Good Problem Solving Habits For Freshmen Physics Majors
TLDRIn this informative video, the speaker shares valuable tips for students embarking on an undergraduate physics journey. The focus is on solving a simple physics problem involving a ball thrown off a cliff to illustrate the thought process and good habits in physics problem-solving. The speaker emphasizes the importance of establishing given information, identifying relevant equations, and solving for unknowns symbolically before substituting values. The video also recommends resources like 'Schaum's' for practice and Khan Academy for learning physics concepts.
Takeaways
- π Start by understanding the problem and establishing what is given, keeping it separate from everything else.
- π§ Develop the habit of identifying and using the relevant equations for the problem at hand, such as kinematic equations in physics.
- π« Avoid jumping straight into equations; instead, analyze the situation and gather necessary information first.
- π Recognize that you can't solve one equation with two unknowns; look for ways to reduce the unknowns or find additional equations.
- π Always solve for the variable symbolically before plugging in numbers to avoid mistakes and understand the mechanics of the equations.
- π― When solving physics problems, remember to include units to ensure the dimensions of your answer make sense.
- π Draw a picture or diagram to visualize the problem, which can help in identifying the relevant physics concepts and equations.
- π Use an iterative process to solve for unknowns symbolically and then substitute known values to find the solution.
- π For practice, use resources like solved physics problem books and online platforms, but be critical of resources that may not effectively teach the material.
- π Even experienced physicists use the same problem-solving steps, emphasizing the importance of these methods in the field.
- π The key to solving physics problems is understanding the symbolic representation of variables and equations, which is crucial for higher-level physics.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is how to prepare for starting an undergraduate physics course by solving a simple physics problem and demonstrating the thought process and good habits to develop for problem-solving in physics.
What is the physics problem solved in the video?
-The physics problem solved in the video is calculating the time it takes for a ball thrown horizontally from a cliff to hit the ground, given the cliff's height and the initial horizontal velocity.
What are the initial conditions given for the physics problem?
-The initial conditions given are: the height of the cliff is 50 meters, the initial horizontal velocity is 10 meters per second, and the initial vertical velocity is 0 meters per second.
How does the speaker suggest approaching physics problems?
-The speaker suggests approaching physics problems by first establishing what is given, keeping it separate from everything else, and then identifying the relevant equations to work with. It's important to solve for the variable symbolically before plugging in numbers and to always keep track of units.
What is the 'toolbox method' mentioned in the video?
-The 'toolbox method' refers to using the given information and relevant equations as the 'tools' to solve a physics problem. The idea is to build upon these tools to find the solution.
Why is it important to keep equations in symbolic form as long as possible?
-Keeping equations in symbolic form as long as possible is important because it allows for a better understanding of the mechanics of how the equations work and how the variables relate to each other. It also helps to avoid mistakes related to the interpretation of positive and negative values, such as determining whether gravity is positive or negative.
What are the three kinematic equations mentioned in the video?
-The three kinematic equations mentioned are: 1) v_f = v_i + a*t, 2) d^2 = v_i^2 + 2*a*d, and 3) d = v_i*t + 0.5*a*t^2.
How does the speaker solve for the time it takes for the ball to hit the ground?
-The speaker solves for the time by using the equation Ξy = 0.5*a*t^2, where Ξy is the height of the cliff (50 meters) and a is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2). The time t is then found by taking the square root of (2*Ξy/a).
What resources does the speaker recommend for practicing physics problems?
-The speaker recommends using 'Schaum's Outline of Physics' for its 3000 solved problems and Khan Academy for learning physics concepts. They also mention 'Mastering Physics' as a platform for practicing problems but express reservations about its effectiveness for learning physics.
What advice does the speaker give for students who are unsure about which equations to use?
-The speaker advises that if students are unsure about which equations to use, they should refer back to their textbook or the chapter they are studying, as the needed equation is likely within that material. They also suggest taking notes on what the equations mean to better understand them.
How does the speaker emphasize the importance of drawing a picture when solving physics problems?
-The speaker emphasizes that drawing a picture is the first step in solving physics problems as it helps to visualize the scenario and understand the implications of the problem, which can greatly assist in identifying the correct approach and relevant equations.
Outlines
π Preparing for Undergrad Physics
The speaker offers advice to students about to start their first semester in undergraduate physics. They suggest establishing good habits early on, such as demonstrating the thought process behind solving physics problems. The speaker uses a simple physics problem involving a ball thrown off a cliff to illustrate these habits, emphasizing the importance of separating given information and understanding relevant equations before jumping into solving the problem.
π§ Developing Problem-Solving Strategies
The speaker continues the discussion on problem-solving in physics by focusing on the process of simplifying the problem and establishing relevant equations. They use the example of a ball thrown off a cliff to explain how to simplify the equations by eliminating terms that contribute nothing to the problem. The speaker stresses the importance of solving for variables symbolically before substituting actual values and the iterative nature of this process in physics problem-solving.
π¨ Visualizing and Solving Physics Problems
The speaker emphasizes the importance of visualization in physics problem-solving, starting with drawing a picture of the scenario. They review the steps taken in the previous paragraphs, highlighting the iterative process of solving for unknowns symbolically and the necessity of using relevant equations. The speaker also discusses the transition from using numbers to focusing on the symbolic representation of equations, which is crucial in upper-level physics classes.
π Recommended Resources for Physics Practice
The speaker recommends resources for practicing physics problems, such as a book with three thousand solved problems and online platforms like Khan Academy. They discuss the limitations of resources like Mastering Physics and the value of working through problems in a book like Shams. The speaker concludes by encouraging students to engage with these resources to build problem-solving skills before starting their physics courses.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Undergrad Physics
π‘Kinematic Equations
π‘Acceleration Due to Gravity
π‘Horizontal Throw
π‘Free Fall
π‘Toolbox Method
π‘Symbolic Solution
π‘Physical Intuition
π‘Problem-Solving Process
π‘Practice
Highlights
The speaker offers advice for students starting their first semester in undergrad physics.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the thought process behind solving physics problems.
A simple physics problem involving a ball thrown off a cliff is used to demonstrate problem-solving techniques.
The speaker explains the importance of establishing what is given in a problem before jumping into equations.
The concept of separating known constants from unknown variables is discussed.
The speaker introduces the 'toolbox method' for organizing the information and equations needed to solve a problem.
The three kinematic equations are introduced as the foundational tools for solving the problem.
The speaker advises against solving for an unknown until all possible simplifications have been made.
The importance of maintaining variables in symbolic form until the end of the problem-solving process is emphasized.
The speaker demonstrates how to solve for time taken for the ball to hit the ground using the kinematic equations.
The process of simplifying the problem by acknowledging that the initial vertical velocity is zero is shown.
The speaker explains the iterative process of solving for unknowns and the importance of symbolic solutions.
The significance of attaching units when substituting values into equations is highlighted.
The speaker shares personal strategies for maintaining a clear understanding of physics problems, such as drawing pictures and establishing givens.
The video provides recommendations for resources to practice physics problems, such as 'Schaum's' and Khan Academy.
The speaker discusses the limitations of online platforms like Mastering Physics for learning and practicing physics.
The video aims to help students prepare for their physics journey by understanding the problem-solving process.
Transcripts
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