When students struggle with physics and maths at the same time, it can feel like they’re constantly stuck. Concepts from one subject often rely on understanding ideas from the other, so when something doesn’t make sense in maths, it drags physics down with it. For some students, it’s not even about effort—they’re revising, attending lessons, doing their best—but things still don’t quite click into place.
This can lead to frustration, loss of confidence, and a growing gap in knowledge. Parents often notice this most during term time, especially close to mock exams or final assessments. It’s also around this time when the long nights and shorter days of late autumn make it harder for students to stay motivated. But sometimes, understanding what’s underneath the struggle is the first step forward.
Why Physics And Maths Are Interconnected
Physics depends on maths, the way a recipe depends on measuring. Without numbers and formulas, physics loses its structure. Equations help explain physical events like how objects move, how energy flows, or how forces interact. So, when a student finds maths tricky, it’s likely they’ll find physics confusing too.
Take Newton’s second law as an example. The formula F = ma (force equals mass times acceleration) is one that students encounter early on. To even begin applying it, they need to know how to rearrange formulas, substitute values, and carry out calculations correctly. A misstep in maths here makes the entire problem unsolvable.
Some real-life examples can help students see how these subjects connect:
– Calculating the brake distance of a car combines motion equations with averages and units
– Figuring out how circuits work uses both physics theory and ratio calculations
– Understanding sound waves involves measuring frequencies, leaning on algebra and units
When a topic in maths is skipped or vaguely understood, it starts building barriers to entry in physics. But this isn’t always obvious. Students might think they’re bad at physics when really, it’s the maths underneath that’s holding things back.
Common Challenges Students Face
There are typical points where students fall behind without even realising it. They’re often connected to how topics are delivered in school, or how fast the class moves compared to each student’s grasp of the subject.
Common problem areas include:
1. Rearranging equations – at the root of so many physics problems, yet often brushed over
2. Applying units correctly – confusion around grams, kilograms, or standard form slows everything down
3. Graph interpretation – reading gradients or spotting trends becomes harder when students lack confidence in coordinate work
4. Word problems – when questions are layered in context, students get lost in what’s being asked
These sticking points aren’t usually due to laziness or lack of trying. It can be as simple as the pacing being off, a teacher not noticing someone struggling, or a student being too shy to ask for help.
It’s easy to think they’ll just catch up with more practice, but without filling the right gaps, that extra effort doesn’t always lead to improvement. That’s when frustration grows, and motivation starts to slide. Identifying the specific area causing the blockage is the first real move toward progress.
Strategies To Improve Understanding
When physics and maths don’t click, piling on more work doesn’t help. Instead, what often works is stepping back to build a proper plan and get support that targets the real problem. Learning plans that match a student’s pace and knowledge can make a world of difference.
A structured approach can start to shift things by:
– Breaking down tricky topics into smaller, easier-to-tackle bits
– Practising maths skills regularly in short bursts, especially with equations and units
– Giving real-world context to help the student see why each concept matters
– Mixing written notes with visuals like diagrams and labelled examples
– Building revision around recall, not just re-reading
Once the gaps are clearer, students often need some extra guidance to improve. A physics and math tutor can help with this because they can spot unseen links or explain things in a slightly different way. Sometimes, just changing how a problem is explained unlocks it.
For instance, a student might keep getting stuck trying to work out the work done in a force calculation. They’re memorising the formula but don’t know why it matters. A tutor might walk through what’s happening when you push open a heavy door, linking it to energy transfer. The penny drops, and the concept finally makes sense. Real examples like that build meaning and improve recall.
Parents also play a big role from home. Checking in on homework not just with questions like “have you done it?” but asking “tell me how you worked that out” can show whether the student really understands the process or is just copying through. Small changes like that encourage better thinking habits.
The Role Of Tutors And Technology
When face-to-face class time feels rushed or crowded, one-to-one support is often what a student needs to build confidence again. A physics and math tutor creates a private space where they can work at their own speed, return to missed topics, and ask things they might not feel safe asking at school.
Personal feedback from a tutor goes a long way. It’s not just about correcting mistakes. It’s about helping the student spot the root problem and learn a way of fixing it themselves. That kind of learning sticks better because it’s active, not passive.
Modern tools can add another layer of support. With the use of tailored learning technology, tutors can check progress over time and adjust sessions to keep things fresh and relevant. If a student’s grasp of algebra is holding back their energy calculations, the tutor can shift focus right when it’s needed. This helps stop small problems from turning into long-term blocks.
Parents often notice the change first. Their child starts saying things like “I think I really get this now” or actually volunteers to revise without a fight. That feeling of something clicking is hard to teach, but the right help gives it a better chance to show up.
Give Your Child The Tools To Rebuild Confidence
A lot of students feel like struggling in physics and maths means they’re just not good at them. But that’s rarely the case. More often, it’s because something didn’t get explained clearly or a key step was missed. The right help brings those parts back into focus.
When you notice a student becoming quiet about their progress or dreading their next physics lesson, it’s worth checking whether the maths side is the hidden issue. Blaming themselves or switching off won’t fix the problem, but building a better foundation will.
Getting things back on track doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right plan, support, and approach, students can stop feeling like they’re always behind and finally feel like they’re moving forward again. The key is finding help that understands where they’re stuck and knows how to guide them out of it.
Struggling with understanding physics and maths? Unlock your child’s potential with Learnfluid’s tailored tutoring that bridges foundational gaps. To further boost their confidence and skills, encourage participation in UKMT competitions. Discover how our approach empowers students and starts their journey toward academic excellence today.