Concepts simplified through math

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Understanding calculus significantly enhances the intuition behind physics concepts such as kinematics, work, and energy. Advanced mathematics simplifies many physics problems, making them more approachable, but also introduces more complex challenges. As one progresses in physics, the need for calculus becomes essential, as many foundational topics incorporate it. The discussion emphasizes that rejecting mathematics limits the understanding of physical principles, as math is integral to accurately describing real-world phenomena. Overall, a solid grasp of advanced math is crucial for mastering physics at a deeper level.
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I've just finished my first calculus-based physics course along with calculus II. Having taken a non-calc-based physics class in high school, I've noticed that the equations behind kinematics, work, energy, etc. become a lot more intuitive with a knowledge of calculus. I was wondering if there were any other (early undergraduate-level) physics concepts that become a lot more intuitive after having been exposed to more advanced math.
 
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Pretty much all of them get easier with better maths - that is what a lot of the advanced maths was invented to do.
OTOH: this means that more tricky concepts can be described... so the maths goes back to being hard.
 
Yes, absolutely. The more math you know the easier physics gets. The easier physics gets the harder the problems you can try to solve. The harder the problems become the more advanced the math required to solve them. And so on...
 
a good level physics is incomplete without calculus,kinematics good (lengthy) problems i feel are worthless without calculus.
in fact whole physics one'll study will have some calculus in it.
you may need to take differential elements to calculate COM, in RBD , can't miss electrostatics etc...
 
axmls said:
I've just finished my first calculus-based physics course along with calculus II. Having taken a non-calc-based physics class in high school, I've noticed that the equations behind kinematics, work, energy, etc. become a lot more intuitive with a knowledge of calculus. I was wondering if there were any other (early undergraduate-level) physics concepts that become a lot more intuitive after having been exposed to more advanced math.

What a refreshing attitude. You have clearly seen the light. We get so many requests on these forums to give what is referred to as a 'proper physical explanation' which doesn't use Maths. Much of the language of Maths was developed in the context of what goes on in the real world and it is very well suited to helping our understanding. Rejecting Maths is rejecting the best tool there is to describe most of Physics.
 

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