We’re So Smart! (huh?)
Most recent answer: 10/22/2007
Q:
How do you know all this stuff?
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
A:
Great question! There’s actually 2 ways that Physics Van members go about getting the answers for your questions.
The first is if we just know the answer. This makes it a lot easier, but it takes a lot of hard work to get there. If you want to know a lot of stuff, you have to study hard! And not just for your tests, either... you should try to remember the stuff that you learn even after you’ve finished the test. That way, when you need it later, you’ll know it already.
The other way is by doing research. Contrary to popular belief, before answering questions on the subjects, I didn’t really know much about how sand piles form, if hematite is magnetic, how submarines withstand water pressure, or how to speak Chekoslavakian. But I did know how to find out. Often, research just means running a search quick online or looking in the encyclopedia at the library.
Sometimes you have to work a bit harder and ask other people. I always ask my grandfather when I’m trying to answer questions about airplanes, because he used to be an aeronautical engineer. And my father is a chemist, so he can help me with those questions. For some questions, I’ve even had to get in touch with teachers I’ve never met or people from various companies, to get the answers from them. So if you have a question that you don’t know the answer for, try to think about who you know and what they might be able to tell you.
-Tamara
The first is if we just know the answer. This makes it a lot easier, but it takes a lot of hard work to get there. If you want to know a lot of stuff, you have to study hard! And not just for your tests, either... you should try to remember the stuff that you learn even after you’ve finished the test. That way, when you need it later, you’ll know it already.
The other way is by doing research. Contrary to popular belief, before answering questions on the subjects, I didn’t really know much about how sand piles form, if hematite is magnetic, how submarines withstand water pressure, or how to speak Chekoslavakian. But I did know how to find out. Often, research just means running a search quick online or looking in the encyclopedia at the library.
Sometimes you have to work a bit harder and ask other people. I always ask my grandfather when I’m trying to answer questions about airplanes, because he used to be an aeronautical engineer. And my father is a chemist, so he can help me with those questions. For some questions, I’ve even had to get in touch with teachers I’ve never met or people from various companies, to get the answers from them. So if you have a question that you don’t know the answer for, try to think about who you know and what they might be able to tell you.
-Tamara
(published on 10/22/2007)