I'm 16 and need/want a life in Physics.

[elfmotat]

Sounds easy enough but first I have no know what a SI unit is and what t means. I'm feeling dumber and dumber

SI units are just standard physics units - length is measured in meters, time is measured in seconds, etc.

t is just a point in time.

 

[An Open Mind]

KHAN ACADEMY! For real, go here: http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse"
Learn mathematics, do problems, learn physics, do problems, build your knowledge base and your ideas will only improve.

The Khan academy can definitely give you a boost as far as the rudiments of lower level undergraduate physics/mathematics that you will need to know to become a physicist. I'm a huge fan of Khan Academy, it's a fantastic learning resource and I suggest it to everyone who wants to learn some science on their own.

It feels like that has been copy and pasted..But just incase you havn't. I'm in grade 11 wasting my time, getting to grade 12 wasting my time. Then the plan is to go to university where the real science starts to happen? I go to Metropolitain South Institute of TAFE they don't teach any type of physics just a horrible subject called science 21 which the kids in there are just vile. Swear walk out where ever they want.. I feel like I'm the only one in this school that actually wants to learn something. I will read up on this Khan Academy though thank you for posting.

 

[An Open Mind]

SI units are just standard physics units - length is measured in meters, time is measured in seconds, etc.

t is just a point in time.

How much/what is a standard physics unit? I no what AU means though..if that helps me understand at all. Ugh this is embarresing for me I don't know any of this. Thank you all for being patient with me.

 

[Pengwuino]

It feels like that has been copy and pasted..But just incase you havn't. I'm in grade 11 wasting my time, getting to grade 12 wasting my time. Then the plan is to go to university where the real science starts to happen? I go to Metropolitain South Institute of TAFE they don't teach any type of physics just a horrible subject called science 21 which the kids in there are just vile. Swear walk out where ever they want.. I feel like I'm the only one in this school that actually wants to learn something. I will read up on this Khan Academy though thank you for posting.

Yes, go to Khan Academy because at this point, your mathematical knowledge is abysmal.

Go through the "Developmental math" sections first, then probably pre-algebra, then the algebra sections and then geometry and trigonometry. This will probably take many months and maybe a couple of years to really get through but it's a good start. Then you will need pre-calculus and calculus.

You REALLY should know all of this before you even really leave high school (maybe not so much calculus) and are serious about pursuing physics.

Plan on visiting a library and checking out some math books as well over the course of the next couple of years.

 

[An Open Mind]

Yes, go to Khan Academy because at this point, your mathematical knowledge is abysmal.

Go through the "Developmental math" sections first, then probably pre-algebra, then the algebra sections and then geometry and trigonometry. This will probably take many months and maybe a couple of years to really get through but it's a good start. Then you will need pre-calculus and calculus.

You REALLY should know all of this before you even really leave high school (maybe not so much calculus) and are serious about pursuing physics.

Plan on visiting a library and checking out some math books as well over the course of the next couple of years.

Thank you! As soon as I get home I'll get write on that thanks so much. You've given me a big boost.

 

[Bourbaki1123]

It feels like that has been copy and pasted..But just incase you havn't. I'm in grade 11 wasting my time, getting to grade 12 wasting my time. Then the plan is to go to university where the real science starts to happen? I go to Metropolitain South Institute of TAFE they don't teach any type of physics just a horrible subject called science 21 which the kids in there are just vile. Swear walk out where ever they want.. I feel like I'm the only one in this school that actually wants to learn something. I will read up on this Khan Academy though thank you for posting.

No, it isn't cut and pasted, I'm just a huge fan of the edu-punk movement and this is a huge step in the right direction as far as educating the public goes. It isn't a school, it's a non-profit run by Salman Khan who does these great expository videos that you can watch for free, significantly better than any other attempt at video lectures that I have seen. The explanations are clear, the material is presented on a virtual blackboard, and you can go at your own pace because it's video.

I've never found a resource at well set up as it is for learning math and science up through the intermediate undergraduate level.

ETA: Unfortunately some of the site's functions are down right now, but you can still watch videos and see exercises worked out.

 

[An Open Mind]

No, it isn't cut and pasted, I'm just a huge fan of the edu-punk movement and this is a huge step in the right direction as far as educating the public goes. It isn't a school, it's a non-profit run by Salman Khan who does these great expository videos that you can watch for free, significantly better than any other attempt at video lectures that I have seen. The explanations are clear, the material is presented on a virtual blackboard, and you can go at your own pace because it's video.

