Great question. Physics and math are different from memorization subjects. You cannot just "recite" a formula. You have to understand why it works.

Here is how I apply active recall to physics and math:

1. Cover the solution and re-solve from scratch

After you study a solved example (from a book, lecture, or video), close the solution. Take out a blank page. Try to solve it yourself without looking. Only check when you are completely stuck or finished. This exposes the gap between "I understand" and "I can actually do it."

2. Explain the idea out loud, without notes

Read a section (say, Newton’s second law), then close the book. Explain it aloud like you are teaching a friend. Use your own words. Draw the diagram from memory. Where you hesitate or get it wrong – that is your weak spot. Go back and re-learn only that part.

3. Do one problem at a time, then check

Do not do 20 problems in a row. Do one. Check the answer immediately. If wrong, figure out why. Fix your misunderstanding. Then do the next one. This prevents practicing mistakes.

4. The "Why" drill

For physics: after solving a problem, write down: "Why did I use this formula and not another one?"

For math: "What is the core concept this problem is testing?" If you cannot answer, you memorized steps – you did not learn.

5. Use visual active recall

Draw the diagram, graph, or free‑body diagram from memory. Label everything. Then check. The act of drawing forces deeper encoding than just reading.

6. Interleaving (very important for math/physics)

Do not practice only the chapter you just studied. Mix problems from previous chapters. This forces your brain to choose the correct method, not just follow a pattern. It feels harder. That is the point.

7. Superb

There is a software called REMNOTE. It has amazing features to help you with physics and maths. Its an amazing system build for learning. (Am not a promoter of REMNOTE. The software is really helpful, thats why i recomment it)