F=ma Physics • 2026

This is a course at the San Diego Math Circle preparing students for the F=ma contest offered by the American Association of Physics Teachers, to select for the USA Physics Olympiad.

The course runs on numerous Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM Pacific Time. We will be meeting November 9, 2025 to February 9, 2026 (tentative):

1. November 9, 2025 (original Sunday time)
2. November 17, 2025
3. November 24, 2025
4. December 1, 2025
5. December 8, 2025
6. December 15, 2025
7. January 5, 2026
8. January 12, 2026
9. January 26, 2026
10. February 2, 2026
11. February 9, 2026

The official schedule is kept in the San Diego Math Circle Master Calendar.

Whiteboards, notes and other files are kept toward the bottom of the page.

Discussed in session –

• Diagnostic exam: F=ma 2018B
• See the F=ma Physics 2026 Diagnostic Exam file below.

Homework –

• None.

Old exams –

• Linked below. Please save the 2018A and both 2019 exams for later.

If you were unable to attend this session, please take the diagnostic exam under the specified conditions by 11:59 PM on Sunday, November 16 so I can use your results to prepare for our session on November 17.

Discussed in class –

• Dimensional analysis and oscillations. See Topics 8 and 3 from F=ma Physics, respectively.
• Relevant questions from the diagnostic exam: 2018B #6 & 21.

Homework –

• Attempt to derive the natural oscillation frequency of a physical pendulum. See Slide 6 from today's whiteboards.

Discussed in class –

• Error propagation and rotations. See Topics 9, and {5 and 6} from F=ma Physics, respectively.
• Relevant questions from the diagnostic exam: 2018B #5, 14, 19 & 25.

Homework –

• None. Have a happy Thanksgiving, and see you on December 1!

Discussed in class –

• Coriolis effect and springs. See Topics 6.4, and 4 from F=ma Physics, respectively.

Homework –

• If you weren't able to attend today's class, please review Topic 4 from F=ma Physics before next week's class. We will be beginning with some spring problems.

Discussed in class –

• Springs problems and orbits. See Topic 7 from F=ma Physics.
• Relevant questions from 2015 #23 & 25 and 2017 #1, 6, 18 & 25.

Homework –

• None.

Discussed in class –

• Sampler of questions from 2018A #2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 14, 16, 19 & 25.

Homework –

• None.

The registration deadline for the 2026 F=ma Exam is January 20, 2026.

The 2026 F=ma Exam will be administered on February 12, 2026.

New for 2026, the F=ma Exam will be in an online-only format.

I am not directly involved in the administration of the exams, so all questions should be directed to the SDMC administration.