ChatGPT Prompts for Physics: 12 for Problems and Concepts

ChatGPT prompts for physics work best when they coach you through your own work instead of handing you answers. The 12 prompts below help you find mistakes, get step-by-step hints, understand concepts, set up diagrams, and practice for tests. Always check results against your textbook or teacher, and follow your course's rules on AI help.

Use these prompts to understand problems, not to copy answers for graded work or tests. Follow your course's academic integrity rules.

Work through problems

1. Find my mistake

Here is a physics problem [paste] and my work line by line [paste]. Tell me which line has an error and what kind of error it is, without giving the final answer.

2. Hint ladder

I am stuck on this problem [paste]. Give me three hints that get more specific, one at a time, and wait for my answer after each.

3. Which equation?

For this problem [paste], list what is known and unknown with units, and ask me which equation links them before you say anything else.

4. Units and size check

My answer to [problem] is [value with units]. Check the units and whether the size makes sense compared with the other values.

Understand the concepts

5. Explain it simply

Explain [concept, such as momentum or electric field] for a [level] student in five sentences, with one everyday example.

6. Common misconceptions

What are the most common mistakes students make with [topic]? For each, give a short question that would reveal it.

7. Free body diagram in words

For this situation [describe], help me list every force on [object], its direction, and what causes it. Ask me to check each one before moving on.

Practice and review

8. Matching practice problem

Write one problem that uses the same idea as this one [paste] with different numbers. Put the worked answer below a "Try it first" line.

9. Mixed review quiz

Make a 6-question quiz on [topics] for [level], mixing calculation and concept questions. Give answers only after I reply.

10. Formula sheet from my notes

From my class notes [paste], build a one-page formula list with what each symbol means and its units. Use only formulas in my notes.

Labs and graphs

11. Lab data check

Here is my lab data [paste table]. Help me choose what to plot, what the slope means physically, and which sources of error to discuss.

12. Explain my graph

My graph shows [describe axes and shape]. Ask me questions that lead me to explain what it shows about the motion or system.

Get coached on one problem

The flagship Physics Problem Coach Prompt: Hints First, Then the Check takes your level, the problem, your work, where you are stuck, and how much help you want. It returns a concept check, a line-by-line diagnosis, a hint ladder, a self-check, a matching practice problem, and a next step. Its example catches a stray 1/2 in a projectile problem and coaches the final speed without giving it away.

Tips for studying physics with ChatGPT

Paste your own work, even when it is wrong; that is where the learning is. Ask for hints before answers and redo the problem yourself. AI can make math slips, so check every number with your calculator and compare with your textbook. Use the same g and units your course uses.

Related prompts

Teachers can build marking guides with the physics mark scheme writer. Students can plan revision with ChatGPT prompts for studying for an exam and condense notes with the one-page exam cheat sheet prompt. For the math side, see ChatGPT prompts for math teachers.

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