Is Studying Physics Still Worth It for Me?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the participant's experience and feelings about studying physics, particularly in relation to their transition from electrical engineering to physics and mathematics. The scope includes personal reflections on the beauty and challenges of theoretical physics, as well as considerations about the necessity of programming skills in the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster expresses a shift in their perception of physics from being beautiful to tedious, particularly after studying waves and vibrations and now special relativity.
  • Some participants suggest that the original poster may be overworked and not allowing themselves enough time to appreciate the beauty in physics.
  • There is a suggestion that perseverance might help restore the original sense of wonder in the subject.
  • Several participants note that programming skills are increasingly important for theoretical physics, indicating a potential barrier for those who dislike programming.
  • One participant mentions that using computers can help reveal the depth and beauty of equations applied to problems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the original poster's loss of interest in physics is temporary or indicative of a deeper issue. There are competing views on the importance of programming in theoretical physics and the role of personal experience in appreciating the subject.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and subjective feelings about the study of physics, which may not be universally applicable. The necessity of programming skills in theoretical physics is presented as a point of contention without a definitive resolution.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a major in physics or related fields, individuals reflecting on their academic interests, and those exploring the intersection of theoretical physics and programming.

SweetDnny
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I started college majoring in electrical engineering. I realized that engineering was boring and lacked beauty, so I decided to change to the elegant study of physics. This is after I had taken AP physics in high school, so I knew it was something I liked a lot. I'm now halfway through my second year, double majoring in physics and math with a 3.96 GPA. I'm slowly finding the science more and more tedious and boring rather than beautiful. Last quarter was dedicated to waves and vibrations and Fourier stuff, which I found to be awful. Now I'm being gently introduced to special relativity, which I thought was amazing when I first heard about it two years ago, but now its just alright. In my math class we're learning out of Artin's Algebra, which I sort of like. I originally wanted to be a theoretical physicist, I absolutely despise any lab scenario as well as programming. It's just been a long time since I've seen something that put me in awe the way calculus did the first time I saw it. Does theoretical physics become really cool again, or am I just losing interest? Also, is there anyway that I can do purely theoretical work given how little I know currently? I think maybe actually trying it out could help me decide.
 
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I think you're overworked and not spending enough time to see the beauty in things.

William Blake wrote a stanza for it:

Auguries of Innocence
William Blake
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

And from zen:

Before a man studies Zen, a mountain is a mountain
after he gets insights, a mountain is not a mountain
When he really understands, a mountain is a mountain"

You may be stuck on the middle line and if you persevere the amazement will come back.
 
err, theoretical physics is going to be hard nowadays without programming.
 
Pythagorean said:
err, theoretical physics is going to be hard nowadays without programming.

Also with a computer you can begin to see the depth and beauty of a system of eqns applied to a problem.

Checkout the open source physics project at compadre.org/osp
 
Pythagorean said:
err, theoretical physics is going to be hard nowadays without programming.

That was my thought, too.
 

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