This is Why Physics Seems so Hard.

Mike's Channel
13 Oct 202309:48
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, Mike introduces his journey with physics, starting with the challenging Feynman Lectures on Physics and then finding a more accessible approach through the book 'Physics' by Cutnell and Johnson. He highlights the book's ability to simplify complex concepts and build a strong foundation in physics, making it an ideal resource for high school and early college students. Mike also shares his plans to cover the book's chapters in his 'Physics Foundations' playlist, aiming to foster a deeper understanding and love for the subject.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š Mike introduces three physics books that hold sentimental value, given to him by a neighbor who was a medical physicist.
  • πŸŽ“ The first book, 'Feynman Lectures on Physics,' was challenging for Mike due to its density and wordiness, despite its reputation as a classic.
  • 🌟 Mike struggled with advanced topics in modern physics like electromagnetism and vector calculus, which were covered in the second volume of the Feynman series.
  • πŸ” Realizing the difficulty of these texts, Mike learned the importance of stepping back to move forward in understanding complex physics concepts.
  • πŸ“– Mike purchased 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson' on his own, which he found easier to understand and remembered fondly from high school.
  • πŸ’‘ 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson' covers a broad range of topics from basic physics to modern physics concepts, including nuclear energy and special relativity.
  • πŸ“ˆ The book provides a foundation for higher-level physics and engineering concepts without the use of calculus, which Mike later recognized as a limitation.
  • 🌐 Mike recommends the book for high school and early college physics students, as it can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced texts.
  • πŸŽ₯ Mike is going through each chapter of 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson' in his physics foundations playlist, offering lectures, examples, and additional insights.
  • πŸš€ The book played a significant role in Mike's transition from disliking physics to developing a deep passion for the subject.
  • πŸ‘‹ Mike encourages viewers to follow his physics foundations playlist to build a strong foundation in physics and potentially develop a lifelong interest.
Q & A
  • What is the significance of the first three physics books that Mike introduces in the video?

    -The first three physics books introduced by Mike were given to him by a medical physicist neighbor as a going away gift for his first year at college. These books played a pivotal role in his journey to understand physics, despite the initial struggle he had with them.

  • Who compiled the Feynman Lectures on Physics?

    -The Feynman Lectures on Physics were compiled by multiple professors at Caltech, based on the legendary Richard Feynman's work.

  • Why did Mike initially struggle with the Feynman Lectures on Physics?

    -Mike struggled with the Feynman Lectures because, despite the book's reputation, it was dense and wordy in areas where it should have been straightforward, making it difficult for him to understand the content as a beginner in physics.

  • What book did Mike buy to supplement his physics education?

    -Mike bought 'Physics' by Cutnell and Johnson, a book that he remembered from his high school physics course, because it was easier to read and understand compared to the Feynman Lectures.

  • What topics are covered in the book by Cutnell and Johnson?

    -The book by Cutnell and Johnson covers a wide range of topics from basic introductory physics, kinematics, energy, electric forces and fields, waves and sound, thermodynamics, to modern physics concepts like ionizing radiation, nuclear energy, nuclear physics, special relativity, and an introduction to quantum mechanics.

  • How does the book by Cutnell and Johnson approach complex physics concepts?

    -The book approaches complex physics concepts by distilling them to their very basics and building upon foundational concepts. It also provides a gentle introduction to advanced topics without using calculus, making it accessible for those without a strong background in higher-level math.

  • Why does Mike recommend learning calculus for those interested in physics?

    -Mike recommends learning calculus because it adds a level of rigor and helps in understanding the beauty and intricacies of topics like electric forces and fields, which are crucial for a deeper comprehension of physics.

  • How does the book by Cutnell and Johnson support the transition from conceptual understanding to mathematical problem-solving?

    -The book supports this transition by walking readers through the process of turning physical reasoning into mathematical logic. It does this by providing detailed explanations, step-by-step solutions to example problems, and a gradual introduction to mathematical concepts related to physics.

  • What is Mike's personal experience with the book by Cutnell and Johnson?

    -Mike's personal experience with the book by Cutnell and Johnson is that it helped him transition from hating physics to being utterly obsessed with it. The book served its purpose spectacularly by teaching him foundational concepts and supporting him through his early college education.

  • What does Mike recommend for viewers interested in the book by Cutnell and Johnson?

    -Mike recommends that viewers interested in the book by Cutnell and Johnson should check out his physics foundations playlist, where he goes through each chapter of the book, explains examples, and supplements the content with additional knowledge to help viewers build a love for physics.

  • How can one find the book by Cutnell and Johnson?

    -One can find the book by Cutnell and Johnson at bookstores like Barnes & Noble, or online marketplaces such as eBay, often at affordable prices. The hardcover editions serve as nice reference materials.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“š Introduction to Physics Books and Personal Journey

The speaker, Mike, introduces himself and shares his initial experience with physics through three books gifted by a neighbor, a medical physicist. He discusses the challenges he faced with the dense and wordy content of the 'Feynman Lectures on Physics' and his struggle to understand advanced topics without prior knowledge. Mike then shares his positive experience with 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson,' a book from his high school days, which he found easy to read and understand. He highlights the book's coverage of basic physics topics, its fluidity, and its introduction to modern physics concepts without the use of calculus.

