How long does it take to become a physics expert?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter BillytheBob
  • Start date Start date
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the time and effort required to become proficient in physics, particularly in the context of engaging with a community of experienced individuals. Participants share their experiences and perceptions regarding the learning process in physics, touching on various levels of expertise and the challenges faced by newcomers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses feeling overwhelmed by the expertise of others, questioning how long it takes to reach a similar level of understanding.
  • Another participant suggests that knowledge and intelligence are distinct, emphasizing that many experienced members have had more time to learn.
  • Several participants note that a year or two of study can make much of the forum's content understandable, contrasting this with the general lack of physics knowledge among the public.
  • Some participants reflect on the continuous nature of learning in physics, indicating that as they study more, they become aware of the vast amount they still do not know.
  • One participant mentions the repetitive nature of physics education, where concepts build upon each other, reinforcing foundational knowledge over time.
  • Humor is present in the discussion, with some participants joking about their own intelligence and the learning process, while others highlight the importance of enjoyment in learning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that learning physics is a gradual process and that enjoyment plays a significant role in becoming proficient. However, there are multiple perspectives on how long it takes to reach a level of understanding, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of this timeline.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the varying backgrounds and experiences of forum members, which may influence their perspectives on learning physics. There is also an acknowledgment of the vastness of the subject, leading to feelings of inadequacy despite years of study.

  • #31
drizzle said:
Can't resist the hat BobG! :biggrin:

Knock it off with the puns or you'll be incapacitated.
 
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  • #32
I used to be a model for the Half Off Clothing Company just before they went out of business.
 
  • #33
Jimmy Snyder said:
I used to be a model for the Half Off Clothing Company just before they went out of business.

I was a model for dark matter distribution in the universe before I was determined to be incomplete.
 
  • #34
FlexGunship said:
Knock it off with the puns or you'll be incapacitated.

There are capacitors too! :biggrin:
 
  • #35
drizzle said:
There are capacitors too! :biggrin:

facepalm_bear.jpg

(Source: http://fail.brm.sk/)
 
  • #36
Pengwuino said:
Helixe is mean! :(

Or kinky, I'm not sure.

>_> none of these describe me :biggrin:
 
  • #37
Jimmy Snyder said:
I used to be a model for the Half Off Clothing Company just before they went out of business.

Ah, I remember that store - especially the half off T-shirts.

half+shirt+copy.jpg
 
  • #38
A person's true knowledge is inversely proportional to their own estimation of their knowledge. This is a useful law in practice. When someone says they are smart, you take the inverse and then you know the level of their true knowledge. The reason for this is that the more you learn, the more you find out exists that you don't know about.

With that in mind, I would say that we here at PF are really dumb (we just happen to know a little bit more in physics than the next guy.)
 
  • #39
chrisbaird said:
The reason for this is that the more you learn, the more you find out exists that you don't know about.

Until you become as smart as me, then you actually do know everything. :approve:
 
  • #40
chrisbaird said:
A person's true knowledge is inversely proportional to their own estimation of their knowledge. This is a useful law in practice. When someone says they are smart, you take the inverse and then you know the level of their true knowledge. The reason for this is that the more you learn, the more you find out exists that you don't know about.

With that in mind, I would say that we here at PF are really dumb (we just happen to know a little bit more in physics than the next guy.)

I think I see what you're saying.

\frac{1}{smart} goes to zero as "smart" gets bigger. In other words, as people claim a larger and larger value for "smart", the closer and closer they will get to knowing nothing. :biggrin:

Not sure if there's any empirical evidence to support that, but it sounds nice.
 
  • #41
BobG said:
Ah, I remember that store - especially the half off T-shirts.

half+shirt+copy.jpg
:smile:
 
  • #43
BillytheBob:

Hold on to your curiosity.

Don't be in awe of those of us who seem to know more than you do: you may very well wind up proving us wrong.

Never lose your fear of being humiliated: that fear motivates you to clear and complete reasoning.

Never let the fear of humiliation prevent you from speaking out: getting it wrong is a major learning tool.

Just keep at it!
 
  • #44
FlexGunship said:
Until you become as smart as me, then you actually do know everything. :approve:

:smile:

Reminds me of a saying we had in my SF club about 30 years ago, used against mundanes: "You people who think that you know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."
 
  • #45
I'm an example of what I said.

Within the last few hours, I was humiliated on another thread.

Do I give up?

NO!

I try harder, and get back to basics.

Why am I so smart?

Right now, I don't feel so smart, let me tell you!

But, by endeavoring to learn from my mistakes, I hope to become smarter than I am right now.
 
Last edited:
  • #46
I'm not so smart as I think I am.
 
  • #47
DoggerDan said:
I'm not so smart as I think I am.

Neither am I...if I don't study I'm dumb as a door tack.
Come to think of it I'm still dumb as a door tack even after I study :-p
 
  • #48
HeLiXe said:
Neither am I...if I don't study I'm dumb as a door tack.
Come to think of it I'm still dumb as a door tack even after I study :-p

I use homework helping to finally learn stuff myself. :P

1. Helper explains stuff to student. Student does not understand.
2. Helper explains stuff again to student. Student does not understand.
3. Helper explains stuff for the third time. Helper finally understands the material. Student still doesn't understand.
 
  • #49
I like Serena said:
I use homework helping to finally learn stuff myself. :P

1. Helper explains stuff to student. Student does not understand.
2. Helper explains stuff again to student. Student does not understand.
3. Helper explains stuff for the third time. Helper finally understands the material. Student still doesn't understand.

I think he's got! By George he's got it!
 
  • #50
By losing friends and alienating people. Also reading
 
  • #51
I like Serena said:
I use homework helping to finally learn stuff myself. :P

1. Helper explains stuff to student. Student does not understand.
2. Helper explains stuff again to student. Student does not understand.
3. Helper explains stuff for the third time. Helper finally understands the material. Student still doesn't understand.

lololz
That's happened to me before...especially with chemistry -_-
 
  • #52
HeLiXe said:
lololz
That's happened to me before...especially with chemistry -_-

I responded to a couple of threads on chemistry.
Judging from the responses I got, I think I'm still learning. :redface:

Soon I hope to learn something about gradients.
Perhaps you will be willing to help me?
 
  • #53
I like Serena said:
Soon I hope to learn something about gradients.
Perhaps you will be willing to help me?

pblackblackfffft:smile: Yeah right ILS...
me...help you...with gradients?:smile:
 
  • #54
HeLiXe said:
pblackblackfffft:smile: Yeah right ILS...
me...help you...with gradients?:smile:

Yes, I need to explain it 3 times - then I hope to understand it myself (according to George).
 
  • #55
ohhhh ok -_- *is daft* I thought you wanted me to teach it to you so I could learn it for myself :biggrin:
 
  • #56
HeLiXe said:
ohhhh ok -_- *is daft* I thought you wanted me to teach it to you so I could learn it for myself :biggrin:

That would work even better!
Will you? Please? :blushing:
 
  • #57
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: I think your other idea was better :)
 
  • #58
As my first year chemistry prof pointed out to us: He's not more intelligent than us; he just happened to get to chemistry before us.
 
  • #59
DoggerDan said:
I'm not so smart as I think I am.

Calculus cured me of that.
 
  • #60
I'd reply to your question, but the answer is obvious.
 

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