Why Physics Is Hard

Modern physics is calculus devoid of common sense.
"There are no longer, strictly speaking, scientists, but only drudges doing scientific work." - Simone Adolphine Weil

Every course depends on your teacher.

Abstract

Physics is hard because often the maths you use in physics aren't the same you use in maths. Physicists make the rules along the way. And lots of concepts seem ill defined and not consistent within different branches. They mix some general intuitions with poorly axiomatized maths. I'm probably just dumb but I feel physics is poorly taught in general. Maybe they need some Bourbaki revolution to make everything clear and unified.

Nothing is hard when explained clearly.

I think the main reason is hard is because ² labs, and the second reason is because of projects. If it was all exams based in lectures physics would be a lot easier.

imo anything is hard if you don't master the basics, but for me doing anything sitting down related is hard since i have no discipline or focus ability and also depends who is teaching you, i met very few people who can teach properly

Question.

Nothing is hard. İf you like it, enjoy it, if it interests you then it is not hard. İf it is your internal need, interest to study it like a hobby then it will be extremely easy.

Physics is hard when your teacher fucking sucks!

Sir, you made a very good point. But, one more thing that I'd like to add, that is, I was extremely good at Math in high school, but I was worst at Mechanics, especially Newton's Laws of Motion. I would always face problem in making Free Body Diagrams, and would always mess up where or how the forces would be acting. For example, cases of systems of pulleys where there are horizontal blocks affecting the motion of a falling block, or cases where a man would be in a self-lifting elevator - they troubled me a lot when I solved in conventional ways. It turns out that, its more about certain basic knowledge of Physics or physics common-sense that students usually lack. Most teachers tell that Physics is totally common sense, but infact its really not "totally" common sense.

Physics might've Seen a girl in short skirt😑 easy !!

Physics is hard because it requires previous knowledge and skills in Arithmetic, Algebra, Elementary Calculus and at higher levels, Differential Equations and Differential Vector Calculus. But I would contend it is quite hard even at the introductory level of a first course in Mechanics. The student needs to learn 5 to perhaps 7 steps in a process to solve a problem. And this is only after they have read and understood the basic ideas of the particular topic which could be Fluids, Electromagnetism, Simple Harmonic Motion, Geometric Optics, Wave Optics, Thermodynamics, Atomic Theory, with Quantum and Relativity Theory being the most advanced. If the student learns just these basic ideas and concepts, he will have accomplished something very significant ; an understanding about how Nature works, which is quite often counter-intuitive. While important, sadly this will not allow him to pass the course because he will be examined about his ability to solve problems. So these previously mentioned steps will include converting and extracting the Math from the problem stated in English as the first step. Then identifying which variables are given and which are asked for. Then writing them down with proper units and looking for the equations which have these variables. Here bewilderment can strike as there are a plethora of equations to know and learn. Having a Summary Sheet with all this reference information is critical to success here. Next is making a drawing of the physics situation and often making a Free Body Force Diagram from which Newton's 2nd Law can be implemented twice in both vertical and horizontal directions. It is here that good Algebraic skills are needed to solve what may be 4 applicable equations. Finally the student will arrive at an answer. But it is clear this was a brutal journey in the beginning and continues to be as he is confronted with more and more difficult problems. Physics is not for the faint of heart. But the rewards of climbing such a formidable mountain can last a lifetime.

Also you scientist people have to get together and figure out what's what and stop contradicting each other.

"Physics isnt hard, you are simple"
-me actually

😂

Sir, What is conceptual understanding? Please tell me example.

Exactly what my high school teacher said. Most people are not struggling in physics because of the physics itself. They're struggling because they're bad at math.

Often the objects physics and math tries to solve is too little or too large to describe let alone comprehend. This makes many descriptive formulae only accurate within a narrow range , almost like a flat Earth believer. Also many mathematical formulae that purport to accurately describe a law of Nature are too narrow in their understanding of what is occurring thereby dumbing down reality. Snell's law is a case in point.

actually as a student of pure mathematics 😂😂 mathematics of physics is so funny illogical and non-sense to me😂😂😂😂😂😂

Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz
Yoksa derbe'ı sîpteyi yersiniz

The best way to learn physics is to have 1000 questions from the simplest, gradually getting more difficult. Memorise your formula for each topic. Practice writing out or telling someone else your understanding of the concepts of each topic. My physics professor always had the whole blackboard full of questions and our lesson was doing each one and he would also talk about the concepts as we went. I remember after attending my first lecture with him, I was so excited to go home and do the assignment for the week. Who gets excited about physics?

Actually, memerizing stuff is difficult and ineffective,
learn and apply useful knowledges into real life is much better for learning and thinking.

