Award-Winning Physics Tutors serving San Francisco, CA

America's #1 Tutoring Platform

Who needs tutoring?

FOXNBCCBSUS NewsTIMEUSA Today

TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
  • StanfordUniversity
  • CornellUniversity

Award-Winning Physics Tutors serving San Francisco, CA

Kate

Certified Tutor

Kate

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

I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jeffrey

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Jeffrey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Jeffrey's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Rice University

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34
Samuel

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Samuel

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

I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice ...

Education

California Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1550
Zachary

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Zachary

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

I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies...

Education

Yale University

Bachelors, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
33
Charles

Certified Tutor

Charles

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

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best descr...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
34
Rahul

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rahul

B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Rahul's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Pre-Calculus
Geometry

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past several years, I have worked with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences tutoring thermodynamics (my personal favorite), chemistry, and math. I have a...

Education

Cornell University

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Felix

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Felix

Associate in Science
Felix's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am excited to be working with Varsity Tutors because I enjoy teaching and getting to share some of my academic experience. I have done a little tutoring, but most of my teaching experience is in the university setting as a TA. I'm particularly excited about biology and psychology, where I have the...

Education

University of Chicago

Associate in Science

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Justin

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

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...

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
Benjamin

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Benjamin

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Benjamin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Trigonometry
Middle School Math
Calculus

I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjoy the intuitiveness of the former and the real-world potential of the latter. During classes in midd...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Lauren

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Lauren

Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
Lauren's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Neuroscience

I am a student at Duke University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with Chemistry and German minors. On campus I am involved in the Bilbo lab, which focuses on neuroimmune interactions in abnormal brain development. I am very passionate about helping others enjoy and learn about variou...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience

Test Scores
SAT
1450
ACT
35

Practice Physics

Free practice tests, flashcards, and AI tutoring for Physics

Physics Practice Hub
Practice tests, flashcards, AI tutor & more

Frequently Asked Questions

Physics concepts like forces, energy, and momentum can feel invisible because you can't see them directly. Personalized tutoring helps by connecting these abstract ideas to real-world applications you've experienced—like why a seatbelt matters in a car crash (momentum and impulse) or how a ramp makes lifting easier (mechanical advantage). Tutors use diagrams, simulations, and hands-on explanations to make these concepts tangible rather than just formulas to memorize.

The key is moving beyond memorization to actually understanding why things work the way they do. When you understand the underlying principles, you can apply them to new problems instead of just repeating what you've seen before.

Yes. Physics labs are where you apply what you've learned and develop scientific thinking skills—things like designing fair tests, collecting accurate data, and analyzing results. Tutors can help you understand the purpose behind each experiment, troubleshoot when results seem off, and strengthen your lab reports.

Many students struggle with the connection between lab observations and the theory they learned in class. A tutor can bridge that gap, helping you see how each experiment confirms or challenges the physics principles you're studying. This deeper understanding makes both lab work and exams much more manageable.

Physics problems require three key skills: understanding the concept, translating words into equations, and doing the math correctly. If you're stuck, pinpointing which step is challenging matters. Some students understand forces perfectly but struggle with unit conversions or algebra. Others can do the math but don't know which equation to use.

Personalized tutoring identifies your specific bottleneck and targets it. A tutor might have you practice breaking down word problems, visualizing free-body diagrams, or checking your units at every step. This focused approach is much more efficient than general review, especially given San Francisco's demanding course pace.

If you're taking AP Physics, starting tutoring in the weeks or months before the exam helps, but ideally you want strong foundational understanding throughout the course. AP Physics moves fast and assumes solid grasp of concepts like kinematics, forces, and energy from the start. If you're falling behind during the year, getting help early prevents gaps that compound later.

Many students in San Francisco find that regular tutoring during the course—even just 1-2 sessions per week—keeps them on track and builds confidence. This is far better than cramming before the May exam. Tutors can also help you practice with released AP questions and develop the problem-solving strategies the exam rewards.

San Francisco students often juggle rigorous course loads, and physics can demand a lot of time if concepts aren't clicking. A tutor helps by streamlining your study process—focusing your practice on what actually matters rather than spinning your wheels on inefficient review. This means fewer hours spent stressed and more time for your other subjects.

Tutors also help you develop stronger problem-solving strategies and study habits that carry across all your science classes. When you truly understand physics rather than just memorizing formulas, you study smarter, not just harder.

Varsity Tutors connects you with physics tutors for students in San Francisco who match your specific needs—whether you need help with introductory physics, honors courses, or AP-level material. You can specify what you're working on (mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics) and what format works best for your schedule.

The match process considers factors like tutoring style, your learning preferences, and your goals. You can also start with a single session to see if the fit feels right before committing to ongoing sessions. Many students find that working with the right tutor makes physics click in ways it didn't before.

Absolutely. With 229 schools and competitive physics programs across San Francisco, it's common to feel like everyone else has it figured out—but they usually don't. Physics builds on itself, so if you missed a key concept early on (like free-body diagrams or Newton's laws), it's hard to move forward confidently.

A tutor starts where you actually are, fills in gaps without making you feel rushed, and rebuilds your foundation. This targeted approach works much faster than trying to catch up on your own, especially in a fast-paced curriculum. Within a few weeks of consistent tutoring, most students find their confidence and class performance improve significantly.

Connect with Physics Tutors in San Francisco

Get matched with local expert tutors