Tagged Questions
0
votes
2answers
119 views
Why metric system uses kilogram as a basic SI unit?
SI system uses all (that I know) measurement basic units as 1 (single) instance: meter, second, ampere, etc, except the KILOgram. It already defined with 1000 multiplier (kilo).
It prevents from ...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Maxwell's Equations-Relativity
How did Maxwell develop the magnetic field without relativity? Was it purely experimental? I don't see how else he would have developed any understanding for the magnetic field.
2
votes
0answers
75 views
Topological band theory [closed]
Why topological insulators were discovered so late? While the band theory was known long time ago! I mean why the topological properties of electronic bands were not noticed in the past?
-1
votes
4answers
577 views
Why there is no “Edison” unit in physics? [closed]
In the popular culture the XIX-XX century competition between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla is well-known. The example could be the Prestige movie, where there are some "Edison's agents" who sabotage ...
2
votes
3answers
271 views
Results of Statistical Mechanics first obtained by formal mathematical methods
I have a question that seems natural in Physics and Mathematics mainly in Statistical Mechanics of Equilibrium.
Results that are proven by formal mathematical methods that were already seem intuitive ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views
A Book about the Bohr-Einstein debate?
A book about the Bohr-Einstein debate?
Is there any book that details the correspondence between the two? The only books I could find are popular science books, I wonder if there is a book that lists ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Who first provided a string realization of dual resonance models?
After the $N$-particle generalization of the Veneziano amplitude was written down and studied, who was the first (or who were among the first) to realize that the amplitudes could be understood in ...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
Where did Karl Schwarzschild derived his solution?
Does anyone know more about circumstances of Karl Schwarzschild at the Russian front in 1915 where he allegedly derived his famous solution of the Einstein equations (describing a black hole)? Sources ...
9
votes
1answer
639 views
What came first, Rice Crispy or “Snap,” “Crackle,” and “Pop”? [closed]
The fourth, fifth, and sixth derivatives of position are called "Snap" "Crackle" and "Pop". What came first, the rice crispy characters, or the physics units?
1
vote
0answers
164 views
Integrals given by Landau [closed]
Discussion about Landau's "Theoretical Minimum" has already been posted here. Unfortunately I couldn't find much about some examples of questions he gave to students. There are three questions in the ...
10
votes
1answer
341 views
Why is the partition function called ''partition function''?
The partition function plays a central role in statistical mechanics.
But why is it called ''partition function''?
4
votes
5answers
584 views
Regarding string theory: how to refute the argument “if it cannot be tested experimentally then it is not science”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What differs string theory from philosophy or religion?
I find a lot of people disbelieve in string theory, saying that since it cannot be tested experimentally then it ...
6
votes
0answers
311 views
What happened to David John Candlin?
This is an ultra-soft question about relatively recent history. While reading some of Mandelstam's papers, I noticed that he cites David John Candlin consistenly whenever he does anything with ...
2
votes
1answer
311 views
The most challenging physical phenomena [closed]
What are examples of endeavors, in the history of mankind, to understand physical phenomena with models which were proved to be incorrect later, reformed significantly, or are still under ...
3
votes
2answers
559 views
Who first realized the uncertainty principle allows for virtual particle pair production?
For all I've read about Quantum Field Theory I've never seen the concept of the living vacuum accredited to someone in particular. Given the importance of this very application of the uncertainty ...
4
votes
2answers
215 views
Why isn't V. A. Fabricant given the credit for the discovery of the laser?
In another question here I asked for help in finding old Russian papers in physics and as an example I gave the founding papers on the laser by Basov and Prokhorov (from 1945 and 1954). In an answer ...
0
votes
1answer
590 views
Natural phenomenon which inspired science? [closed]
I'm looking for a list of natural phenomenon which inspired science and technology like how bat inspired the radar concept....Any idea ?
Thx for helping,
Stephane
2
votes
1answer
162 views
Did classical applications of density functional theory precede its use as an electronic structure method?
Density Functional Theory (DFT) is usually considered an electronic structure method, however a paper by Argaman and Makov highlights the applicability of the DFT formalism to classical systems, such ...
8
votes
1answer
172 views
Has a human ever perished in space?
Apollo 13 returned safely. The Challenger was leaving when it exploded. The Columbia was coming back when it burned up, as was that Russian guy who was profiled on National Public Radio (NPR) and that ...
4
votes
3answers
443 views
The Superconducting Super Collider: what went wrong?
The Superconducting Super Collider was famously cancelled in 1993 after running enormously over budget. According to the wikipedia page:
During the design and the first construction stage, a ...
0
votes
0answers
210 views
Did Rutherford invent the smoke detector? [closed]
On the web I have found several pages crediting Ernest Rutherford with the invention or at least with discovering the foundation of efficient smoke detectors. The story often goes like this:
The ...
