Difficulty of the Physics Series courses for Science/Enginee

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Well known it is that the fundamental mechanics and the fundamental E&M courses of Physics for the science and engineering students are very difficult. Then the next course of this series, "Modern Physics", may seem so much less stressful, and at least a bit or more easier. Is this common? Is the reason that it is the last course of Physics that most students of other majors in sciences will have, and so Modern Physics is made easier intentionally?

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Usually it is getting accustomed to the needed problem solving skills (especially vectors) that makes mechanics and E&M so challenging.

By the time one reaches Modern Physics, one has become accustomed to vectors and problem solving. Modern Physics usually has less emphasis on vectors, so the difficulty often depends on how the professor treats different topics and how difficult the problems he selects are. The prof is limited by student unfamiliarity with differential equations when he assigns problems in quantum mechanics.

 

[symbolipoint]

Usually it is getting accustomed to the needed problem solving skills (especially vectors) that makes mechanics and E&M so challenging.

By the time one reaches Modern Physics, one has become accustomed to vectors and problem solving. Modern Physics usually has less emphasis on vectors, so the difficulty often depends on how the professor treats different topics and how difficult the problems he selects are. The prof is limited by student unfamiliarity with differential equations when he assigns problems in quantum mechanics.

Very credible. Still one may wonder if the course #3 in the series (Modern Physics) is toned-down somewhat in difficulty just to help the non-physics majors, because this would usually be their last physics course.

 

[gleem]

Modern Physics usually will usually review the experimental evidence for quantum mechanics which is not math intensive (i.e. descriptive) thus making some of it more of a history course.