I DONT GET PHYSICS!! plz help?

Question

im taking a class on physics AP and i got this summer packet to do over summer vacation and i have to read it then answer some questions, at first it seems like math, then i get completely lost when they bring in a bunch of formulas

does any1 have any advice/help they can give me to clear it up or help me understand it?

Answer 1

Yes, physics is math.
It is the math of how the world works and it is all based on one equation F=ma; every other formula is derived from that single formula.

The problem is that the math can get quite complicated. That's why Isaac Newton, the inventor of Physics, had to invent Calculus to explain it.

Topics you will encounter in physics.
Gravity, and how fast things fall (9.8 m/s or 32 ft/sec).
Distance traveled velocity (speed), and acceleration.
Vectors so that you can add two velocities that run in different directions to yield the combined velocity.
Quantum Mechanics; the physics of the very small.

Classical Physics explains how the universe works and how things move. It is important to calculate the course of spacecraft, or how much weight a structure can support. Mechanical Engineers use it to determine how their machines work; their speed, how fast the wheels turn, the gear ratio, the belt tension etc. Every single from of engineering requires a clear understanding of physics.

Quantum Mechanics explains how all of chemistry works and how the world of atoms and the very small works. If you are going to be an engineer you will need chemistry; which means you need to know quantum mechanics.

Physics is one of those hard, but really necessary courses that explains so much and is used to base so much of your future course work. Most scientists need to understand physics and to get a complete general understanding of the world you need physics. Sorry, about that—I Know it is hard, but you are going to have to get through it if you want to deal with technology because so much of it is based on physics.

All physics formulas need algebra and to understand where they came from you need calculus. The more complex features of physics need calculus, but you can get pretty far before that point.

theaamirsutra has a good point Cliff Notes can be very helpful; try on line or a bookstore to find them.

Answer 2

First, space and time are not separable; each depends on the other. Next, most of our science depends on three dimensions. These are NOT the three spatial dimension (length, width height), but time, length and mass. the separation of these into seconds, grams and metres is a human concept, because we can measure them. We can postulate additional spacial dimensions, and in those terms, space (our usual three-d), space is curved. We can only guess about whether there was anything before the Big Bang. The only thing we know for sure is that our measurements only hold up to that point (going backwards in time). There could be no gravitational singularity at the big bang - gravity didn't exist, since our perception of it requires time, space and mass. One of the big problems with thinking about the various dimensions is that we need each dimension to have a metric (a way of measuring), so we get stuck with analogue thinking - like the idea that the big bang was something that existed before the big bang. We have to be careful - analog thinking only works so far, and then it leads to false impressions.

Answer 3

Go to the library and check out a physics text book. Most include math in the beginning too.

Answer 4

Formulas are simply equations... just like in math. The variables obey all the same rules and have the same properties that they did in algebra. You can add and multiply them in any order (commutative properties of addition and multiplication), you can group them in any way for addition and multiplication (associative properties for addition and multiplication) and multiplication distributes over addition. 1 times anything is still that thing.. well, you know the rules.

Math is the language of physics. If you were ok in math, you should be ok in physics... You wondered what all that stuff you learned in math was good for? Well, now you know one use for it.

Answer 5

Buy a CliffsReview book for Physics. The book explains stuff really well.

Answer 6

Isn't it a little late to be doing your summer assignment on Labor Day weekend? Schools around here have already started

Answer 7

ur screwed