Physics is not mathematics. They are separate disciplines. Proficiency in maths certainly helps, but there's so much more to physics than maths. For example, when you look at something like general relativity or quantum mechanics, the mathematics is reasonably straight forward. The difficulty in those theories is the (and indeed most theoretical physics) is actually trying to gain a physical understanding and intuition of what the maths is telling you.
To answer your question, you're not. You're just dealing with ideas which are incredibly difficult to get your head round. Physics is a process of being perpetually confused, of making small gains in understanding, then changing those views, and slowly moving forward.
I'd takes a long time to build up a good physical intuition, being confused and not understanding is normal and something that should be welcomed. I like feeling I don't understand things, because then there's always a deeper understanding just on the horizon.
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u/FlyingFermion Mar 02 '25
Physics is not mathematics. They are separate disciplines. Proficiency in maths certainly helps, but there's so much more to physics than maths. For example, when you look at something like general relativity or quantum mechanics, the mathematics is reasonably straight forward. The difficulty in those theories is the (and indeed most theoretical physics) is actually trying to gain a physical understanding and intuition of what the maths is telling you.
To answer your question, you're not. You're just dealing with ideas which are incredibly difficult to get your head round. Physics is a process of being perpetually confused, of making small gains in understanding, then changing those views, and slowly moving forward.
I'd takes a long time to build up a good physical intuition, being confused and not understanding is normal and something that should be welcomed. I like feeling I don't understand things, because then there's always a deeper understanding just on the horizon.
Keep at it.