How is physics taught and learned. Teaching strategies, class examples and demonstrations; learning resources, career advice, etc. For explicit problems, use the 'homework' tag instead.
2
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2answers
528 views
Please recommend a good book about physics for young child (elementary school aged)
I'm looking for a book that would be appropriate for an advanced elementary school aged kids (say, 6-11 YO) describing the basics of physics (or sciences in general) in entertaining way.
The ...
2
votes
0answers
192 views
Interesting Math Topics Useful for Physics [closed]
What are some interesting, but less popular, math topics that are useful for physics that can be self-studied? Specifically, topics that might ultimately be useful in high energy theory (even if it is ...
8
votes
5answers
768 views
Graduate School for Theoretical Physics
First off, let me just say that I am unsure if this question is appropriate for this site, and if the community deems it necessary, the question should be closed.
So right now I am a fourth year ...
2
votes
0answers
177 views
What's the most efficient way to study physics? [duplicate]
I'm CS major trying to learn QFT on my own . I'm trying to make an efficient study plan .The problem is that I've never read any textbook from cover to cover and solved all the problems .What of the ...
7
votes
3answers
223 views
Supersymmetry in Quantum Mechanics
I was reading Supersymmetry in Quantum Mechanics and got stuck in the various mathematical terminology like "Graded-Lie Algebra", "Super Algebra". Is their any good lecture notes concerning these ...
4
votes
2answers
203 views
Is the proper interpretation of temperature missing in this book?
In Randall T. Knight’s textbook “Physics for Scientists and Engineers” in the first chapter on thermodynamics (Ch. 16: A Macroscopic Description of Matter) one of the first conceptual questions is ...
6
votes
2answers
385 views
How should a theoretical physicist study maths? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How should a physics student study mathematics?
If some-one wants to do research in string theory for example, Would the Nakahara Topology, geometry and physics book and ...
4
votes
2answers
321 views
How can some-one independently do research in particle physics?
I'm not affiliated with a physics department and I want to do independent research. I'm working my way through Peskin et. al. QFT now. Let's say that I've finished Peskin et. al. and Weinberg QFT ...
0
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0answers
55 views
Quantum Mechanics Text for Electrical Engineers [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is a good introductory book on quantum mechanics?
What is a good introductory text on quantum mechanics that could be used to train electrical engineers in device ...
0
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1answer
131 views
What is the importance of electrodynamics and magnetism in physics as a whole? [closed]
At my university the second half of a year long sequence in basic calculus based physics focuses on electrodynamics and magnetism. I am wondering what is the significance of these topics to physics in ...
7
votes
9answers
1k views
Should I begin to study quantum mechanics or wait until I have a stronger base on easier topics? [closed]
I apologize if this is off topic since it does not relate directly to the study of physics, but I could not think of a better place to ask.
I am a high school student graduating in a few days and ...
19
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14answers
2k views
Learning physics online?
I'm thinking of following some kind of education in physics online. I have a master degree in Computer Science and have reasonable good knowledge in physics. I would like a program of 1-2 years and ...
4
votes
4answers
787 views
Help an aspiring physicists what to self-study [closed]
This is probably not the kind of question you'll often encounter on this forum, but I think a bit of background is needed for this question to make sense and not seem like a duplicate:
2012 has been ...
4
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2answers
347 views
Prerequisites to start the study of noncommutative geometry in physics
What are prerequisites (in mathematics and physics), that one should know about for getting into use of ideas from noncommutative geometry in physics?
3
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2answers
947 views
What is 2 $\theta$ in X-ray powder diffraction (XRD)?
Why are we taking 2$\theta$ instead of $\theta$ in X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). I have found the forum post 2 theta in X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), but there is no answer. What is the ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
Difference between momentum and kinetic energy
From a mathematical point of view it seems to be clear what's the difference between momentum and $mv$ and kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2} m v^2$. Now my problem is the following: Suppose you want to ...
