NEET: Is Physics Causing Nightmares? Doing This Can Make It Easy

How should you study Physics for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)? Most NEET aspirants wonder about this and find Physics daunting.

A common preparation strategy should be followed for all the three subjects included in the NEET syllabus – Biology, Chemistry, Physics – and there should be balance in familiarity with the syllabus, space on the timetable, focus, note-making and NEET mock-tests.

However, NEET aspirants do not always find all subjects equally easy to tackle. The NEET UG does not include a paper on Maths and many students drop the subject for Biology in Classes 11 and 12 . With its heavy dose of Maths, Physics is often the subject that makes most NEET candidates falter.

It is important to note that the Physics section of the NTA NEET exam typically contains a mix of conceptual and numerical problems. The two basic aims while preparing for Physics are to gain conceptual knowledge and apply these concepts in solving problems.

While preparing for Class 11 Physics, NEET aspirants come across Mathematical concepts and fear that Physics is all Mathematics. But the fact is, preparing for Physics is primarily about gaining clarity of concepts. The students will get used to the Mathematics involved when progressing through the subject. After completing Class 11 Mechanics, students will be familiar with the basic concepts of Calculus and Vectors and the rest of Class 11 and 12 Physics will become easier.
Also Read | Top 5 Hacks To Master Biology

NEETPrep: How Important Is Maths?

Students may wonder if they should go for a separate Mathematics course to crack NEET Physics. The answer is “no” if a student is preparing for NEET for a long time, starting from the beginning of Class 11 or preparing for a year. But if a student is in Class 12 and just starting to work toward the test, they can seek the help of online tools that teach basic Mathematics for NEET. Students can watch YouTube videos on Mathematical tools for NEET Physics as well.

If a student is preparing for NEET for a long time, they can get used to the basic Mathematics involved while learning the concepts of Physics and also while practising questions.

A separate Mathematics course is not required but you could try this: while solving problems, note down the important Mathematics concepts involved in solving the problems. That would be enough for a NEET aspirant to crack the problems asked in the exam.

NTA NEET Exam: Most Important Maths Concepts

While solving the problems of Physics, the primary thing is to understand the concepts of Physics involved. Then, apply that knowledge to solve problems.

The steps in the problems may involve Mathematics. It could be concepts from basic Algebra – Quadratic Equations, Logarithm, Indices – and Geometry – mainly Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry – that students learn up to Class 10. Problems may also involve Vector Algebra, Concept of Solving Determinants and Basic Integral and Differential Calculus formulas.

Given below are some of the chapters in the Class 11 and Class 12 Physics syllabus and the Mathematical concepts they require.

“Motion In A Straight Line”

While studying this NCERT Physics Class 11 chapter, students will come across the concept of differentiation and there are practice problems given in the NCERT Physics book to apply it. Students will find more problems in coaching material.

“Motion In A Plane”

This involves concepts of Vector Notation, Addition and Subtraction Of Vectors, Properties Of Addition and Subtraction Of Vectors and Resolving Vectors. The part on “Projectile Motion” uses some basic Trigonometric Ratios learnt in high school, such as tan x, cos x, sin x and more.

“Laws Of Motion”

This will involve Mathematics that students are already familiar with – basic Differentiation and concepts of Resolution Of Vectors and Addition Of Vectors. By this time students will get to know basic Integration too from their teachers. Basic geometric and algebraic ideas will also be used in solving problems. And a separate section is not required to learn this Basic Algebra And Geometry.

“Work, Energy And Power”

The concepts of Dot Product and its properties will be learnt and the chapter “Rotational Motion” teaches the Cross Product Of Vectors. By the end of the unit on Mechanics, the concepts of basic Mathematics will be covered through Physics problems.

After that, students will find it easier to deal with problems from Thermodynamics and Waves, and Class 12 Physics units on Electromagnetism and “Modern Physics”. For the chapter “Electronic Devices”, it's a good idea to learn the basics of Boolean Algebra to solve the Logic Gate problems easily. Logic Gate problems are frequently asked in NEET.

NEET UG Entrance Exam: Physics Concepts

Finally, the most important factor in cracking NEET Physics is to understand the Physics concepts well.

Study them well and then attempt the questions. Learning concepts through solving questions is not a good idea. Questions are meant gauge how well a student can apply the concepts studied to different kinds of problems. For that, a clear understanding of concepts is required. Once that is achieved, cracking Physics in NEET becomes a matter of practice.

Through practice, students will familiarise themselves with the steps involved in solving the Physics problems. With time they will find Physics has become easy as well.