Tell me more ×
Physics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for active researchers, academics and students of physics. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite
1

Can you give me examples where the standard physics curriculum in high school or college is inaccurate? When did you realize you had been fed lies?

share|improve this question
It's obvious that the subjects at high school are inaccurate insofar as is all physics: they are just approximations to better theories. But lies? I don't think so ;) Unless you have had a very bad teacher but I don't see how this information could be useful to anyone. Voting to close. – Marek Mar 16 '11 at 16:17
2  
Me too. As always, if the community wants to make a case for reopening it I'm willing to listen. – David Zaslavsky♦ Mar 16 '11 at 16:19
2  
The first part of the question might be reasonable. I can't think of an example offhand, but maybe there are misconceptions commonly taught in intro physics courses. I can give an example from a different field entirely--history. People are often taught that Columbus had to fight against the opinion that the earth was flat. Not true at all, but a lot of people were taught this. – Donald Mar 16 '11 at 22:06
2  
The second part (when did you realize you were fed lies) is unnecessarily aggressive. I doubt anyone is consciously lying to high school students about physics. – Donald Mar 16 '11 at 22:07
2  
"fed lies"? It is understandable that high school education leaves such feelings of betrayal in students. I felt that way for a while. Until I realized that the world is like is - If you wait for someone to feed you knowledge you will inevitably be fed nonsense. Search out your own intellectual nutrition, young Padu'an. – user346 Mar 16 '11 at 22:47
show 5 more comments

closed as not constructive by Marek, David Zaslavsky♦ Mar 16 '11 at 16:18

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.