Memorization for Physics/Engineering

[Mike Betts]

I tend to agree with the venerable Mr. Flowerday. Don't memorize. Train yourself to look it up. It eliminates problems which creep in from a faulty memory.

As one of my old college professors put it, "You don't get partial credit if the bridge falls down".

Having said that, I do tend to know a lot of constants "approximately". It's nice to estimate what your answer should be and know that it's a good ballpark number.

Mike

[GeorgeTheEng]

I agree, memorization isn't neccessary. Visit an Engineer and look at his desk, most will have a least 6 or 7 reference books on thier desk.

What you use, you'll remember... If you don't use it regularly, what's the point of having it memorized? And at least in my College experience, Eng good profs recognize this and let you bring references to exams. It's knowing how to apply an equation, not where it's sin^2 or sin^3