Parallels of Physics and Creativity: Exploring a Common Misconception

When you think of physics, what are the first few words that pop into your head? Your answer was most likely a combination of math, gravity, or maybe a historical figure or two. Physics is the study of how the universe behaves, with a focus on matter, energy, force, and motion. It is the overall understanding of the laws of nature. Foundational physics concepts are usually interwoven into both elementary and middle school curriculum, while the first dedicated class that most students experience isn’t until high school. Yet when students are first introduced to the subject formally, they typically experience feeling overwhelmed by the complex math and problem solving. One of the main reasons for the “stress” that physics causes for students is the disconnect from real life experiences, which in turn decreases student engagement. One example of a real life experience is transportation, such as walking or driving, that is governed by physical laws. If students could connect what they learn in the classroom to reality, this could foster more innovation and creativity in physics. Creativity in physics is the ability to curate imaginative ideas that explain the physical laws of the universe. Learning experiences can be enriched by shifting the relationship between students and course content via a change in learning environment and working with teachers. This shift can be a springboard for scientific breakthroughs and innovation.

A Creative History

Creativity in physics is present throughout its history. Physics has always existed, but was formally introduced as “physica” or “natural philosophy” in Ancient Greece (650 - 480 BCE), where theories were based on observations. However, the scientific revolution in the 16th and 17th centuries led to the development of the formal process of experimentation and classical mechanics. It was during this period that Sir Isaac Newton formulated the Laws of Motion. Sir Issac Newton didn’t solely rely on observation for his discoveries, such as the apple falling from the tree. He visualized the actual unseen force that pulled the apple down through thought experiments. It took Newton a few years to hone in his ideas about gravity, but his discovery was revolutionary. The apple falling was a catalyst for reframing a new understanding of the physical world. Newton had to think beyond the “rigid” laws that limited the ideas he had. In order to prove his laws of motion, Newton had to think beyond the existing mathematical tools during this time. Newton’s reliance on his observations of the real world gave him the motivation to invent entirely new mathematics. His creativity was displayed in visualising unseen forces and letting these images be a driving force for deriving the equations for the Laws of Motion.

The 18th and 19th centuries were when physics expanded into electricity, magnetism, and thermodynamics. During this time, physicist James Clerk Maxwell was one of the pioneers of electromagnetism and thermodynamics. He curated the well known thought experiment known as “Maxwell’s demon.” To summarize, Maxwell imagined an intelligent little demon that controls a door between two separated chambers that each contain gas. The little demon has the ability to sort both fast and slow gas molecules into their respective chambers. Sorting and tracking billions of individual gas molecules would be impossible for a human to do. This thought experiment was developed to intentionally violate the second law of thermodynamics. Maxwell was creative in his approach by using an imaginary scenario to frame the world of molecules. “Maxwell’s demon” challenged fundamental laws by providing an imaginative concept instead of focusing on visible mechanical forces that were widely used during this era.

The 20th century was the beginning of the era of modern physics. 20th century modern physics was largely defined by the work of Albert Einstein. Einstein introduced special relativity and general relativity in the 1900s, which changed the understanding of space and time. He developed relativity through thought experiments that directly built on the theories of James Clerk Maxwell and Michael Faraday. For special relativity, he used the visual of a moving train and lightning bolts striking the front and back of the train. His thought experiments for general relativity included imagining an accelerating elevator and a person falling off a roof. Einstein’s visual experiments were mechanisms to develop theories. He prioritized imagining a world beyond rooted concepts to approach problem-solving. Einstein believed that creatively thinking without any bounds was key to innovation.

Since the start of the 21st century, much of the contemporary physics of today explores particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Many physicists today are very creative in their endeavors by designing experiments and imagining an unseen world. This history of physics shows the power of imagination that has helped to discover the many wonders of our universe. If students today learn how to utilize their creativity in a physics classroom, they can better understand their role in shaping our knowledge of the universe.​

A New Perception

Introductory physics classes today are taught in a way that emphasizes problem solvling and computational skills. Students are expected to learn the material from textbooks and lectures, then apply their knowledge. Some classrooms have adopted a more interactive approach by conducting in class experiments; however, the idea that Physics is rigid remains. Due to the current curriculum that favors complex problem solving and math, students may not believe there is room for creativity in the scientific process. During an introductory physics class, students may have an expectation that the goal is to memorize formulas and rely on textbook content for a grade. This isn’t inherently bad because students should build an understanding and solid foundation. Yet, teachers should help students understand how creativity can be utilized in the classroom by encouraging them to visualize concepts using different methods. Thought experiments are taught, but students should try to come up with their own scenarios. Another method is creative problem-solving, by coming up with new solutions to tackle problems. This method requires students to step outside the box of the standard procedures and find a new path with limited resources. Lastly, relating class topics to real-world problems would promote intuition and imagination. If a student were to encounter a real-world scenario, they would need to connect the theories they learned to reality by visualizing a model of a possible path. These learning methods could counteract the idea that physics is “rigid.”

Creativity is Key

​Current students and individuals who want to learn physics should also consider taking this approach. You should build a solid foundation, but also be able to creatively build upon these topics by visualizing problems, creative problem-solving, and relating them to real-world scenarios. Educators should also be encouraged to change their approach to shift the perception of physics.

Physics and creativity go hand in hand and have a direct correlation to innovation. Pioneers in the field of physics have helped shape our understanding of the universe by using their imagination. Learners today can shape our future by allowing creativity to reframe how we view the world. Equations are not just boundaries, but a catalyst for imagination.