BPhO Round 0 Prep
So, I'm a year 8 student who wants to have a shot at BPhO round 0 in year 10 with the aim of qualifying to BPhO round 1 in that same year.
This might sound very crazy, but I have a pretty strong math background(able to solve A-Level Pure year 1 problems).
How do I get started with physics? Do I work through Breithaupt? Do I do both AP Physics courses, and the Problems and solutions in Introductory Mechanics by David Morin + A-Level questions?
Or what else? I rlly need to get started?(I do like 1 hr of phys a day)
This might sound very crazy, but I have a pretty strong math background(able to solve A-Level Pure year 1 problems).
How do I get started with physics? Do I work through Breithaupt? Do I do both AP Physics courses, and the Problems and solutions in Introductory Mechanics by David Morin + A-Level questions?
Or what else? I rlly need to get started?(I do like 1 hr of phys a day)
Reply 1
14
I recommend going through try "Conceptual Physics" by Hewitt or any A level physics book e.g. https://www.hachettelearning.com/physics/aqa-a-level-physics-year-1-and-year-2 (this one is nice in that it has "Stretch and Challenge" questions). The Breithaupt book you mentioned should be fine, too. f you do A level physics, go through these notes afterwards: https://www.bpho.org.uk/Resources/upgrade-your-physics/
Once you're ready, go through a book like University Physics by Young and Freedman or the slightly easier Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Randall Knight. Use bookfinder.com to find a used physical copy. Also see the online MIT courses: https://mitxonline.mit.edu/programs/program-v1:MITxT+8.01x/
https://youtu.be/rtlJoXxlSFE?si=MAJQj7Dw1F5MgLE9
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyQSN7X0ro20wGb1lQtYBKvCg4evxaPQ5
https://youtu.be/ZUYfbV-m9gw
Knowing basic calculus will be important past the round 0 (and learning it early can make learning and doing physics easier), see here:
https://youtu.be/MO-AExWdl4Q
https//www.3blue1brown.com/lessons/essence-of-calculus
https://mitxonline.mit.edu/programs/program-v1:MITxT+18.01x/
You could also do this alongside the easier text as a sort of "extension" rather than as a second pass.
Youcan also register for the year 10 (and maybe also 11) COMPOS follow along programme and do their assignments after watching the lectures.
Once you've completed a calc-based textbook like Young and Freedman or at the point when you can do the problems in them, you can start the more challenging Physics by Halliday Resnick and Krane (also known as HRK) and this online course which is at a higher level than MIT's introductory courses: https://oyc.yale.edu/physics
Morin is generally useful for students in the US where the f=ma syllabus lines up nicely with the topics in Morin, but in the UK the syllabus for round 0 is broader, so it's not as useful relative to HRK.
Once you're ready, go through a book like University Physics by Young and Freedman or the slightly easier Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Randall Knight. Use bookfinder.com to find a used physical copy. Also see the online MIT courses: https://mitxonline.mit.edu/programs/program-v1:MITxT+8.01x/
https://youtu.be/rtlJoXxlSFE?si=MAJQj7Dw1F5MgLE9
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyQSN7X0ro20wGb1lQtYBKvCg4evxaPQ5
https://youtu.be/ZUYfbV-m9gw
Knowing basic calculus will be important past the round 0 (and learning it early can make learning and doing physics easier), see here:
https://youtu.be/MO-AExWdl4Q
https//www.3blue1brown.com/lessons/essence-of-calculus
https://mitxonline.mit.edu/programs/program-v1:MITxT+18.01x/
You could also do this alongside the easier text as a sort of "extension" rather than as a second pass.
Youcan also register for the year 10 (and maybe also 11) COMPOS follow along programme and do their assignments after watching the lectures.
Once you've completed a calc-based textbook like Young and Freedman or at the point when you can do the problems in them, you can start the more challenging Physics by Halliday Resnick and Krane (also known as HRK) and this online course which is at a higher level than MIT's introductory courses: https://oyc.yale.edu/physics
Morin is generally useful for students in the US where the f=ma syllabus lines up nicely with the topics in Morin, but in the UK the syllabus for round 0 is broader, so it's not as useful relative to HRK.
