I say, if you want to recall formulas, just use them again and again. wait until the next day, and use them again and again. It won't be too long until you can recite them.
Example:
distance=d(0) + v(0)t + 0.5at^2...
...distance equals initial distance plus, initial velocity multiplied by elapsed time, plus accelleration multiplied by elapsed time(squared)
Take a car, and find the distance it traveled if its speed is 41mph and it ran for 15 minute (I'm not going to have acceleration in this problem 'cause I don't want to).
I don't know what initial distance is, but I assume it means where it is now.
d=d(0) + v(41 [I think])t + 0.5at^2

trying to use this formula is harder than just saying:
d=41∙¼, d=10.25 miles. If it accelerates from 41 at point 0 at a rate of two miles per hour, how far would it have gone in 15 minutes?

beats the hell out of me
Okay, we know that in 15 minutes it would go 10.25 miles. If this 0.5at^2 means accelleration multiplied by elapsed time (squared) (the should then be ²), then 2·15², which equals 450...I did someting wrong. let me try agian. Okay, 15 minutes=¼ hour. 2·¼²=0.125? If so, then the answer is:
d=10.375
If this didn't help anyone...at least now I know the formula
okay.. i suppose 86 isn't too bad but still... i feel like i should've gotten a higher grade.. well that's in the past so i guess i have to move on..
anyhow, i wanna thank y'all for your advice- I'm doing a lot better in physics now, and yes, I like physics a lot(someone asked me this). I'm starting to understand it, but still i find the tests/quizes quite challengning. I wonder if there's a better way to study then just solve problems and re-read the textbook.
And also,555Joshua: to be honest, i'm not nearly as smart as you think i am- i just try my best and sometimes i get good grades and sometimes i don't. And also, don't call yourself a retard. I've read your posts before and to be frank, you sound quite intelligent to a freshman.
Moseley
25th February 2006 - 01:54 PM
Glad you are enjoying your studies and hope your improvement can be maintained.
You will notice parallels between different areas of physics and the methods used are similar. The maths used doesn't get too involved until later on and as long as you are familiar with calculus, trigonometry and algebra then it is just a question of familiarising yourself with the situations and the equations that describe them
Understanding where equations come from is useful and will always add to your comprehension. That and using them over and over again is the only way to feel comfortable.
Good luck anyway.
Drude
26th February 2006 - 02:01 AM
She is just a "school girl." This stuff wont sink in deep even an inch, before she totally forgets them.
schoolgirl
1st March 2006 - 02:57 AM
QUOTE (Drude+Feb 26 2006, 02:01 AM)
She is just a "school girl." This stuff wont sink in deep even an inch, before she totally forgets them.
excuse me for being blunt, but that almost sounded rude
555Joshua
3rd March 2006 - 02:45 AM
QUOTE (schoolgirl+)
I wonder if there's a better way to study then just solve problems and re-read the textbook.
You could use one of those one book long physics encyclopedia, worked for me. I've found that those textbooks take a simple concept and make if impossible to understand. If I read a textbook before any other form of physics book, I'd probably lack all interest in physics. One such book worked for me on trigonometry.
I don't want to waist your time, but not only was the book boring, but the guy was teaching some completely useless trig. All you would have to do to get the same answer was to use the sins and coses.

But NO, he wanted to use some squaring and subtracting and the distance formula.

And he didn't take the time to use step by step graphs--very necessary for me to "get it".
QUOTE (same+)
And also, don't call yourself a retard.
I didn't.
QUOTE (me+)
me teacha sayes me hav iq ten points shy uv e retard.
I'll translate. My teacher says I have an IQ 10 points shy of a retard.
QUOTE (schoolgirl+)
I've read your posts before and to be frank, you sound quite intelligent to a freshman.
Actually, I'm just good at bulls***ing.
I should be a pholosopher.
QUOTE (Moseley+)
calculus, trigonometry and algebra
But you have to learn trig and algebra first, they form the backbone of calculus.
QUOTE (Drude+)
She is just a "school girl." This stuff wont sink in deep even an inch, before she totally forgets them.
Ouch! Drude, don't be so rood. After all,
I am just a "school boy", you learned what you know before you knew it. When you were a "school boy", did anything sink in before you forgot it? I'd hope so, otherwise, you wouldn't know a damn thing about a damn thing. She wants to learn. Are you trying to stomp out all her will?
QUOTE (schoolgirl+)
excuse me for being blunt, but that almost sounded rude
Almost?! Listen, you have to filter out a lot of what Drude says. He can be intreguing and profound, but a lot of the time he's just stupid and rude.
Amanda
11th December 2006 - 03:49 AM
[FONT=Courier] I hate midterms!!!! Im in 6th grade and ive always been a good student but now i entered 6th grade and im piled with homework and i dont get anything in science

I dont know if im gona fail and i hope not and my parents are putting alot of presure on me and i need someone to please help me!!!!!!!!!
PhysOrg scientific forums are totally dedicated to science, physics, and technology. Besides topical forums such as nanotechnology, quantum physics, silicon and III-V technology, applied physics, materials, space and others, you can also join our news and publications discussions. We also provide an off-topic forum category. If you need specific help on a scientific problem or have a question related to physics or technology, visit the PhysOrg Forums. Here you’ll find experts from various fields online every day.
To quit out of "lo-fi" mode and return to the regular forums, please click
here.