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.

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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: ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
783 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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
285 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...