I have a fear of formulas. I wonder if there's a term for it. If agoraphobia means fear of spiders , and claustrophobia means fear of enclosed spaces, what's the term to describe fear of formulas?
Yet, even so, I still think maths is interesting!
Yet, even so, I still think maths is interesting!
After studying for 10 weeks, I finally think I'm learning something new! I just found out the definition of Laplace Equation. It's: Capillary Pressure = Sigma / R.
But, guess what? it's also equals to:
Laplace Equation to get Capillary Pressure
Anyway, I came up with a question. If Pc = Interfacial tension / radius, why do we need to add the two radiuses together? Why not just use one radius?
I asked around and the first answer was, "To solve a problem, we need to look at it from three dimensions, not just one. It will increase the accuracy and precision of your solutions."
Suddenly I remember what many has tried to tell me but failed. In life, it's similar. We should look at things from various angles, not just zoom in on one part and zero in on it. Look at it from multiple dimensions! Dissect everything from every perspective to arrive to the most representative solution.
Much later, while reading another book, I found out that R1 and R2 represented the radius of the oil stringer in the throat and pores respectively. Wow! I was delighted!
It was then, I realized: There is not just one way or approach of looking at things.
Another reservation of mine (before coming here), was to memorize formulas for calculations. But, a question lingered in my mind. Formulas are basic fundamentals, it's available everywhere, in help manuals, guide books, text books etc. Why do we need to learn and memorize formulas?
As if reading my thoughts, our course coordinator proceeded with the next phrase, "Even so, even if you have it in all the books and all the computers, when you know your formulas by heart, you can review the work of others. You can make fast computations by your head and hand, so you can detect anomalies easily. Use it, practise it, apply it and make it part of your skill. You need to take home something for your professional life. It is now."
As if reading my thoughts, our course coordinator proceeded with the next phrase, "Even so, even if you have it in all the books and all the computers, when you know your formulas by heart, you can review the work of others. You can make fast computations by your head and hand, so you can detect anomalies easily. Use it, practise it, apply it and make it part of your skill. You need to take home something for your professional life. It is now."
In fact, physics and mathematics are teaching me a lot about life at the moment. Everyday, I am learning something amazingly philosophical from them every day. I never thought both could be linked! (until this week).
For example, here's what I found out:
1. Most phenomeneon can be represented with the power law (just like how most things in life yield a straight line when plotted on a logarithmic scale).
2. In physics, we make lots of simplistic assumptions. For instance, we assume that a porous media is perfectly homogeneous, isotropic and filled with a single phase fluid. Yet, our professor reminded us, "The world is not perfect. It's complicated. And that, applies to life in general, as well as our reservoirs!"
3. Fractal dimensions: A statistical comparison of how details in a pattern changes with the scale at which it is measured. In short, every time we zoom into something, we will find things that we've never noticed before. Likewise, when we zoom out, we notice new things too! What happens at micro-scale, happens at macro-scale. One just has to decide at which dimension will one decide to look and form the basis of his/her approach. For instance, the movement of continental plates were observed on a larger scale, and the relationship between pore throat size distribution, porosity and permeability were made on a microscopic scale. So, between zooming in and zooming out, I learnt that we have to view issues at various scales to come up with the best possible solution. All we need to do, is to decide the range of scales that will be used as a measure.
4. The concept of Episcopal Litany (in relation to geology): What happened at the beginning, will happen now and in the future. A world that is volatile, mobile, evolving and constantly metamorphosing.
5. The concept of Comparative, Relative and Superlative (in relation to statistics): The theory of comparing to identify and create distinct features. In life, it is a representation of the human's inner desire to be the best in everything. The need to optimize, and create added value, turning useless waste into precious resource.
Physics and Maths are interesting! I'm falling in love with it by the minute!
For example, here's what I found out:
1. Most phenomeneon can be represented with the power law (just like how most things in life yield a straight line when plotted on a logarithmic scale).
2. In physics, we make lots of simplistic assumptions. For instance, we assume that a porous media is perfectly homogeneous, isotropic and filled with a single phase fluid. Yet, our professor reminded us, "The world is not perfect. It's complicated. And that, applies to life in general, as well as our reservoirs!"
3. Fractal dimensions: A statistical comparison of how details in a pattern changes with the scale at which it is measured. In short, every time we zoom into something, we will find things that we've never noticed before. Likewise, when we zoom out, we notice new things too! What happens at micro-scale, happens at macro-scale. One just has to decide at which dimension will one decide to look and form the basis of his/her approach. For instance, the movement of continental plates were observed on a larger scale, and the relationship between pore throat size distribution, porosity and permeability were made on a microscopic scale. So, between zooming in and zooming out, I learnt that we have to view issues at various scales to come up with the best possible solution. All we need to do, is to decide the range of scales that will be used as a measure.
4. The concept of Episcopal Litany (in relation to geology): What happened at the beginning, will happen now and in the future. A world that is volatile, mobile, evolving and constantly metamorphosing.
5. The concept of Comparative, Relative and Superlative (in relation to statistics): The theory of comparing to identify and create distinct features. In life, it is a representation of the human's inner desire to be the best in everything. The need to optimize, and create added value, turning useless waste into precious resource.
Physics and Maths are interesting! I'm falling in love with it by the minute!
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