A student can understand a chapter in class, remember the formulas at home, and still freeze when a numerical appears in the exam. The problem is often not ability. It is a gap between understanding a concept, visualising it and applying it.
For parents looking for 9th and 10th class physics coaching, understanding why this gap develops is the first step towards fixing it. This blog will help you clear every doubt.
Is Physics Really Harder Than Other Subjects, or Does It Just Feel That Way?
Physics is not necessarily harder than other subjects. It feels difficult when students are asked to connect concepts, maths and real-life situations instead of simply recalling facts.
A chapter may introduce a new idea, a formula and a numerical problem at the same time. If the basic idea is unclear, the formula becomes difficult to use.
Physics education research also supports this. As per the source, students can have similar test scores but very different conceptual strengths and misconceptions, which means a score alone may not show exactly where the learning gap lies. The good news is that you can identify these gaps and work on them.
Why Do Numericals Feel So Intimidating for Class 9 and 10 Students?
Numericals feel intimidating mainly because students often try to find a formula before understanding what the question is asking. A better approach is:
Read → Identify the given information → Understand the situation → Choose the concept → Select the formula → Calculate → Check the answer
Is the Problem Understanding Concepts or Applying Formulas?
It can be either, but application is a common stumbling block.
A student may know that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration but still struggle when the question describes an unfamiliar situation. According to one source, students can use equations procedurally without fully connecting the mathematics to physical meaning.
So, instead of memorising ten formulas, aspirants should understand what each one represents and practise using it in different situations.
How Does Weak Math Foundation Affect Physics Performance?
Physics uses maths as a tool. Weakness in basic algebra, ratios, graphs, units, or simple calculations can therefore make a question in this subject seem harder than it is. Students should therefore strengthen:
- Basic algebra
- Ratios and proportions
- Unit conversion
- Graph reading
- Simple equations
- Positive and negative values
The aim is not advanced mathematics. It is mathematical confidence.
Why Do Students Struggle to Visualise Physics Concepts?
For some of the physics concepts, students have to create a mental picture of what is happening. This is why diagrams, demonstrations and everyday examples can make abstract concepts easier to understand.
Why Are Topics Like Motion, Force, and Optics Hard to Picture?
These topics can feel difficult because students cannot always understand the concept directly. Motion involves changes in position and speed, force involves interactions, and optics requires students to imagine how light travels, reflects or bends.
A simple way to make things easier is to follow the rule below:
- Motion: Draw the object's path and mark its direction.
- Force: Draw the object and show the forces acting on it.
- Optics: Draw the light ray and trace its path.
The key is to move from abstract idea → diagram → real-life example → numerical. Once students can picture what is happening, choosing the right formula becomes much easier.
How Does Rote Learning Hurt Physics Performance in the Long Run?
Rote learning can help a student remember a formula temporarily, but it does not build the understanding needed to apply it in a new situation. That is why a student may remember F = ma but still struggle when a question presents an unfamiliar force or situation.
A better approach is to learn:
- What the concept means
- Why the formula works
- When it can be used
- How the concept changes in different situations
- How to apply it in numericals
This shift from memorising formulas to understanding and applying concepts helps students handle unfamiliar questions with greater confidence and reduces dependence on memorised steps.
Does Fear of Physics Start Because of How It’s Taught in School?
Sometimes, yes. A student who repeatedly sees a concept explained quickly, struggles to follow it and then performs poorly in tests may begin to associate the subject with failure. That fear can become a cycle:
Confusion → Avoidance → Less practice → More mistakes → More fear
Breaking the cycle requires clearer explanations and smaller learning steps.
What Role Does a Teacher’s Teaching Style Play?
Teaching style can make a significant difference when concepts are abstract. A strong teacher does not only write formulas on the board. The lesson should connect:
Concept → Visual example → Formula → Application → Practice
Even the language matters. Words like "weight" mean how "heavy" an object feels or what a bathroom scale shows, whereas science defines it strictly as the gravitational force acting on an object's mass. Teachers must keep this in mind.
Is Large Class Size a Reason Students Fall Behind?
