Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to There's a LOT you don't understand.

Gentlemen, gentlemen,,,
ER — (archived)

It is not necessary to master higher level mathematics to achieve an intelligent layman's grasp of physics. High school mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and analytical geometry is enough to get you past most of the equations of modern physics, including relativity and the quantum. A college freshman calculus course will allow you to derive most of those equations, but even this is overkill iuf you just want a liberal arts "humanist's" grasp of the subject..

To understand enough to talk intelligently to a physicist requires only high school math, if he is aware of your math background he will be able to adjust his explanations to exploit your knowledge and avoid the more arcane topics. But you have to meet him halfway. You can't understand physics without SOME math, just like you can't understand music if you're deaf, painting if you're blind, or Shakespeare if you don't speak English.

If you are really interested in how the world works, the best thing you can do to prepare yourself is to take a high-school math refresher course, then read something like the Feynmann Lectures. You will be amazed how really simple the basics are, once you understand a few of the fundamental tools.

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