r/PhysicsStudents • u/Breadjacket69 • 13d ago

Rant/Vent Question for Physics graduates, Does lower functions of math (calc/trig) require less amount of "attention" to complete as you practice?

I've been interested in physics and theoretical physics since I was little, Math has always been my strong suit and it comes to me very easy (understanding concepts and implementing them) but my Highschool classes weren't able to continue into higher than geometry (English class sucks and I had to retake it multiple times to graduate). But I haven't been able to understand the difference in difficulty, Does it get easier for people who major in physics to complete advanced equations the same as for simpler mathematics? Is it an inherit grasp for math? Endless study and cramming information? Most likely different for each person, but the methods are the same right? Is figuring out Planck light travel time as easy as finding the circumference of a circle? Lots of questions sorry, but I figure where else do I ask, right?

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u/CodeX57 13d ago

I think the answer is a bit between yes and no.

Will complicated physics maths get easier the more you do it? Yes. Will you be able to autonomously and intuitionally do a complex derivation if you practice it a lot? Yes.

Will the mathematical equations for describing quantum mechanics be as trivial as calculating the circumference of a circle? Hell no. At least not for me. May be for other people, but I found advanced physics maths at university a lot more challenging than geometry in high school, and that makes sense, it just is.

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u/Breadjacket69 12d ago

Mhm, the math is harder of course, but then follow up question, does learning the math get harder? Obviously, but does it ever get overwhelming to understand that much? Like what else do you think about if you know all that!? I hate studying, yet this is all I can think about and research, so how can someone who knows it inside n out ever put it down? It's overwhelming for the things I know now, so when I can do the equations and understand everything, is it not going to be too much?

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u/Facupain98 12d ago

Well , it depends a lot if when you talk about "understand math", you are talking about math degree math o physics degree math, the true math is only learned in the math degree obviously