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Award-Winning Physics Tutors

Michael

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
Amber

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

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

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

10+ years

Zachary

Bachelors, Biochemistry and Biophysics
Zachary's other Tutor Subjects
Trigonometry
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

Free-body diagrams, conservation laws, and circuit analysis all demand a specific way of thinking: translating a physical scenario into math and then interpreting what the math tells you. Zachary's biophysics training required exactly this skill set across mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodyna...

Education

Yale University

Bachelors, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
33

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

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

Dennis

Masters, Chemical and Physical Biology
Dennis's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
AP Biology

Understanding physics means learning to translate a word problem into a free-body diagram or energy equation — and then trusting the math to get you to the answer. Dennis developed that skill set through years of quantitative research at Vanderbilt, where physical principles underpinned his graduate...

Education

Vanderbilt University

Masters, Chemical and Physical Biology

Grinnell College

Bachelors, Biochemistry

Test Scores
SAT
1450
ACT
34

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

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

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

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

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

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

8+ years

Bryan

Bachelor of Science
Bryan's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
Physics

Bryan holds a B.S. in Physics and teaches the subject the way it's actually practiced — starting from a real situation, identifying the relevant principles, and building a solution step by step. Whether the problem involves conservation of momentum or circuit analysis, he emphasizes drawing clear fr...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Science

Test Scores
SAT
1570

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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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Kathleen

College Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects

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, whether that's setting up a free-body diagram or knowing when to apply Newton's second law versus conservation of momentum.

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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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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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Bryan

Calculus Tutor • +18 Subjects

Bryan holds a B.S. in Physics and teaches the subject the way it's actually practiced — starting from a real situation, identifying the relevant principles, and building a solution step by step. Whether the problem involves conservation of momentum or circuit analysis, he emphasizes drawing clear free-body diagrams and checking units before touching a calculator.

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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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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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Ellie

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +45 Subjects

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 contexts. She unpacks the math behind each physics concept so students understand the equations instead of just memorizing them.

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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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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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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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