I've never found a resource at well set up as it is for learning math and science up through the intermediate undergraduate level.

ETA: Unfortunately some of the site's functions are down right now, but you can still watch videos and see exercises worked out.

Alright thanks mate! Sorry I came in a little rough on my reply aswell. I'm lovin this forum!

 

[Bourbaki1123]

Alright thanks mate! Sorry I came in a little rough on my reply aswell. I'm lovin this forum!

Hey, no problem. Just remember; public schools aren't there to educate you, they're there to keep you out of the way of busy adults and give you very basic training. It's up to you to take education into your own hands, you live in a time when this can be done effectively if you think about it strategically and know where to look and what to look for.

Here are some articles from Paul Graham you might find helpful, being stuck in high school for a couple of more years:

http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html"

http://www.paulgraham.com/lies.html"

 

[inknit]

First off, you don't "need" a life in physics. I can see that you want one, but studying physics won't be anything like watching science channel documentaries. And your math skills at the point are abysmal. Can you at least solve this equation?

5x + 3 + 2x = 31

 

[FlexGunship]

Can you at least solve this equation?

5x + 3 + 2x = 31

x = 4*|sin((3*pi)/2)|

 

[Bourbaki1123]

Wait a minute. You're in grade 11 and don't know what x variables are? Wtf... How? Weren't you supposed to be exposed to that stuff by grade 9?

Your english is subpar too. You live in an english speaking country. Where are you originally from? Are you indian, chinese? white? black?

He's clearly somewhat behind where he should be if he wants to do science or math, so why bother posting if you aren't going to send him some links to resources? No need to exclaim your incredulity and make him feel worse about it.

 

[Angry Citizen]

If I were you, I'd buy an algebra book, a trig book, a calculus book, and an intro physics book (calculus based). Read them in that order. If you get stuck, come to PF or to a teacher of yours. If you'd like book recommendations, well... any algebra or trig book will do. I recommend Stewart's Essential Calculus for the calculus book, and either Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday and Resnick or Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Serway for your intro to physics text. Enjoy the next couple years working through them.

 

[xdrgnh]

If you want a chance of going into physics this is what you need to do. You have to for now stop watching popular science videos and stop thinking about quantum mechanics and dark holes. You need to build up your math skills if you want any chance. Physics isn't talking about pretty pictures of dark holes and nebula's using words. The language of physics is math and if you can't do math, no amount of words is going to mean anything. So what I suggest is that you first learn all of your basic algebra, solving equations, inequalities ect, then learn your basic trig functions, sin, cos, tan, sec, cos, cot and there inverses. Also learn there graphs and the trig identities basically study trig very well so that you are comfortable with it. Once you did that find a calc 1 syllabus online from a reputable university and self study that stuff till you start your 1st year in college as a physics major. If you can do that then you will have the tools you need to do physics.

 

[WannabeNewton]

Once you did that find a calc 1 syllabus online from a reputable university and self study that stuff till you start your 1st year in college as a physics major.

Why wait until college? You can blow through the necessary algebra and trig very, very quickly and once you finish the calculus and linear algebra playlist from Khan Academy you can learn freshman level physics (or AP Physics with calculus level) at a rather fast pace too since the curriculum for it doesn't go deep into classical mechanics. Only after that will you need to devote a lot of time in learning real analysis, rigorous linear algebra, differential geometry, tensor calculus, topology etc. to get to the theoretical (and, in my opinion, the interesting) branches of physics.

 

[xdrgnh]

Did you read the whole thread, in you look into the context of the thread you would see why your scenario of him speeding by algebra, trig and calculus isn't likely.

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

Hello,

I too am 16, and I'd like to pursue a career in either mathematics or physics. I agree that your mathematics need to improve. When I was 13-14, I 'stepped it up' a little bit; it was a period where I learned an incredible about using the internet and books. I recall asking on a maths forum at 13 how to calculate a derivative, and, of the 20 or so replies I received, none were helpful, a few were condescending, and many were downright rude. I had told them my age, and they told me things like "make sure you have a mastery of pre-calculus, memorise all those trig identities, build up a knowledge of logarithms and study a programming language before you start calculus, wait a few years before you bother trying, learn how to do other maths first". Then I found a website (edugratis) with simple videos that introduced calculus step by step; limits, differentiation, integration, related rate problems, cusps, etc. and by 15 I was really making a lot of progress in calculus. In fact, I'd say keep using YouTube. But stay away from the really hard stuff (things where you understand 0% of the stuff they're talking about). It's not very productive.

