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Award-Winning Physics Tutors

Aaron

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Aaron

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus 2
Calculus
Algebra

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 ...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Duke University

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Christopher

Certified Tutor

Christopher

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Christopher's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

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 di...

Education

Harvard College

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Charles

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Charles's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

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 ea...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
34

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

6+ years

Andrew

Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Linear Algebra
College Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

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 mod...

Education

University of North Texas

Bachelor of Science, Physics

Vanderbilt University

Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1480

Certified Tutor

7+ years

Michael

Doctor of Philosophy, Physics
Michael's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
Physics

Michael holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Michigan and a BS from Rice, and he's spent years teaching everything from basic mechanics to advanced electrodynamics and special relativity. He's particularly effective at connecting abstract principles — like conservation laws or field theory ...

Education

Rice University

Bachelor of Science, Physics

University of Michigan

Doctor of Philosophy, Physics

Rice University

BS in Physics

Test Scores
SAT
1570

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

Amber

Bachelor in Arts
Amber's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic

Understanding physics means seeing the same core principles — Newton's laws, conservation of energy, wave behavior — show up in wildly different problems. Amber teaches students to identify which principle applies and how to set up the math, drawing on her strong background in both science and mathe...

Education

Dartmouth College

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1570
ACT
35

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

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Ian

Bachelor of Science, Physics
Ian's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Competition Math
Middle School Math

As a Yale physics major who also teaches thermodynamics, special relativity, and statics and dynamics, Ian has worked through the full arc from introductory mechanics to upper-division theory — so he knows exactly where each concept builds on the last and where students tend to lose the thread. He's...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Physics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

10+ years

John

Masters, Education
John's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Earth Science
Physics

Teaching middle school science in Philadelphia meant John had to make forces, motion, and energy intuitive for students encountering those ideas for the first time — a skill that translates directly to breaking down introductory physics at any level. His history background also sharpened a habit of ...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Masters, Education

College of the Holy Cross

Bachelors, History

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

9+ years

Alex

Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics
Alex's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra

Studying applied math at Stanford gave Alex a deep comfort with the mathematical backbone of physics — setting up differential equations for oscillating systems, working through vector fields, or translating a word problem into a free-body diagram. He teaches the problem-solving process itself, show...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics

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

9+ years

Brian

PHD, Technology & Information Mgmt (Indef. deferred)
Brian's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Statistics Graduate Level
Pre-Algebra
Finite Mathematics

A Caltech economics and computer science graduate, Brian brings serious quantitative depth to physics — from Newtonian mechanics and energy conservation through electromagnetism and wave behavior. He teaches students to set up problems systematically, identifying which principles apply before touchi...

Education

University of California-Santa Cruz

PHD, Technology & Information Mgmt (Indef. deferred)

California Institute of Technology

Bachelors in Economics and Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1580

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John

Calculus Tutor • +27 Subjects

Teaching middle school science in Philadelphia meant John had to make forces, motion, and energy intuitive for students encountering those ideas for the first time — a skill that translates directly to breaking down introductory physics at any level. His history background also sharpened a habit of asking "why" before "how," so he digs into the reasoning behind Newton's laws or conservation principles before rushing to plug numbers into equations. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Aimee

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects

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 equations with the same systematic approach she uses in her own work.

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Alex

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +64 Subjects

Studying applied math at Stanford gave Alex a deep comfort with the mathematical backbone of physics — setting up differential equations for oscillating systems, working through vector fields, or translating a word problem into a free-body diagram. He teaches the problem-solving process itself, showing students how to identify which principles apply before touching a single equation.

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Steve

Applied Mathematics Tutor • +33 Subjects

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 from mechanics to E&M, since he can show how the same problem-solving structure carries across both halves of a physics course. Rated 4.9 by students.

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Brian

AP Statistics Tutor • +115 Subjects

A Caltech economics and computer science graduate, Brian brings serious quantitative depth to physics — from Newtonian mechanics and energy conservation through electromagnetism and wave behavior. He teaches students to set up problems systematically, identifying which principles apply before touching a single equation, which is the skill that separates students who understand physics from those who just memorize formulas.

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Kate

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +53 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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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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Akarsh

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects

Akarsh's cellular and molecular biology training — both bachelor's and master's — required grinding through the same mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism that physics students face, particularly in biophysics coursework where forces, pressure gradients, and energy transfer aren't optional. He tackles problem sets by first isolating which physical law is actually at work, then mapping the math onto it step by step, so students stop guessing at formulas and start reasoning through solutions.

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Jeffrey

Pre-Calculus Tutor • +29 Subjects

Between a mechanical engineering bachelor's and a PhD program at Rice, Jeffrey has spent years solving statics, dynamics, and thermodynamics problems that most students only encounter in their first physics course. He taught calculus-based physics at Notre Dame and assisted in Differential Equations and Mechanics, so he knows exactly where students lose the thread — especially when multi-step force and energy problems demand both physical reasoning and clean math. Rated 4.9 by students.

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Maggie

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 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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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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