Using AI for in-class problems and assignments

You are taking this class to review physics concepts and problems from you previous physics courses and to prepare for the PhD qualifying exam.  You can use AI to help you accomplish this goal, not by asking it just answer your question or to solve a problems for you, but by using it as a Socratic tutor to guide you to your own answers and solutions.

A Socratic tutor

When you are solving problem using AI

(a)  Decide what you want from the AI session.

Examples: 
Clarify advanced concepts
Check your reasoning on derivations
Explore alternative approaches
Get guided questions when stuck
Practice articulating your understanding

Avoid using AI to get full solutions, offload algebra or derivations, replace your own reasoning. Physics requires conceptual structure and mathematical insight.  AI should support your thinking, not replace it.

(b)  Tell the AI how to behave before you begin. 

You can copy/paste the prompt below into your AI tool.  This keeps the AI in question mode.
Act as a Socratic tutor for advanced physics.
Ask me one question at a time.
Do not give formulas, derivations, or solutions unless I request them.
Guide my reasoning by probing my understanding.

(c)  Provide context and your current understanding.

Examples:
The topic is ... , or the specific problem or concept is ... .  I already understand ... . I am stuck ... .
Specific example:
I am trying to understand why the effective potential appears in the radial equation for central force motion.  I see how angular momentum enters, but I am unsure how the radial equation is derived.

(d)  Engage actively with the AI's questions.  Learning happens in the reasoning process.

Think out loud.
Make your reasoning explicit.
Take a stance, even if unsure.
Treat each question as a prompt to refine your understanding

(e)  Redirect the AI when needed.

If the AI's questions drift or become too easy/hard, guide it.  Redirect the session.

(d)  Request explanations only after you' have reasoned.

Once you've worked through the conceptual structure, you can ask for a full derivation, a comparison to your reasoning, a summary of key ideas,  a check for logical consistency, ... .  Then reflect on the session.

(e)  Know the Limits of AI in Advanced Physics.  AI can be extremely helpful, but it has boundaries.

It may produce incorrect derivations
It may hallucinate equations
It may oversimplify subtle conceptual issues
It cannot replace working through the math yourself
 

Here is a reusable template for your sessions.

I want to use you as a Socratic tutor for an advanced physics problem.
Ask me one question at a time.
Do not give formulas or solutions unless I request them.
Here is the topic I'm working on: ________.
Here is what I understand so far: ________.
Here is where I'm stuck: ________.
Please begin by asking me a question that helps me clarify my understanding.

Links to some AI assistants:

If you are logged in with your UT account, some AI assistants will offer enhanced capabilities.