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"It should be possible to explain the laws of physics to a barmaid." -Albert Einstein
The complex theories and laws of physics should not be complicated to grasp when correctly explained.
The best and most experienced educators can explain the laws of universal gravitation, the laws of motion, the laws of thermodynamics and the conservation of mass and energy merely to have pupils of all learning levels understand the fundamental laws of physics.
Nevertheless, even with the careful guidance of a professional teacher or Physics Maths tutor, physics is one of the most difficult academic disciplines to assimilate.
Students all over the world from a wide variety of cultures dread reviewing even the basics of physics. The prevailing stigma of physics being challenging is a result of the fact that pupils have not previously mastered the basics of mathematics before studying physics at a secondary or university level.
In recent years, scientifically based disciplines such as biology, chemistry and physics have been on the rise and to ensure success, students and parents alike, have been actively searching for study aids.
A recent study conducted by The Times shows that the subject of Physics has increased in popularity by 22.9% since 2014; this is a notable difference from German that has decreased by 24.9% in interest among students since 2014.
Therefore, to meet the needs of British pupils, Superprof is here to show students reviewing physics that it can be correctly understood with the correct help from revision books and beneficial tips from experienced ones.
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Studying Physics at University
Considering the academic discipline of physics may be challenging, yet it sparks the interest of many pupils all across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Aspiring physicists are delighted to learn that the basic concepts of physics can be attained before university studies.
Pre University Level
As many may know, at the age of 14 in the UK, the GCSEs commence. The core and mandatory subjects of the GCSEs include English, maths, and sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics that either can be studied combined or separately.
Therefore, many schools all over the UK offer GCSE Physics to students in their last years of secondary school. The GCSE Physics curriculum provided by the AQA exam board consists of the topics of Energy, Electricity, Particle model of matter, Atomic Structure, Forces, Waves, Magnetism and Electromagnetism and Space Physics.
By analysing all of the different sections from the previously mentioned topics, pupils develop a basic understanding of physics that will prepare them for university studies or a career in the sciences.
University Level
To have the privileged opportunity of studying physics at a qualified university, there are specific requirements that need to be met by students.
For example, the majority of universities based in the UK require applicants of physics programmes to have at least five GCSEs (including English, maths, and of course, sciences) and three A-Levels including physics and maths.
Scientifically based disciplines at a university level are very competitive, and admission officers only accept the cream of the crop; nevertheless, this should not discourage students to pursue their academic dreams.
Some of the best universities in the UK to study physics include the Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham.
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The Best Physics Revision Books
Physics can be considered in secondary school or university with the guidance of an experienced educator. However, in recent years, some individuals have decided to acquire the fundamentals of physics through post-education self-study by choosing a dynamic revision textbook.
The following are some of the best physics revision books to become an aficionado of all things physics:
- Physics for Dummies: we are by no means suggesting that any of our readers are dummies per se. Nevertheless, the For Dummies book series has aided various individuals to become experts in a wide variety of academic disciplines. Physics for Dummies is no exception. Physics for Dummies helps secondary school and university students alike get speed up on the basic concepts of physics in an entertaining, clear and straightforward manner. The book proves to students that being Einstein is not required for grasping the fundamentals of physics. The newest teaching techniques, examples and explanations are featured in Physics for Dummies to avoid making the head-spinning subject of physics complicated,
- The Feynman Lectures on Physics: written by American theoretical physicist and Nobel prize laureate Richard Feynman, this book has stood the test of time and is still widely regarded as being one of the best books to learn the basic concepts of physics. Published in 1964, The Feynman Lectures on Physics has sold over 1.5 million copies and has been translated into a dozen foreign languages. Feynman admits that "the whole thing was an experiment"; his experiment ranges from the most basic principles of Newtonian physics through more difficult concepts such as general relativity and quantum mechanics. The lectures are designed for all types of learners, from beginners to advanced physicists all have the opportunity to learn something new,
- Fundamentals of Physics: written by David Halliday, the Fundamentals of Physics provides the essential tools for instructors to teach students how to effectively read scientific material, identify fundamental concepts, reason through scientific questions, and solve quantitative problems. The 10th edition of the textbook is the best edition ever published since it builds on previous versions and includes critical information to help beginners review physics effectively. The 10th edition of Fundamentals of Physics has new video illustrations included that bring the entire subject to life,
- What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions: written by Randall Munroe, the American creator of xkcd comics. Munroe's stick figure illustrations that talk about science, technology and language have a large following with many readers asking questions. To answer the convoluted and absurd questions of his readers, Munroe creates computer simulations and solves differential equations with clarity and hilarity.
The examples mentioned above are some of the best options available for individuals who want to review the fundamental elements of physics in a distinct manner.
Useful Tips to Keep in Mind When Reviewing Physics
To succeed in any academic discipline hard work and determination are needed; which is especially true when studying scientific subjects such as physics since it is heavily based on problem-solving. Which means that physics depend more on applying ideas and concept to solve problems rather than memory.
Many students understand the concepts of physics with relative ease, however, applying them to solve problems is a whole other struggle.
It is important to note that physics is a useful subject to study that will prove beneficial in later parts of life. Nevertheless, success is not achieved overnight. Some secondary school students have more academic difficulties than others and need specific attention. Therefore, struggling students do well to implement the following tips to study physics effectively:
- Read the Material: contrary to popular belief among moody pubescent teenagers, teachers are there to help us succeed and have a prosperous future. Therefore, with that being said, reading all the material such as textbooks, worksheets and supplementary notes is of the utmost importance. It is nearly impossible to ace the GCSE Physics Syllabus without reading a book. If you don't like the textbook provided, no problem, look for one that suits your learning style,
- Be an Active Learner: there is no shame in asking questions during class time. Actively participating and asking questions is one of the best ways to learn essential concepts of physics. Talk to other students about physics during class and when reviewing your textbook or worksheets for homework, think about a question that could be asked to improve overall understanding. If the embarrassing reactions of classmates scare you, write the question done and share it with the teacher later. Keep in mind that being an active learner may include taking the time to find useful online resources to review physics,
- Practise Solving Problems: since physics is different from other academic disciplines; it requires students to solve problems rather than memorise dates and facts actively. As was previously mentioned, students recognise the basic concepts of physics with relative ease, however, solving puzzles is a distinct challenge. In all honesty, the only solution to becoming an expert at solving problems in physics is practice. Lunchtime or after school hours spent in the library going over typical physics problems is the key to success. If the library isn't your thing, there are many highly recommended websites that offer physics exercises to practice,
- Study Every Day: studying and reviewing the basic concepts of physics every single day is essential to receive positive results during examination periods. A daily study of physics may require buying out the time from extracurricular activities or watching your favourite show (sorry Doctor Who!) Pupils who struggle to grasp the fundamental principles of physics usually have academic success in other disciplines such as the language arts or history. Therefore, spending more time reviewing physics than a subject you excel at will guarantee educational prosperity in all academic disciplines. I hear Cambridge or Oxford calling!
Physics is a fundamental academic discipline that teaches students how the universe behaves. The whole process of reviewing physics can be made easier by receiving helpful tips from experienced ones and finding a physics revision book that is tailored to your unique learning needs.
Reviewing physics using helpful resources can be a challenging yet gratifying experience that should not be despised. Start studying today to become a seasoned physicist in the future!
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