I think a good start for you would be problem-solving. The NRICH website has many problems for 11-19 year olds, with problems ranging from counting, to calculus and group theory (don't be fooled by the pretty colours, some of those problems are really tough).

For me, I was 15 when I first realized that I liked physics, but the mathematics of the physics was what made me appreciate it the most. Learn to love mathematics. During this period (13-15) I discovered things like fractional calculus and the Bernoulli numbers, and it was the problem solving that led me to learn about concepts like groups, difference equations and so forth. Right now, I'm working on Fourier series. Put the time in, but love it while you're doing it too.

It's good that you're a member here; spend a lot of time here reading topics that interest you (or random ones) related to physics or maths. Do this on other forums too, like mathisfunforum.com. You will pick up some of the mathematics, trust me. A few years ago I learned about double summations and Maclaurin series just by reading people talk about them. I know you can get a lot of things off of YouTube, but you need to do a bit more than that to learn, in my experience. For instance, I thought I was great at integrating by u-substitution, but then I encountered a really tough exercise someone had made where you could only use u-substitution to get the answer. As someone said in this thread; solving problems will make you better. The more you do them, the more you'll start to think like a mathematician (or a physicist, I suppose).

If your algebra or trig (not sure how the US system teaches it) isn't quite up to scratch, ask people here, or on other forums (like the one I mentioned), or look it up on YouTube. You can even PM me if you like. I know what it's like to want to get better at something but not know where to start. You're 16 -- you've realized, more or less, what you want to do. This is your coming of age, so to speak. Like me, I presume you're reading about a lot of advanced topics in physics but without the right mathematical background. I am the same. I have read about topics like string theory and quantum mechanics, and would love to understand them more, and I know that with every day the passes, I'm getting closer and closer to understanding the mathematics of it.

Good luck. And please don't become one of those people that love physics but think maths is a waste of time (like my old physics teacher). :P

However, although it might contradict this post a bit, you do not have to learn everything in a step-by-step fashion. You don't necessarily have to become a master of everything covered in trig to become good at calculus. But it helps a lot. Bit of trivia - I didn't know how to do long division until I was 14. I had devised my own method that was much slower until I heard about this new method that apparently people 8 years younger than me could do. Isn't that embarrassing?

Although, don't get into the habit of learning about doing things like differentiation without knowing what you're doing. It's easy to just understand that the derivative of x^n is nx^(n-1), but it's much nicer if you understand what you've just done.

Don't worry if you don't understand the terminology that well yet -- a couple of years ago if someone mentioned 'complex analysis' to me, I wouldn't be certain what they were talking about. But I already knew a lot about it.

 

[Bourbaki1123]

That's like grade 3 level... I don't think you'll go very far unless you put in a lot of hard work, fast.

I assume he can do simple "Find x for x*3 = 12", he hasn't expressed that this is an issue. He seems to be having trouble putting it into context and making the logical connection between the basic algebra and the physical ideas, and since he doesn't know what SI units are, he should definitely brush up on high school science, but that isn't difficult to do, I'm sure he could get through all of basic high school math and science with the resources on Khan academy; certainly more effectively than by reading a text on his own (so I disagree with Angry Citizen, though the advice would be good [I know, I've given it before ] if Khan academy weren't around to give you masterful video lectures with tons of examples and feed you exercises like a video game).

Anyway; the sort of commentary you've provided is immensely efficient, in that it's at once both useless and discouraging, but I don't see why you would even bother making it.

 

[Cuauhtemoc]

I think any basic algebra book would be pretty good for him, anything.
And not just to become a scientist.

 

[brocks]

I'm sorry you are being treated so roughly here, but the short answer to your question is, you have a very long road ahead of you if you have not been serious about math until now.

Here is a website that gives you some idea of the path ahead, and has links to a lot of online resources:

http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/theorist.html

 

[An Open Mind]

If you want a chance of going into physics this is what you need to do. You have to for now stop watching popular science videos and stop thinking about quantum mechanics and dark holes. You need to build up your math skills if you want any chance. Physics isn't talking about pretty pictures of dark holes and nebula's using words. The language of physics is math and if you can't do math, no amount of words is going to mean anything. So what I suggest is that you first learn all of your basic algebra, solving equations, inequalities ect, then learn your basic trig functions, sin, cos, tan, sec, cos, cot and there inverses. Also learn there graphs and the trig identities basically study trig very well so that you are comfortable with it. Once you did that find a calc 1 syllabus online from a reputable university and self study that stuff till you start your 1st year in college as a physics major. If you can do that then you will have the tools you need to do physics.

