The procedures to study physics are very different from studying Spanish or Italian. First, you must understand everything in class. You must raise your hand and ask. A good teacher will appreciate the question and try to answer it. A poor teacher (and, unfortunately, there are too many of them!) will make some comment like “You should have known this!”, or “If you would pay attention, you would understand!”, or “Wait till I finish before asking questions!”

 

The way science advances is by scientists asking questions. Of course, if the question involves a complicated reply, the teacher can say that, and continue. At least, in this case, although you do not understand something, you know what you do not know.

 

When you go home, review and check your understanding. Do problems to test how you can apply the knowledge.

 

We must understand what physics is. Every concept is defined in terms of something you do. You must think and visualize the action. Concepts are not defined as abstract strange ideas.

 

For example, velocity. How far did the object go (measured with a ruler – think of the ruler) in how much time (think of the timer clock).

 

I asked a student, “What is mass?”

 

She said, “Mass is something that takes up space.”

 

Oh, yeah? How about a block of wood and a block of steel that take up the same space? The steel has more mass. Well, then what is mass?

 

SEE THE BOOK FOR MORE DETAILS.