Problem solving strategies
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Critical thinking is an asset in today's society.
For example, you take a study course and when the exam comes, you are supposed to tackle a question which isnt directly related to the lecture notes which you have read.
How r u supposed to derive your anwer? As in I heard much of Breaking the problem into little steps and so forth. But how exactly? For e.g. physics problem? -
play around with the formulas and definition?
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Physics Problems are divided into 5 major categories
1. Classical Mechanics
2. Thermodynamics
3. Waves and Oscillations
4. Electromagnetic
5. Modern Physics
If you realise, for each of these sub topics, there are just a fixed number of equations. Hence, for each question (up till Uni year 1 level), if you really really cannot do, just write out all the equations in that sub topic, better still if you can further sieved out the valid equations out beforehand.
With all the equations, decide which one will be able to come out with an answer with the available data. Sometimes, after some equations churned up some extra data, you can use these data, along with the given ones, on other equations. In the end, your question can be solved. -
It comes with practice, I believe. Cracking problems from past years' examinations helps, but it takes a lot of discipline to do these extra preparations.
Once you are au fait with the concepts behind a question, you'll realise that there are a limited number of twists to any situation. However, identifying which theories to use can be pretty challenging.
I am always caught off guard when a problem requires the application of equations from various disciplines (e.g. Kinematics + Quantum Physics)