Thanks very much mate. I remember in grade 8 learning sin, cos, tan ect. And it just mean't nothing to me because I hated school but now I'm older I regret that greatly and wish I had tryed. It's going to be hard for me to learn from reading because I've always been a listner and someone helping me. I don't care what anyway says I don't think it's to late for me to learn these types of math because I am very serious about this I don't want to have lived for no reason I want a reason for being and to of a had an impact on the world. I know I'm probley setting my sights to high..

 

[An Open Mind]

I'm sorry you are being treated so roughly here, but the short answer to your question is, you have a very long road ahead of you if you have not been serious about math until now.

Here is a website that gives you some idea of the path ahead, and has links to a lot of online resources:

http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/theorist.html

I've just read a few paragraphs of that website you sent me and it seems pretty usefull :), I use microsoft word to remember things as I previously stated in my first thread. This is also to everyone at my "school" which is barely a school they kids there are just horrible and it's inpossible to learn most classes I ask my teacher if I can go to the libray to do my work. The kids walk out whenever they want swear constantly and the teachers do nothing. I want to just quit going to school so I can stay home and do study math...Is this possible?

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

Maths can become your friend, when there is nothing else that makes sense in the world. When I'm alone, or feeling down, I know that I can still do mathematics. I learned that having a mind, coupled with pen and paper, can produce amazing things. I spent a week away from home with a bunch of strangers and people I didn't like in some cabin area in the Winter. Mathematics became my companion. It can be yours, too.

 

[simplicity123]

Thanks very much mate. I remember in grade 8 learning sin, cos, tan ect. And it just mean't nothing to me because I hated school but now I'm older I regret that greatly and wish I had tryed. It's going to be hard for me to learn from reading because I've always been a listner and someone helping me. I don't care what anyway says I don't think it's to late for me to learn these types of math because I am very serious about this I don't want to have lived for no reason I want a reason for being and to of a had an impact on the world. I know I'm probley setting my sights to high..

I suppose you are in the US.

But, I really only started at 18. Now I'm third year of uni studying Mathematics at a top uni(Manchester university).

Anyway, if you could get yourself the book Algebra II For Dummies(http://www.general-files.com/go/42520936200) or just download that and read it on your computer.

16 is young. You will be fine. Maths is about volume of practice not reading. You need to do lots of exercises. You aren't really reading a book, you are reading so you can do the exercises in the book. So basically just read so you can do the exercises. Like you can't do a problem that requires the power rule without knowing what it is, so you would read until you can use the power rule then go straight onto the exercises. Just rinse and repeat.

 

[An Open Mind]

Hello,

I too am 16, and I'd like to pursue a career in either mathematics or physics. I agree that your mathematics need to improve. When I was 13-14, I 'stepped it up' a little bit; it was a period where I learned an incredible about using the internet and books. I recall asking on a maths forum at 13 how to calculate a derivative, and, of the 20 or so replies I received, none were helpful, a few were condescending, and many were downright rude. I had told them my age, and they told me things like "make sure you have a mastery of pre-calculus, memorise all those trig identities, build up a knowledge of logarithms and study a programming language before you start calculus, wait a few years before you bother trying, learn how to do other maths first". Then I found a website (edugratis) with simple videos that introduced calculus step by step; limits, differentiation, integration, related rate problems, cusps, etc. and by 15 I was really making a lot of progress in calculus. In fact, I'd say keep using YouTube. But stay away from the really hard stuff (things where you understand 0% of the stuff they're talking about). It's not very productive.

I'll be completely honest with everyone..I literally know my times tables and that's it..I was trying to teach my self algebra for half an hour and I had no idea what was going on in the equation. I'm not going to school today because I can't handle the stupiedness of it just sitting in class while people swear and are always on facebook. I'm going to try and get a grip on the "easy"math first. Trig/algebra.

 

[simplicity123]

I'm sorry you are being treated so roughly here, but the short answer to your question is, you have a very long road ahead of you if you have not been serious about math until now.

Well, it's not that long. I started Maths at 18 and now 22. In 2 years time will be going for PhD and probably could do all the fancy Maths that is supposedly hard that theoretical physicist do.

2 years of college + 4 years of uni. About 6 years, which isn't long. That's even assuming OP has social life. If he got rid of his social life and only studied I think he could do it in three years.

Also, the link only applies to cranks. Some people are crazy and could never do science because they have stupid theories. Don't know why everyone is assuming OP is a crank.

