Post by Admin on Dec 30, 2016 16:54:06 GMT
Question: I have difficulties with high school physics, but I like reading popular physics books such as the ones by Brian Greene or by Michio Kaku. Should I major in physics?
Answer: If you have difficulties with high school physics, you should never major in physics, because physics courses such as quantum mechanics which you will take as a physics major in university are much harder than high school physics. You may be fascinated by the account how string theory overcomes the difficulties upon quantizing gravity or the explanations that string theory predicts that we live in 11 dimensions and what the extra dimensions are. But, something crucial is lost when the authors of such books try to explain such things without mathematics. As I mentioned in “Why another website explaining physics?” Prof. Strominger once noted that explaining physics without mathematics is like explaining how beautiful particular scenery is without a photograph; you can only truly appreciate the beauty of the scenery when you see the photograph of it. Likewise, you can only truly appreciate physics when you know mathematics. A Chinese proverb emphasizes this point. “Hearing something one hundred times is not as good as seeing it once.” To “see” physics, instead of just “hearing” it, you need to be good at physics subjects such as quantum mechanics which you will learn as a physics major. And, of course, learning quantum mechanics to the extent that you can actually “see” it can be boring and difficult to you even though you enjoyed “hearing” it especially when you had difficulties with high school physics.
Let me give you another example. You want to be a prominent historian who specializes in Roman history, because you are fascinated by it. Then, you need to study Latin vocabulary and Latin grammar. If you cannot put up with studying Latin vocabulary and Latin grammar, you should give up your dream. You will never be able to perform spectacular research in Roman history if you cannot understand simple Latin sentences.
Answer: If you have difficulties with high school physics, you should never major in physics, because physics courses such as quantum mechanics which you will take as a physics major in university are much harder than high school physics. You may be fascinated by the account how string theory overcomes the difficulties upon quantizing gravity or the explanations that string theory predicts that we live in 11 dimensions and what the extra dimensions are. But, something crucial is lost when the authors of such books try to explain such things without mathematics. As I mentioned in “Why another website explaining physics?” Prof. Strominger once noted that explaining physics without mathematics is like explaining how beautiful particular scenery is without a photograph; you can only truly appreciate the beauty of the scenery when you see the photograph of it. Likewise, you can only truly appreciate physics when you know mathematics. A Chinese proverb emphasizes this point. “Hearing something one hundred times is not as good as seeing it once.” To “see” physics, instead of just “hearing” it, you need to be good at physics subjects such as quantum mechanics which you will learn as a physics major. And, of course, learning quantum mechanics to the extent that you can actually “see” it can be boring and difficult to you even though you enjoyed “hearing” it especially when you had difficulties with high school physics.
Let me give you another example. You want to be a prominent historian who specializes in Roman history, because you are fascinated by it. Then, you need to study Latin vocabulary and Latin grammar. If you cannot put up with studying Latin vocabulary and Latin grammar, you should give up your dream. You will never be able to perform spectacular research in Roman history if you cannot understand simple Latin sentences.