Okay so my physics teacher at my school is new (previously retired) and he pretty much has no idea how to teach my class, even though we're an extremely small class. I'm not complaining or anything because I can't really do much about it, but I was wondering if anybody would be able to help me with tips for studying physics?
I feel like I always spend so long writing out notes and stuff on the topics, but then when it comes to using the formulas and applying concepts I just can't remember how to do it or how to use the equations. My teacher isn't helping the stress levels when it comes to this subject as he has been piling on SAC's and has jumped around from topic to topic without any real demonstrations on how to do what it's asking of us.
I don't want to fail physics or get a really bad mark for the exam all because my teacher wasn't sufficient with his teaching methods or resources he has supplied us with. And I'm struggling to figure out how to get into a good study routine for physics, because it's not a subject that comes very naturally or easily for myself.
Any replies or help will be greatly appreciated, and I know this is a bit late in the year but I'm just dumb and didn't realise how little I've comprehended so far.
Thanks.
Hey, personally I think for physics, think that spending a lot of time writing notes isn't the most helpful, and you would be better to make a cheat sheet and spend that time practice questions. I know it might seem daunting to do exam questions if you don't feel confident on understanding the content but, it will get easier and you'll start to understand it better, (I had a topic that finally 'clicked' for me while I was doing the sac haha). I know it may seem oversimplified to say 'do' the questions if you don't know where to start, but you want to sort of wing the questions until they start to seem familiar. Have you made a cheat sheet?
-I recomend scanning your notes for all the formulas and writing them down concisely and try to avoid excess info, (you can add the units, and the meaning of each of the letters/symbols too)
(here's an example of how I set out part of my cheat sheet)
-Then when you get a question, identify the pieces of info they give you in the question (eg they give you current, length of wire, number of loops, magnetic field, and want you to find force)
-Then scan your cheat sheet for a formula with each of the pieces of info (eg, look through them all until you see F=nIlB)
- Check to see if they are in the correct units as they should be imputted into the formula, then sub the numbers in (rearrange if necessary), then type it exactly into your calculator.
-Remember to add units
Sorry if what I've written is something that's obvious, but I completely believe that for majority of the questions with formulas it's not necessary to understand what's going on to be able to do them. I relied heaps on my cheat sheet all the time.
For the questions that relate to understanding, it might be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the common ones that come up. Most of the worded questions that get you to explain things have been asked in slightly different ways throughout the years on past exams. If you practice them you'll start to feel more confident in knowing the certain points they want you to make each time. For example a common one is Len's law where you have to explain which way the current flows and why.
Spoiler
-flux will be increasing in coil towards right
-to oppose this, a flux is created in coil towards left
-therefore the induced current is upwards in the wire
(basically always these three points, but change the directions depending on question)
I've forgotten what others come up a lot, but if you start to notice them in past exams, check the answers in the vcaa exam reports for the key points they like you to make for those types of questions. (Also when I say do past exams, only do them when you've finished the content, I don't mean do full ones right now, if you've got checkpoints or textbook questions or questions from your teacher they are good ways to practice specific areas).
Since you've mentioned it being confusing with the jumping around different topics, maybe when you are studying, only focus on one AOS at a time until you get confident with it. Physics has super separate areas, so you want to be able to identify what areas the questions are from.
In summary, making cheat sheet and doing past questions is going to be the most helpful.
Don't worry if you don't understand everything right now, you aren't alone, (I never fully understood the last area of study, and blindly subbed the numbers into the formulas and it worked well for me).
Hope this helps, good luck :)