Help learning physics through games?

[Schlubber]

Summary: Anyone know any games that legitimately help when trying to understand basic concepts of physics?

So I've been into studying physics for a while now but i feel like my attention span is holding me back. Almost nothing sticks. I always end up getting bored and playing video games or board games with my friends. I was hoping someone knew of some good board/video games that legitimately help with understanding physics? At least that way i can feel like I'm making some progress in my downtime.

I've read a few articles about Board Games about Science that have been fairly helpful but i was hoping someone here has first hand experience and can recommend something that actually works?

Thanks in advance!

 

[fresh_42]

I actually doubt that this would work. A short attention span will likewise hinder you from getting stuff stuck.

E.g. I play chess on the internet, or better I blitz. This means I make a lot of stupid errors because I don't take the time to calculate moves, or worse, even look at what my computer opponent did. I rather start a new game or reverse an idiotic move than to invest patience for analysis. Something I would certainly do if it was live and with a human being at the other side of the board. As a consequence, I do not improve, I only learn how the computer algorithm works and how I can use this for little advantages.

I'm absolutely convinced that this describes what would utterly happen in the situation of your proposed solution "physics by gaming".

They are simply two different qualities: understanding concepts and principles versus physical reaction. There is no way - in my opinion - other than to take a textbook and learn by carefully reading and - most important - a lot of scribbling, maybe in studying groups with your friends. And you will have to write a lot! The best you can do is actually find authors which write in a way which excites you and keep you curious.

 

[Mark44]

So I've been into studying physics for a while now but i feel like my attention span is holding me back. Almost nothing sticks. I always end up getting bored and playing video games or board games with my friends. I was hoping someone knew of some good board/video games that legitimately help with understanding physics?

I agree with @fresh_42 here. Apparently your priority is playing video games or board games with your friends. After something changes in your life (like working at an unrewarding, poorly paid job), you might find that your priorities change, as well.

Long ago, Ptolemy, who would become the ruler of Egypt, asked Euclid if there wasn't an easier way to learn geometry. Euclid is said to have replied, "There is no royal road to geometry." Replace "geometry" with "physics," and you have pretty much your situation.

 

[sophiecentaur]

I was hoping someone knew of some good board/video games that legitimately help with understanding physics?

Your problem with that is that games involve simulations that 'look convincing' enough to allow the player to accept and enjoy the virtual world they are in. There is no point in the code writers to follow the niceties of Physics when a near enough presentation is accepted by the players with a fraction of the processor load that would be needed to 'do it properly'.

There have always been distractions to take our interest away from academic work. For me, in the 50s and 60s it was music, alcohol and girls and I only just managed to do sufficiently well.

You have some choices to make, I'm afraid.

 

[berkeman]

So I've been into studying physics for a while now but i feel like my attention span is holding me back. Almost nothing sticks. I always end up getting bored and playing video games or board games with my friends. I was hoping someone knew of some good board/video games that legitimately help with understanding physics? At least that way i can feel like I'm making some progress in my downtime.

What do you mean by "studying physics"? Have you finished high school yet? If not, keep taking physics and math classes, and do your best in them. Also join the Physics Club at your school, if there is one.

If you are done with high school, are you self-studying subjects that you are interested in? Did you take any basic Physics classes in high school? If not, consider enrolling in an online course, or taking some classes at your local community college (if you are in the US). The discipline imposed by having regular homework assignments is a good way to force you to break the video game distraction habit, IMO.