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Award-Winning Physics Tutors

Derek

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Derek

Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science
Derek's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Trigonometry

Derek earned a 790 on the SAT Physics Subject Test and scored 5s on both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C: Mechanics, covering everything from kinematics and energy conservation to rotational dynamics. He teaches physics by anchoring each problem in a free-body diagram or energy diagram first, so stude...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1550
Bidyut

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Bidyut

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Bidyut's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Differential Equations

Bidyut's dual focus in biomedical engineering and computer science at Johns Hopkins means physics isn't something he studied once — it's embedded in his daily coursework, from mechanics to electromagnetism to fluid dynamics. He teaches students to translate word problems into free-body diagrams and ...

Education

Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Ellie

Master of Arts, Biomedical Engineering
Ellie's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Algebra

Engineering students see physics differently than most tutors do — every force diagram, energy conservation problem, and wave equation is a tool they actually use. Ellie's biomedical engineering program at Yale means she tackles mechanics, electricity, and thermodynamics regularly in applied context...

Education

Yale University

Master of Arts, Biomedical Engineering

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

3+ years

Ava

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering (2020)
Ava's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
Middle School Math
Geometry
Differential Equations

Engineering students use physics every day, and Ava's dual degree in mechanical and energy engineering means she didn't just learn kinematics, Newton's laws, and energy conservation — she applied them to real systems. She TAed physics-related engineering courses at WashU and tutored high school phys...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering (2020)

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Steve

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering
Steve's other Tutor Subjects
Applied Mathematics
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry

Holding degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering, Steve has solved the full spectrum of physics problems professionally — from statics and dynamics in mechanical systems to electromagnetism in circuit design. That dual perspective is especially useful when students hit the transition fr...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering

Saint Louis University-Main Campus

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
31

Certified Tutor

Richard

Bachelor in Arts, Government
Richard's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Linear Algebra

A year as a course assistant in Harvard's math department means Richard can handle the calculus that often becomes the real obstacle in physics — setting up integrals for work-energy problems or differentiating position functions in kinematics. He teaches across physics, calculus, and AP-level math,...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts, Government

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1600
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

Three years of tutoring introductory physics at Washington University gave Justin a sharp sense of where students get stuck — usually at the gap between understanding a concept verbally and translating it into a free-body diagram or equation. His dual bachelor's degrees in physics and math, plus doc...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics

University of Chicago

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
33

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Aimee

Current Grad Student, Biological/Biosystems Engineering
Aimee's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Calculus 3

From Newton's laws to wave behavior to electric fields, physics is ultimately about translating real situations into mathematical models. Aimee's engineering training at Georgia Tech means she's spent years doing exactly that — and she teaches students to sketch free-body diagrams and set up equatio...

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Bachelor of Science, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Current Grad Student, Biological/Biosystems Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
33

Certified Tutor

Kathleen

Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics
Kathleen's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Multivariable Calculus
Trigonometry

Kathleen's math background at Washington University gives her a natural advantage when teaching physics — she treats kinematics equations, force diagrams, and energy conservation as applied math problems rather than disconnected formulas. She digs into the specific step where a student gets stuck, w...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1550
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Pranav

Bachelor of Science, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Pranav's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Algebra

Understanding physics means learning to translate a word problem into a free-body diagram, then into equations, then into an answer that makes physical sense. Pranav teaches that full translation process — whether the topic is kinematics, energy conservation, or electromagnetism — drawing on his Bio...

Education

Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor of Science, Cellular and Molecular Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1580

Certified Tutor

14+ years

Caroline

Masters in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
Caroline's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Multivariable Calculus
Trigonometry

A mechanical engineering degree from WashU means Caroline didn't just study physics — she applied it daily, from fluid dynamics to stress analysis. She teaches students to set up free-body diagrams and energy conservation problems by connecting the math to physical intuition, making kinematics and N...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management

Washington University in St. Louis

Undergraduate degree

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Eric

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Eric's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Biology
AP Chemistry

Eric approaches physics the way his Duke engineering program taught him: start with a free-body diagram, identify what's conserved, and let the math follow from the concept. Whether it's projectile motion, circuits, or rotational dynamics, he walks through each problem type until the setup becomes s...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

Maggie

Bachelor in Arts, Economics/ Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Maggie's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Middle School Math
Geometry

Kinematics equations and free-body diagrams are straightforward once a student learns to read a physics problem like a story — identifying what's moving, what forces act on it, and what the question is really asking. Maggie teaches that translation process explicitly, drawing on her science backgrou...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts, Economics/ Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1600

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

Engineering is applied physics, so Kate spent years solving the exact kinds of problems — free-body diagrams, energy conservation, circuit analysis — that show up in introductory physics courses. She walks through each problem by identifying what physical principle applies and why, which builds the ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580

Certified Tutor

4+ years

Zosia

Bachelor of Science
Zosia's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Cell Biology

Three science degrees from Yale — including one in chemistry — mean Zosia has worked through mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism problems repeatedly across disciplines, building the kind of cross-subject fluency that makes her especially clear on where physics concepts connect to the mat...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science

Test Scores
SAT
1570

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Caroline

College Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects

A mechanical engineering degree from WashU means Caroline didn't just study physics — she applied it daily, from fluid dynamics to stress analysis. She teaches students to set up free-body diagrams and energy conservation problems by connecting the math to physical intuition, making kinematics and Newton's laws click rather than feel like formula hunts.

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Eric

Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects

Eric approaches physics the way his Duke engineering program taught him: start with a free-body diagram, identify what's conserved, and let the math follow from the concept. Whether it's projectile motion, circuits, or rotational dynamics, he walks through each problem type until the setup becomes second nature.

