How to learn the basics of physics Part 1

2017-08-09 by No Comments

Studying physics at school is built correctly in terms of “unfolding events”, another thing is that, as in the case of mathematics, it is not always clear why do we need to know. Since physics is purely practical, if we are not talking about some special physic mathematical schools, and it needs to be taught “purely practical”. A bit of theory and then the analysis of things around us from the point of view just given of the physical laws. Or Vice versa: first, a certain phenomenon which each of us faces a hundred times a day, and then a “debriefing”.

And we get that all prepared as future physicists, although in reality in the form in which it is taught need it one percent more.

From personal experience I can conclude that people grasp math better than physics, as strange, given the much more “down to earth” nature of physics. And if in mathematics everything is possible that does not go beyond its internal logic, in physics, only what is possible in reality. For example, in mathematics I can get superluminal speed and negative absolute temperatures, in math I values may escape to infinity in a finite period of time, but physically it will all be meaningless. That’s why physics imposes even on the most flawless mathematical calculations different sets of restrictions. Although I still wonder how for example people who easily grasp such abstract things as tensor analysis, it was impossible to explain what a phase transition of the second kind, inductance or eminence. Although it may be that the complexity of physics it transfers into the real world.

Begin to study physics with mechanics, and rightly so. People just with the mechanics and started. Throwing stones fighting with sticks, digging holes, covering them with branches to go then failed miserable stupid dinosaurs. Looked like moving stars. Mechanics (Newtonian or classical), it seems to be natural and understandable. Amazingly, the simplest laws of which it is described, were opened only 325 years ago. Then learn the basics of thermodynamics, previously explained what is the mole the kinetic molecular theory and ideal gas. As it is also clear: having mastered the basic “mechanisms” that people are faced with the need of production and heat retention you need to master fire, to keep heat in the home. Really says nothing about the relation of the theory of evolution with the thermodynamics, but as we have stressed many times, the school in principle does not give any system of knowledge. Each piece seems to be kind of a separate piece.

Then make a small digression in continuum mechanics study of properties of liquids, the elements of hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, etc. Then move to the fact that from the very beginning aroused the superstitious horror and was attributed to the action of the gods electricity (this also includes the study of electrical discharges, i.e. lightning emitted the highest gods Secom, Thor). Let me remind you, the first electric laws were discovered about 200 years ago.

At the end of the transition to the obscure to human phenomena optics (i.e., the passage of visible light and to him portions of the spectrum via the environment) and the beginnings of quantum physics basically, again, associated with light (spectra of emission and absorption, photoelectric effect). And in the end give the elements of physics of atomic nucleus tells how a small, negatively charged balls electrons spinning around a massive positively charged nucleus. Not a word is said about the fact that chemistry is the physics of valence electrons. So, for example, the water study in chemistry and in physics, but in different ways and to associate with one another is not obtained in any head.

On all of these issues is what holds all of creation the laws of conservation. The first law of thermodynamics (and its particular case the law of conservation of mechanical energy), the law of conservation of momentum and angular momentum, law of conservation of electrical charge and three of the quantum law of conservation lepton and baryon number, and parity.

So, to study physics for himself to in the 30% theory 70% practice. Say for example a normal car you can explore virtually the entire school physics. Kinematics that is, motion with constant velocity and uniformly accelerated, motion in a straight line and on a circle, the dynamics that is, the action of forces (for example, why when the vehicle turns to the right, the “client” rejects the left, why on turns make turns that is, create transverse slopes), movement on an inclined plane, it is possible to show the influence of friction forces, and of course to explain what is the momentum and kinetic energy. Be sure to pay attention to the fact that as the speed increases 2 times, the energy increases 4 times, that is proportional to the square. Well, if someone decided to drive instead of 60 km and 180 km, the collision will have to repay the energy is not at the 3 and 9 times greater. That may have a negative impact on the probability of survival.