anyone have tips for physics? (1 Viewer)

[chubbybudgie]

Hi,

I'm in Year 11 and I chose Physics as one of my subjects as I want to engineering preferably in uni. However, I do standard math so I'm pretty lost right now. I've tried to make notes and try to understand what my teacher is saying but I can't understand much of what he is saying. I try and do exercises to the best of my ability from reading the content but it still doesn't make sense. I do a little more advanced math compared to standard to try and understand physics but it isn't too hard so it doesn't help much. (I'll probably drop physics in yr 12)

so I'm not sure what to do.

 

[Tony Stark]

The physics syllabus is designed to be doable by a student doing math standard. What are you having trouble with? Is is trigonometry, vectors, concepts? Speak with your teacher about these concerns, because if you don't understand these topics you will struggle with the next ones. It's a bad idea to just let things figure themselves out on their own, so try getting explanations from other textbooks, watch atomi videos, edrolo, even just youtube videos. Read a wikipedia article, ask A.I for clarification. Just make sure you understand. My teacher is consistent in reminding us that the HSC for physics is 70% explananing and 30% calculations, so if you don't understand the topic how will you explain it? Physics is an interesting subject, and alot of the cool stuff is in the electromagnetism topic and the from the universe to the atom topic, so try your best and it will pay off. If you can't handle it, drop the subject no shame.

Keep in mind in year 12, you can drop a subject at any time - so don't rush to drop. You can drop anytime after a certain date.

 

[Tony Stark]

For me personally, reading the textbook ahead of class helps as well as practicing questions in the style of a HSC question. I

 

[chubbybudgie]

The physics syllabus is designed to be doable by a student doing math standard. What are you having trouble with? Is is trigonometry, vectors, concepts? Speak with your teacher about these concerns, because if you don't understand these topics you will struggle with the next ones. It's a bad idea to just let things figure themselves out on their own, so try getting explanations from other textbooks, watch atomi videos, edrolo, even just youtube videos. Read a wikipedia article, ask A.I for clarification. Just make sure you understand. My teacher is consistent in reminding us that the HSC for physics is 70% explananing and 30% calculations, so if you don't understand the topic how will you explain it? Physics is an interesting subject, and alot of the cool stuff is in the electromagnetism topic and the from the universe to the atom topic, so try your best and it will pay off. If you can't handle it, drop the subject no shame.

Keep in mind in year 12, you can drop a subject at any time - so don't rush to drop. You can drop anytime after a certain date.

I think I struggle with maybe understanding the question and some trigonometry as I've never been the strongest at math (even in standard stuff). I'll try to use Atomi and read ahead to try to understand it better. I also think that I'm not understanding because I'm focused on other subjects too (My exam block is coming up in a less than 2 weeks) so I want to make sure I'm firm with those subjects.

Thank you for the help though, I'll try my best to do it.

 

[Shavi Masee]

Hi,

I'm in Year 11 and I chose Physics as one of my subjects as I want to engineering preferably in uni. However, I do standard math so I'm pretty lost right now. I've tried to make notes and try to understand what my teacher is saying but I can't understand much of what he is saying. I try and do exercises to the best of my ability from reading the content but it still doesn't make sense. I do a little more advanced math compared to standard to try and understand physics but it isn't too hard so it doesn't help much. (I'll probably drop physics in yr 12)

so I'm not sure what to do.

I SHALL GIVE YOU MY NOTES for like only mod 1 though, we just started 2 a few days ago


i suggest if the math part is troublesome then go through trig, simultaneous equations, basic algebra, substituting stuff into equations, drawing triangles, and compass bearings in the slightest bit. There shouldn't be anything in physics where you have to use really reaally complicated math ( bit more than std though)

as my teacher said "physics is easy, if it isn't we make it"

notes as promised, if it's complicated just pm me

Shavi's physics notes for mod 1 – Google Drive

drive.google.com

 

[chubbybudgie]

I SHALL GIVE YOU MY NOTES for like only mod 1 though, we just started 2 a few days ago


i suggest if the math part is troublesome then go through trig, simultaneous equations, basic algebra, substituting stuff into equations, drawing triangles, and compass bearings in the slightest bit. There shouldn't be anything in physics where you have to use really reaally complicated math ( bit more than std though)

as my teacher said "physics is easy, if it isn't we make it"

notes as promised, if it's complicated just pm me

thank youuu this is so useful for me

 

[wizzkids]

Physics is based solidly on problem solving. It's not like repeating a page of equations. Some students find the mathematics hard not because the equations are hard but because they are not used to interpreting a written problem and expressing it mathematically. This is the most important skill, and you need to practise it.

