Why Physics Gets Considered a Complex Subject?

Physics constitutes a subject that can get considered severely mathematical apart from statistics and math itself. As such, most students perceive physics as a complex subject and would rather prefer sciences such as biology or chemistry.  Additionally, girls get viewed as a demographic that fears physics compared to the male demographic, though this can get discounted by the fact that the proportion of male and female tutors prove almost the same.

Math can involve a lot of conceptualization but very little memorization, while biology involves a lot of memorization and some considerable conceptualization. Such subjects do not require graphs, calculations, numerical problems at the base level, though higher academic levels can involve some of these. So what makes physics such a complex subject?

The Reasons for the Perception of Physics as a Complex Subject  

  • Physics proves conceptually extra demanding compared to other disciplines like biology and chemistry, which requires a bit of conceptualization. Each concept requires detailed thinking at diverse levels to ensure success.
  • Experiments have to get performed before collecting and correlating results with the theoretical values.
  • You have to calculate errors in your results.
  • Physics deals with diverse units when it comes to physical quantities.
  • You also have to represent results graphically and numerically.
  • Physics entails the interpretation of graphs.
  • A student has to use a numbers table such as logarithmic or trigonometric tables when handling physics as a subject.
  • You have to handle equipment in the laboratory and become aware of zero error, least count, sensitivity, accuracy, etc.
  • The reasons that you give in physics have to tally with tangible real-world observations.
  • Physics requires you to remember laws and definitions.
  • It also has a lot of formulas that you must learn to ace in physics.
  • Physics also contains plenty of theories, including laws, not so obvious concepts, hand rules, and treating quantities in a binary fashion such as scalars or vectors.
  • It also involves the transfer from mathematical to graphical and the other way round.
  • Physics involves the use of geometry, algebra, calculus, etc. Therefore, you must become reasonably excellent at other disciplines.
  • Specific subjects prove abstract regarding physics, and this means that students cannot relate to these concepts at once. It includes things like atomic physics and quantum physics.
  • Tutors teach physics at a relatively faster rate than social sciences and languages.
  • It also demands at times to begin with particular results in making general regulations.
  • A student has to read and do assignments to enable them to comprehend precepts.
  • Most of the time, you will find yourself solving problems of the substitution type in physics.
  • The foundation of drawing beside the interpretation of graphs proves weak quite often, and the same applies to calculus. Understanding the connection between different aspects such as slope, velocity, derivative can prove invaluable, though most math teachers don’t teach students how to link these things.
  • An improper teaching method also contributes to the perception about physics proving complex. However, this squarely lies with instructors and not learners, as the misconceptions never get addressed by teachers.
  • Physics proves cumulative, and therefore, the absence of understanding a specific concept and moving to the next will come to haunt you at a later stage.

Conclusion

Everyone has a role to play regarding the wrong perceptions that physics has. It ranges from parents, students themselves, and students. However, you can easily change this by considering the content discussed.

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