How in the world do I hold all these equations? I'm having a little trouble with my physics class, mainly reconciling equations from lectures, recitations, and labs for instant recall. How do you gather all of these equations in your head?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Rather than memorizing all the formulas given, try to memorize the concepts so you always know what variable you are solving for. Then plug all the numbers into the equation and solve it.

anonymous · Answer

yeah it's not so much about memorizing them, unless your professor wants you to memorize them, but how to apply them and know what each value in the equations mean so that you can use them and know that if you are given a problem, that you have these equations to use to help you find the solution, and if you dont have all the values that you need, that you need to figure out those values out

anonymous · Answer

You need to know where to plug in the values by figuring it out using the units. Sometimes you must convert the units to solve the problem. Sorry, I'm not good at explaining.

anonymous · Answer

I appreciate the response. My high school professor decided to introduce the concepts to Physics I while keeping simplified formulas, and it's been a bit of a journey to expand for components, scalars, etcetera. I'm just wondering how you usually reconcile what you learn, what techniques and mental relationships you establish. Thanks again.

anonymous · Answer

Hey Idealist...makes a lot of sense, I just got a 100 on a physics quiz because I remembered what you said about units; thank you :)

anonymous · Answer

No problem, friend. I'm so glad that I've helped.