WHAT IS PHYSICS?

Physics is the scientific study of matter and energy and how they interact with each other.
This energy can take the form of motion, light, electricity, radiation, gravity . . . just about anything, honestly. Physics deals with matter on scales ranging from sub-atomic particles (i.e. the particles that make up the atom and the particles that make up those particles) to stars and even entire galaxies.

How Physics Works

As an experimental science, physics utilizes the scientific method to formulate and test hypotheses that are based on observation of the natural world. The goal of physics is to use the results of these experiments to formulate scientific laws, usually expressed in the language of mathematics, which can then be used to predict other phenomena.

The Role of Physics in Science

In a broader sense, physics can be seen as the most fundamental of the natural sciences. Chemistry, for example, can be viewed as a complex application of physics, as it focuses on the interaction of energy and matter in chemical systems. We also know that biology is, at its heart, an application of chemical properties in living things, which means that it is also, ultimately, ruled by the physical laws.

How to Become a Champion in Physical Science

CBSE PHYSICS
Feel Like a Champion in Physical Science

Physical Science can be a challenging subject to many people. However, it is a worthwhile subject to learn, not only to fulfill a requirement in school but also to be able to understand the physical world around you. When you overcome the challenge of a difficult subject and realize that you understand much more than you thougth, you can feel good about yourself—like a champion.

There are some simple steps to follow in order for you to get to this stage. It is worthwhile making the effort, because you get more out of life from feeling like a champion.

Questions you may have include:

• What is a champion?
• How can you become a champion in science?
• Why bother making the effort?

  Champion in science

  The science champion is a person who wins the Science Fair, gets the best grades in his or her class or wins some other competition in science. Only one person can be the champion, but many can be a champion. In fact, sometimes a champion can feel better about the achievement than the champion.
  
  A champion is a person who does his or her best to achieve a difficult goal. It is exceeding your expectations and pushing yourself to the limit. It is being happy and proud of your achievement.
  
  A person who finds something new in a science experiment is a champion. The student who finally understands a difficult scientific concept can feel like a champion. The teacher whose students all do well in the science test is a champion.
  

  Method

  The ways to achieve your goals and feel like a champion are to:
  
  
  1. Have an idea of what you want or need to do
  2. Get others to root for you
  3. Follow the 5 Powers of a Champion
  4. Celebrate your successes or re-evaluate and try a different tact.
  5. Give thanks by helping others succeed

  Great idea

  You have to know what it is you want to achieve and have an idea of how to do it. Perhaps you need to understand some difficult concept, and you have an idea of looking for explanations on the Internet. Or maybe you want to do well and even win a science fair. So you get an idea of a cool experiment to demonstrate.
  
  

  Support

  It is possible to achieve a goal by yourself, but it is usually better to get some help or even moral support. If you have someone rotting for your success, it makes the victory all that more sweet.
  
  

  5 Powers

  The 5 Powers of a Champion are to try to be healthy, knowledgeable, excellent, and valuable, as well as to have character.
  
  

  Health and vitality

  You need to be in good condition to perform with vitality and at your best. You should make every effort to be physically, mentally and spiritual healthy. It is difficult to achieve your goals if you are sickly, lack energy or have your senses dulled with drugs. It is difficult to think if you lack confidence, have emotional problems or just aren't alert. Instead, try to be in the best shape, so that you have the vitality to perform well.
  
  

  Knowledge and confidence

  Certainly, you should read and study your science lessons. But also, you should be curious and observant to notice the scientific principles in action. Wonder about things and ask, "Why?" Having knowledge and the skill to apply that knowledge gives you the feeling of confidence. You can achieve much more when you feel confident. Others will notice this air about you.
  
  

  Excellence and pride

  You always want to do your best. Be proud of what you do. Nothing makes you feel better than to be able to step back and admire your work. But also, others will admire you and your work.
  
  

  Value and motivation

  You need to be motivated by the value of what you hope to achieve or receive. But also, you need to motivate others to help you by providing them with what they would like.
  
