Why aren't there enough people in this world who can teach physics the easy way?

Question

everybody is an asshole.

Answer 1

It's a good question, and I'm not really sure of the answer. It may have something do do with the fact that some people are talented and motivated to be teachers, some are talented and motivated to be physicists, and there's no apparent reason to suspect a broad overlap of the two. I've had several physics professors who are obviously physicists first, and teachers just because its part of their job description.

On the other hand, what is the 'easy way' to learn physics? If you want an overall aesthetic appreciation of the subject, listening to or watching some of the Feynman Lectures will do the trick (I recommend this, you may be able to find them for free online). But if you want to be able to DO physics, you HAVE to learn the math involved; physics is inextricably linked to mathematics.

One problem I see is that teachers do not provide enough opportunities for student feedback. Most physics curricula are rigid, and alot of teachers (unfortunately) just try to push through the course, without stopping to check if everyone is on board. And oftentimes it seems like they just don't care. Everyone learns subjects differently, and physics is no exception. Teachers ought to respect this in and out of the classroom.

A guy named Paul Hewitt wrote a textbook and made some lecture videos called 'Conceptual Physics' that profess to be an alternative to the standard rigorous mathematics of college physics classes. I've seen some of the videos. They're good...but they're still physics lectures.

Practical advice: Work problem sets out with a friend, or see a tutor. A different perspective helps fill in alot of the gaps.
Also, post questions in yahoo! answers and other forums. An army of sad losers is waiting to help.

Answer 2

A couple of points.

Many physicists and physics teachers know the equations and the math but do not truly grasp the physical concepts. So they can teach you how to solve a problem, but can't really explain what is going on. It is true that many physics concepts are abstract, but there is a way to eventually intuitively understand them so that you can approach the problem with some idea of what makes "physical sense".

I had a professor for a senior level class in college who was a high powered theoretician who simply didn't know the "physics". For example, he tried to convince us that if you hooked a battery across two metal plates (so one is positively and the other negatively charged), that the plates would repel each other. That is what his equations told him. But he didn't formulate the problem correctly and didn't understand the physics well enough to realize that his answer was dead wrong.

On the other hand I had a graduate level professor for quantum mechanics who was able to help us to "picture the physics". We came out of that class with a real gut understanding of the subject. He was the best instructor I ever had for any subject.

Another point - I will admit that physics is a tough subject - and I have a PhD in physics. It wasn't easy and I had to work my butt off. But it was doable and rewarding

I suggest that you continue to ask your teacher / professor questions. Ask what the theory really means in physical terms. Ask how the equations come about. If your instructor can't answer them, see if you can find another instructor who can hep you through.

Answer 3

I don't think you will like this answer, but, you have to realize that physics is the ABSOLUTE truth on the ways of the universe. If there is something you don't like, it's because it interferes with what you want to be as truth. Your ego is in your way. Try to go along with the flow, don't fight agains the current. Let yourself believe what you know is not real, and that physics IS real. You owe it to yourself to get as much out of class that is possible. You are fortunate to be in such a class. 90% of the world population doesn't have the brains or resourses to be where you are. You are so fortunate, you really are. Give school all your energy and you won't ever regret it. I've never heard anyone say they regretted going to school, after they have been out for a while. But I have heard people regret they didn't try harder when they were in school. The best thing you can do is teach yourself.

Answer 4

There is no easy way to teach physics. The ideas of Newtonian mechanics, which are the basis for introductory physics are incompatible with most "common-sense" views of the world and how it works.

Many introductory students come in with a great deal of mis-conceptions about what they think they know and are unable to realize and change thier incorrect or inappropriate perspective to view the world from the physicist's eyes. "It is not what I don't know; it is what I know that ain't so that hurts me" -Mark Twain

The way physics is commonly taught does not help matters. Focusing on equations, problems, and formulas usually causes students to miss the underlying ideas and concepts which make the formulas work. There is a huge amount of research on this topic in the field of physics education.

Answer 5

The problem is that most of the people that truly understand upper level physics have problems speaking on a level that the average person can understand. I was a Nuclear engineer and many of my peers had a lot of trouble with social relations. I think it has a lot to do with the right brain left brain mentality.
Another reason physics is difficult to teach is because you can't observe a lot of what you need to know with the naked eye, this makes it more difficult for the brain to comprehend.

Answer 6

1. Different "laws" are used to describe the sub-atomic world. Quantum Mechanics. The laws do not break down. They are merely different. And they work in practice. 2. I know of no text which has proven that 98.5% of the Bible is historically accurate. Indeed the existence of Christ himself as a historical figure is becoming more unlikey with more historical investigation. 3. Even if the historical Bible were to be shown to be accurate that would not provide evidence that God existed. Merely that the writers of the Bible texts got their history right.

Answer 7

Why can't all students enter the class with an attitude like "I can do this" instead of, "Physics is SO hard". It is tough enough to get people interested without bad attitudes from the start

Answer 8

because there is no easier way to teach. Physics is real-life. But you can learn from your friend. My physics teacher say, "you will get it right away if you learn from your friend", and it is true

Answer 9

If it was easy, everyone would be a physicist, and then where would be be? Who would flip our burgers or pump our gas?

Answer 10

what easy way?