How to Solve Physics Problems THOROUGHLY | Study Tips

Описание: These study tips will help you systematically work through physics problems a lot more easily.

Timestamps:
00:45 - Perform a sanity check
03:47 - Dimensional analysis
07:30 - Step away from the physics, now!

Hi guys, I'm back with a longer video! This time we're discussing 3 different techniques that will help you turn your problem solving from a random one-question-at-a-time situation into more of a reliable and repeatable process. This is important because it gets you into a routine whenever you have to solve a problem, and it's much more easy to be comfortable with solving problems when there are certain things you can fall back on, having practiced them multiple times. Please note, this video will not be addressing any conceptual issues, such as understanding what a question wants you to do, or what a problem requires. Instead, we'll be talking a bit more practically about the problem solving process.

The first tip I want to share with you is to conduct a "sanity check" after every problem. Basically, don't stop right after you finish your mathematics and have produced an answer to the question. Instead, take a moment to make sure it makes sense. Does your solution violate any important laws of physics? Is your solution actually possible? Think about these things.

Secondly, use dimensional analysis to increase your chances of catching any errors you make. Include the units in your calculations and treat them the same as any numbers in the calculations. If you make an error, there's a chance your units will go wrong too. So, keeping units in your calculations will make it easier to spot if something is a bit off. Also, dimensional analysis can be used to very quickly and easily convince yourself that any formula or equation that you've been given (or possibly derived yourself) is correct.

Finally, if you've got to the stage where you're struggling to comprehend even basic concepts that you KNOW YOU UNDERSTOOD THE DAY BEFORE, YOU SWEAR, then you really have to step away from the physics. Take some time away. Go play some sport. Go watch some tv. Anything but physics. This works for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you can come back after your break, refreshed and ready to attack the problem. Secondly, taking a break allows your brain to subconsciously work on the problem, which might make something important in the question obvious to you.

So guys those are my three tips. I hope you enjoyed the video. Don't forget to comment down below what your physics study process is like! Please drop a thumbs up if you enjoyed this video, and subscribe to my channel for more physics content.

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