How To Study Physics Effectively

 Physics is one of the most significant scientific disciplines and arguably one of the most fascinating ones too if you know how to study it properly. I am a physics student majoring in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics. Physics can be hard if you don’t know how to properly pursue it. One suggestion that I very often give to people is: Do not study physics if you aren’t serious about it! Don’t study it just for the sake of studying, but for the fun of it. It is quite amazing to be able to understand the world and the physical realities of the universe with a mathematical perspective and this is what makes the subject a little tough for most of the students- the Math! In this article, I shall talk about some tips that I followed and used to effectively study physics (and this applies to several other disciplines too).

Work on your mathematical skills

If you study physics, it’s going to have loads of mathematical elements and calculations. Good math skills are a prerequisite for success in physics. If your math skills aren’t up to scratch, you should definitely spend some time building up your understanding. Review or study Mathematics alongside your Physics and this will help you to improve your management of the formulas and concepts. Algebra for basic equations, Trigonometry for rotation problems, force diagrams, and angled systems, Geometry for problems dealing with volume, area, calculus for quantum mechanical problems, and so on and so forth.

Since mathematics is the language of physics, you need to brush up on your math-solving skills. The best way to do this is to start with the basics, which I am going to talk about in my next point, and get physics help whenever you feel stuck.

Master the basic concepts

This applies to pretty much any subject you study. Fundamental conceptual understanding is important. You need to stop yourself and ask if you understand a concept before moving on. Knowledge in physics is built on a series of conceptual stepping stones — the fundamental principles and laws of the universe — that allow exploration of a huge range of topics. Success in physics depends on a firm knowledge of these basics, and a flexible mind that can assess these rules and determine when and how to apply them to a given problem. Constantly ask questions. “If I change this parameter, what would happen?” Try using different resources (like a new book, web article, or video lecture) if you encounter a concept you can’t make sense of. You can memorize formulas and rules to solve math problems. But don’t memorize every step in the solution. You should understand the underlying concepts behind what you are doing. The best way to master the basics is to create a mind map. It will help you create a connection between the relationships of each concept.

Don’t memorize problems and “derivations”

The mistake that most students make is trying to memorize complex problems, and this leads to the notion that physics is a difficult subject. It is highly recommended that you assimilate the basic concepts and theories first to help you understand the underlying physics principles and the connection between each concept. The more you study, the more you start making connections between and among the concepts.

Understand how and why basic principles work. Start with the basic equations, F=ma for example. Learn how to derive them. You can easily derive equations if you have understood the underlying basic principles. This will give you a clear understanding of the relationship between the equations, and in time you will learn how to solve each problem.

Study the theory and simultaneously solve numerical problems

Physics is one of those subjects where falling behind gets you in trouble. This is because it’s generally a series of linked principles that build upon each other. As a subject, physics is more interlinked than most disciplines. Try to get your hands on as many resources as possible- lecture notes, pdf, videos, books, etc. Dictionaries play an important role in the development of vocabulary and connecting words with their true or multiple meanings. Resnick Halliday Krane, HC Verma, Kleppner, Feynman Lectures, Griffiths, etc. are some great boos you can rely on. I have written an entire article on some of the best physics books of all time.

Solving problems is another crucial element. If you are a beginner, look into solved examples (difficult questions especially) and then try it in your mind without pen and paper. Then look into the solution irrespective of whether your thinking is correct or not. Sometimes you get it correct, sometimes you don’t, sometimes you won’t get anything. Then write down the solution — just the required equations. Write them down so that you can easily understand and learn the method of solving numerical problems in physics. Then try to solve new problems in a similar manner on your own. Solve associated problems simultaneously as you study the theory.

Apply physics to real-life situations

This works as perfectly as it does for math. It helps you make connections between the concepts more effectively. Every physics problem is a model of real-world situations, and they simplify the way things work to make the situation easier to understand. Have you ever thrown a ball or played a sport? If you have, then congratulations: you’re an expert in basic physics and calculus. Anytime we engage in activities like this, our minds are calculating vectors, force, gravity, and the area under curves. Remember that more advanced physics moves beyond the realm of our day-to-day experiences. Common sense doesn’t apply when it comes to astrophysics or quantum mechanics.

Especially when you are preparing for your exams the following simple tips are going to be of great help. My high school physics teacher gave me a very handy and practical approach to studying physics (rather any subject).

Revise: Every day you need to revise what has been taught to you in class.

Anticipate: Before attending the next class you must have a short 15 minute read on what is going to be taught in the next class.

Study hard: Once you are thorough with your concepts you must solve questions regularly.