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/sci/ - Science & Math

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4702579 No.4702579 [Reply] [Original]

Okay /sci/, I have an advice question for you
I'm a high school student entering college next semester. I have a good grasp of algebra,trig,analytical geometry, and so on(since we haven't finished the text book yet, I can't really say how my calculus skills are, though I'm getting there). I really love thermodynamics, wave phenomena, light studies, and quantum theory.
However, I utterly detest mechanics. I'm thinking about going into astrophysics, but I was wondering if astrophysics has alot of mechanics involved. Like I said before, mechanics irritates me. Should I study astrophysics, or should I choose differently?
>pic unrelated

>> No.4702592
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4702592

>>4702579
Of course there is alot of mechanics in astrophysics.

In fact there is alot of mechanics in thermodynamics, wave phenomena, light studies, and quantum theory. There is a lot of mechanics IN EVERY FUCKING BRANCH OF PHYSICS.

You have no fucking idea what you are talking about, do you? The shit you probably learned in high school was dumbed down so fucking much THAT IT IS WORTHLESS.

All the "subjects" you think you know, or "like", are actually much more different then you realize. You probably don't even like astrophysics.

>> No.4702593

>>4702579
what do you think mechanics is?

>> No.4702600

>>4702592
this
lol for hating mechanics and wanting to become an astrophysicist

>> No.4702602

>>4702592
Okay fucktard, let me try to explain my mindset to you:
Mechanics itself is not difficult for me at all, it simply bores me. The reason I enjoy the other listed branches of physics is because it deals with other topics than simple force, velocity, etc...
things that I find more interesting.
Since you simply generalized rather than specifically answered my first question, I'll ask again: How much of astrophysics is involved in simple mechanics, and how much deals with different subjects(ie. heat, wave phenomena, etc.)
And don't repeat that every branch has mechanics as a building block- I ALREADY FUCKING KNOW.

>> No.4702604

>>4702602

Every branch has mechanics as a building block.

>> No.4702612

Every branch has mechanics as a building block.

>> No.4702616

Thanks /sci/, you guys are awesome.

>> No.4702618
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4702618

>>4702602
>thinks mechanics is just "simple force, velocity, etc..."

You have no fucking idea what mechanics is. You just fucking proved it.

>simple mechanics

"Simple mechanics" is something that is done by higher schoolers and maybe the remedial classes in college.

>How much of astrophysics is involved in simple mechanics

None. You will not do any of that baby shit when you are studying actual astrophysics.

In astrophysics you will use adult mechanics,, which includes the full Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltontian framework. Most of astrophysics will be this sort of work.

In addition, you will seaminglessly incorperate all other relevant branches of physics ( thermo, EM) when dealing with your particular area of study. You will be doing real physics, meaning you take into account all the information you can.

>> No.4702621

ill be nice
op we are laughing at you because you think mechanics is just newtonian kinematics equations
you did not learn a single thing at all of value about physics even if you got a 5 on both ap tests

>> No.4702625

>>4702579
Every branch has mechanics as a building block.

>> No.4702630
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4702630

>>4702579
His name was....

Every branch has mechanics as a building block

>> No.4702632

>>4702618
Thanks for at least answering my second question. You are right about high school mechanics-it's fucking baby stuff. I'm not actually sure what the other "adult" mechanics you mentioned consist of. I'll look into them and see if that interests me. I don't claim to have all knowledge when it comes to physics and the intricacies of mechanics, but the topics I listed do interest me.I'm sorry if I confused simple mechanics with mechanics in general.

>> No.4702636

OP, you have no idea what you are talking about. Better go for that history major or something more suited to your interests.

Also, can we get an instant ban from the board for a user mentioning he or she is in high school? Would really help get rid of shit like this.

>> No.4702643

You're in high school. Don't think about what you want to specialize in. If you enjoy physics of some sort, pursue it. You'll figure it out a little bit in undergrad.

You typically don't even really specialize until junior or senior year anyway, if at all.

>> No.4702644

>>4702636
>Can we get an instant ban for those in high school?
>Thinks that /sci/ is only for topics he is interested in
You're as bad as the fucking elitists on /mu/,/a/,and /tv/
>And I thought this was a relatively cerebral board

>> No.4702650

Don't listen to these trolls OP, I dislike statics/dynamics while I enjoy thermodynamics.

>> No.4702657
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4702657

>>4702632
Also, >>4702643 makes a valid point.

Typically, "astrophysics" is a "speciality" of physics. You probably won't even have the proper pre-recs to do it without a undergrad degree.

