2 answers
Aditi
Student
Rehan, HP
3
Questions
Asked
303 views
What activities can I do to increase my physics skills?
I am a rising high school junior and have a little less than a month before I start my classes again, are there any activities that I can do meanwhile?? I have interest in Quantum physics ( starting from scratch but I love to learn on my own)... Something that can a useful and help me increase my understanding...
Login to comment
2 answers
Srinivas Rao Routhu
Business Consultant
40
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Srinivas Rao’s Answer
You’re in a great spot: a month before junior year is perfect to build physics skills and get a taste of quantum ideas on your own. Focus on three things: foundations, practice, and fun “preview” activities.
1. Strengthen core physics (before school restarts)
In your spare time, pick one or two of these:
Work through Khan Academy: High School Physics (forces, motion, energy, waves) for 20–30 minutes most days.
Solve 5–10 practice problems daily from a good high‑school physics book or online set; the goal is to get comfortable with formulas and units, not just memorize them.
2. Add light‑hands‑on activities
Short, simple experiments help you “see” physics instead of just reading it:
Do a pendulum or falling‑object experiment to play with gravity and measurement.
Try simple projectile or motion experiments (ramps, marbles, balls) and roughly connect them to speed, time, and distance.
Use free online simulations (like Khan Academy or similar platforms) if you can’t do real‑life experiments easily.
3. Explore quantum in a beginner‑friendly way
Since you love quantum physics, start “light” and curiosity‑driven:
Watch YouTube channels such as MinutePhysics, Veritasium, or beginner‑oriented quantum playlists to get a feel for ideas (superposition, entanglement, wave‑particle duality) without heavy math.
Read a simple, concept‑focused quantum book or article that explains ideas in story‑like language, not equations.
When you start formal physics in school, revisit those ideas with a bit of math so the “aha!” feels much stronger.
4. Keep it sustainable
Don’t try to “learn everything.” Aim for 1–2 focused hours a few times a week, plus some short daily practice.
If something feels confusing, accept that it’s okay to be curious, not mastered yet; that’s how interest turns into long‑term strength.
1. Strengthen core physics (before school restarts)
In your spare time, pick one or two of these:
Work through Khan Academy: High School Physics (forces, motion, energy, waves) for 20–30 minutes most days.
Solve 5–10 practice problems daily from a good high‑school physics book or online set; the goal is to get comfortable with formulas and units, not just memorize them.
2. Add light‑hands‑on activities
Short, simple experiments help you “see” physics instead of just reading it:
Do a pendulum or falling‑object experiment to play with gravity and measurement.
Try simple projectile or motion experiments (ramps, marbles, balls) and roughly connect them to speed, time, and distance.
Use free online simulations (like Khan Academy or similar platforms) if you can’t do real‑life experiments easily.
3. Explore quantum in a beginner‑friendly way
Since you love quantum physics, start “light” and curiosity‑driven:
Watch YouTube channels such as MinutePhysics, Veritasium, or beginner‑oriented quantum playlists to get a feel for ideas (superposition, entanglement, wave‑particle duality) without heavy math.
Read a simple, concept‑focused quantum book or article that explains ideas in story‑like language, not equations.
When you start formal physics in school, revisit those ideas with a bit of math so the “aha!” feels much stronger.
4. Keep it sustainable
Don’t try to “learn everything.” Aim for 1–2 focused hours a few times a week, plus some short daily practice.
If something feels confusing, accept that it’s okay to be curious, not mastered yet; that’s how interest turns into long‑term strength.
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
257
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
It is great that you are interested in physics as early as high school. If you would like to major in physics in college, it is imperative that you start your STEM preparation as early as possible.
Mathematics is the language of physics. Hence, it would be prudent to start to build your language skill (mathematics) for physics in your junior year. If you have not taken Algebra I and Algebra II already, do so. If you have already, try to take AP College Algebra, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC, if possible. Also, if there is an AP Physics available, try to take it too. That would give you a solid preparation for a future physics major.
Quantum physics is fascinating. You will encounter it, probably, in you junior year in college, if not a bit earlier.
Mathematics is the language of physics. Hence, it would be prudent to start to build your language skill (mathematics) for physics in your junior year. If you have not taken Algebra I and Algebra II already, do so. If you have already, try to take AP College Algebra, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC, if possible. Also, if there is an AP Physics available, try to take it too. That would give you a solid preparation for a future physics major.
Quantum physics is fascinating. You will encounter it, probably, in you junior year in college, if not a bit earlier.