One great teacher

[coberst]

One great teacher

“The rules of the game are what we mean by fundamental physics.” This is Richard Feynman speaking and is quoted in his most remarkable book “QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter”.

This book is a masterful exposition by a master teacher and scientist of quantum mechanics; aimed not at teaching students to do calculations, but at teaching them to understand what's going on behind calculations. Reading this book helps students avoid "a false sophistication which emphasizes technique rather than understanding." Most important, in my estimation, is that it is a book that any lay person can read, understand and enjoy. It will give the rugged individual--undaunted by preconceived notions--an opportunity to appreciate the mysteries and marvels of modern physics.

Feynman, in my opinion as well as many others, is a master scientist, wonderful human being, and most of all a master teacher.

There is a layering quality in book publishing that works marvelously for the lay reader. Such individuals as Kant, Einstein, and Darwin write books explaining their original thoughts. A second layer of authors condense and clarify the thoughts of these original thinkers into a form more accessible to the learning student seeking to join the ranks of the experts. Then there is a third level where a person with fine writing skills takes this material and writes a book that is accurate, polished, and readable for the person looking to understand the general aspects of a domain of knowledge without too many complications.

Richard Feynman is one of those rare creatures who fit all three levels of authorship. Most important to us, who wish to understand without too many complications, Feynman has written a book “QED”, which makes it possible for us to accomplish this task with much pleasure and awe.

Richard Feynman, now deceased, was a theoretical physicist and professor of physics at MIT gave to his students the following description of what physics is all about:

“We can imagine that this complicated array of moving things which constitutes “the world” is something like a great chess game being played by the gods, and we are observers of the game. We do not know what the rules of the game are; all we are allowed to do is to watch the playing. Of course, if we watch long enough, we may eventually catch on to a few of the rules. The rules of the game are what we mean by fundamental physics. Even if we know every rule, however…what we really can explain in terms of those rules is very limited, because almost all situations are so enormously complicated that we cannot follow the plays of the game using the rules, much less tell what is going to happen next. We must, therefore, limit ourselves to the more basic question of the rules of the game. If we know the rules, we consider that we “understand” the world.”

The natural sciences, especially physics, have been very successful at learning the rules of the game. Our didactic (teaching by telling) educational system has been very successful at teaching these rules to their students. The students have been very successful at using these rules and the algorithms and paradigms developed from these rules in developing the high tech economy that we have.

I suggest that any person wishing to gain a fundamental lay person’s comprehension of quantum physic start with this book. It is comprehensible to most anyone who wishes to know; and has the curiosity sufficient to do the work required.

P.S.--If a person decides to self-activate their intellect they need access to lots of books. Libraries loan books. My local community college library has a ‘Friends of the Library’ membership that allows me, for a yearly fee of $25, to take out on loan any book I desire.

[Phil153]

A very fitting description of Feynman. I've always found that his humanity shines through in his books, even the dryer volumes such as Lectures on Physics

[playforGod]

Never read Feynman, I do enjoy the many works of Martin Gardner. I will pick this book up and read, good info-thank you.

[flipdeadshot22]

[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] Feynman

I read all three volumes of his lectures in physics while in junior college, and went on to consistently ace every lower division physics class at university without even reading the assigned text. The man is simply put, one of the greatest teachers in history; which is no small feat considering the fact that most people find physics to be one of the most (if not THE most) difficult subjects to learn (me being in this category).

[yukoncpa]

[ QUOTE ]
Feynman

I read all three volumes of his lectures in physics while in junior college, and went on to consistently ace every lower division physics class at university without even reading the assigned text. The man is simply put, one of the greatest teachers in history; which is no small feat considering the fact that most people find physics to be one of the most (if not THE most) difficult subjects to learn (me being in this category).

Post Extras


[/ QUOTE ] This post is hugely motivational to me. I took 2 semesters of calculus for the fun of it. Do I need any additional math to understand these lectures? If so, what math should I study and which math books should I buy.
thanks

[flipdeadshot22]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Feynman

I read all three volumes of his lectures in physics while in junior college, and went on to consistently ace every lower division physics class at university without even reading the assigned text. The man is simply put, one of the greatest teachers in history; which is no small feat considering the fact that most people find physics to be one of the most (if not THE most) difficult subjects to learn (me being in this category).

Post Extras


[/ QUOTE ] This post is hugely motivational to me. I took 2 semesters of calculus for the fun of it. Do I need any additional math to understand these lectures? If so, what math should I study and which math books should I buy.
thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

It'll depend on what area of physics you are interested in studying; but in general, I would continue up through 3rd semester calc (multivariable/vector calculus). This will allow you to tackle electrodynamics and to appreciate the full vector treatment of classical mechanics. Also a solid understanding of linear algebra and ordinary/partial differential equations will be of utmost importance once you delve into QM.

If you simply want enough math to ease into Feynman's lectures, I would learn everything in Stewart's calc book (goes up through multvariate calc, and is pretty light on the proofs and heavier on appeals to intuition as well as great visuals for visual learners.) I'm still looking on amazon for a link to his book i used, i'll PM it to you once i find it. Best of luck!

[pokeraz]

You sold another copy.