More Reasons Physics is Hard

[@mariusfacktor3597]

1. Mechanics, 2. Electro-Magnetism, 3. Quantum Mechanics. Well that escalated quickly.

[@sweet_starshine]

You can’t have a twin! Perfection can’t strike twice…

[@stampcrab]

This is a pretty accurate breakdown, it's very comforting to hear it from someone else. Now that I'm done with undergrad, even days of describing what a physics undergrad looks like wouldn't have prepared me. For someone not very talented with physics intuition nor a genius... nothing would have visualized the amount of struggle, almost grief over loving something, giving it lots of effort but seemingly not getting anywhere. The next shock, was when I became aware of how much politics and networking matter. That hanging out with the right people would have gotten you better opportunities and results often, than understanding the material just ever so slightly better. Even better if you already had the network and background before uni. We are constantly bombarded growing up with ideas of working hard, trying our best, improving, and learning as much as we can and the right outcomes will come. Completely wrong teachings in my experience. Studying can get you far, but understanding the educational systems themselves, networking and power dynamics, will get you much farther.

[@osagupta3103]

Thank you for your insight. Politics and networking aside, It might help to remember that the amount of knowledge that you have acquired with your hard work is tremendous, and many people aim for it!

[@douglasstrother6584]

The only *easy* thing about a Physics Degree: after you tangle with lecture material and problem sets, go to the TA's and Prof's Office Hours with good questions. (Almost no one shows up for Office Hours.) Also, organize "Problem Set Parties" with classmates. Discussing problems with peers is valuable, and an opportunity to socialize.

[@douglasstrother6584]

Looking back at my education, the hard parts of learning Physics consist of simultaneously learning new mathematics (usually quick & dirty) and new physical concepts. This started on Day One of my Freshman Year when I was taking Calculus concurrently with Calculus-based Physics; the Calc course was covering limits, continuity, and all that good stuff but I needed to understand how the "little d's" and "long skinny S's" worked so I could do Physics problems. During my career, I've had to revisit some "old friends" (even Jackson) and make new ones as part of getting up to speed on new work assignments. Constructing qualitative solutions based on physical principles before diving into complex computations. Developing a strong physical intuition is the foundation of creativity. This is easiest with Classical Mechanics, but can be done for the other Food Groups of Physics: E&M, Quantum, and Statistical Mechanics.

[@oak3785]

my quantum mechanics professor realize just how unlearned i was in linear algebra that, god bless his soul, he spent extra time outside of the classroom going over those concepts for us to fully utilize it in class and it worked. So i agree 100%, i'd say part of the journey is learning new math along the way haha, i'd love if more schools made all calc and diff. equations and linear algebra courses as hard prerequisites to these classes

[@douglasstrother6584]

@@oak3785 Same here. In Quantum Mechanics, I learned that the Schrödinger Equation is an example of a Sturm-Liouville problem and it's parallel to Linear Algebra. That was a big "Lightbulb Moment" for me.

[@mossbogger8366]

today with smart phones and AI language programs, it gives me confidence I can restart my drive to master calculus and get a physics degree. I got a B in college calculus but that was 10 years ago, after reviewing the subject with chatgpt for about an hour there's hope building. The problem for me is I work full time and really dont have the option to drop everything take out student loans and risk failing miserably at it. Im considering trying to earn a BS thru ASU, wondering if that is a wise choice. It is quite affordable, but is an online degree possible for physics?

[@douglasstrother6584]

@@mossbogger8366 Lab courses would be the biggest thing missing from an on-line Physics Degree. See what the Physics Department offers. Time management will be the make or break; being an older student usually helps with that. I completed a on-line Masters in System Engineering a decade+ ago when my kids were little while working full-time; it was challenging to give everyone (wife, kids, dog) and everything enough time. I've used much of what I learned, so it was worth it.

[@erynw7312]

@@mossbogger8366 It is! I'm finishing my BS in physics at ASU and, provided you have the time and dedication, it is absolutely worth it. Do keep in mind that it is a significant investment though!

[@studychannel1372]

I am an engineering physics major at my university. (engineering physics is a type of applied physics). My school is an engineering/STEM school, and normally there are both math prereqs and physics prereqs for every following physics class I've taken. I'm a sophomore so I haven't done much yet, but here is the path they made us take. My school does well with planning what math and physics classes you need for each other. 1. first semester freshman year: I took Calc 1 2. second semester freshman year: I took Calc 2 but didn't take anything because I had other science classes to get out of the way such as general chemistry courses. 3. first semester sophomore year: I took Calc 2 again (it was a struggle the first time) and then I took Physics 1. 4. now (second semester of sophomore year) I am taking Calc 3 and retaking Physics 1. One of the things I learned really fast, is that to take mechanics in the best way possible, you should have at least Calc 2 (you don't need it but it really helps) and a really solid understanding of algebra. 5. Next semester (first semester of junior year) I will be taking Differential Equations and Physics 1. along with some other STEM courses. But they do this specifically so you have Calc 3 before Physics 2 (electromagnetics). 6. 2nd semester of junior year - finally you jump into Modern Physics 1 (relativity, intro to quantum) and they pair that with Linear Algebra I don't know the rest of it, but my entire life as an engineering physics major will be physics classes that are paired with specific mathematics courses. Don't be afraid of the math, it is the tool you need to solve and understand physics. And when you have math and physics together, it's almost easier to understand both.

