Studying Physics as a Hobby: Tips for Continuing Study

[patricio ramos]

Hey guys. I am a former physics student, but I switched to engineering after 2 years because I kind of sucked as a student, and I did not see myself in academia. Also, I kind of really started to not understand when introduced to proofs and mathematical physics. I did not know what a proof was until about age 18, and my math education was extremely poor in high school (it only went up to algebra 2 :/). I still maintain that physics was not for me, but I never meant to just leave it forever (although engineering is obviously applied physics). I still read my University Physics book from time to time because I absolutely love it and understand everything in it. It's just that when I get to the real books that I get stuck.

Just as an example, I remember buying Kolenkow's book in my second semester, and I was very excited to get it because the hardcover is so nice and bright. I understood the first chapter perfectly, and then came the problems. I got absolutely owned by them and did not even know where to start. The same goes for Griffiths, though I could solve more problems for that book. I would really love to continue studying physics as a hobby. Obviously I don't need to do it as hard as an aspiring physicist, but I want to get a little farther than what I did. Any tips?

Thanks

 

[jedishrfu]

I'd try going through the Physics video sequence on Khan Academy. That should make it easier to read your Univ Physics book.

Alternatively, you could watch one video at a time and then read more about it in your book and followup solving a few problems. The problem solving is the key to really understanding things.

PF can be your resource for confusion when solving any problem.

 

[berkeman]

PF can be your resource for confusion when solving any problem.

I'm having trouble parsing that sentence...

 

[gmax137]

The problem solving is the key to really understanding things.

This is the most important point. I think it was @Dr. Courtney who wrote about it, comparing it to practicing a sport or practicing scales as a musician. I had a professor who told us to read the textbook "with paper and pencil in hand." Just sitting there reading the books won't get you far.

That also makes a "self study" or "hobby" approach difficult. I find that I really have to keep at it to make any progress. It is just too easy to go do something else, whether mowing the lawn or watching a ball game on TV.

 

[DEvens]

I'm having trouble parsing that sentence...

When I was writing my thesis, one of the sentences in the intro was along these lines. "There is a significant amount of confusion in the literature on this topic." And under my breath I always added "To which we are eager to add."

 

[DEvens]

I'd try going through the Physics video sequence on Khan Academy. That should make it easier to read your Univ Physics book.

I have not looked at Khan Academy for some years. Do they get into university level physics? Last time I looked (very long ago) they were only doing high school at the most.