Most students who struggle early in Physics 20 aren’t stuck on the physics. They’re stuck on the math underneath it. Brushing up on a few skills before the course starts makes a big difference.
Skills worth reviewing
- Rearranging formulas. Almost every question asks you to solve a formula for a different variable. Practise isolating a variable in equations with fractions and squares.
- Unit conversions. Converting between km/h and m/s, grams and kilograms, minutes and seconds. Write the units in every step so they cancel properly.
- Scientific notation. Know how to enter it on your calculator and how to keep track of powers of ten.
- Right-angle trigonometry. SOH CAH TOA comes back as soon as you work with vectors and components.
- Reading graphs. Slope and area on a graph both carry meaning in motion questions, so be comfortable finding a slope from two points.
A simple way to review
- Pick one skill from the list each week
- Do a short set of practice questions on it
- Write out every step, including units
By the time the course starts, the math will feel familiar and the new physics ideas will be the only thing to learn.
I tutor Physics 20 alongside high school math, so I’m happy to help with either side of it. You can book a free trial anytime.