this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2023
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Why do we talk so much about 'ideal' stuff in physics? (lemmy.world)
submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Sorry if this is a naive question (I am in high school), but why do we always talk about ‘ideal’ stuff in physics? The conditions are not possible in real life so why bother with them, won’t the numerical values not accurately represent real life situations?

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago

Because good lord if it's not going to work in an ideal scenario, it sure as hell ain't gonna work in the real world.

It's how you can toss out a scam, realize a plan is hopeless, or find out that a hail mary move is theoretically possible. Quickly, with little fuss.

Do NOT start with anything but the ideal, because it's only going to get worse in the real world, unless it is ironclad in the ideal it probably just ain't worth it.