Challenges in Learning Physics: Conceptual Reasoning vs. Math

Physics poses challenges to learners not just due to the complexity of math involved, but primarily because of the struggle with conceptual reasoning. The mismatch between our intuitive understanding acquired from everyday experiences and the scientific principles of physics creates hurdles. Students often reason like Aristotle, with misconceptions such as objects stopping when no force is applied, which contradicts Newtonian and Einsteinian principles. Overcoming these hurdles requires a piecemeal acquisition of correct understanding, where students mix correct and naive reasoning.