[@Prof-Hafner]

Sounds like a well thought out path! I often tell students that if we designed the ideal undergrad curriculum, it would be about 8 years long. :)

[@oak3785]

Professor Hafner I wish I've seen this video back when I was in college. First time taking EM was like getting hit by a train, it's a whole new world of understanding and learning and nothing like other classes I've taken before. Ironically I did better in quantum but i'd say i had a good professor who really hammered linear algebra into me which was like putting glasses on for the first time and being able to see haha. Great video again; although my days of physics academia are behind me and now I'm done with my undergrad degree and working a job that has nothing to do with the actual physics (and to anyone reading this unsure about post college, Professor is right when it comes to technical jobs, just highlight what you're good at in those classes, like programming or analysis, and that's your key), I believe many in the physics communities should highlight more the paths of physics through school like you are doing cuz, had I seen a video like this while in college and starting my major in physics, i'd be more prepared for and willing to go down the path in grad school and explore this subject that i love so much, probably the biggest what if in my life, instead of pushing it off towards the end and worry about jobs and whatnot. Not an excuse though, I am also responsible for my path in life and I'm content with it. \ I love these videos and I hope there are more in store to guide many of the new upcoming physicists on here.

[@gabrieldefreitascoelhocarr9556]

I'm graduated in Lectures of Physics and would be very good if my high school's teachers said that was told in this video. After concluded I started the second graduation course in eletrical engineering (this was my goal in the last year of high school about 10 years ago)

[@rhatid]

Nice one! I ended up as an academic but an economist, however along the way I did decide that I wanted the maths so I ended up an econometrician and yeah, felt I was a gunslinger deciding what fight to engage - yeah, deciding where the action is and what needed to be engaged, i chose macroeconomics which was very much my choice in the open yard of a university. I'm ahead of the game wrt you because I have retired a while now, but looking back I can identify with the trajectory that you set out.🙃

[@mossbogger8366]

I have been working on MRI for about 20 years and going back to school to study physics still scares me. Now its more about fearing im too old, I waited too long

[@jamesedward9306]

I feel you on that, in spades.

[@fatimahussain9531]

Imagination is hard ...unit vector ..etc

[@keeratpanwar1499]

since i was a child i always wanted to learn science especially physics, in physics i found modern phy morre intersting,but i was not good at it, i failed miserably , now i am working in bk cafe ,still i have some kind of zeal inside me to learn those concepts with that maths(which i find pretty hard),

[@douglasstrother6584]

I discovered Physics during my Senior Year in High School (1980) and I *still* don't find it "easy"; however, I'm working on harder problems! Pick-up a second-hand copy of a calculus-based Physics text and work on the basics. Make working through that one of your evening hobbies, and see where that leads you.

[@keeratpanwar1499]

@@douglasstrother6584 sir , whatever you said I am implementing it now... Ok so this book is saying the first topic is f unction and sets then limitts .....and so on , thank you sir for your reply it really means a lot

[@keeratpanwar1499]

@@douglasstrother6584 omg 80s the Richard feyman era of interviews, I watched every video of him, he really inspired me ,

[@lazarusvillagomez]

@@douglasstrother6584thanks for the reference

[@manuelgonzales2570]

Thank you. Very good video.

[@fsycb]

May I share my feelings? I am a fourth year-ish Physics student and I cannot take this anymore. Changing mayors isn't an option in my university and I feel really stuck. I don't recognize the person I was when I started anymore

[@douglasstrother6584]

I started my Senior Year very "off base" and burned-out, and took a formal leave of absence for a year. I worked in restaurants and tutored in the same city during that year, then re-enrolled. Things worked out well after that.

[@fsycb]

Thank you for saying that!

