I am making a series of visual applets in Java and Matlab for Undergraduate physics majors. What were some concepts that were difficult for you to grasp that might have been easier if you had some way to play with the values to see how the concept 'works'?
My applets are for everyone in any level of physics. From basic Astronomy for non-majors to Intro to Electrodynamics.
2006-08-09 09:50:34 · 8 answers · asked by Dallas M 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Gyroscopes.
2006-08-09 15:40:44 · answer #1 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the 2 MOST difficult concepts to understand are
1. Quantum theory
2. Relativity
quantum theory forces you to visualize matter and energy as having both wave and particle existences simultaneously. this concept is completely foreign to our perceived reality and hence extremely difficult to grasp.
relativity forces you to accept the speed of light as universally constant regardless of the observer's motion. again this is counter-intuitive and visualizing this phenomena is a major road block to many people. in addition, the concept of curved space is an extremely difficult abstract realization that few people can feel comfortable with !
best of luck on your project and may it help others understand these things much better !
:)
2006-08-09 22:35:00 · answer #2 · answered by fullbony 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most difficult concepts in Physics are those related to "Quantum Mechanics". This is because sub-atomic particles simply do NOT follow any of the rules that we are familar with or have an intuition for. For any student of physics, he/she must learn quantum mechanics by discarding most of what they knew about classical systems, because they are not applicable.
Perhaps your visual aids can help. That would be great.
2006-08-09 18:03:47 · answer #3 · answered by PhysicsDude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electricity and Magnetism (E&M), specifically Maxwell's Equations. Maxwell's Equations are to E&M as Newton's Three Laws are to Mechanics.
I thought Quantum theory was easier than E&M.
2006-08-09 23:03:51 · answer #4 · answered by almintaka 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnetism and electric charge - how they relate to each other on a molecular level and in practical applications.
The various terms, laws and equations governing lenses and curved mirrors.
2006-08-09 17:38:34 · answer #5 · answered by J C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most difficult concept is mass. The easiest is string theory calculations.
2006-08-09 21:11:35 · answer #6 · answered by Einsteininium 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first law of Newton.
2006-08-09 17:00:50 · answer #7 · answered by Nicholais S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
time and space continuum
2006-08-09 17:53:22 · answer #8 · answered by i pack a 44 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