Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we learn, and one of the coolest tools out there is OpenAI’s ChatGPT. It’s popping up everywhere as a way to tackle homework, even tricky subjects like physics. Still, a lot of parents and teachers are asking the same question: Is ChatGPT actually helpful with physics assignments, or will it just make things even more confusing?
To help answer that, we checked out a new study that put ChatGPT to the test on physics homework. We’ll break down the results, show you what it does well, what it doesn’t, and give you tips on how to use it right depending on the grade of the kid asking for help.
How Was ChatGPT Tested?
The study picked the ChatGPT GPT-3.5-turbo version and put it through real-life physics exam prep. Researchers threw 1,337 questions at it, all ripped from actual UK tests, like GCSE and A Level, plus university-level physics textbooks. The quizzes covered everything from simple formulas you’d learn in ninth grade to some of the more brain-bending stuff you only see in third-year uni.
How We Tested ChatGPT
To check how well ChatGPT does physics homework, we used a few different tricks:
– Zero Shot: We asked questions right away, no hints or examples beforehand.
– Few Shot: We gave a little context and some examples to see if that made a difference.
– Confirmatory Checking: We asked the AI to double-check its own answers to see if it stayed consistent.
We also made the AI score its own answers and check any math it did, which is pretty key for physics problems.
What We Found
The tests taught us some cool things about how ChatGPT handles different kinds of physics problems. The chatbot breezed through the easier stuff, but it struggled more the grimmer the questions got.
GCSE Results
Looking at the GCSE questions, ChatGPT did a solid job, finishing with an average score of about 83%. That means it could really help younger students who want to get the hang of basic physics ideas and problems.
A Level Physics Performance
In A Level physics, ChatGPT’s average went down to 64%. That’s still passable, but the drop shows that the AI has a tougher time tackling the multi-step, detailed questions that the syllabus throws at students in the higher sixth form.
University-Level Physics Performance
In university physics, the numbers dropped even more. ChatGPT scored just 37% for the exam questions—close to failing in lots of situations. The difference in these results suggests the AI gets overwhelmed when students need to apply ideas more deeply and work through problems that require tight reasoning and a broad knowledge.
Maths Skills
Another big takeaway was that the AI struggled with the maths that should be the bread-and-butter for physics. In a batch of 5,000 random sums, it nailed only 45% of them. That’s worrying for students who might be treating ChatGPT as a reliable way to double-check numbers in their calculations.
Why Did ChatGPT’s Scores Drop?
Even though ChatGPT usually gets the easy physics ideas right, the lower scores for the tougher work point to a few sticking points the AI still hasn’t solved.
Multi-Step Physics Problems
In advanced physics, a lot of homework involves multi-part questions that can’t be solved by simply gigging a formula from a textbook. You have to weave together multiple ideas, plug the pieces into a fresh scenario, and sometimes even improvise. ChatGPT, meanwhile, learns from patterns and doesn’t really “get” physics, so it can struggle with the creativity that a tough problem requires. It may hand you what looks like the finished puzzle, but sometimes the pieces don’t actually fit.
Answers that Mislead
Another reason the scores tanked is that the chatbot often spewed responses that rang true but were really off-key or cut too short. Sometimes it tossed in a formula or technique that never crossed the desks of the physics teacher. Instead of clarifying, that detail sidetracked kids who were trying to latch onto the clear path from the lecture. Other times the output droned on and on, dragging in irrelevant tangents. Page-long “explanations” can smother the simple answer that a student needed, burying the actually helpful steps under a paragraph of heat transfer theory no one asked about.
Loaning ChatGPT to a Physics Homework Session
Even with the wobbles, ChatGPT can hand a student in physics some useful hints, especially in the earlier grades. So the key isn’t denying kids access; it’s coaching them. Parents should stress that the bot isn’t a superhero fountain—check its response, search a textbook, ask a class buddy, and then ask the chatbot again to see if it had a slip the first time. When treated like a study buddy, it can be a decent tool, but a tool is never a substitute for thinking, especially in a subject that produces actual, real-world forces.
Benefits for GCSE Students
If you’re taking your GCSEs, ChatGPT can totally be your go-to study buddy. Here’s the deal:
- Breaking It Down: When you’re stuck on a tough idea, ChatGPT can unpack it using simple words so it clicks faster.
- Instant Practice: Got an equation you need to try? Pop it into ChatGPT. It’ll run you through the steps quickly and let you know if you got it right.
- Quick Revise: Anytime you need to review a topic you learned last week, you can ask it to quiz you or recap the main points, free and on-demand.
Caution for A Level and University Students
A Level and uni students can still get a lot from ChatGPT, but be smart about it. Here’s the lowdown you need:
- Wrong but Confident: Complex questions can throw ChatGPT off. It might spit out a neat-looking answer that’s still totally incorrect, so be careful with tricky math or science.
- Brain at Risk: If you let ChatGPT do all the heavy lifting, you might skip the chance to build those tough analytical skills your A Level and university tasks need.
- Always Double-Check: Treat its answers as starting points. Check them against notes, books, or your lecturer, so you don’t accidentally carry forward mistakes.
How Parents Can Help Kids Use ChatGPT Wisely
If you’re a parent, you can steer your kid toward getting the best from ChatGPT without letting it do all the work. Check out these tips:
- Boost Self-Discovery: ChatGPT is cool, but a student who figures it out for themselves is even cooler! Push your child to solve a tough problem by themselves first. If they still struggle, they can then ask ChatGPT for help.
2. Be the Safety Net: Sit with your kid when they’re using ChatGPT. Look over the answers the bot gives, then talk about why they’re right or wrong. This keeps your child from just copying the first correct-sounding answer and helps the brain make strong connections.
3. Keep the Balance: ChatGPT can clarify facts and summarize notes, but it can’t replace hard work. Remind your child that when they’ve clicked “generate,” it’s still their job to study and internalize the information. Suggest they check textbook examples or ask their teacher for any tricky topics.
How Discover Learning Teams Up with AI Tools
Discover Learning sees the potential of AI and knows what it can’t do. Our tutors let kids use ChatGPT to answer quick questions or brainstorm ideas, but the real teacher is still in the room, guiding every step of the way.
AI-Enhanced Learning: We use AI to help students go over important concepts and to practice solving problems—but never in a way that lets them zone out. The goal is to keep kids working with the material, not to let the AI do the thinking for them.
Expert Tutoring: Our awesome tutors walk students through tricky physics and other topics, guided personal help that no AI can match. They personalize each lesson in a way that gets kids the real support they need.
Critical Thinking: We want students to become thinkers, not parrots. We push them to challenge every AI-generated answer, even if it comes from a tool as powerful as ChatGPT.
Interested in giving your child the best learning experience? Book a session at Discover Learning. Our expert tutors can give them the knowledge and real-world skills that go beyond the textbook.
Conclusion
ChatGPT is a decent sidekick for students tackling physics homework, especially at the GCSE level. But when kids reach higher levels, the AI starts to fall short, especially with the tricky math and deeper thinking physics problems. We recommend treating ChatGPT as a tool, not a crutch: kids should double-check its answers and ask teachers or tutors if they’re ever in doubt.
If you find the sweet spot, you can totally grab the help that AI gives you without needing it for everything or letting it pass you the answers while you drift. The key is using the tools to level up your own brain, without just copying and pasting.