4. An ode to physics
Bright lit incadecent lights
Introduction
My great passion for physics began in elementary school. Watching Dr. Kaku's Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible and tackling challenging math problems fueled my passion. This blog discusses how I fell in love with physics, as well as the beauty and real-world value of physics.
The spark that ignited my love for physics
I wanted to become a physicist. In high school, I pored over contest math puzzles alongside my school homework. Through independent study, my inner passion for physics inched closer to reality.
In elementary school, I discovered Dr. Michio Kaku’s show, Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible. The show appeared unexpectedly on my cable TV, but even as an elementary school student, I sensed Dr. Kaku’s passion for physics.
At first, it didn’t matter that I couldn’t understand the math and physics behind the show. What interested me was Dr. Kaku’s exploration of physics through animation and storytelling. I also loved the show's impression that physics is the key to understanding everything. Later, I learned that wasn’t true, though the impression made the show more interesting.
In the show, Dr. Kaku explores the wonderful possibilities that could arise from fully understanding the universe. In one episode, Dr. Kaku imagines life in a universe where multiple lives can exist all at once. In another, he shows us how to teleport through space and time. In yet another, he shows us how it’s possible to travel into the past or the future. As I explored all these wonderful universes with Dr. Kaku, I fell in love with the show and physics.
My dream to become a physicist came entirely from watching Dr. Kaku and Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible. In elementary school, I treasured the show deep in my heart. By the time I started high school, I had gained a broad picture of how the universe works.
Dr. Kaku’s show also left me hungry to fill in the mathematical gaps in my knowledge. In high school, I started to learn math outside of class. I spent hours daily working through advanced mathematical booklets alongside my school homework. I also took on every math challenge available, including the Canadian Open Math Challenge and the University of Waterloo math contests. In short, I was determined to understand the math I needed to succeed in physics.
To this day, becoming a physicist is still a personal dream. Physics will allow me to understand the universe better. I’ll also gain a deeper appreciation of Dr. Kaku’s great fascination.
The beauty of physics
Physics is beautiful. From Dr. Kaku’s theoretical physics to everyday life, physics retains a practical beauty. Even the fundamental laws of physics are beautiful.
For example, look at Isaac Newton’s three fundamental laws of motion:
An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at constant speed and in a straight line unless acted on by an unbalanced force.
The acceleration of an object depends on the mass of the object and the amount of force applied.
Whenever one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.
To quickly summarize:
The first law establishes a direct link between motion and force.
The second law explains the idea of force using mathematics. And,
The third law explains that every force on an object produces an equal and opposite force.
Collectively, the three laws are simple yet elegant. Simple because they’re concise, but elegant because they’re comprehensive. Given that Newton was trying to understand and predict an infinite universe, his list is impressively short.
The value of Newton’s laws to physics and the real world
Besides being elegant, Newton’s laws also have important applications in the real world. They can define the motion of flying aircraft, the behavior of simple machines, and the stability of building structures. It’s wonderful what physics can do.
Newton published his laws in 1686. In 1760, the Industrial Revolution followed. During that technological era, the first electric motor, telephone, and steam engine were invented because of the creative use of Newton’s laws.
In part because of Newton and his laws, modern physics flourished, too. In the 1900s, the creation of precise scientific instruments streamlined experimental physics. This led to practical breakthroughs in physics, such as the birth of quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, and special relativity.
Of course, Dr. Kaku’s theories too were based on modern physics—particularly on relativity and quantum mechanics. However significant growth in physics is essential to fully realize Dr. Kaku’s multiverse, teleportation, and time travel.
Conclusion
My love for physics began with Dr. Kaku and his show, Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible. Then, it grew through the self-guided exploration of math. The elegance of Newton's laws and the real-world applications of physics continue to inspire me.
As I strive to learn physics, I hope to unlock the mysteries of the universe and deepen my understanding of the world.
The reference artwork
