<p>So I am trying my best to drop out of AP Physics B. And I wanted to ask something to all of you out there?</p>
<p>Is it even possible to understand Physics? I mean, I am pretty smart (regardless of my many posts on feeling dumb thanks to math, etc.) in my own subjects and all, and pretty outgoing and a leader and all those things. But Physics? I mean, i've tried. For 8 long weeks, I am trying my best. </p>
<p>And I still don't get it. The teacher is super helpful and nice and gives me all this extra help. The students are nice and help me too. But it's just... for geniuses. </p>
<p>So is anyone NORMAL out there actually understanding Physics? Is anyone normal even able to get it? </p>
<p>Because to me, it seems like Physics in general is a subject for antisocial geniuses.</p>
<p>physics is bit different from the other subjects people normally take. for example (despite what your teachers may say) chemistry and social studies are all classes heavily associated with “parrot” work; that is, material you memorize, then just reapply 100 times until you got it down. you can probably apply this parrot label to most of your classes, but not physics. higher level physics is based on concepts, so regardless of the equations and laws you memorize, you will still do poorly in the class if you don’t understand the concepts. That being said, if you are one of those people (and trust me, you are not alone) that just absolutely cannot get it, maybe it would be the best to drop it and take another subject that suits your style more. my .02$</p>
<p>If you’re having trouble with math, then that could really explain your troubles with physics. What math are you in? If you’re not in precal, or don’t have a deep understanding of algebra, then physics would be really hard for anyone.</p>
<p>I personally don’t see myself as a genius, no where near one. My friends are all really smart, and everyone here… well… I think you get the idea. I think I’m decent at math though, and definitely above average, but not quite genius level. With a decent background in math, physics shouldn’t be as impossible as you describe it to be.</p>
<p>I consider myself to be normal. In fact, I was even KICKED OUT of Honors Algebra 2 when I got a C+. I am merely average at math.</p>
<p>However, I find myself better at Physics than I am at Chem. I understand the concepts, which really shocks me. Also, I do better on tests than do other students who I had initially thought were smarter than me because they’re typically in all the hard math/science courses.</p>
<p>I find that the easiest way to understand physics is to grasp the concept that physics deals with real-life applications. When solving problems, I approach it pragmatically, not mathmatically…if that even makes sense. But if you ever need help feel free to PM.</p>
<p>I know quite a few people who love math and most science but dislike physics. I happen to be one of them - I’m a math major, chemistry minor, pre-med (so obviously I don’t hate biology either), but I just don’t like physics. since I’m pretty good at math, most of classical physics is not hard (boring though), but quantum mechanics is like Greek to me (although chaos theory is really interesting - then again it’s essentially an application of math that happens to be classified under “physics”).</p>
<p>anyway as a math geek, I didn’t even take the AP test in physics (I would probably have gotten a 2 on the test). it’s a topic you either enjoy or you don’t (unlike, say, English literature - is there anyone who actually dislikes The Great Gatsby for instance? :))</p>
<p>Because to me, it seems like Physics in general is a subject for antisocial geniuses.</p>
<p>Whoa, that last sentence caught me off guard. Antisocial geniuses? You don’t have to be antisocial to be good at physics. Hell, physics is usually just a ‘whether you get it or not’ type of class.</p>
<p>It’s kind of like math; some can just ace it without ever studying, and some just want to pass with a B or C even though they study for hours daily–but AP physics is more ‘polar’, as in it’s more like the people who get it have to study to get an A, and those who don’t get it are left behind, and thus tend to drop the class.</p>
<p>You don’t have to be antisocial to pass physics… I aced physics c without spending too much time on it (I never taken physics prior to that and the teacher was horrible too…)</p>
<p>I agree with DuckTape14- I think that for Physics, you really do have to be brilliant cause you have to understand the concepts and apply them. </p>
<p>But no I understand no concept. It’s just… not meant for me. =(</p>
<p>So now Im really scared because my counselor (who sucks by the way) is really adamant about swithching me so late in the year. She didn’t even listen to me. Just went like: “We’ll set up a parent-teacher conference and see what the problem is.”</p>
<p>I felt like screaming: “DUDE! The problem is that my brain wasn’t meant for it that’s the problem! The teacher is amazing, he is always helping out, everyone else gets it but I don’t! Take me out of there before I kill my GPA and with it my chances to go to UPenn!”</p>
<p>But of course I couldn’t say anything. That idiot. Just because she already has her life set up she doesn’t care about ruining others’.</p>
<p>And Pick, I didn’t mean that in a bad way! I said that because I picture a genius as such as genius that he/she is antisocial because no one understand his/her genius. Which pretty much describes the brilliant kids in my AP Physics class who ace the subject. </p>
<p>=(</p>
<p>Im so dissapointed in myself. I like Bio way better. But I was REALLY excited about Physics. I think Quantum Physics has so much potential and all these interesting things but it just wasn’t mean for me. =(</p>
<p>Oh well. But thanks guys. I see that it’s not just me, but a load of people. At least Im not stupid for not getting it. Thanks guys. =)</p>
<p>I’m in AP Physics B, and it has been really easy so far. And I’ve NEVER even taken physics before. Conceptually, it’s pretty easy to understand. Tag numbers to the concepts, and bam, piece of cake. If you don’t understand the concepts behind the plethora of formulas, I can see where you’d run into trouble.</p>
<p>That’s perfectly fine if you don’t plan on going into the sciences. If you do…well, you’re in trouble. Some people just aren’t physics-type people.</p>
<p>I hate The Great Gatsby…
Physics B is OK if you have a good teacher–my teacher is amazing. I’m doing alright in it (except I think I failed the last test…).