Physics "specialities" are more of a Master's/ Phd thing (sometime honors undergrad). You have a very long way to go.

If you like physics, study physics. By the time you are in your junior or senior year you will figure out what "speciality" you like the best. You can then try to take some courses in that, or do a Masters/Phd in that.

You don't just start off with some "speciality". All physics majors start off the same (more or less) and you specialize way down the road (like a medical doctor).

At least you admit when you don't know something. That is a great attitude and will get you far.

OP IS A COOL GUY WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE!

>> No.4702661
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4702661

>>4702632
>>4702632
>>4702632
Also, >>4702643 makes a valid point.

Typically, "astrophysics" is a "speciality" of physics. You probably won't even have the proper pre-recs to do it without a undergrad degree.

Physics "specialities" are more of a Master's/ Phd thing (sometime honors undergrad). You have a very long way to go.

If you like physics, study physics. By the time you are in your junior or senior year you will figure out what "speciality" you like the best. You can then try to take some courses in that, or do a Masters/Phd in that.

You don't just start off with some "speciality". All physics majors start off the same (more or less) and you specialize way down the road (like a medical doctor).

At least you admit when you don't know something. That is a great attitude and will get you far.

OP IS A COOL GUY WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE!

>> No.4702665
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4702665

>>4702661
His name was...

OP IS A COOL GUY WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE!

>> No.4702666
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4702666

>>4702665
>OP is a cool guy

>> No.4702668

>>4702592
I can see your rage slowly building up while writing that comment.

I guess you're right thought, but this isn't /b/ so please have some basic manners.

>> No.4702671
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4702671

>>4702668
see
>>4702666

We all friends here Bro!

>> No.4702676
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4702676

>>4702668
>basic manners

Are you new to /sci/?

>> No.4702681

>>4702676
No. Also, I'm talking about real anon /sci/entists, not faggots like EK.

>> No.4702687
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4702687

>>4702644
>music,art,movies
>elitists

>> No.4702699

OP here, I'm going to bed now, thanks to those who actually tried to help.

>> No.4702727

>>4702602
>Mechanics itself is not difficult for me at all
try these (no calculus required).
1. A uniform ladder (length L, mass M) on the floor leans against a vertical wall. Find the maximum possible angle between the wall and the ladder. The static coefficient of friction is u_w between ladder and wall and u_f between ladder and floor
2. a uniform sphere ball with radius R rolls without slipping on a horizontal surface with velocity V and collides with a ledge of height H (with H < R). The collision is inelastic. Find the maximum possible H for which the ball goes over the ledge.
(hint: check wikipedia for the moment of inertia of the ball).
3. A yo-yo has mass M and moment of inertia I. Its spindle has radius r. Neglecting the mass and width of the string, find the acceleration of the yo-yo when released.

>> No.4702776
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4702776

>>4702727
can somebody go through them step by step?

>> No.4702780

>>4702776
1 is just a system of equations with one inequality and some trig

>> No.4702802

>>4702776
i made them all reasonably straightforward, but hopefully slightly challenging for someone with just high school physics knowledge.
>>4702780
actually two inequalities, but whatever.

>> No.4702805 [DELETED] 

>>4702802
only 1, as one friction will be limiting

and for the moments you can avoid that fulcrum

>> No.4702808

>>4702802
only 1, as one friction will be limiting

and for the moments you can avoid the other friction's fulcrum

>> No.4702817

>>4702808
>one friction will be limiting
is not true.

>> No.4702824

>>4702817
are you saying that the ladder will begin to slip prior to one of the frictions reaching F_max?

do you know what F_max means?

>> No.4702834

>>4702824
>the ladder will begin to slip prior to one of the frictions reaching F_max
Not what I meant, and also impossible.

By F_max you mean coefficient of static friction * normal force.

just try to do it
hint: "maximum possible angle" turns any inequality into an equation

>> No.4702843

>>4702834
not if we have a telescoping ladder

>> No.4703414

>>4702727
OP here again, the first one should be easy, the other two will be slightly more difficult, but I should be able to do them.
However, I'm in between classes now, so it'll have to be later.
Thanks btw

>> No.4703422
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4703422

>>4702579

Hey Op, every branch has mechanics as a building block.

U a retard?

>> No.4705179

.bump

>> No.4705186

Astrophysics is mostly mechanics.

>> No.4705190

I know that feel. Mechanics is so fucking boring. What, am I going to time travel back to 1895 and build engines?