10 Steps to Solve Physics Questions

Physics often scares people even before they take the subject or solve a physics question. It can be very complicated as it requires mathematical skills and conceptual understanding. So what’s a way to solve physics problems? Below are the steps to answer them.

1.Panicking is Not a Solution

When you first read the question, it confuses you because you have no idea how and where to start. However, stay calm because as long as you know the formulas, you are on your way to answering most questions without much trouble. Dissect the chunky questions in bits and pieces so that you can understand clearly and identify the key words or concept.

2. Understand the Situation

Figure out the context of the question. Rest assured, you don’t have to know every single detail but once you know what the question is asking for, you will definitely know how to answer it and which equations or formula to use.

3. Read the Question

Many a time, students tend to read the question and try to solve it without understanding it. Understand which concept the question is dealing with, read the question again and be clear about what is required for you to find. A lot of Physics questions have essential “hints” in it, as long as you read carefully, you won’t be missing out on the important details.

4. Dissecting Information

Physics problems can be confusing as the variables are hidden within the question. However, some will be extra information you don’t really need. Write down the basic variables, it’ll help you see them clearly and find an equation or formula you need to use.

5. Draw the Problem Out

Drawing what you understand will make things easier. You don’t have to be good at it, roughly sketch out and organise all your understanding on it. Some questions already come with diagrams and drawings so use them to solve the problems and be careful as you don’t want to miss out important information.

6. Know your Units

You’ll never know when your unit conversion skills will be tested. Ensure that your units do not change throughout the whole question or certain formulas may not work. You can convert the units using fractions but there are also other ways to help guide you to understand the concepts. As long as your variables are in the correct units, you can easily solve the questions.

7. Think about your Formulas

In Physics, you just have to understand the concepts and use the formulas taught to you. You don’t have to try and memorise every formulas that exist, you just have to use the formulas more to understand and be able to remember them naturally. Don’t know when to use which formulas? You can identify the variables given to you in the question.

8. Solve the Question

Now that you’ve everything you need to solve the question, keep the “goal” in mind. Find the variable required, do it step by step with no rush.

9. Check your Answers

It’s easy to skim through your equations and think your answers are accurate, but taking the time to check through the answers will help to identify careless mistakes like error in units or calculations. It is important to read the questions carefully and verify your solutions.

10. Practice

The only reason why one is able to solve physics problems is because of practice. Do and redo similar questions of the same concept to familiarise yourself with it. Once you have practised enough, you’ll realise that you can solve the questions quicker because you already know what to expect and recognise what is needed.