should I do if I can understand the topic, but don't have the confidence to solve problems numerically?
    Community Answer
    Do not concentrate on the numbers until the very end of any problem. Understanding the topic means that you understand the equations behind it, the derivations behind them, and especially being able to manipulate them symbolically. Improving your algebra and calculus techniques is a must. Drawing diagrams also helps greatly. Practice problems by solving them symbolically first, then plug in values.
  • Question
    Do I need to know math to do physics?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Math is the language of physics. You'll want to be really good at the level of math at which the course is taught.
  • Question
    How should I begin to learn physics?
    Community Answer
    Go to a quite place, and just concentrate on studying. You can purchase textbooks to use as resources. You should also practice any exercises that come with the textbooks to help you learn physics.
  • Question
    What kind of math do I need to know to learn physics?
    Community Answer
    Algebra 1 and 2 along with geometry. You might also use pre-calculus.
  • Question
    Is personal reading the best way of understanding a subject?
    Community Answer
    For some people, yes. For others, it's possible that being taught by someone else is more effective for understanding a subject.
  • Question
    How can I learn the laws of motion?
    Community Answer
    The laws of motion are particularly easy to learn when you study Newton, which will be covered in any physics class.
  • Question
    Is a gravitational field magnetic?
    TomPN
    Top Answerer
    No, they're completely different things. Gravitational fields are generated by objects with mass (e.g. the Earth). Magnetic fields are generated by magnets. It is possible for an object to have both, but they aren't the same.
  • Question
    How do I understand the whole of physics in a short amount of time?
    Community Answer
    Learning "the whole of physics" in a short amount of time is very difficult; however, you still can learn a lot of physics in a short amount of time. Start today: I suggest going to Khan Academy and doing their courses on physics. Take notes and review your notes from time to time. You can find additional resources for practice problems and more. Once you've gleaned the basics, seek out other books and online resources to learn the more advanced applications of physics.
  • Question
    Can I do science without physics?
    Community Answer
    Yes, science has many more fields but physics helps to give you an understanding of many aspects of science.
  • Question
    What do I do to understand physics calculations?
    Community Answer
    Learn more about algebra 1, algebra 2 and calculus. Study your textbook and maybe join a study group so you can understand the subject matter through discussion with others.
  • Question
    I don't like to study physics but it's important for me. What can I do to concentrate on physics?
    Community Answer
    Lay down all your learning materials (including pencils and paper) on a clean working area. Make sure to find a quiet place to do this. Put alarms on your phone so that you don't work too long and take breaks occasionally (you'll get exhausted and stop paying attention). Have snacks nearby so you can eat while you learn. Every time you answer a question correctly, reward yourself somehow.
  • Question
    What are some examples of objects which have both gravitational and magnetic fields?
    Community Answer
    Every object in this universe has a gravitational field around it and by every object, that means everything, even the device you opened this website on. The difference is it is clearly experienced by some objects, due to their high mass but most objects have negligible gravitational field. So, any charged particle and magnet would have both gravitational and magnetic fields.
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