[@sweet_starshine]

@fsycb maybe not recognizing yourself isn’t a bad thing; you’ve evolved and became more self aware. Are you sick of physics, or is there some other confounding factor making you feel this way? For instance, I felt similarly in my final year, but it turns out I had an undiagnosed sleep disorder that was running me ragged and sacrificing my ability to enjoy my studies and life. Either way, I encourage you to finish your degree, and seek a therapist/counselor who might be able to help you figure it out. You’ve got this! You physics people have the world at your hands❤

[@JessBooth]

I agree ^^. We’re constantly evolving as humans and that’s okay if you don’t recognize who you were 3-5 years ago. That’s a good thing. You dont want to be the same person you were 5 years ago. I’m currently taking physics for the first time and I just turned 30 last Thursday. I’m not conceptualizing it the way others are, but I’m trying not to give up on myself. I really want to throw in the towel but I’m having serious fomo. I think I might regret it if I don’t fall through with this degree. We gotta continuously push ourselves. You got this! I believe in you.

[@drbonesshow1]

I'm at the final stage after undergrad, graduate, post-doc, professor - old age in the new age. Now I do Physics of Sports where I can throw and swing stuff until that final curtain.

[@meteor8076]

wow, amazing explanation ! this is soo insightful ! math is the basis I always knew this

[@markborz7000]

Mechanics=Calculus in 1-3 euclidean dimensions (Newtons infinitesimal calculus). Electromagnetism=Multivariate Calculus in 3 Euclidean dimensions. Relativity=Calculus in 4 non - euclidean dimensions (Riemann's Geometry) Quantum Theory=Calculus in infinite dimensional linear Spaces (Hilbert Spaces). What's next?

[@GabrielaOliveiraMoreiraDeSouza]

I am a Physics Professor from Brazil. I wanna be equal to you

[@JoshuaBarry-h5z]

Is there a way to jam high frequencies or low frequencies? If somebody was using directed energy weapons with a computer-brain connection or voice to skull...could you block it? Would you need active shielding?

[@Prof-Hafner]

I think the main countermeasure against jamming is to change the frequency of the radar system (or whatever is being jammed). The frequency can be changed when a jamming singal is detected ,or I guess it could be continuously changed. Shielding would be tough because jamming singals come from the same area as the objects to be tracked. This is just my general impression - I am not an expert in radar systems! :)

[@JoshuaBarry-h5z]

@@Prof-Hafner I thank you for your time and reply. I have to be honest, I have a very close friend who is experiencing some very weird things. After many doctor visits, professionals and therapists seamed them completely of sound mind...I truly believe that there is somebody using a computer or an A.I to almost torture and harass my friend. Their life is becoming extremely difficult and I'm watching them wither away. The audio is constant, as they are constantly able to speak in their own head to this A.I or person, with it replying. It starts sentences and stops before the end letting my friends brain or though finish it. It seems like it's trying to get to know the person or data mine or something, I'm not quite sure. Theres alot of physical symptoms with it as well. Burning, tingling, numbing, and molestation which I believe is caused by a mix of certain frequencies and some sort of hypnosis. How could somebody get rid of this? I believe after research that a certain frequency can reach the brain telling it to do something while under a hypnotic state. Your ears wouldn't head it, but your brain does and your body listens if use to it. What type of frequency could the brain hear but not ears? How would you stop these attacks? I hate to bother you with this but you know quite a bit about this and you may be able to help. Thank you

[@sohybali2696]

Wow, it is a good idea to hear this from someone with h-index =60

[@JupiterThunder]

It's not so hard at undergraduate level. I'd say the main problem is that you have about 3 academic years (about 90 weeks) to learn most of what has been found out in the last 500 years. What the human race took 500 years to find out, you have to master in about 1 year & 9 months.

[@jamesedward9306]

Watched his brother's video, left with a 😀, watched this one, left with a 😳. Life sucks. Then you die.

[@Prof-Hafner]

Joaquin can be kind of a buzzkill.

[@hohohihi5035]

Michael van biezen helos me alot

[@HappyLittleMolecules]

Someone found the fountain of youth… or maybe it’s Maybelline

[@preetimaheshwari1329]

Can HL physics be done with SL maths

[@Prof-Hafner]

If that means “honors” and “standard” level then I don’t know. Definitions vary by region.

[@preetimaheshwari1329]

@Prof-Hafner in an IB diploma programme Can High level ( HL ) PHYSICS be done with (SL) MATHS. This iwanted to ask

[@0_Nobody]

​@@preetimaheshwari1329No you really need advanced maths. In fact in a college pov, you as a physics student will have to deal with more maths than a maths student. But even a hobbyist with no degree can contribute to physics without any maths.

[@وصفونيبلمتوحد]

I from gordan ❤❤❤

[@protocolfree]

you look like the last matho- phys-I , and yea you fooled me Mr "Joaquin" , but what s that locally grown mean?!

[@sanket6432]

😅

[@savitarcaptispoba]

yea imma go back to playing minecraft

[@lazarusvillagomez]

Yea imma go back to playing CS2

[@0_Nobody]

Temptations😈☠️

[@trioptics3546]

😂

[@Xenolution2502]

Worst video I ever seeen L