DO NOT USE THIS TAG! "big-list" is applied to list-like questions which have no single answer. A few of these were asked early in the site's history, but they are no longer allowed.
6
votes
2answers
214 views
Are there are any interesting fake proofs in physics? [closed]
There are many interesting fake proofs in mathematics. Are there any interesting fake proofs in physics?
0
votes
0answers
83 views
List of interesting Physics videos/documentaries [closed]
What are some interesting videos/documentaries for Physics? I would appreciate if you can add links to the list.
Here is my contribution:
The elegant universe: Part 1
The elegant universe: Part 2
14
votes
11answers
1k views
Are there still 'everyday' phenomena unexplained by Physics? [closed]
There are two very famous quotes from German Nobel Laureate Albert Abraham Michelson that are remembered mainly for being extremely wrong (especially since he said them just before two major ...
2
votes
0answers
111 views
What are the biggest unanswered questions in physics today? [closed]
Are there fundamental big questions in physics that most scientists encounter no matter what they're working on, or are most questions details of smaller subtopics? What are the great unknowns of our ...
2
votes
0answers
73 views
Physics textbook for mathematicians [duplicate]
Before this post gets marked as duplicate, I've checked book book recommendations among other posts but I don't think they really answer this fairly niche question.
I am looking to compile a list of ...
2
votes
3answers
887 views
What are the applications of Gauss's law in technology? [closed]
Freshmen physics textbooks use Gauss's law plus symmetry to calculate the electric field.
I was wondering if this method of finding the electric field using a symmetry is used in real applications in ...
1
vote
1answer
120 views
Generic features, semi-heuristic derivations [closed]
Einstein was able to make some predictions before GR was fully formulated. e.g. gravitational time dilation.
Such predictions before the full theory are referred to as "semi-heuristic derivations" ...
3
votes
4answers
213 views
List of Physical Toys [closed]
There should be a list of toys considered "physical", which demonstrate or make you think over certain physical principles/phenomena. And of course which could just amaze.
Related question at MSE is ...
6
votes
0answers
434 views
10 Big Problems - Condensed Matter [closed]
I think it was Feynman that suggested that you should always carry ten big problems around in your head, and when you encounter a new method, see whether this new method allows you to make progress on ...
6
votes
4answers
617 views
What are the best astronomy blogs and podcasts? [closed]
For someone who likes learning about astronomy what are the blogs and/or podcasts that I should be following?
26
votes
10answers
653 views
Readable books on advanced topics [closed]
I realise that there are already a few questions looking for general book recommendations, but the motivation and type of book I'm looking for here is a little different, so I hope you can indulge me.
...
5
votes
2answers
228 views
What are some good international, English language physics grad programs?
I am looking into physics PhD programs and I would love to take the opportunity to live abroad (again). I know there are some well-known, technical, international universities like IIT in India and ...
12
votes
9answers
169 views
In astronomy what phenomena have theory predicted before observations?
As far as I know, astronomy is generally an observational science. We see something and then try to explain why it is happening. The one exception that I know of is black holes: first it was thought ...
30
votes
18answers
899 views
What papers should everyone read? [closed]
Mathoverflow
A single paper everyone should read?
CSTheory
What papers should everyone read?
TheoreticalPhysics.SE
What papers should every physicist read?
NOTES:
One paper per answer.
Please ...
3
votes
2answers
278 views
Fractals in physics. Suggest book titles
I'm looking for some good books on Fractals, with a spin to applications in physics. Specifically, applications of fractal geometry to differential equations and dynamical systems, but with emphasis ...
6
votes
1answer
533 views
Open problems in General Relativity
I would like to know if there are some open mathematical problems in General Relativity, that are important from the point of view of Physics. I mean is there something that still needs to be ...
3
votes
3answers
776 views
Popular books on QM
After some discussions with my friend about some "popular" aspects of quantum mechanics, my friend asked me whether there exist any books that could convey the basic ideas in a non-technical way (my ...
1
vote
5answers
855 views
Recommended progression with which to learn physics for fun
I enjoy reading up on new topics in physics and astronomy, and learning the concepts and ideas in the major theories, like relativity and quantum mechanics. Unfortunately, one thing that I lack ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
What programming languages would be helpful for a physicist to know? [closed]
From the vantage point of a physicist and the kind of problems he would like a computer program to solve, what are the essential programming languages that a physicist should know.
I know C++ and I ...
7
votes
5answers
664 views
Uses of the 'Golden Ratio' in Physics
What are some physics applications of the golden ratio?
$$\varphi~=~ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}~\approx~ 1.6180339887\ldots$$
Does it ever function specifically as a constant in any formulas or theorems? ...
12
votes
6answers
1k views
Where should a physicist go to learn chemistry?
I took an introductory chemistry course long ago, but the rules seemed arbitrary, and I've forgotten most of what I learned. Now that I have an undergraduate education in physics, I should be able to ...
6
votes
10answers
2k views
Physics for mathematicians
How and from where does a mathematician learn physics from a mathematical stand point? I am reading the book by Spivak Elementary Mechanics from a mathematicians view point. The first couple of pages ...
6
votes
8answers
854 views
Proofs without words [closed]
This question is migrated from this MO post. The question is the following:
Can you give examples of proofs without words? In particular, can you give examples of proofs without words for ...
6
votes
4answers
406 views
Conjectures that have been disproved with extremely large counterexamples
I would like to migrate this Math Question into physics. The question is:
Are there conjectures in Physics which have been disproved with extremely large counterexamples? If yes, i would like to ...
9
votes
9answers
1k views
Failed ideas in physics [closed]
This question exists because it has
historical significance, but it is not
considered a good, on-topic question
for this site, so please do not use it
as evidence that you can ask similar
...
29
votes
25answers
2k views
Your favorite Physics/Astrophysics blogs?
What are the Physics/Astrophysics blogs you regularly read? I'm looking to beef up my RSS feeds to catch up with during my long commutes. I'd like to discover lesser-known gems (e.g. not well known ...
41
votes
33answers
5k views
Great unsolved physics problems [closed]
We all know that some theoretical ideas lack experimental evidence while in other cases there's a lack of a suitable theory for known phenomena and established facts and concepts.
But what problem in ...
37
votes
14answers
4k views
Number theory in Physics
As a Graduate Mathematics student, my interests lies in Number theory. I am curious to know if Number theory has any connections or applications to physics. I have never even heard of any applications ...
25
votes
10answers
4k views
Best books for mathematical background?
What are the best textbooks to read for the mathematical background you need for modern physics, such as, string theory?
Some subjects off the top of my head that probably need covering:
...