3
votes
0answers
102 views
Dirac action and conventions
I have a (possibly) fundamental question, which is driving me crazy.
Notation
When considering the Dirac action (say reading Peskin's book), one have
$\int ...
4
votes
3answers
286 views
Is the historical method of teaching physics a “legitimate, sure and fruitful method of preparing a student to receive a physical hypothesis”? [closed]
The French physicist, historian, and philosopher of physics, Pierre Duhem, wrote:The legitimate, sure and fruitful method of preparing a student to receive a physical hypothesis is the historical ...
1
vote
1answer
461 views
Walter Lewin Lectures in HD
I like the lectures by Walter Lewin 8.0x. However the quality of the videos is pretty bad. Is there any way (DVD, web,...) to get the lecture videos in a good quality, best in HD?
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2answers
124 views
Will a one year undergraduate course of Linear Algebra be enough for QM? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Linear Algebra for Quantum Physics
Can you get all/most of the knowledge you need of Linear Algebra for QM in a one year course? I know for certain my course also ...
2
votes
2answers
430 views
What math is needed to understand the Schrödinger equation?
If I now see the Schrödinger equation, I just see a bunch of weird symbols, but I want to know what it actually means. So I'm taking a course of Linear Algebra and I'm planning on starting with PDE's ...
0
votes
1answer
178 views
How does this problems are solved (modeling/simulation)? [closed]
Can somebody guide me in what to read and learn in order to be able to solve or understand how to solve the following types of problems:
The modeling/simulation of the bullet, shot into the water ...
5
votes
5answers
439 views
Linear Algebra for Quantum Physics
A week ago I asked people on this forum what mathematical background was needed for understanding Quantum Physics, and most of you mentioned Linear Algebra, so I decided to conduct a self-study of ...
1
vote
1answer
354 views
Applications of the particle in a box and the finite square well
What are some "real" world applications of the particle in a box (PIB) and the finite square well (FSW) which are discussed in an intro quantum mechanics class? For instance, I know that the PIB can ...
-2
votes
1answer
71 views
Didactics question (“teams and times”) [closed]
In sports it is commonplace to distinguish
a "team" (as characterized by the players who took part in a match, playing together against another team), from
the "score" (such as the final score of ...
0
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0answers
34 views
Undergraduate Math Major Wanting to Learn Physics [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Book recommendations
So I'm a Junior level math major. I've seen some abstract algebra, some differential geometry, and some lie theory. I'm currently working through ...
1
vote
0answers
147 views
Describing the Higgs mechanism to non-particle physicists
I'm sure I'm not the only person with this problem at the moment. I have been asked to give a public (not quite public, scientists, just not physicists) about 'this Higgs boson thing'. I am trying to ...
0
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0answers
138 views
Best physics toys/models for learning [closed]
I'm trying to gather as many different physical or generally thought-provoking toys as possible.
I need to know what physics toys are out there, and where to get them.
I remember coming across an ...
1
vote
2answers
118 views
Physics and what it means [closed]
I got into a debate with a friend about the meaning of physics and its purpose, he is the sort who will test you and if you get it wrong it somehow gratifies his own self-reflection and self-worth. ...
4
votes
2answers
344 views
Undergraduate-friendly reading material on the multiverse?
I'll be teaching a seminar for first-year undergraduates next year. The idea of my university's first-year seminar program is to expose students to exciting ideas and important texts in a somewhat ...
23
votes
9answers
2k views
What is a field, really?
There was a reason why I constantly failed physics at school and university, and that reason was, apart from the fact I was immensely lazy, that I mentally refused to "believe" more advanced stuff ...
3
votes
3answers
369 views
What should a physics undergrad aspiring to be a string theorist learn before grad school?
The question I guess is pretty clear. I am a physics undergrad wishing to pursue research in quantum gravity(string theory?). What are the subjects I should learn other than the usual compulsory ...
