F = ma can be really hard to solve, so it's important to be able to get intuition about a physics system without having to solve F = ma. The trick is to think about the potential energy curve. Get the notes for free here: Get the NOTES, the PROBLEM SHEET, the SOLUTIONS, and the ANIMATIONS: Tutoring inquiries: If you find the content I’m creating valuable and would like to help make it possible for me to continue sharing more, please consider supporting me! You can make a recurring contribution at , or make a one time contribution at Thank you so much! About physics help room videos: These are intro-level physics videos aimed at students taking their first physics classes. In each video, I'll teach you the fundamentals of a particular physics topic you're likely to meet in your first classes on mechanics and electromagnetism. About me: I’m Dr. Elliot Schneider. I love physics, and I want to help others learn (and learn to love) physics, too. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out with your physics studies, a more advanced student, or a lifelong learner, I hope you’ll find resources here that enable you to deepen your understanding of the laws of nature. For more cool physics stuff, visit me at .