Physics study guides
Free, in-depth guides on studying physics well - how to memorize formulas without drowning in them, a repeatable problem-solving framework, the unit conversion traps that cost marks, and how to prepare for exams.
Should You Memorize Physics Formulas? A Smarter Approach
Rote-memorizing hundreds of physics formulas rarely works. Here is what to actually memorize, what to derive, and how to make equations stick.
8 min readA Step-by-Step Framework for Solving Kinematics Problems
A repeatable method for kinematics problems: list your knowns, pick the right SUVAT equation, and avoid the sign errors that cost marks.
9 min readThe Unit Conversion Mistakes That Quietly Cost You Marks
The most common unit conversion errors in physics - mixed prefixes, squared units, and temperature offsets - and a reliable method to avoid them.
8 min readThe Physics Exam Checklist: Before, During, and After
A practical physics exam checklist covering what to revise, how to work through problems under time pressure, and the checks that recover easy marks.
9 min readFree-Body Diagrams and Newton's Laws: A Problem-Solving Guide
Master free-body diagrams and Newton's laws with a step-by-step method for identifying forces, resolving components, and solving dynamics problems.
9 min readDimensional Analysis: Your Built-In Error Checker
Learn dimensional analysis to check physics equations, catch mistakes before they cost marks, and even reconstruct forgotten formulas from the units alone.
8 min readUnderstanding Electricity and Magnetism Intuitively
A concept-first tour of electromagnetism: fields, potential, current, and how electricity and magnetism are two views of one phenomenon.
10 min readHow to Use Physical Constants Without Losing Marks
A practical guide to physical constants: which to memorize, how to handle powers of ten and uncertainty, and matching a constant's units to your equation.
8 min readWork, Energy, and Power Explained
Understand work, kinetic and potential energy, the work-energy theorem, conservation of energy, and power - with a clear method for solving problems.
10 min readMomentum and Collisions: A Complete Guide
Learn linear momentum, impulse, and conservation of momentum, and how to analyse elastic and inelastic collisions with a reliable step-by-step method.
10 min readCircular Motion and Centripetal Force
Understand uniform circular motion, angular velocity, centripetal acceleration and force, and why 'centrifugal force' is a myth - with worked intuition.
10 min readRotational Motion Made Simple
Master rotational motion by mapping it onto what you already know: torque, moment of inertia, angular momentum, and rotational energy, explained clearly.
10 min readSimple Harmonic Motion: Building Real Intuition
What makes motion harmonic, how x = A·cos(ωt + φ) follows from a restoring force, and why period depends on stiffness and mass but not amplitude.
10 min readThe Doppler Effect Explained
Why a passing siren changes pitch, how to apply f' = f·(v ± v_o)/(v ∓ v_s) with a sign convention that works, and worked examples using 343 m/s.
10 min readThe Laws of Thermodynamics for Beginners
The zeroth, first, second and third laws in plain language, with the ΔU = Q − W sign convention made explicit and worked efficiency calculations.
11 min readLenses and Mirrors: A Problem-Solving Method
One equation covers lenses and mirrors: 1/f = 1/d_o + 1/d_i with m = −d_i/d_o. Learn a sign convention that holds up, then check four worked examples.
11 min read