In a large classroom, a student may hesitate to ask a basic question, or the teacher may not have enough time to identify every student's misunderstanding. Personal attention becomes particularly useful when a student repeatedly makes the same type of error.
How Does Skipping Fundamentals in Earlier Classes Affect Class 9 and 10 Physics?
Physics is cumulative. A weak foundation can make later chapters harder because new ideas often build on earlier ones. If students struggle with basic motion, graphs or units, later numerical work can become unnecessarily difficult.
Research by APS Journals on the physics “preparation gap” found that prior knowledge in areas such as force, energy, and mathematics can influence later learning outcomes. That is why schools should address gaps early rather than waiting for marks to fall.
Why Do Students Do Well in Theory but Fail in Numerical-Based Questions?
A theory question may ask what a concept means. A numerical question asks students to recognise the concept, select relevant information, choose a method, and calculate the answer. A student who only reads notes may therefore perform well in theory but struggle with application. The solution is to follow every concept lesson with practice:
- Solve one guided example.
- Attempt basic questions independently.
- Try a slightly different problem.
- Explain the method in your own words.
- Review any mistakes.
What Study Habits Make Physics Harder Than It Needs to Be?
Some habits create avoidable difficulty:
- Studying only before exams
- Memorising formulas without understanding them
- Skipping numericals after learning theory
- Avoiding difficult chapters
- Not asking questions when confused
- Practising without checking mistakes
- Using too many books at once
Regular, focused practice is more useful than last-minute cramming.
How Can Students Overcome Their Struggle With Physics?
The best way to study physics for beginners is to follow a practical routine:
| Step | What to do |
| 1 | Understand the concept |
| 2 | Draw a diagram or connect it to an example |
| 3 | Learn the relevant formula |
| 4 | Solve basic questions |
| 5 | Attempt application-based numericals |
| 6 | Review mistakes |
What Role Does Regular Practice Play?
Regular practice helps students recognise question patterns and apply concepts faster. Even 30–45 minutes of focused practice a day can be more useful than a long session once a week. The priority should be consistency:
- A few numericals every day
- Weekly revision
- Regular error review
- Gradually harder questions
How Does Personalised Doubt-Solving Help?
Personalised doubt-solving helps identify why a student is making an error. For example, two students may get the same numerical wrong. One may not understand force, while the other may understand it but make an algebraic mistake. They need different solutions.
This is where a 9th and 10th class physics coaching centre in Kolkata can provide value through individual doubt-solving, concept-based teaching and targeted practice rather than simply giving more questions.
Is Struggling With Physics a Sign You Can’t Do Well in It?
No. Struggling with physics in class 9 or 10 usually means that the learning process needs attention. Focus on understanding concepts, strengthening basic maths, visualising problems, practising regularly, and clearing doubts early.
With the right support, even students who currently find the subject difficult can become more confident with tricky questions. As an experienced physics teacher in Kolkata, IB Sir can help your child identify where the learning gap lies and what kind of support suits them.
So, hurry, connect with us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is physics considered a difficult subject for students?
This subject combines concepts, mathematics, and application. Students often find it difficult when they memorise formulas without understanding when to use them.
How can I improve my physics in Class 10 quickly?
Focus on concepts first, practise numericals daily, revise formulas regularly, and review mistakes instead of simply solving more questions.
Why do I understand physics theory but fail in numericals?
Theory checks understanding, while numericals require application. Practise moving from a concept to a formula and then to different types of questions.
Is physics harder than chemistry and maths in class 9 and 10?
Not necessarily. Each subject requires a different approach. Physics can feel harder when students are less comfortable with application and basic calculations.
How can I overcome fear of physics numericals?
Start with easy questions, solve them step by step, and gradually increase difficulty. Repeated successful practice can reduce hesitation.
What are the most difficult chapters in class 9 and 10 physics?
Difficulty varies by student, but motion, force, work and energy, light, electricity and magnetic effects can require more conceptual and numerical practice.
Does coaching really help improve physics understanding?
It can, particularly when teaching includes clear explanations, individual doubt-solving, guided practice, and regular feedback.
How much practice is needed daily to get better at physics?
Around 30–45 minutes of focused numerical practice daily is a useful starting point. Students who need more support can gradually increase the time.