Reply 2
Aray0011
OP
6
Thanks for such a detailed response!
I've heard that books like Giancoli are more math-heavy than Hewitt, and that BPhO Round 0 is very algebra based.
Until at least year 9 I am not willing to learn calculus but thanks for the course!(It seems very informative).
On Morin: I have read a lot of AoPS threads about Physics preparation, which is why I sugeested Morin, but thanks for the clarification.
Is Giancoli manageable in the 1hr/day window that I have, or should I just stick to Breithaupt?
Plus, I want to try not to plan too far ahead(at max I would like a BPhO R2 qual but that's only if I'm VERY lucky), and would preferrably concentrate on BPhO R0, for the next yr/months, so could you give a response more oriented to that please?(Or does this already apply, idk)
I've heard that books like Giancoli are more math-heavy than Hewitt, and that BPhO Round 0 is very algebra based.
Until at least year 9 I am not willing to learn calculus but thanks for the course!(It seems very informative).
On Morin: I have read a lot of AoPS threads about Physics preparation, which is why I sugeested Morin, but thanks for the clarification.
Is Giancoli manageable in the 1hr/day window that I have, or should I just stick to Breithaupt?
Plus, I want to try not to plan too far ahead(at max I would like a BPhO R2 qual but that's only if I'm VERY lucky), and would preferrably concentrate on BPhO R0, for the next yr/months, so could you give a response more oriented to that please?(Or does this already apply, idk)
Reply 3
14
Original post
by Aray0011Thanks for such a detailed response!
I've heard that books like Giancoli are more math-heavy than Hewitt, and that BPhO Round 0 is very algebra based.
Until at least year 9 I am not willing to learn calculus but thanks for the course!(It seems very informative).
On Morin: I have read a lot of AoPS threads about Physics preparation, which is why I sugeested Morin, but thanks for the clarification.
Is Giancoli manageable in the 1hr/day window that I have, or should I just stick to Breithaupt?
Plus, I want to try not to plan too far ahead(at max I would like a BPhO R2 qual but that's only if I'm VERY lucky), and would preferrably concentrate on BPhO R0, for the next yr/months, so could you give a response more oriented to that please?(Or does this already apply, idk)
I've heard that books like Giancoli are more math-heavy than Hewitt, and that BPhO Round 0 is very algebra based.
Until at least year 9 I am not willing to learn calculus but thanks for the course!(It seems very informative).
On Morin: I have read a lot of AoPS threads about Physics preparation, which is why I sugeested Morin, but thanks for the clarification.
Is Giancoli manageable in the 1hr/day window that I have, or should I just stick to Breithaupt?
Plus, I want to try not to plan too far ahead(at max I would like a BPhO R2 qual but that's only if I'm VERY lucky), and would preferrably concentrate on BPhO R0, for the next yr/months, so could you give a response more oriented to that please?(Or does this already apply, idk)
I'm surprised at your decision to stay away from calculus - I looked at your math thread and I can assure you the calculus you need for intro physics (like in Young and Freedman or calculus-based Knight) is much easier to learn than the Olympiad level maths you already are.
But anyways, Giancoli (or any other algebra-based textbook, such as college physics by Knight or college physics by Sears and Zemansky) is definitely doable in 1 focused hour per day over the course of one year. Make sure to challenge yourself: if the problems start to feel routine, do more of the challenge problems and fewer of the non-challenge problems.
And COMPOS is definitely suited towards BPhO round 0, as it is aimed at students in years 10, 11, etc who aren't assumed to know calculus. I would check out the follow along programme for year 10.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 4
Aray0011
OP
6
I don't really want to learn too advanced math, or anything for where I'm at.
I've finished Pure Y1 so I know the basics of like differentiation and stuff but not too much.
Ty tho, I'll try Giancoli
I've finished Pure Y1 so I know the basics of like differentiation and stuff but not too much.
Ty tho, I'll try Giancoli
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