05:01
🌟 Appreciating 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson' for its Educational Value

Mike delves deeper into the value of 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson,' appreciating its straightforward approach to teaching physics. He discusses the book's coverage of topics like kinematics, energy, electric forces, and thermodynamics, and how it introduces modern physics concepts in a distilled form. Mike emphasizes the book's role in his educational journey, helping him transition from disliking physics to developing a deep interest in the subject. He also mentions the book's practical examples and problem-solving approach, which he finds beneficial for understanding the subject matter. Mike concludes by recommending the book for those starting their physics journey and invites viewers to follow his physics foundations playlist for a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Physics
Physics is the fundamental natural science concerned with the laws governing the behavior of matter and energy. In the video, the speaker discusses his journey with physics, starting with introductory concepts and progressing to advanced topics, highlighting the importance of understanding physics for a deeper comprehension of the natural world.
πŸ’‘Feynman Lectures
The Feynman Lectures on Physics are a set of books derived from lectures by Richard Feynman, a renowned physicist, and are considered some of the best texts on physics. The speaker initially found these books challenging due to their density and complexity, which led him to seek a more accessible introduction to physics.
πŸ’‘Caltech
The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, is a prestigious private research university known for its strengths in science and engineering. In the context of the video, the speaker mentions that the Feynman Lectures were compiled by multiple professors at Caltech, emphasizing the authoritative nature of the material.
πŸ’‘Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is a branch of physics that deals with the interaction between electric and magnetic fields. It is a key concept in modern physics and is covered in the second volume of the Feynman Lectures, which the speaker found particularly challenging due to its advanced nature.
πŸ’‘Relativity
Relativity is a theory in physics proposed by Albert Einstein, which revolutionized the understanding of space, time, and energy. The speaker discusses the inclusion of relativistic notation and tensors in the advanced physics topics covered in the Feynman Lectures, indicating the depth and complexity of the material.
πŸ’‘Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic scales. The speaker hints at the book's brief introduction to quantum mechanics, suggesting that it is a complex and intriguing field that requires a solid understanding of physics to fully grasp.
πŸ’‘High School Physics
High school physics is an introductory course that covers basic principles of physics, typically including topics like mechanics, energy, waves, and thermodynamics. The speaker reflects on his high school physics course and the textbook used, which he found more accessible and engaging compared to the advanced physics books.
πŸ’‘Conceptual Understanding
Conceptual understanding refers to the grasp of the fundamental ideas and principles behind a subject, as opposed to just memorizing facts or formulas. The speaker emphasizes the importance of building a strong conceptual foundation in physics, which he achieved through the more approachable high school textbook.
πŸ’‘Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and accumulation. It is a fundamental tool in advanced physics, used to solve problems involving rates of change, areas under curves, and related quantities. The speaker notes that the high school textbook did not use calculus, which he later recognized as a limitation for fully understanding certain physics concepts.
πŸ’‘Foundations Playlist
The Foundations Playlist refers to a series of educational videos that the speaker is creating to go through each chapter of the high school physics textbook. The purpose is to explain the concepts, provide examples, and supplement the book's content with additional knowledge to help viewers build a strong foundation in physics.
πŸ’‘Educational Journey
The educational journey refers to the speaker's personal path of learning and discovery in the field of physics. It encompasses his experiences with different textbooks, courses, and the evolution of his understanding from initial struggles to a profound appreciation for the subject.
Highlights

Introduction to Mike's channel and the first three physics books he was given.

The books were a gift from a neighbor, a medical physicist, for Mike's first year at college.

Mike's initial struggle with the dense and wordy content of the Feynman Lectures on Physics.

Volume two of the Feynman Lectures covers advanced topics like electromagnetism and relativistic notation.

Mike's realization that even highly praised physics texts can be difficult for beginners.

Mike's purchase of 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson', a book used in his high school physics course.

The ease of understanding and fluidity of 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson' compared to the Feynman Lectures.

The book covers a range of topics from basic physics to modern physics concepts.

The inclusion of modern physics topics like ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson'.

The book's approach to building on fundamental concepts like Newton's laws of motion.

The absence of calculus in 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson', which Mike initially saw as a positive.

Mike's recommendation to learn calculus for a deeper understanding of physics concepts.

The practical applications and importance of the physics concepts covered in the book.

The book's effectiveness in helping Mike transition from disliking to loving physics.

Mike's commitment to going through every chapter of 'Physics by Cutnell and Johnson' in his physics foundations playlist.

The supplementary knowledge and higher-level physics concepts Mike brings to his playlist.

The potential for viewers to develop a lifelong love of physics through Mike's educational content.

Transcripts
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