Chapter 9
Understanding Physics
Physics is an awesome journey of understanding nature. Some people try to find physics in equations. I say that physics is beyond equations, it is in experience. Some people boast of solving complex numerical problems, without actually realising the physics working behind the scenes. What is important to understand physics?
1. Qualitative analysis
2. Quantitative analysis
3. Analogy
4. Relationship
5. Love and joy of physics
Qualitative analysis is extremely important. This allows you to relate things that you see. For example, volume and pressure are two separate physical quantities. A balloon has gas particles which move randomly, colliding with the walls of balloon, thus applying pressure. For the sake of simplicity, assume that a balloon has 6 particles. These 6 particles apply pressure on the walls of balloon. This balloon has volume V, which provides the space for movement. Now you decrease the volume to V/2 – what have you done? You have put a limit to the volume in which the particles can move around, thus increasing the collisions with the balloon wall. You have actually increased pressure.
On the other hand, you can use quantitative analysis, i.e. using numbers and calculations. You could measure and experiment. Qualitative analysis is necessary to make ideas, quantitative analysis is required only to test the ideas. Thus, in my opinion, qualitative analysis is vital. I can’t explain this but I am in love with physics – I enjoy doing problems and I also enjoy nature. Love and joy are both required while understanding physics. It is the love of physics and the joy of knowing new stuff that keeps the human race driven. Analogy and relationship are necessary parts of understanding physics. Physics is fun and if you know the rules, you can enjoy it too! So let us discover physics!
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