PROF brian Cox got a D in maths!

[mollykins]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...-environment-12344973

According to this, he got a D in a-level maths. How do you get onto a physics course with only that? i supose when he was a college a-levels were harder, you're going to say, and that rarely anybody got As, like they do now, but still . . . .

[mollykins]

backdrifter I supsoe the physics is more about applying maths in the real world which makes it easier to people, is that what you mean?

[jake-the-peg]

There are two traditions of physics - Theoretical and Experimental.

You do need to be pretty good at maths to do well at theretical physics but experimental physics less so.

You need an appreciation of the issues involved but there is a good deal of practical ability involved - an aptitude for solving practical problems one way or another and oodles and oodles of patience.

My favourite example is Milikan who set out to measure the exact charge on the electron. Something that had eluded science and on which a lot of important results hinged.

He divised an experiment involving delicately balancing a spray of electrons in an electric field ( a bit like balancing a pencil on the end of your finger ) and doing it hundreds and hundreds of times.

It's a classic experiment and requires the patience and attention to detail of a saint - in the end he achieved a remarkably accurate result.

Does it require maths? not really

I'm not even sure that you can teach what it needs

[Backdrifter]

mollykins, yes you're on the right lines. And to take up Jake's point too, I found the theory stuff while yes involving maths actually made sense to me despite my having not at that point passed maths. I suppose I had an instinctive feel for the concepts.

I suppose it was a bit like having trouble learning a language until living in that country, hearing conversations and reading literature make the language 'click'. Doing physics helped me to understand the language of maths.

[joko]

well given that he became a pop star, he clearly wasnt that interested in maths at the time...thats the difference

i expect if hed have 'wanted' to pass...he would have...

i hated school and left with terrible results because i couldnt be bothered with them... i now have a degree, hnd, c&g, 2 NVQs and various diplomas...
because i wanted them

[mollykins]

apparantly he only did the band in his spare time but always said that he was really aiming to be a physicist.