SUMMARY SHEETS
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THE PHYSICS SUPERMARKET
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When physics students are revising, they write down all the formulae and then memorize them - or try to!
This has limited value because when given a problem, there is no sign post saying which formula to use.
Also, examiners are good at asking questions that test a students understanding of physics and not
their ability to plug values into a formula and crunch numbers.
F = ma. The formula represents the idea that "The resultant force on an object
is equal to its mass times acceleration." Knowing the formula does not guarantee the student
knows the idea. However, if the student knows the idea then they know the formula. A problem
where the idea applies will contain the key words force, mass and acceleration, which are contained
in the idea. There is a better chance that a student will apply the idea to the problem.
Past experience shows the summary sheets give the greatest benefit to the weaker students. If they spend
the time needed to memorize all the ideas, significant improvement in their grades will follow.
The files are Word documents that you can edit to suit your personal needs, before being printed, photocopied and given to
your students. Two page sizes are available A4 (210 x 297 mm) or Letter (8 1/2 x 11 in).