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Award-Winning Physics Tutors

Charles

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
Maggie

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

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

6+ years

Annie

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Annie's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus

Engineering students solve physics problems differently than most — they diagram forces, track units obsessively, and translate word problems into equations almost automatically. Annie brings that engineering instinct from her Cornell coursework to topics like kinematics, Newton's laws, energy conse...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34

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

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

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

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

6+ years

Samuel

Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics
Samuel's other Tutor Subjects
7th Grade Algebra
AP Calculus AB
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus

Applied math at Caltech means Samuel's daily coursework is the calculus and differential equations that power every physics problem — from projectile motion to oscillating springs to electric fields. He teaches students to build the mathematical setup first, identifying which principles apply and wh...

Education

California Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Anthony

Doctor of Philosophy, Economics
Anthony's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Statistics Graduate Level

Earning a BS in physics from Yale gave Anthony deep comfort with the subject's core challenge: translating a physical scenario into a mathematical model and then interpreting the result. He breaks down force diagrams, energy conservation, and wave behavior by tying each concept back to the underlyin...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Physics

Yale University

Doctor of Philosophy, Economics

Yale University

BS in physics and math

Test Scores
SAT
1560

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

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

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

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

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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Derek

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +33 Subjects

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 students learn to set up solutions systematically before touching equations.

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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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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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Michael

Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects

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 — to real-world phenomena students can actually visualize. Rated 4.7 by students, he brings both deep subject knowledge and genuine teaching experience to every session.

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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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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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Justin

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects

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 doctoral training in computational methods, let him attack problems from both the physical intuition side and the mathematical machinery side. Rated 5.0 by students.

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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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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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