Samantha Said:

What course to take with physics? AP Bio or AP Chem?

We Answered:

AP Chem is good if you like it and have the mathematical abilities.

AP Bio is much, much more in-depth than the freshman biology and requires intensive memorization and also the ability to understand concepts and apply them to questions about experiments/hypothetical situations and results. AP Bio usually is easier for people who managed a relatively easy time in Chemistry as it also applies some concepts of chemistry as well, and you'll need to remember reactions and things like that.

Both are good choices for medicine, but if you plan on making medicine, then I recommend AP Chemistry.

Matthew Said:

What would a "classical mechanics" physics course be like?

We Answered:

Classical as a term in Physics implies any Physics concepts as they were understood before the twentieth century (before 1900).

The distinction exists because Einstein's relativity and the development of quantum mechanics occured with great progress in the twentieth century, and indicated that much of classical mechanics can be to naive to be a complete "picture of the universe".

As for what classical mechanics means is simply the understanding of motion applicable to just about any object on the order of size anywhere from a trillion times smaller than a human body to a trillion times larger than a human body. Much of classical mechanics is even applicable to objects throughout the solar system, like the sun, planets and moons.

Classical mechanics is about anything that is easily familiar to you.
Bugs, baseballs, toy cars, bicycles, humans, automobiles, aircraft, ocean ships, submarines, and the solar system.


What is "not" classical mechanics is things like subatomic particles, nuclear reactions, particle accelerators, spacecrafts at significant fractions of light speed, neutron stellar remnants, black holes.

Maureen Said:

What are your personal experiences of Positive Discrimination if any?

We Answered:

"Positive discrimination?" Hmmm...I don't think discrimination can ever be positive, but I have experienced the positive effects of discrimination in my life, only bec. I have a gift for turning negatives into positives in time.

Here's one example:

When I was a student at the Univ.of Wisconsin, I was often one of the only Black women at parties and other social events. So, I stood out. People would stare at me as soon as I came through the door. Some would treat me as if I were an alien from the planet ZXR7. (Maybe I am.) Some would make ignorant comments. Some would talk to me in their own version of Black dialect or slang, but at least they were trying to connect.

I was so friendly and such a great dancer and singer to any kind of music from rock and roll to reggae, and everything in between, that people would gravitate toward me and party with me. I am also very attractive and kinda stylish in my own way--classy-sexy, bohemian, artsy. Because I was well read and up on current events, I could discuss almost any topic and debate most people under the floor, while never hurting their feelings. Verbal sparring was fun. I was often the life of the party. And all the beer and wine we drink at those frat parties would loosen our inhibitions. (But that's a whole 'nother issue.)

Having grown up on Air Force Bases and done a lot of traveling, I am very comfortable with people of all races or nationalities. But being the only Black person, let alone Black woman, in school, work, or social settings leads to all kinds of, shall we say, uncomfortable situations. I have just learned to make the best out of almost any situation. If you stare at me, I have a choice. I can either get angry, assuming the worse, or I can sit up a little taller, sneak a smile at you, and preen. I can give you something to stare at. Or if I'm not feeling like such a feisty, sexy diva that day, I can just remain calm and Zen and in my own little zone, while you can stare all you want.

There is a dark side to this, however. I became so attached back then to being the center of attention that I went through a short phase where I actually wanted to be the only Black woman at a party. After ab. an academic year, I started making friends with other Black students on campus. I gravitated toward the African students, and I discovered that this is not a Black v. White issue. That discrimination ag. Black Americans at largely African parties can be just as fierce, but, again--dancing, singing, engaging in conversation, and learning all I could ab. various African cultures--I would wind up having a great time and attracting a lot of positive attention.

Shawn Said:

What is the best book to supplement a level 1 high school physics course?

We Answered:

Get books, notes, if you have freinds that know that topic, tell them to help you. You can handle more complex mathmatical concepts and impress your teacher to the point that you can go to a good college.

Julia Said:

what is the relievance of 'mathematical method in physics' to real life situaition?

We Answered:

The term 'mathematical' physics is also sometimes used in a special sense, to distinguish research aimed at studying and solving problems inspired by physics within a mathematically rigorous framework. Mathematical physics in this sense covers a very broad area of topics with the common feature that they blend pure mathematics and physics. Although related to theoretical physics, 'mathematical' physics in this sense emphasizes the mathematical rigour of the same type as found in mathematics. On the other hand, theoretical physics emphasizes the links to observations and experimental physics which often requires theoretical physicists (and mathematical physicists in the more general sense) to use heuristic, intuitive, and approximate arguments. Such arguments are not considered rigorous by mathematicians. Arguably, rigorous mathematical physics is closer to mathematics, and theoretical physics is closer to physics.Such mathematical physicists primarily expand and elucidate physical theories. Because of the required rigor, these researchers often deal with questions that theoretical physicists have considered to already be solved. However, they can sometimes show (but neither commonly nor easily) that the previous solution was incorrect.The field has concentrated in three main areas: (1) quantum field theory, especially the precise construction of models; (2) statistical mechanics, especially the theory of phase transitions; and (3) nonrelativistic quantum mechanics (Schrödinger operators), including the connections to atomic and molecular physics.The effort to put physical theories on a mathematically rigorous footing has inspired many mathematical developments. For example, the development of quantum mechanics and some aspects of functional analysis parallel each other in many ways. The mathematical study of quantum statistical mechanics has motivated results in operator algebras. The attempt to construct a rigorous quantum field theory has brought about progress in fields such as representation theory. Use of geometry and topology plays an important role in string theory. The above are just a few examples. An examination of the current research literature would undoubtedly give other such instances.
The usage of the term 'Mathematical physics' is sometimes idiosyncratic. Certain parts of mathematics that initially arose from the development of physics are not considered parts of mathematical physics, while other closely related fields would be included. For example, ordinary differential equations and symplectic geometry are generally viewed as mathematical disciplines, whereas dynamical systems and Hamiltonian mechanics belong to mathematical physics.