Model

• Classify the problem according to the general physics principles, models, and equations that apply. (e.g. Newton's second law, conservation of energy).
• Writing down reasonable assumptions and estimations needed to solve the problem.

Visualize

• Draw a motion diagram to help visualize the situation (not needed if object is at rest).
• Do a complete pictorial diagram including
  • Coordinate system (with position, velocity, time, and acceleration marked if object is moving).
  • What the question is asking for.
  • Writing down the relevant known and unknown quantities with units.
• Draw any additional diagrams or graphs needed to visualize the physics of what's going on.
• Go back and forth between these representations as needed.

Solve

• Write down relevant general equations (express models and general physics principles in equation form).
  Make sure that you have enough equations to solve the problem (the same number of independent equations as variables).
• Solve for the desired unknown variable (on the left of the equation) in terms of the known variables (on the right). This may require manipulating and combining several equations without substituting numbers.
• Substitute known values, calculate a numerical answer, and round the answer to the appropriate number of significant figures based on the precision of the input data.

Assess

• Check your answer. Is result believable?
  • Are the units correct?
  • Does the result have the correct sign or direction?
  • Do the numeric and algebraic result make sense?