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Maggie

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

Kinematics equations and free-body diagrams are straightforward once a student learns to read a physics problem like a story — identifying what's moving, what forces act on it, and what the question is really asking. Maggie teaches that translation process explicitly, drawing on her science background to walk through mechanics, energy conservation, and wave behavior with clarity. She holds a 5.0 student rating.

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Kate

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +52 Subjects

Engineering is applied physics, so Kate spent years solving the exact kinds of problems — free-body diagrams, energy conservation, circuit analysis — that show up in introductory physics courses. She walks through each problem by identifying what physical principle applies and why, which builds the kind of intuition that makes new problems feel approachable instead of intimidating.

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Zosia

Middle School Math Tutor • +46 Subjects

Three science degrees from Yale — including one in chemistry — mean Zosia has worked through mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism problems repeatedly across disciplines, building the kind of cross-subject fluency that makes her especially clear on where physics concepts connect to the math underneath. She digs into the specific step where a student's reasoning breaks down, whether that's setting up Newton's second law for a pulley system or tracking signs through a conservation-of-energy equation. Rated 4.9 by students.

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Aaron

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +22 Subjects

Mechanical engineering grad school is essentially applied physics on repeat — Aaron solves statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics problems daily, so the concepts in introductory and AP-level courses are second nature rather than something he has to dust off. He's especially sharp at breaking down free-body diagrams and energy conservation setups, connecting the physical picture to the math so students see why an equation applies instead of guessing which one to use. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Christopher

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects

Studying mechanical engineering at Harvard means Christopher doesn't just remember physics — he's actively building on it every semester, from Newtonian mechanics and thermodynamics to electromagnetism and wave behavior. He breaks down complex problems by teaching students to draw clean free-body diagrams, identify which conservation law applies, and translate word problems into solvable equations. That systematic approach turns intimidating multi-step problems into manageable sequences.

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Charles

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects

Engineering is applied physics, which means Charles doesn't just remember the formulas for kinematics, energy conservation, or rotational dynamics — he uses them to solve design problems at Yale every week. That practical fluency lets him explain not just how to set up a free-body diagram but why each force matters and what happens when you change a variable. Rated across math and science subjects, he's especially sharp on real-world application problems.

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Andrew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

A PhD in biomedical engineering built on a bachelor's in physics means Andrew has spent years solving problems across mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics. He teaches physics by emphasizing free-body diagrams, unit analysis, and the habit of translating word problems into mathematical models before reaching for formulas. That systematic approach turns intimidating multi-step problems into manageable sequences.

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Phillip

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

Most physics struggles come down to one thing: not knowing how to start a problem. Phillip teaches a systematic approach — draw the diagram, identify the forces, pick the right coordinate system — that turns intimidating multi-step problems into a sequence of smaller, solvable ones. He's taken physics through the college level as part of his biomedical engineering degree at Brown and knows exactly where conceptual gaps tend to hide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students often struggle with abstract concepts like forces, energy, and electromagnetism because they're difficult to visualize. Common trouble spots include Newton's laws, circular motion, thermodynamics, and wave mechanics. Personalized tutoring helps by breaking down these concepts into concrete, visual explanations—using diagrams, real-world examples, and step-by-step problem-solving to build genuine understanding rather than memorization. A tutor can also identify exactly where your reasoning breaks down and fill those specific gaps.

Problem-solving is essential in Physics—it's where understanding actually solidifies. Research on learning shows that practice testing and retrieval practice are among the most effective study techniques. During personalized instruction, a tutor guides you through problems of increasing difficulty, teaching you to identify which concepts apply, set up equations correctly, and check your work. This builds both confidence and the problem-solving instincts you need for exams and AP/IB assessments.

Memorizing formulas gets you nowhere in Physics—you'll forget them, and you won't know when to use them. Real understanding means knowing why F=ma matters, what it tells you about motion, and how it connects to energy and momentum. Tutoring focuses on building conceptual foundations so you can derive or reason through problems even if you forget a formula. This approach transforms Physics from a collection of equations into a coherent framework for understanding how the world works.

Unit conversions and dimensional analysis trip up many Physics students, but they're learnable skills. Tutors teach you to treat units as part of your calculation—not an afterthought—so you can catch errors and verify that your answer makes sense. They also show you how dimensional analysis works as a problem-solving tool, not just a checking mechanism. Once you internalize this approach, it becomes automatic and removes a major source of mistakes.

Absolutely. Physics is everywhere—from how a car's brakes work to why the sky is blue. Tutors connect abstract concepts to real-world scenarios, which makes them stick better in memory and helps you actually care about what you're learning. This approach also strengthens your scientific reasoning skills by showing you how to ask questions, test ideas, and apply Physics principles to novel situations—skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

The best Physics tutors have deep subject knowledge and the ability to explain concepts clearly at your level—whether you're in high school, AP Physics, or college-level courses. They should be strong problem-solvers who can show you multiple approaches and help you develop intuition, not just plug-and-chug solutions. Look for someone who asks good questions to pinpoint your confusion and adapts explanations based on what works for you. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand these principles and match your learning style.

With consistent personalized instruction, students typically see improvements in both grades and confidence within a few weeks. You'll develop stronger problem-solving skills, a clearer grasp of core concepts, and the ability to tackle unfamiliar problems. For AP or honors Physics, many students move from struggling to earning A's or 4-5 scores on exams. The real win is developing a working understanding of Physics that lasts—not cramming facts for a test.

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