Sorry English is not my native language. 😄

Hi, i just want to add something. I've applied for university physics which turned out to be one of the worst decisions of my life. The reason i applied for it was my ambition to get into the research field in something like nuclear physics and maybe tackle real-world issues. I did fairly well in college and got accepted into university. To be honest, i didn't really know what to expect maybe it would be a fun experience. As it turned out i was constantly struggling. Whenever i practise questions or do the assessments, i end up getting a completely different answer. Most of the questions were deceivingly difficult. They look easy at face value but the solutions were complicated. I didn't know why i was struggling when everyone else was doing fine.
The biggest differences i notice between university and college physics were:

1. Memorising equations isn't going to get you far, you pretty much required to understand them.

2. There were A LOT more calculus than i imagined there to be
3. You are way more restricted to getting help from lecturers, tutors and other staff so you can only depend on other students
4. Problems solving skills or analytical skills are just as essential as mathematics skills and they're arguably impossible to practise independently

When it came to trying to understand the physics of something, i thought that was easy to do. however, it was trying to translate that to the appropriate mathematics. I was decent at maths but deciding what maths to use is where i ALWAYS fall flat on my face. Whenever i try to contact my personal tutor or lecturer about my struggle with a question i never seen before, it's usually "no no I can't help you. you need to figure it out yourself." or they'll forward it to someone else and end up reiterating what i've already learned. Getting help from other students was also a struggle in itself. Long story short, i couldn't get along with the physics students and I didn't particularly like them. As a result i was mostly on my own. The only thing i was at least decent at was the lab experiments and get along with one student who was also good at it. I preferred more practical work. Programming was another big part of the course i disliked just as much as the theory work.

This sense of struggle and isolation resulted in one of the low points of my life. After semester 1 i thought to myself 'maybe it'll be better' and I REALLY wanted to like physics but ended up getting a lot worse in semester 2. Eventually I had to own up to my personal tutor and literally say 'I'm not enjoying the subject'. He came up with a few suggestions. One of the suggestions was to retake the first year (...yeah fuck that). Another was change subject which i ended up doing. I chose to do electrical engineering the next year which turned out to be a much better experience and got along with everyone a lot better. I wish i knew earlier what university physics was going to be like. From what I've learned in doing physics is that it's not 'why is physics hard?' it's more like 'is physics enjoyable?'

apologies for the long comment. I felt i had to get it off my chest

Physics is the Mother of all Sciences and Math is the Queen of Sciences. Your calcullation without the roots without physical ground is just a game/play. ❤❤❤

Amen to that. I didn't get far into calculus before realizing that a solid command of algebra was necessary first.

But i am good at maths but not in physics😂

Rote learning doesn’t make you a problem solver. That’s why physics is hard for some ppl.

Most first year physics students think that understanding the physics itself is a waste of precious resources, so instead they memorize the solution to every problem they encounter. First year physics is just easy enough to make that possible if you are willing to work very hard at it. That's what makes physics hard.

Great explanation.

Physics. The process of energy exchange. Thats it! Thats how I start my classes.

It's translating a word problem into the correct mathematics.

OMG! Terrifying. My hat is off to all the physics/math brains in the world.

Nah I was great in Math, took AP Cal 1 and 2 senior year high school and passed with a 4 and a 3 and failed Physics with a 1. I just hated physics, it didnt feel like mathematics to me. Just felt like a weirder way of interpreting it

That's what she asked.

Physics is hard because it's unintuitive and incomplete. Einstein's Theories of Relativity, quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, several properties of electromagnetism—these don't intuitively make sense because we don't see these properties used much in normal, everyday life. So, when they are introduced to us, we have engage our brains in open-minded, abstract thinking as we try to process and accept truths that don't match our existing perception of reality. And, it really gets hard when you advance to the point that the physics aren't fully proven yet, so your trying to keep up with all of the different theories that don't mathematically align with each other.

Oh, Newtonian Physics? Well, for that (and I guess all of Physics), it's just applied math, which is easier for some and harder for others. The issue is that the math can become a bit overwhelming as you try to keep track of all of the different variables, numbers, and calculations for all of the different things at all of the different times while trying to make sure you apply all of the right principles in formulating equations.

My physics teacher used to tell 'weak' students why are they not understanding the concept the same way the 'strong' students do?
He is teaching both of you the same way.

I now understand he believed all students are at same level.

One size fits all

Mr. Are physics is all about memorize the formula or just purely understanding how and why it's work?

I remember how our mathematics teacher in secondary school led us to a situation where I felt the need for differential and integral calculus. When I started to study electrical engineering, the calculus already made obvious sense and was something natural but this time in a technical rather than a theoretical-abstract context.

At the age of 60 now i learned this in High School i can tell you once i graduated i have never ever used it again !

I was flunking physics at West Point and the physics professor, an Army officer, decided to take a few days out of the highly regimented class schedule to teach us the in’s and out’s of physics. By the time I took the final, I wasn’t afraid anymore and scored a 259/270 on the final.

Physics is hard because it takes experience and practice to learn everything. You can’t simply walk in and be really good at it, you need a good teacher. The issue is way too many physics teachers either won’t give you the time of day, or they are just so busy they can’t give everyone enough time.

But let’s not overstate the difficulties. Special relativity is just hyperbolic perspective. With quantum mechanics, there’s more than one way to travel faster than light. One way is associated with wavelike behaviour, and the other way with particle-like behaviour. The details might be difficult, but the concepts could be easy.

It doesn't help when the teacher writes one thing on the board (as here) and says something different (as here).

So . . .

Nah I'm bad at memorising

This is god awful.

Speaking from experience the reason why physics is thought of as being hard has a lot to do with the teacher and the student's ability in mathematics. That leads to another question is the student taught mathematics in the manner that the he/she can understand and recall the concepts with ease and then applying it to solving problems correctly. Mathematics is the lingua franca of physics and all the other traditional sciences. Unfortunately, I was a victim like the masses!

News flash: Physics doesn't care about your feelings.