Questions that ask about some aspect of physics research or study which doesn't involve the actual physics. In general, soft questions can be answered without using physical reasoning.
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votes
0answers
31 views
What would be blast wave of this catastrophic condition? [closed]
What would be (equation of) blast wave of the pressure and flow resulting from the deposition of large amount of energy like this: $E=1*10^{\infty}MTNT$ in a small very localised volume?
(where the ...
-4
votes
0answers
50 views
what makes time proceed [closed]
some philosophers look at reality as some kind of machine that requires a "Mover"
this "Mover" is the force or power which moves time.
This is not consistent with the physics way of defining force ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Where did the concept of energy come from?
Energy seems to me to be a very abstract thing, and while it clearly works out very nicely, I don't understand how anyone would have thought to come up with it. Where does the concept of energy find ...
-4
votes
0answers
59 views
Is it possible to explain every things by one single equation? [closed]
I have heard that Albert Einstein tried to explain everything by a single equation. But, he died with his dreams about unification.
Is it possible to explain everything, from the big bang to the ...
3
votes
2answers
99 views
Do I think or listen - physics talks [closed]
I am just a student, still I have already listened to a few talks on physics. In my study program everyone has to give a talk of about 45 minutes what he did in his about 1-2 month reach project ...
0
votes
0answers
58 views
Experiments for Introductory Physics [closed]
I am currently self-studying introductory physics. I am reading a textbook (Sears and Zemansky, 5th edition) and doing the exercises. I also have recently taken a high school physics lab class, and ...
0
votes
3answers
130 views
What is the name of the equation which led to the Schrödinger one?
What is the name of this equation:
$$\frac {d^2\psi}{dr^2}+k^2\psi=0?$$
(I want a Wikipedia link for this equation, but I don't know what its name is.)
Point: In this equation, the wave function ...
-8
votes
0answers
80 views
is everything in the physical world “scientific” [closed]
is every phenomena we have observed in the physical world bound by logical rules? or is there some phenomena that is totally "unscientific", i.e. does not make any sense to our human logic and cannot ...
-2
votes
0answers
57 views
Need some help, physics degree [duplicate]
Ok, so I am currently finishing my physical science ASS Of Arts transfer= computer science or physics BA currently and am taking a break to learn all I can before I go back and finish. Physics has ...
2
votes
2answers
107 views
How is everything a field
I've heard before that everything in physics can be thought of as either a field, or its excitation. Is there some intuitive explanation of how I can look at gravity, light, electromagnetism, etc as a ...
-3
votes
1answer
62 views
Superposition and the Winning Jackpot Numbers
Let's say I buy myself a lottery ticket (Mega-Millions). I have $\frac{1}{175,711,536}$ chance of winning. Before I tune on the tv/radio and listen to the winning numbers (i.e. make an observation), ...
-4
votes
1answer
76 views
why no derivation in scientific papers? [closed]
Is there a reason why scientific papers rarely show derivation of an equation? I fail to see the any advantages ( besides savings latex hours for the authors) of this approach which is the standard ...
2
votes
2answers
64 views
Application of Calculus in Physics
Why do we apply Calculus in Physics when most of the quantities are not continuous and are not symmetrical at all levels of magnification? Aren't most, if not all, forms of Matter and Energy discrete? ...
-5
votes
0answers
65 views
Isn't Experience of Nature important for General Theory Of Physics? [duplicate]
Every law of Physics that we have, is there because it has been experienced by us. Based on our direct experience with the forces of Nature, people used their intellect and gave a mathematical model ...
1
vote
0answers
26 views
Why are polymer representations called “polymer representations”?
Why are polymer representations called "polymer representations"?
Polymer representations deal with non-continuous unitary representations of groups acting on nonseparable Hilbert spaces (see e.g. ...
2
votes
2answers
56 views
Human power on treadmill
On an elliptical treadmill a regular person can easily burn 1000 calories in one hour (treadmill reports calories burnt). This translates into:
$$(1\times 10^3\mathrm{cal/hr}\times ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Is everything in the physical world composite?
In philosophy there is a principle that anything composite cannot have existed eternally, since it is preceded by its parts and whatever forces assembled it.
Is everything in the physical world ...
0
votes
0answers
58 views
Does a point exist in the real world [duplicate]
In mathematics we can have an infinite number of points between two integers.
This is really circular logic since a point is defined as infinitely small.
Does a point exist anywhere in the physical ...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
English/German translation of Latin scientific texts in general, “Principia Generalia Theoriae Figurae Fluidorum in Statu Aequilibrii” in particular
I am trying to get my hands on an English or German translation of the seminal work by Gauss on fluid shapes in equilibrium: "Principia generalia Theoriae Figurae Fluidorum in statu Aequilibrii ...
8
votes
2answers
139 views
Why are they called “cyclic” coordinates?
In Lagrangian formalism, when $\frac{\partial L}{\partial q} = 0$, the coordinate $q$ is called cyclic and a corresponding conserved quantity exists. But why is it called cyclic?
-3
votes
2answers
69 views
Do physics laws really apply to anything? [closed]
My professor said that a law was stated and announced as a law because it happens in our everyday life. He gave us an example of Newton's 3 laws. He said that walking possess 3 laws of Newton's. Is ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
Incompatibility of GR and QM [duplicate]
I am told that the theories of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are fundamentally incompatible... Why is that?
Someone explained that it had to do with the fact that quantum particles such As ...
-1
votes
2answers
109 views
Is electronics a core topic in physics? [closed]
I thought electronics is mainly discussed in engineering majors. But in my university Electronics and Digital Electronics is also compulsory for physics majors.I searched other's syllabus, but I ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
Problems related to Green's function? [closed]
My teacher told me to do a research studying some physics problems that has connection with Green's function on solving differential equations (with programmed numerical solutions) in my final year ...
