When people ask for help with their physics homework, do they usually mean "Do my homework for me"?

Question

Many of the science and mathematics categories have question dealing with homework problems. I visit the physics section frequently, and I can't help but notice that maybe at least have of the questions have homework problems. Most of the time, the people who post them don't say whether they want you to work everything out or make helpful suggestions.

What do you think?

Answer 1

If they wanted helpful suggestions, they would explain what they are confused about or where they got stuck. They would say "I have this physics problem (here it is) and I can figure out X, Y, and Z, but A is giving me trouble." Or, "I get the idea of X, but I'm having trouble figuring out how it applies to this problem."

But they don't. They just post the problems verbatim, with no request for clarification, with no indication that any thought has been put into solving them whatsoever, sometimes entire homework sets at a time, because they know that others will just do it all for them. There is no interest in learning the material. There is only interest in getting the homework grade. Sometimes, the exam grade.

Answer 2

Well, I post up questions from my homework because I've looked at my book, and tried to solve it for quite some time and I just can't do it.. I think it is a mix of the two, some want full solutions, like me, and some just want helpful suggestions.

Although full solutions wouldn't hurt...

Answer 3

I see about a 60/40 mix of the Q's I answer. 60% just want the answer, 40% want to know how. In either case, I try to refrain from giving a direct answer, preferring to furnish suggestions, on the "Teach a man to fish..." axiom.

What's somewhat aggravating is how few even bother to acknowledge the help they receive by giving people a simple Thumbs Up, and then actually select a B/A. (I have about 4 pages worth of answers in Voting.)

With that said, some questioners are very appreciative, which kind of makes up for the rest.

Answer 4

Yes. If they were at all interested in the concepts behind the question, which is really the whole point of education, they would ask for clarification about them, not the specific problem.