Eureka! Physics fundas, made E-A-S-Y

Posted On: March 17, 2009 05:46 pm

If studying for your Physics exam seems like a scary prospect, then this article is a must-read, and strives to make it a little less intimidating. Pragya Nopany, Head Of Department- Physics, Birla Vidya Niketan, New Delhi, tips you off.

The devil lies in the details
Consolidate your learnings by going through each chapter thoroughly. Do not cover any chapter in haste. Remember: you need to win the war of the boards, not just the battle of a school exam.


Get your fundas right
Muster up the courage to understand ‘tough’ chapters and immediately seek help from your teachers and friends, to clear doubts. You will be amazed at how easy they seem once you approach them with an open mind. Remember “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”.

Only one book, please!
Make sure you refer to only one reference book. After clearing your concepts, wipe off the dust from NCERT book. Read it carefully because you can expect a question from any line of this book. Conceptual understanding of the subject is tested so do an extensive study of all the chapters.

Chapter-wise gyaan
First, memorise the definitions of physical quantities, their units, the statements of laws, and the working principles of devices. Only then can you move on to their application.


- Do the tango with formulae. Be careful to write down all the formulae involving a particular quantity so as to instantly recall the right one, when needed. In physics, symbols suffer from MPD (or multiple personality disorder), so pay attention to what they stand for in different situations!

Example: ‘M’ can represent ‘magnetic dipole moment’ as well as ‘magnetisation’, depending on the formula).

- Practice makes a man perfect may be a cliché but it still holds ground. The only sure-shot way to master all the derivations is to practice extensively.

- I work so hard, I haven’t missed a coffee-break in 10 years! A break after every 40 minutes is essential as the mind wears out after this period. Gallop away to the cricket field or catch a quick sneak into the saas-bahu saga. The choice is yours.

- After the interval, concentrate on the working of different devices. It will do you good if you learn to draw each diagram from the NCERT book, simultaneously.

- You should also focus on solving previous board exam questions, based on the chapter. It is a sure-shot way to crack board exams!

- Use the ‘call an expert’ lifeline. Don’t get nervous if you’re not able to solve any question even after two attempts. Get expert help, and later, during revision, concentrate on those questions only.

- Variety is the spice of life. Physics follows the same principle. It has few laws, but the number and type of situations in which they can be applied is vast. You should practice solving different type of questions, rather than cramming notes. This way you will begin to see the common thread in the various applications.

Gearing up for the boards
After your pre-board exams, attempt as many model papers as possible for a cumulative practice of the course. Try to tackle them between 10.30 and 1.30 pm to adjust your body clock to the board exam timings.

Remember your marks not only depend on your knowledge but also on your presentation. Stay tuned for tips ‘n’ tricks on presentation!