1
vote
0answers
47 views
How the “Standard Model” get that name? [closed]
I want to know how the Standard Model theory got such "generic" name?
0
votes
2answers
138 views
Getting started with Landau Physics course [closed]
I want to learn Physics in my own time. I am an electrical engineer, working in the same field and am tremendously interested in Physics. I have heard a lot about the 10 book series of Landau ...
3
votes
2answers
74 views
Does the slip-stick phenomenon have any application?
The slip-stick phenomenon is present all around us, be it the noise of car breaks or in earthquakes. But does it have any real-life application?
3
votes
0answers
48 views
The etymology of “Umbrella Sampling” [migrated]
I am just wondering where the term Umbrella Sampling came from. Is there another meaning of literal "umbrella" in physics or mathematics?
2
votes
1answer
110 views
Doubts about the definition of mass
I'm having some problems understanding what are the possible definitons of mass and how they are related to each other.
In Classical Mechanics, we can distinguish between inertial and gravitational ...
-3
votes
1answer
64 views
How do we simulate Nuclear explosion? [closed]
I am interested in PC simulation, i use physics equations to simulate rain, fire, wind, cloud and lightning. it is a kind of VR (virtual reality).
what equation is able to simulate a virtual nuclear ...
0
votes
2answers
140 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 ...
-4
votes
1answer
82 views
Describing physical constants in alternate wording; c = there can only be 671million miles of space for every second of time [closed]
This spawns from part of an answer to a question I asked.
All sorts of things go to 0 and/or ∞ if you start boosting at c, and
so you cannot boost into and out of a photon's frame.
It ...
4
votes
1answer
67 views
Highest naturally occuring binding energy of electrons
I was wondering which element has the highest binding energy of an electron. Is it simply the 1s electron of the heaviest stable element? If so, can somebody tell me where I can find a table of ...
1
vote
1answer
83 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.
1
vote
5answers
293 views
Theoretical physics and education: Does it really matter a great deal about what happens inside a black hole, or about Hawking radiation? [closed]
I stumbled across this article http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/2010/12/21/science-faction-is-theoretical-physics-becoming-softer-than-anthropology/
It got me thinking. Why do we ...
2
votes
0answers
87 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
vote
0answers
50 views
Studying QM without math and physics background [duplicate]
I rode all posted answers about this topic but i need to ask you another information. I have done a semester course called "Principle of Physics" (i am studying Biotechnology) and one called ...
-2
votes
1answer
109 views
Why there are constant numbers in the universe? [closed]
Why the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is always the constant $\pi$?
Moreover many of you know better than me about golden ratio $\phi$, Euler's number e, and many other constants. ...
4
votes
1answer
57 views
Are there real life applications for Hausdorff dimensions, specifically crack formations?
I was curios about Hausdorff dimensions. They seem to neatly describe rough surfaces. So I was wondering if there are common applications of Hausdorff dimensions in things like complicated friction ...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
Is symplectic form in Hamiltonian mechanics a physical quantity?
Is symplectic form $dp_i \wedge dq_i$ in Hamiltonian mechanics a physical quantity? It feels to me to be something different than say energy, momentum or mass. Like just certain structure.
The real ...
-2
votes
1answer
120 views
Can thought experiments qualify as actual research?
I wondered whether thought experiments actually can be substituted for actual experimentation. I understand that in some cases it might be necessary, but can it be unnecessary over thinking sometimes? ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Is it possible to manipulate only one pole of a magnetic field, using a bar magnet?
The magnetic field of a bar magnet shows that the N pole field is repelling outward from the tip, is it possible to redirect the field of corners of the magnet so the field is also repelling outward?
...
-1
votes
2answers
91 views
What Physical Quantity has SI Unit $kg \cdot m$,? [duplicate]
What is the physical quantity that has SI (System International) unit of $kg \cdot m$ (kilogram meters)?
3
votes
3answers
327 views
What does this “Witten's Dog” Feynman diagram in Futurama episode mean? [closed]
In an old episode ("Mars University") of Futurama which is a TV show, a character named Professor Farnsworth was trying to lecture "Superdupersymmetric String Theory" and "Witten's Dog" to some ...
1
vote
2answers
82 views
Why not assimilate nuclear waste into “igneous” rock?
I was reading a question about why not to drop nuclear waste into volcanoes; the short answer is it would come back out and not be rendered safe.
Ignoring the cost and energy requirements, why can't ...
-2
votes
1answer
103 views
Based on what does Hawking give 1000 years of time for humans to escape the planet earth? [closed]
I read it news that:
Hawking Gives Humans 1,000 Years to Escape Earth
How did he arrive at this figure? Whats gonna make human race extinct in 1,000 years?
3
votes
3answers
522 views
Are Mathematical Physics and Occam's Razor compatible?
Occam's Razor and mathematical beauty appear to be compatible when reviewing Michael Atiyah's video.
But are the high levels of complexity associated with mathematical physics compatible with ...
4
votes
2answers
85 views
How hot would space feel?
I read that the temperature of the space around the earth can vary greatly depending on whether or not it is in direct sunlight. Space, however, is not very dense, so I imagine that heat would not ...
0
votes
0answers
38 views
High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) And Earthquake Myth or Reality? [duplicate]
Could HAARP (or any other secret device) really trigger an earthquake?
For example I've heard that U.S Trigger 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Kaki near Bushehr to destroy Iran's nuclear power plant!?
...
1
vote
2answers
186 views
The meaning of 'postulate' in physics?
What does postulate mean in physics? What is its role in physical theories?
Is it possible to break physical postulates?