 

[sarbear.h]

Hi,

I'm in Year 11 and I chose Physics as one of my subjects as I want to engineering preferably in uni. However, I do standard math so I'm pretty lost right now. I've tried to make notes and try to understand what my teacher is saying but I can't understand much of what he is saying. I try and do exercises to the best of my ability from reading the content but it still doesn't make sense. I do a little more advanced math compared to standard to try and understand physics but it isn't too hard so it doesn't help much. (I'll probably drop physics in yr 12)

so I'm not sure what to do.

I found physics really difficult in year 11, i mean most people did. all sciences don't have maths as a prerequisite so you're not expected to know crazy maths to be able to sit the course. that being said i think what most people find challenging is the fact that alot of physics isn't visible or touchable like the wave stuff really confused the heck out of me. i feel like if you can find a good tutor, it definitely helped me with maths and chem, if they're able to explain all your questions you'll be fine

 

[cheesynooby]

Physics is based solidly on problem solving. It's not like repeating a page of equations. Some students find the mathematics hard not because the equations are hard but because they are not used to interpreting a written problem and expressing it mathematically. This is the most important skill, and you need to practise it.

tbh in the context of the hsc i somewhat disagree. yes, there are unseen questions and some problem solving (especially the mcqs) but for the hsc exam the most important thing is understanding the context and the ability to communicate your ideas concisely.
The syllabus is fairly limited in the amount of content - so the calculation questions are also very limited (there are only so many projectile motion calculation questions you can ask and they are limited to equations on the formula sheet as axioms, along with attempting to be accessible to any maths level), so the key discriminator is how well you can write the extended response questions concisely (as you only have so much time), which also requires good understanding of the content and only some problem solving. Every hsc exam always has the 6-9 marker non calc/only partial calc questions, e.g. Analyse, Evaluate, Assess questions which requires a vastly different skillset from non hsc physics.

 

[BaulkoChemHater]

Hi,

I'm in Year 11 and I chose Physics as one of my subjects as I want to engineering preferably in uni. However, I do standard math so I'm pretty lost right now. I've tried to make notes and try to understand what my teacher is saying but I can't understand much of what he is saying. I try and do exercises to the best of my ability from reading the content but it still doesn't make sense. I do a little more advanced math compared to standard to try and understand physics but it isn't too hard so it doesn't help much. (I'll probably drop physics in yr 12)

so I'm not sure what to do.

In my opinion, the really important thing about HSC Physics is building a conceptual understanding of everything from the start, otherwise you're going to have no clue what's going on later and just rely on pure memorisation and rote learning of concepts. Especially in Year 11, it helps to build a decent foundation for what you'll learn in Year 12, and if you neglect Year 11, then you're going to struggle more. If there's a concept you don't understand, research it, or ask friends and teachers. Don't leave it alone because trust me, gaps will slowly start to build up in your knowledge over time. If possible, try to visualise the concepts and how the mechanisms work. Things become so much easier in your studies when you consolidate those basics. I remember some of my friends who didn't do that and would spend hours asking for help because they didn't understand the concepts leading up to our exams.

I emphasise conceptual understanding because it tends to be that the problem solving questions are no where near as difficult as understanding theory. HOWEVER, if your concern is based around calculations, then having a good understanding of theory helps you to apply it somewhat better, but mostly it comes down to more practice because the style of questions are never very unique. There really isn't much advice to improving problem solving apart from just practicing problem solving (given you have a strong foundation for the basics)

Of course, there will be more niche details like "how to properly answer questions to get marks" since HSC Physics is rlly nitpicky about those things, but imo, that's quite easy if you truly understand the concept already. You just need to regurgitate what you understand (with extra and specific details) instead of having to write down what you blindly memorised as if its an essay. It becomes second nature after more practice.

Note: This advice is mainly centred on my own personal experiences and my friend's, which got us mid-high band 6's. Other people seem to have different approaches to Physics, so I would recommend trying out different ones until you find something that clicks for you.