4
votes
7answers
343 views
Embrace Physics
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what is a good topic for a short talk on theoretical physics to a bunch of Math and Physics undergrads that might make them "embrace" theoretical physics? ...
0
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0answers
148 views
Is it possible to get accepted at a graduate program in theoretical physics without having a bachelor degree in physics? [closed]
Is it possible to get accepted at a graduate program in theoretical physics without having a bachelor degree in physics ? I'm self taught in physics .I teach myself topics that are usually taught in ...
4
votes
2answers
127 views
How to learn celestial mechanics?
I'm a PhD student in math and am really excited about celestial mechanics.
I was wondering if anyone could give me a roadmap for learning this subject. The amount of information about it on the ...
3
votes
1answer
397 views
How do I learn higher level physics? [closed]
I'm a chemical engineering student (just completed BS and am started the PhD program), but I'm very interested in particle physics as a hobby. I'm dismayed though with the sheer amount of information ...
1
vote
1answer
186 views
Would someone who is only interested in string theory benefit from working out the problems in Jackson electrodynamics?
This is a soft question. I'm not sure if it is appropriate for this site.
Would someone who is only interested in string theory benefit from working out the problems in Jackson electrodynamics? I ...
4
votes
2answers
530 views
How to choose a suitable topic for PhD in Physics? [closed]
After completion of graduate courses when a student is supposed to start real research in Physics, (to be more specific, suppose in high energy physics), how does one select the problem to work on? ...
0
votes
0answers
202 views
Common mistakes made by students in freshman physics [closed]
I was a part-time teaching assistant for freshman physics in summer. I always noticed some common mistakes committed by students when I was grading their quizzes.
To avoid this in the future, I was ...
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votes
2answers
119 views
Bolometer calibration - voltage and intensity
I am interested in possible hazards due to high intensy infrared light sources. Therefore I want to use the "PASCO TD-8553 radiation sensor" (website) to measure the intensity of the radiation of an ...
5
votes
3answers
487 views
Tips on teaching Dimensional Analysis?
What's a good way to explain dimensional analysis to a student?
Here's a simple question which this method would be useful:
Let's say a truck is moving with a speed of 18 m/s to a new speed of 13 ...
-1
votes
1answer
127 views
What is the quantity in physics that is advanced from speed? [closed]
What is the quantity in physics that is advance from speed?
i know one is velocity, one is speed, one is acceleration.
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votes
1answer
89 views
undergrduate physics courses in American colleges [closed]
I am just curious as a non-US person:
how does undergraduate physics course progress in U.S. colleges?
Do they go right into classical mechanics books, or do they teach introductory courses first, ...
1
vote
2answers
130 views
Is quantum perturbation theory taught in college?
Is perturbation theory usually taught in undergraduate physics, and how much of it is taught in quantum mechanics courses?
Also, how much of quantum field theory would be taught in undergraduate ...
2
votes
2answers
491 views
Is it safe to study from MIT and Berkeley course series, or they contain wrong information?
After surveying most of the universities introductory physics courses, I found none is using Berkeley physics books or MIT physics books as textbooks. All are using Halliday, or Serway and the like.
...
0
votes
2answers
198 views
Advice on classes: Theoretical Mechanics vs E&M II
So I'm having a tough time deciding between courses next semester. I'm a rising 3rd year undergrad math major whose goal is to get a solid understanding of theoretical physics through advanced math ...
7
votes
3answers
893 views
PhD Research Areas in String Theory
I'm thinking of applying to do a PhD in String Theory, starting in September 2013. I'm gradually learning more about the subject through external reading, but still most papers are impenetrable! Could ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
How to make strong base for fundamental physics? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Book recommendations
How to make strong base for fundamental physics? I want to learn the fundamentals of physics. But in a simple manners with very general examples. ...
0
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0answers
49 views
Prerquisites for QFT [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Book recommendations
Is there a book that covers everything you need to know (and possibly more) before starting a course on QFT. Alternatively, I need a list of what ...
3
votes
4answers
211 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 ...
