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.
3
votes
2answers
53 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
102 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
58 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
122 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
80 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
66 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
76 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
280 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
76 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
49 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 ...
-3
votes
0answers
90 views
Esotic quantities and Visualization [closed]
I alwasy challenged my self to visualize something that has an esotic misure in other words, a physical quantity that can't be represented as a natural number.
When we talk about negative, and ...
-2
votes
1answer
106 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
55 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 ...
-1
votes
0answers
52 views
Career in Physics [closed]
My brother has recently completed HSE in India. He is seriously considering taking up a career in Physics. He wants to take up Quantum Physics in his Masters.
Is it really worth in taking up Physics ...
-1
votes
0answers
34 views
How does research in biology and physics differ? [closed]
I am an apple tree biologist and I remember a presentation from a physics professor who said physics is much more concrete and precise than in most present day biology. Could you share your thoughts? ...
2
votes
1answer
49 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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
115 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
22 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
73 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)?
-1
votes
0answers
44 views
University admission in physics in USA University [closed]
I think it's kinda off topic but I didn't find any option to post to other sister site.
I have completed BSc in physics from Bangladesh with cgpa 3.95 (75%) and HSC (12 class)--> (70%) and in ...
-1
votes
0answers
43 views
Very Hard Human Verification CAPTCHA!. (meta) [closed]
Why displayed human verification CAPTCHA is too hard!?.
it waste my time.
"words are a little too much unusual"
3
votes
3answers
305 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
votes
0answers
42 views
Why action and velocity of a free particle has a limit? [closed]
I know that velocity is limited to speed of light (atleast in theory) and i found over here ( physics.stackexchange... ) that action is also limited to planck's constant.
why (or what is the reason ...
1
vote
2answers
80 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
99 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
516 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
83 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
154 views
What postulate means in physics?
What does postulate mean in physics? What is their role in physical theories?
Is it possible to break physical postulates?
6
votes
2answers
214 views
Are there are any interesting fake proofs in physics? [closed]
There are many interesting fake proofs in mathematics. Are there any interesting fake proofs in physics?
-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 ...
0
votes
2answers
178 views
How to teach myself physics needed at undergraduate electrical engineer level? [closed]
I want to learn electrical engineering on my own, specifically because I'm interested in loudspeaker design, more specifically how to design active dipole loudspeakers using DSP crossovers.
I have ...
3
votes
2answers
267 views
Is time Scalar or Vector
In
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_in_physics
its said that time is a scalar quantity. But its hard to understand that how ? As stated that we consider only the magnitude of time then its a scalar. ...
4
votes
1answer
186 views
How deep can my knowledge of particle physics go without the maths?
Successfully just got my first question answered on here, and now time for the second.
So I recently gained interest in particle physics and was wondering.
By no means do I have the mathematical ...
3
votes
0answers
53 views
Reference Request: Classical Mechanics with Symplectic Reduction [closed]
I am trying to find a supplement to appendix of Cushman & Bates' book on Global aspects of Classical Integrable Systems, that is less terse and explains mechanics with Lie groups (with dual of Lie ...
1
vote
2answers
165 views
How much pure math should a physics/microelectronics person know [duplicate]
I do condensed matter physics modeling in my phd and I was struck up learning quite an amount of physics. But while having done lot of physics courses, I see that if I learn pure math I would ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
How is gravitational force is compared to flow of water?
I listened to a lecture. The professor said that the gravitational field around the particle (spherical in shape) can be compared to a pond having a constant height and depth and water is constantly ...
1
vote
1answer
87 views
QFT in Quantum Computing and Control Theory?
Is QFT being applied to quantum computing and control theory?
I took yesteryear a basic course on quantum computing and if I remember correctly we didn't touch on any QFT (though I think that if it ...
2
votes
1answer
159 views
From Freshman Mechanics to String Theory: A Comprehensive Textbook Sequence in Physics [duplicate]
If a student with no background in physics and an understanding of only single variable calculus wanted to learn string theory, what sequence of textbooks would most succinctly, clearly, and ...
0
votes
0answers
64 views
Where to earn an engineering degree online part time in India after physics graduation? [closed]
I'm a Physics Graduate from India. I want to earn some Engineering degree with the base of my graduation in physics. Also suggest any degree which I can earn online and can be helpful for getting ...
32
votes
2answers
790 views
What is the meaning of the third derivative printed on this T-shirt?
Don't be a $\frac{d^3x}{dt^3}$
What does it all mean?
0
votes
1answer
55 views
Does the method of an experiment always have to be numbered? [closed]
When writing a method for an experiment, does it always have to be set out in orderly numbered steps? Can it not also be a paragraph of text that outlines the method?
A mundane example:
Place a ...
-2
votes
1answer
106 views
maybe the universe has already 'ended'? [closed]
I aks you if this reasoning has a base in what we know of universe. There are many articles about so called "vacuum metastability event". As I understand this happens (can happen) with an enormous low ...
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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
79 views
a few equations describing the universe [closed]
I'm not a student of Physics, but I would like to know something about it.
You know that physics books for the non-physicists are not mathematical.
I came to know that a few equations describe the ...
0
votes
0answers
55 views
Did Planck said that his theory is distinct from Zeno's paradoxes?
I remember once reading that Planck or some other prominent figure in quantum physics said that the theory (probably Planck length or Planck time in particular) is not about the thing what Zeno's ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views
List of all past comet passes and area it was visible?
Is there a database/website which shows all comets which have passed Earth and have been viewed? Is there any country specific viewing database as well?
I would like to do a search on the lines of : ...
5
votes
5answers
483 views
Difference between theoretical physics and mathematical physics?
I'm a huge fan of mathematical physics and I know what the formal definitions of those two areas are, I've seen them. But I still get completely baffled when someone asks me to explain it simply. The ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
A treatment of basic Kaluza-Klein theory [closed]
I'm looking for a treatment of the original basic Kaluza-Klein theory.
Can someone recommend a review article or something?