My teacher curves all of our tests b/c he said that the AP will be curved so it makes sense. Maybe that’s why I’m doing well…hmmm…</p>
<p>EDIT: Whoops, sorry–I didn’t see the post about you having a good teacher. Maybe you need more 1 on 1 time?</p>
<p>Actually, some time has past since I last posted this (I think about a week or more. I don’t know) and I have no decided not to drop it as when I make a superhuman effort, I actually understand the concepts and am thus able to solve the problems. </p>
<p>But yes, is a superhuman effort and I did need more 1 on 1 time to get somewhere. lol =)</p>
<p>Uh why am i having problems in physics B. I am considered very smart and i took Ap calc soph year and got a 5 so i know my math. I am just not getting physics very well. I do so well in science got a 5 in chem, physics is just not seeming to sink in for me.</p>
<p>I know exactly how you feel. I made an F (56) on my first Physics test, and I’ll never forget it. I’m a pretty good Math student, but I guess I’ve depended on plugging and chugging my whole math career. That is not good for Physics. I “assume the position” too much, meaning that I give up too easily if I’ve never seen the problem before. I’ll glance at a problem and be like “forget this”. The thing that made me angry is that some people you’d never expect to get A’s are owning the tests which made me feel really bad. I have a high B in that class, and I really hope I can get an A.</p>
<p>I just can’t visualize things. My teacher tries to provide a real-world example for each concept, but in my mind, I’m like “uhh… I guess it does that”</p>
<p>I know how you feel about the whole teacher thing. The teacher is a really great teacher, but it’s me that just doesn’t understand it. Everyone knows him and praises him as one of the top teachers at the school. It makes me even more sad because i should be able to succeed.</p>
<p>I tutored some girl in physics last year and she really tried to understand it, but still she’d think velocity was the same thing as acceleration. I overheard the 2 physics teachers at my school talking and one was saying to the other than you can’t get everyone to understand it, and not everyone will even pass the class. He went on to say that he wishes he could see what is going through each student’s head and make them understand it! :D</p>
<p>I personally find it quite easy to understand all things physics, but AP chemistry I just don’t get and I fail tests. The teacher has tried to help me, but I still don’t get it! But I understand physics extrememly well. I guess every science and every subject is different…</p>
<p>I don’t get it though, i am very good at calculus. Like serioulsy i got good grades and a 5. I very much understand velocity, acceleration etc, but i just palin ol suck at physics. Oh well i am getting my 3rd test back on tuesday lets see how i did. 1st test 84 aftr curve 2nd test 67 aftr curve!!! So bad</p>
<p>I think there’s something wrong with me. I’m way too hyperactive on the inside these days. I’ll talk to myself in my head constantly, but I’ll never talk out loud really because I’m too busy talking to myself. I never get in “the zone” and concentrate like I used to back in middle school.</p>
<p>I know how you feel. People say that some people just get it, while some don’t. I really want to change it because I want to understand it, but it feels so forced. Usually, I can understand things. It’s frustrating.</p>
<p>If you guys are having trouble with physics, try to find a teacher/tutor/older student who can explain things better.</p>
<p>I took honors (AP B) physics last year, and I’m in AP C this year. I’m pretty good at math, and there are definitely some things in physics that confuse me. There are concepts that are pretty hard to understand; to be able to do the problems, you really need to understand the underlying concepts. However, I do believe that everyone can understand physics - it’s all in the explanation. I didn’t understand my teacher at ALL last year, but I met with a tutor and other teachers and my friends, and they explained some of the harder stuff to me. The difference between chem and bio and physics is that for chem and bio, at least at the high school level, you don’t really need to fully understand the concepts to be able to do the problems, whereas in physics, if you don’t really get the concepts, it’s hard to set up the problems in the first place.</p>
<p>I really encourage you to not give up. Physics is AMAZING once you get it - it’s really just mathematics that describe nature, and why things in biology and chemistry do the things they do. Even if you aren’t in love with physics (I’m certainly not; computer science for me!) you should give it your best shot. And you can always PM me with questions, if you have any. ^_^</p>