• Question: From biology, chem and physics, which is the most interesting and which is hardest?

    Asked by mhchs15 to Edd, Jess, Nicolas, Zara on 22 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by jameswyatt.
    • Photo: Edward Codling

      Edward Codling answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Hi mhchs15 – great question! 🙂

      I use to find biology hardest as there were so many facts to learn (most of which didn’t excite or interest me). However, I now find it the most interesting as I can concentrate on the things that interest me most (animal behaviour).
      I used to like physics because once you have learned a few general rules a lot of things start to make sense. However when I started studying quantum physics it got really hard and I still don’t understand a lot of this (although most scientists don’t really know what is really going on with quantum physics – this is why it is exciting to research it!)

      I like chemistry as well because you could see the theory work in practice in real experiments – making chemical reactions and burning things – this was always the most fun at school. We actually once did an experiment where we made aspirin (and our teacher took it!)

      All the subjects have their interesting bits but all of them can also be hard at times! Which do you find the most interesting?

    • Photo: Zara Gladman

      Zara Gladman answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Hi mhch15!

      I guess the answer to this depends on the person. I always found biology easier than physics or chemistry… I didn’t take exams in physics, I thought it would be too difficult… I couldn’t even figure out how to wire a plug! But everyone is different.

      I think all three subjects are interesting. Even though I find physics quite difficult, I am fascinated by space (check this out… there’s a new photo from space posted every day! http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html ). People like Brian Cox are great at making physics easier to understand!

      Chemistry – well, you can’t beat a good explosion 8) One of my best memories of school is watching this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uixxJtJPVXk

      But for me, nothing beats biology! It’s the science of LIFE! Animals have always been interesting to me… some are cute, some are ugly, some are weird, some are scary… we eat some… other ones attack us.. some cause problems (like my crayfish! http://www.tinyurl.com/imascientist ), others we couldn’t live without! And I defy anyone to watch this video and not love sloths: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqio2G_Ra6g GO ECOLOGY ZONE!!! 😀

      Some people combine the three sciences and study biochemistry or biophysics!

      Which subject do you find interesting/hardest?

    • Photo: Jessica Chu

      Jessica Chu answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      hiya,

      haha I think this question is quite personal! It depends on the person… I personally prefer learning about cell biology stuff so I find that most interesting and chemistry is the hardest for me.
      But to be honest they are all related in one way or another. Like I need chemistry and physics to understand some of the biological reaction that is going on inside the cell/ body.

Comments

  • Photo: Edd

    Edd commented on :

    I like sloths as well – the fact that they grow blue-green algae in their coats is quite funny:
    http://blogs.openaccesscentral.com/blogs/bmcblog/entry/sloth_fur_has_symbiotic_relationship

    I like their attitude to life – slow and steady!

    • Photo: Zara

      Zara commented on :

      “I like their attitude to life – slow and steady!”

      Yup… I see a lot of myself in them… 😉

      (Apart from in IAS live chats when my fingers feel like they’re going to fly off the keyboard…ahhhhh!!!)

  • Photo: mommy123

    mommy123 commented on :

    Hi, well i find the astronomy part of physics really interesting as well! Biology is quite interesting but probably the hardest and chemistry is alright because of all the explosions and fire!
    (I asked this question but i’m on a different account)

    • Photo: Zara

      Zara commented on :

      hey! if you’re interested in atronomy, you should check out the Quantum zone, lots of physicsy folk are answering questions! did you happen to see the lunar eclipse last week? I went out to look for it but it was too cloudy 🙁

    • Photo: Edd

      Edd commented on :

      Cool – I Like astronomy as well. 🙂
      I bought a telescope a while ago but ahven’t really used it properly – I just about found the moon! 🙁

      If you like science you should definitely stick with it – once you get to university (if you go) you can concentrate on the things that you really enjoy about it. At school I found I had to learn quite a bit of stuff that didn’t excite me as much (although I am glad I learnt it as much of it can be useful now).