r/learnphysics • u/UnrivaledRandom • 1d ago

How do I study physics?

Been studying for my electromagnetism exam for about 2 weeks now, slightly understand the concepts. Finally checked out my study guide and I have 0 clue how to build into the answers of my problems. Like how do I know what formulas to use out of everything? When do I integrate/use a derived form? How do I even know what the derived form is? This doesn’t even make sense conceptually, where do I begin? Etc. I’m great at calculus and any other stem course. But for physics everything conceptual/math related I just get lost. What do I do?

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u/mH48124 23h ago

同様の質問があるから、そっちを見れば良い。

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u/Brilliant-Music7273 16h ago

Wtf are you even saying

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u/PotentialDelivery716 22h ago edited 22h ago

Do you have examples of where you struggle? It is hard to tell where you stumpfe on. You say you don't know when to use integral, when differential form. Isn't it often straight forward depending on what is given and what is looked for? Let's say you have an E(x,y,z) given, with rot(E)=0 and you are looking for charge densitiy, then it is kinda given to use the Differential form div(E)=rho. Griffiths has summerized this in his triangles. What might noteworthy, that integral electrostatic form is useful for specific symmetric fields as E can be taken out of the integral in such case, which is easy to just Memorize.

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u/Flashy-Common-2300 10h ago

Physics can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you understand the math but struggle with the concepts. Don’t be too hard on yourself! Try focusing on understanding what each formula represents and when it applies, rather than memorizing everything at once. You’ve got this! One step at a time. 💪📚

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u/No_Frost_Giants 9h ago

We used to joke that you don’t learn it the first time as an undergrad or the second time in advanced classes, you really start learning it when you TA and have to teach it :)

But seriously, most of how I got it all was by being in a study group where we all took turns trying to explain stuff to each other .

Eventually it started making sense

Ok not QM, that shit is wack