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Before Starting Physics (Algebra or Calculus Based)
All right, everyone. I am going to be sharing with you my “Before Starting Physics” preparation crash course for calculus-based or algebra-based physics. This will be embedded into my PLEM Academy under Volume 0, specifically in the “Before Starting Physics” section. What you are watching right now will be paired with the transcript and built into a full structured learning system.
I am going to walk through what this book is about first, and then over time I will go through it page by page. One of the most important ideas I always emphasize is the following:
The biggest mistake a student makes when solving a physics problem is reading the question.
That sounds confusing at first, but it reflects a deeper issue in how students approach physics. Most students jump directly into problems without understanding the structure of the subject, the language, or the mathematical framework behind it. This leads to confusion and weak understanding.
This material comes from years of experience across university-level mathematics and physics. After observing the shift in education during the pandemic, including widespread reliance on shortcuts like artificial intelligence and passive video consumption, I decided to document everything necessary to help students avoid destroying their education.
Purpose of This Book
The beginning of this book contains a large amount of literature, and that is intentional. Physics is more about reading than it is about math. Even in calculus-based physics, the mathematics often reduces to structured algebraic operations once the concepts are understood.
This book is designed primarily to teach you how to read a physics textbook correctly. It trains you to step away from distractions and engage directly with academic material.
Structure of the Book
The book progresses in the following way:
- Extensive literature explaining how to study physics properly
- Mathematical foundations in algebra
- Key calculus concepts required for physics
- Problem-solving techniques in physics
- Applications of linear algebra concepts in physics
- Introductory physics content covering early chapters
Some sections include snippets adapted from the Ultimate Crash Course, particularly foundational algebra and calculus, but the majority of this book is entirely new and focused specifically on preparing you for physics.
How to Think About Physics Problems
A major focus is learning how to reinterpret problems. For example, when dealing with electric fields or dipole configurations at unusual angles, students often struggle because they try to work directly from the diagram provided.
Instead, you should reorient the system. Align the problem with a coordinate system using
What This Book Does for You
This book prepares you in three major ways:
- It prevents common mistakes by explaining how physics is actually learned
- It teaches the exact mathematics you need before starting
- It gives you a head start on early physics topics
The final portion of the book introduces the first few chapters of a typical physics course, along with an introduction to electromagnetism.
Critical Message
If you are serious about math, physics, or engineering, you must read the textbook and turn off the internet. Relying on videos, shortcuts, or AI tools can give the illusion of learning while preventing real understanding.
This system is not designed to replace your coursework. It is designed to elevate your ability to think, read, and function as a scientist. When you are in class, your primary focus must be the textbook.
This book is meant to rewire how you approach learning so that you can succeed at a high level in college.
Final Note
This is the introductory lesson. The full material is approximately 150–160 pages and will be developed into a complete video and audio series, with each section explained step by step.
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