IP Physics Crash Course — 9 Micro-Moves for Instant Concept Clarity

Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)

05 Jun 2025, 00:00 Z

One page, nine habits, zero fluff.
Each habit takes ≤ 3 minutes to deploy and is proven to sharpen both marks and the ability to tackle brand-new question styles.

Integrated Programme (IP) Physics pulls A-Level ideas down into Sec 3-4, mixes them across topics and expects you to transfer methods, not recite scripts.
The nine micro-moves below tighten that transfer loop. Practise them for one week and you will feel graphs, forces and energy start to “click”.

1 Sketch → Symbol → Sentence Loop

Why it works Experts juggle diagrams, maths and words in parallel; novices stick to one mode. Switching modes triggers deeper processing.

2-min routine Before touching numbers:

Sketch a free-body/graph.
List variables with units under the sketch.
Write one English sentence stating what is changing and what is conserved.

2 Self-Explain Each Worked Step

Why it works Explaining why a line follows from the previous line doubles learning gains versus silent reading.

3 Interleave, Don't Block

Why it works Mixing question types during practice (motion, forces, electricity) produces higher retention and better transfer to novel contexts.

2-min setup Stack tonight's homework like M-F-M-E-F (Motion-Forces-Motion-Energy-Forces) instead of all Motion first.

4 Retrieval Roulette

Why it works Low-stakes quizzes hard-wire facts and improve self-explanation quality.

2-min routine Open yesterday's notes, shut the book, bullet five questions you hope won't appear tomorrow. Answer them cold; check; star the misses.

5 One-Knob Variation Sprint

Why it works Varying a single parameter exposes the invariant physics beneath surface details.

2-min drill Take any kinematics Q, flip just the sign of a, predict the qualitative change, then crunch the numbers to confirm.

6 PhET + Paper Pairing

Why it works Interactive sims cut stubborn misconceptions when paired with pen-and-paper explanations.

3-min routine Run a PhET sim (e.g., Forces & Motion) for 60 s → pause → sketch the current screen and label forces/graphs by hand.

7 Analogy Bridge Notebook

Why it works Learning to map a solved example onto a superficially different target builds transfer power.

2-min routine For every new homework problem, jot “Looks like: ___ solved example because ___ identical principle”. Fill the blanks before solving.

8 Error & Unit Log

Why it works Noting error patterns plus unit checks slashes repeat mistakes.

2-min routine When you finish a question, scan for sign, unit or algebra slips; log them in a Google Sheet (“‑ incorrect vector sign”, “× unit mismatch”).

9 Spaced-Teaching Clips

Why it works Explaining concepts to someone else after spaced gaps cements long-term memory.

3-min routine Record a 90-second “Feynman-style” explainer on yesterday's topic, wait 48 h, re-record from scratch, compare, post the cleaner take to your class chat.

7-Day Habit Sprint (print & tick)

Day	Focus micro-move	Mission (≤ 15 min)
1	Sketch → Symbol → Sentence	Re-annotate today's notes
2	Self-Explanation	Voice-memo one worked example
3	Interleave	Rearrange tomorrow's worksheet
4	Retrieval Roulette	5-Q morning quiz
5	Variation Sprint	Tweak parameters on 3 past-paper MCQs
6	PhET + Paper	Simulate & sketch projectile motion
7	Analogy Bridge	Map a momentum Q to an energy one

Quick FAQ

“Doesn't this add time?” Each micro-move replaces passive rereading, so net study time often drops.

“Can I start mid-term?” Yes. Pick two habits, run them for one chapter, then add another.

“Are these IP-specific?” They're universal, but they matter more in IP because exam setters love cross-topic hybrids.