Talk:Modern Physics/Introduction to Special Relativity

Special relativity isn't that odd. Telling people it is only puts them off, and makes it harder for them to learn what is really quite simple.

We should try to sound reassuring, not scare the readers away. Carandol 12:40, 17 Jun 2004 (UTC) --

Actually my teaching experience has been the opposite:

1) People are more interested in odd things. Also there is a big difference between odd and simple.


 * Mildly odd things, which they can understand without too much effort, then move on to the next curiosity. I've put titbits in the earlier sections to quirk peoples curiosity, and encourage them to read further, but it's important not to overstate the problem, or people will be put off. Carandol

2) The biggest problem I've found in teaching special relativity is that people try to use their normal intuition, and this causes confusion. A blunt statement that your normal intuition about velocities won't work, helps a lot. Roadrunner 14:43, 17 Jun 2004 (UTC)


 * Blunt, to me, tends to convey the message, "if you don't like this, get lost." I'd rather aim for a clear but gentle statement, which tries to avoid discouraging anyone. Repeat the first few time that "classical physics gives this result, but that isn't quite right. The real answer is this" and I find people get the message. Carandol 20:57, 17 Jun 2004 (UTC)