The rare pleasure of physics
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.010050
The Order of Merit is one of Britain’s most exclusive clubs. Limited to 24 living members, the OM honors distinguished service in the arts, science, industry, and war. Lords Kelvin and Rayleigh were among the first group admitted to the order in 1902. On receiving the honor from King Edward VII, Rayleigh remarked,
The only merit of which I personally am conscious was that of having pleased myself by my studies, and any results that may be due to my researches were owing to the fact that it has been a pleasure for me to become a physicist.
Rayleigh enjoyed physics so much that he’d investigate topics that lay outside the mainsteam, such as tennis ball trajectories, insect color, and the soaring of albatrosses.
Most people, however, don’t share Rayleigh’s love of physics, especially high-school physics. When I tell members of the nonphysics laity that I work for a physics magazine, a typical reaction is “Man, I hated physics in high school. I just didn’t get it.”
Bad or uninspiring teachers are sometimes responsible for the unpopularity of physics. But even good and inspiring teachers have a tough time with a subject whose prime directive is to distill natural phenomena and express them in abstract mathematics. If a school’s catalog of courses were a music store, physics would be the modern jazz section, where you’d find the likes of Eric Dolphy’s 1964 album Out To Lunch!
Improving the teaching of physics should be a high priority. Biologists, chemists, and engineers need a basic understanding of physics to practice their chosen fields effectively. And everyone, nonscientists included, would benefit from knowing a little of the physics behind air conditioners, cars, cookers, and other everyday machines.
However, just as modern jazz is enjoyed by a small band of enthusiasts, physics will likely remain a minority interest. Physics is too esoteric and difficult to become as popular as country and western music.
Does that matter? Probably not. As long as everyone who wants to become a physicist can become one.
