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.
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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:
...
15
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9answers
3k views
How should a physics student study mathematics? [closed]
Note: I will expand this question with more specific points when I have my own internet connection and more time (we're moving in, so I'm at a friend's house).
This question is broad, involved, and ...
3
votes
7answers
2k views
Beginner Physics Resources?
I'm interested in learning physics. I do realize that the subject is large and that it would be easier if I had a specific area of interest. However, I do not. I suppose I want to learn about the ...
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 ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the math knowledge necessary for starting Quantum Mechanics?
Could someone experienced in the field tell me what the minimal math knowledge one must obtain in order to grasp the introductory Quantum Mechanics book/course?
I do have math knowledge but I must ...
13
votes
8answers
4k views
What are the prerequisites to studying general relativity?
This question recently appeared on Slashdot:
Slashdot posts a fair number of physics stories. Many of us, myself included, don't have the background to understand them. So I'd like to ask the ...
5
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5answers
446 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 ...
2
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5answers
3k views
Mathematical background for Quantum Mechanics
What are some good sources to learn the mathematical background of Quantum Mechanics?
I am talking functional analysis, operator theory etc etc...
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1answer
428 views
Electrodynamics textbook that emphasizes applications
Which textbook in Electrodynamics which emphasizes practical applications and real life examples would you recommend for undergraduates ?
23
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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 ...
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8answers
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Starting a physics Ph.D. at 60?
Decades ago I was in a physics Ph.D. program, made a hash of things, and quite rightly was dropped from the program. Since then I've had a very satisfying career as a computer programmer, and picked ...
10
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6answers
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How do you explain spinning tops to a nine year old?
Why don't spinning tops fall over? (The young scientist version)
My nine year old son asked me this very question when playing with his "Battle Strikers" set. Having studied Physics myself, I am very ...
18
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3answers
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Why don't electrons crash into the nuclei they “orbit”?
I'm having trouble understanding the simple "planetary" model of the atom that I'm being taught in my basic chemistry course.
In particular,
I can't see how a negatively charged electron can stay ...
11
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7answers
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How to learn physics effectively and efficiently [closed]
How do you effectively study physics? How does one read a physics book instead or just staring at it for hours?
(Apologies in advance if the question is ill-posed or too subjective in its current ...
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2answers
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Best physics olympiad resources [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Book recommendations
I am looking for good book recommendations at the level of high-school physics.
I am having in mind to find out as to what are the typical books ...
0
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9answers
8k views
What's the standard “roadmap” to learning quantum physics? [closed]
I'm really interested in quantum physics and would like to learn more. However, I don't know where to start and in what order I should learn things. So, ideally I'm looking for some sort of roadmap of ...
5
votes
4answers
605 views
Alternate layman's metaphors for illustrating curved space-time
The metaphor of a surface (typically a pool table or a trampoline) distorted by a massive object is commonly used as a metaphor for illustrating gravitationally induced space-time curvature. But as ...
2
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2answers
436 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 ...
11
votes
3answers
851 views
Is there a physics Puzzles site like Project Euler?
I am looking for a site that publishing riddles and problems such as Project Euler
publishes problems in computer science. Is there any similar site that is hardcore in the area of physics?
This ...
15
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11answers
978 views
Why quantum mechanics?
Imagine you're teaching a first course on quantum mechanics in which your students are well-versed in classical mechanics, but have never seen any quantum before. How would you motivate the subject ...
7
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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 ...
2
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4answers
269 views
How are we able to view an object in a room with bulb..?
This is a very basic question on optics. How are we able to view an object kept in a room with a bulb?
From what I understand, light rays from bulb will hit the object and some colour will be ...
5
votes
5answers
797 views
study quantum mechanics without physics background
I am a first year PhD math student, and must decide: should I study Quantum Mechanics, although I don't have undergrad background in Physics?
Let me be more specific about my situation:
Background: ...
3
votes
1answer
188 views
Some questions about the logics of the principles of independence of motion and composition of motion
In high-school level textbooks* one encounters often the principles of independence of motion and that of composition (or superpositions) of motions. In this context this is used as "independence of ...
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8answers
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Real world examples for projectile thrown upwards or downwards
I am preparing a physics course for high school about projectile motions. If a projectile moves with initial velocity $v_0$ in the gravitational field of the earth, the equation
$$
s(t) = 1/2 g t^2 ...
3
votes
5answers
632 views
Doppler effect of sound waves
I am looking for interesting ways to introduce the Doppler effect to students. I want some situations in nature or every day life, where a student is possibly surprised and may ask "how could it be"?
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2
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2answers
534 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
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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 ...
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1answer
187 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 ...
0
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6answers
1k views
What distinguishes between physics and chemistry? [closed]
What are the major differences between physics and chemistry? I know that they both study atoms, electrons and molecules, but what makes some topics part of one and some part of another?
0
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0answers
130 views
Journals on mathematics similar to the American Journal of Physics and the Physics Teacher [closed]
For the moderators: Please feel free to transfer this question to math.stackexchange if you find that it does not fit physics.stackexchange.
It is known that American Journal of Physics and the ...