  

  Character, honesty and determination

  You need courage to achieve a difficult goal, especially if other know what you are trying to do. Also, in everything you do, you should be honorable and honest. Winning by cheating is no victory. Rather it is a loss in character. People judge others by their character more than any other factor.
  
  

  Celebrate

  If you achieve your goal, celebrate. This is when you feel like a champion. In fact, celebrate every little success along the way. That will give you more confidence.
  
  If you suffer a setback, and it doesn't look like you will achieve your goal, take a step back to re-evaluate the situation. Make some adjustments and try again.
  
  

  Give thanks

  Give thanks for your achievement, especially to those that helped you. And don't forget to give back by helping others succeed in their efforts. Champion their causes.
  
  

  Why bother?

  Becoming a champion in science will result in feeling confident and good about yourself, in getting better grades and in gaining the respect and admiration of others. If you accomplish that goal, you will stand head and shoulders above the majority of people.
  
  Your time here on Earth is limited, so why not make the most of it and be a champion? That is what it is all about.
  
  

  Summary

  To excel and become a Champion in science and in school:
  
  
  1. Have an idea of what you want or need to do
  2. Get others to root for you
  3. Follow the 5 Powers of a Champion
  4. Celebrate your successes or re-evaluate and try a different tact.
  5. Give thanks by helping others succeed
  Do this and you will feel like a champion.

Physics Learning style and a Preferred way of learning

CBSE PHYSICS

Every student has a different learning style and a preferred way of learning. Try to understand your own learning style.

  If you can learn by reading or hearing, books or lectures will be very useful.

  If you learn by discussing, working with fellow students will be helpful to you.

  If solving problems is difficult for you, spend more time learning how to solve problems. Remember, it is necessary as well as important to understand and develop good study habits.

Ask the following question from yourself:

  Am I comfortable with basic concepts of the subject learnt in lower classes ? If not, spend sometime in understanding these concepts. Do not hesitate asking your teachers or friends.

  Am I familiar with fundamental mathematical concepts from arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry ? If not, learn these concepts and formulae through practice.

  Do I understand the subject better if I read the book before the lecture ? One may learn better by skimming the textbook in advance, going to the class and then studying the learning material in detail.

  Do I study every day and regularly and devote adequate time for studying Physics ? If not, make it a habit to devote adequate time for self-learning and revision.

  Am I an active learner ? Do I ask questions and participate in class discussions? Remaining mentally active and alert in the class helps in great deal.

The following actions on your part may help you understand and enjoy learning of Physics :

  Try to interact with your fellow students and friends. Do not hesitate to raise and clarify your doubts. You can have more fun in learning physics through discussions with friends.

  Take your class notes in outline form and fill in the details later. Listening to the teacher attentively in the classroom and understanding the content of the lecture is more important. Taking notes blindly does not help much.

  Do not miss lectures. If for some reasons you do, ask a member of your study group to provide you with notes so that you remain in touch with the ‘flow’ and ‘development’ of the topic.

  Solve as many numerical problems of different variety as possible. This will immensely help to understand concepts and their applications.

  Supplement your classroom learning by reading additional books. The additional learning material has to be carefully identified.

  Attend your practical classes regularly. It will give you hands-on experience of the concepts learnt in theory classes.

  Try learning the technique of translating mathematical expressions and graphs into ‘word-  interpretations’ and vice-versa. This would surely help to improve your grasp of the subject and your ability to feel thrilled and excited by the finer details and intricacies of the subject.

  The ‘Internet’ has certainly opened-up a host of possibilities and opportunities for extended learning. Try visiting various sites suggested here and elsewhere to develop a passion and taste for the subject. This would not only widen your horizon but provide you a higher level of ‘built-in confidence’ about the subject.

Perhaps, the most important favour you can do for ‘yourself’ is to set aside adequate, regularly scheduled, study-time in a distraction-free environment.