1. 2.6 Problem solving strategies

2. Problem-solving skills are essential to success in physics. the ability to apply broad physical principles, usually represented by equations, is a very powerful form of knowledge. Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities can be applied to new situations Such analytical skills are useful both for solving problems in this text and for applying physics in everyday and professional life.

3. Problem-Solving Steps Step 1: Examine the situation to determine which physical principles are involved. Draw simple sketch Draw Directions and notes (labels) on your sketch. Identify the physical principle

4. Problem-Solving Steps Step 2: Make a list of what is given or can be inferred from the problem as stated (identify the knowns). Formally identifying the knowns Remember, “stopped” means velocity is zero, and we often can take initial time and position as zero. Also if is said “rest”, means velocity is zero.

5. Problem-Solving Steps Step 3: Identify exactly what needs to be determined in the problem (identify the unknowns). Step 4: Find an equation or set of equations that can help you solve the problem. Step 5: Substitute the knowns along with their units into the appropriate equation, and obtain numerical solutions complete with units.

6. Problem-Solving Steps Step 6: Check the answer to see if it is reasonable: Does it make sense? This final step is extremely important—the goal of physics is to accurately describe nature. Your judgment will improve as you solve more and more physics problems, and it will become possible for you to make finer and finer judgments regarding whether nature is adequately described by the answer to a problem. If you can judge whether the answer is reasonable, you have a deeper understanding of physics than just being able to mechanically solve a problem.