Intro

Now, before you start wondering, no, I am not announcing my corny sci-fi novel (at least not yet). This one is about the end of physics as a subject for me.

There are many subjects which are no longer a part of my syllabus: History, Biology, Chem, etc. Many subjects I will never learn about again in an academically acceptable way. Subjects which are over for me. Subjects whose knowledge will remain stagnant for me. I will die knowing no more about these subjects than I already do. And while I might watch a history video or two, for more technical subjects like physics where most media other than textbooks are very surface level and care more about discussing sensational and cool concepts as opposed to depth understanding, this holds true.

But that’s not the reason I sit to write today. After all, Chem and Biology are also ending at the same time for me, so why does the title only speak of physics? The reason is simple: Chem is the most abhorrent and retarded subject known to mankind. You truly have to be masochistic to enjoy the subject. Don’t get me wrong, I am very happy that people study chemistry, making helpful (or fun) drugs, materials, and whatnot. I am just mad that I had to go through this hellish rote memorisation which has been wrongfully given the honour to sit besides physics and maths. Also, biology was never bad enough to complain about, but it still goes in the same category as chem.

Physics, however, is a subject that I truly will miss.

Who Cares?

What’s so special about physics anyway? It’s just maths done badly with random variables thrown in, right? Well, the reason I like it so much is because, over the seven years that the subject is taught, we learn basically everything about the world around us. From integrated circuits which enable you to read these articles, to the movement of stars with which people ‘predict’ the future. From the air rapid pressure changes I perceive as music to the electromagnetic radiation that lets me see. It teaches you everything.

But most importantly, it doesn’t just tell you how, but how much. Let me explain.

The Numbers Game

Physics isn’t satisfied with just telling you that gravity makes things fall. No, it wants you to know exactly how fast they fall and how hard they’ll hit the ground. It’s the science of getting precise. While other subjects are happy to leave you with vague ideas, physics demands that you know the exact speed, the precise force, and the exact energy involved.

Take gravity, for instance. Physics doesn’t just say, “Hey, stuff falls.” It says, “Stuff falls at 9.8 meters per second squared.” It’s not enough to know that things drop; physics wants you to know they drop with a vengeance. And then it expects you to calculate how much vengeance based on the mass and height. It’s like the subject has a vendetta against simplicity.

Meanwhile, in chemistry, you’re just mixing colourful liquids and hoping they don’t explode. Sure, there’s some maths involved, but half the time it’s just balancing equations that feel like a game of Sudoku with none of the fun. You memorise a bunch of reactions that you’ll never use outside of a lab, and it all feels like busywork. Physics, on the other hand, makes you feel like you’re unravelling the secrets of the universe, not just following a recipe for a chemical soufflé that might explode in your face.

Or consider force. Newton’s second law of motion isn’t content with just saying, “Push things and they move.” No, it says, “Force equals mass times acceleration,” and then expects you to figure out just how hard you need to push to make your annoying sibling move out of your way. Physics wants numbers, precise numbers, and it doesn’t care if you have to sweat a little to get them.

And don’t get me started on biology. You’re stuck labelling parts of a cell like it’s the most riveting thing ever. Here’s a mitochondrion, there’s the nucleus, and oh look, the Golgi apparatus doing… Golgi things. To he fair, understanding life can be fun, but it doesn’t come with the same satisfying crunch of numbers and clear, logical problem-solving that physics does. It’s like comparing a complex, strategic board game like chess to playing Go Fish.

The Cool Factor

Let’s face it, physics has a cool factor that’s hard to beat. It’s the subject that lets you understand how rockets blast off into space, how black holes devour everything in their path, and how time travel might just be possible (if you’re willing to bend a few rules of the universe). It’s the closest thing we have to real-life magic. And who doesn’t want a bit of magic in their life?

Consider the sheer badassery of quantum mechanics. This is the branch of physics that tells you particles can exist in multiple states at once, teleport across space, and generally behave like they’re on a permanent acid trip. It’s the stuff that makes your brain hurt in the best possible way, like trying to understand how anyone can enjoy pineapple on pizza.

Meanwhile, in chemistry, you’re staring at beakers, waiting for reactions that take forever to complete. It’s like watching paint dry, but with more dangerous fumes. And the moment you think you’ve mastered the periodic table, someone throws in organic chemistry with its endless chains of carbon atoms, and you’re back to square one. Physics, on the other hand, keeps things interesting with concepts that stretch the boundaries of what we think is possible.

And then there’s relativity. Einstein didn’t just mess around with equations; he messed with reality itself. Time dilation, length contraction – it’s like he took the universe and decided to run it through a funhouse mirror. The fact that time can slow down or speed up depending on how fast you’re moving or how close you are to a massive object is both mind-blowing and deeply unfair when you’re late for class.

Biology, meanwhile, is over there in the corner, quietly dissecting frogs and mapping out DNA sequences. Important? Sure. Exciting? Not so much. It’s like comparing a thrilling sci-fi movie to a slow-paced documentary about plant growth. Necessary, but let’s be real – one of these is way more likely to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Physics is the subject that lets you say, “I know how to build a laser,” even if you’re more likely to use that knowledge to make a cat chase a dot than to take over the world. It’s the reason we have smartphones, GPS, and, let’s be honest, a lot of really cool explosions in movies. It’s the behind-the-scenes wizardry that makes modern life possible.

Farewell, Old Friend

Saying goodbye to physics feels like saying goodbye to an old friend. It’s been there through the good times and the bad, from the excitement of understanding how electricity works to the frustration of solving endless equations. It’s been a journey of discovery, of learning to see the world in a different light. And now, it’s time to move on.

But just because physics is no longer on my syllabus doesn’t mean it’s gone from my life. I’ll still marvel at the night sky, ponder the mysteries of the universe, and maybe even crack open a physics book (and a beer) now and then. Because once you’ve experienced the wonder of physics, it never really leaves you.

So, here’s to physics – the subject that made me see the world differently, that challenged me to think deeper, and that I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m grateful for every moment of it. Final Thoughts

In the end, it’s not just about the knowledge we gain, but the journey we take to get there, Bla bla you get it, physics has been a big part of that journey for me. It’s taught me to question, to explore, and to never stop being curious. And while my formal education in physics may be ending, the curiosity it sparked in me will continue to burn bright.

So, if you’re still grappling with physics, hang in there. It might just become your favorite subject too. And if not, well, there’s always chemistry… or not.