 

[simplicity123]

I'll be completely honest with everyone..I literally know my times tables and that's it..I was trying to teach my self algebra for half an hour and I had no idea what was going on in the equation. I'm not going to school today because I can't handle the stupiedness of it just sitting in class while people swear and are always on facebook. I'm going to try and get a grip on the "easy"math first. Trig/algebra.

I'm in third year studying Maths from good uni.

I don't know my time tables(I did three years ago through). Literally I would struggle with basic subtraction now, I can't subtract now. Maths isn't arithmetic. Plus I forgot all my calculus so Maths isn't even that.

Also, go to school. You want to go to uni so you have to do it. If you are sitting in class bring a sheet of problems you can do and then do it.

 

[An Open Mind]

Well, it's not that long. I started Maths at 18 and now 22. In 2 years time will be going for PhD and probably could do all the fancy Maths that is supposedly hard that theoretical physicist do.

2 years of college + 4 years of uni. About 6 years, which isn't long. That's even assuming OP has social life. If he got rid of his social life and only studied I think he could do it in three years.

Also, the link only applies to cranks. Some people are crazy and could never do science because they have stupid theories. Don't know why everyone is assuming OP is a crank.

This is so sad what I'm about to say, but since I moved 3 schools and have lost contact with all my friends, I go to TAFE now and all the people there and mindless zombies smoking swearing rude people. I sit in class waiting till 4:30 then go home and play some xbox..I don't have a social life anymore I have my few friends I go over there houses once a month..I can't waste anymore of my life I just sound pethetic I'm getting off here now and attempting some trig.

 

[simplicity123]

This is so sad what I'm about to say, but since I moved 3 schools and have lost contact with all my friends, I go to TAFE now and all the people there and mindless zombies smoking swearing rude people. I sit in class waiting till 4:30 then go home and play some xbox..I don't have a social life anymore I have my few friends I go over there houses once a month..I can't waste anymore of my life I just sound pethetic I'm getting off here now and attempting some trig.

Go to school. School isn't socializing with friends, if you have no friends at school that would be optimal. As that would mean you can focus on work.

What level of education are you? Also, don't do trig. Learn algebra first.

P.S. I only have friends at uni. Only then about 5 people at uni are my friends.

 

[An Open Mind]

Go to school. School isn't socializing with friends, if you have no friends at school that would be optimal. As that would mean you can focus on work.

What level of education are you? Also, don't do trig. Learn algebra first.

P.S. I only have friends at uni. Only then about 5 people at uni are my friends.

I have a man that I look up to my "mentor" and I just had a chat with him on the phone and he said I would be best starting with algebra, and I shouldn't beat my self up and get annoyed because I don't understand it, because know one has explained it to you yet.
I'm in grade 11, live in Australia - Queesland.

 

[An Open Mind]

How does 3 squared ( with the little 2 up the top ) = 9?

I just learned about the order of operations!

Parenthesis
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction

I'm proberly doing the easyest sums ever but It's algebra and I'm understanding it!
http://www.algebasics.com/3way1.html

 

[micromass]

How does 3 squared ( with the little 2 up the top ) = 9?

3 times 3 is 9...

 

[elfmotat]

How does 3 squared ( with the little 2 up the top ) = 9?

3¹ = 3
3² = 3*3 = 9
3³ = 3*3*3 = 27
3⁴ = 3*3*3*3 = 81

and so on.

It works the same way with any number:

2² = 2*2 = 4
2³ = 2*2*2 = 8

etc.

There are a couple khan academy videos on it:

http://www.khanacademy.org/video/level-1-exponents?playlist=Pre-algebra

 

[simplicity123]

How does 3 squared ( with the little 2 up the top ) = 9?

I just learned about the order of operations!

Parenthesis
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction

Where are you learning?

Seriously, download the book I linked you to and read that. It starts with fractions and then if you finish it you will know how to do matrices.

When I was 18 I spent a couple of month working through it and when I finished my algebra was better than the teacher who was teaching me the Maths to pass college so I can go on to uni. Read the book I linked you to on page 4.

 

[xdrgnh]

Open mind, what math class are you currently enrolled in now or will be enrolled in?

 

[lisab]

How does 3 squared ( with the little 2 up the top ) = 9?

I just learned about the order of operations!

Parenthesis
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction

Omg guys I'm proberly doing the easyest sums ever but It's algebra and I'm understanding it!
http://www.algebasics.com/3way1.html

Great feeling, isn't it ?