Tagged Questions
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 ...
-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), ...
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. ...
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 ...
2
votes
0answers
85 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
211 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
56 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
96 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
463 views
Reading Paul Dirac's “Principles of Quantum Mechanics”
I have a similair question to the question here, but regarding a different book.
"Principles of Quantum Mechanics" is a 1930 work by British Nobel laureate Paul Dirac. The wikipedia article on this ...
3
votes
1answer
203 views
Industry application of computational quantum mechanics?
I was wondering if anybody knew of an industry application of computational quantum mechanics. For example, the efficient placement of circuit elements on a PCB is in part motivated by classical FDTD ...
1
vote
1answer
94 views
The status / acceptance of block time?
What is the current status or acceptance of block time as it relates to Einstein's theory of relativity? Has quantum mechanics ruled it out or is it still the favored view of the world? Perhaps there ...
1
vote
2answers
184 views
Different perspective in Quantum mechanics [duplicate]
I had self-studied Griffiths(~ 4 chapters), and Sakurai (~2.5 chapters) for quantum mechanics some months ago. Now, I have to take a course in QM this sem, and I want to further my understanding of ...
2
votes
2answers
246 views
Intuition for Path Integrals and How to Evaluate Them
I'm just starting to come across path integrals in quantum field theory, and want to get the right intuition for the them from the start. The amplitude for propagation from $x_a$ to $x_b$ is typically ...
0
votes
1answer
114 views
Einstein and vibrational energy of the atom and its way to QM
As suggested by one of the commentators on my last question, I am going through Bohr's Nobel prize lecture in order to understand how quantum mechanics was developed.
The lecture describes Planck's ...
2
votes
2answers
147 views
Reference request for the Aharonov-Bohm effect
I am looking for a good reference to an online source or book, on the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect. I have read the appropriate sections from the book by Griffiths and Ballentine, and still haven't ...
4
votes
1answer
132 views
Probability in Quantum Mechanics
Do you need to take a probability/statistics course for Quantum Mechanics, or is the probability in quantum mechanics so rudimentary that you can just learn it along the way? I'm in doubt as to ...
4
votes
4answers
912 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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
121 views
Who are some prominent groups or individuals pursuing realist physics? [closed]
I'm interested to know of any well-known physics schools or individuals attempting to advance fundamental physics or reinterpret it from a realist standpoint.
Presumably most physicists by contrast ...
5
votes
4answers
232 views
Physics background for Quantum Mechanics
Very often on this site people ask what background in math is needed to be able to understand quantum mechanics (based on a short search of this site). So that question is answered. However, I want to ...
0
votes
0answers
406 views
Are there any list of String Theory Equations? [closed]
I Google it but did not find anything.
here is a list of QM Formuals and a list of relativistic equations
Are there any list of String Theory Equations?
2
votes
2answers
283 views
Quantum phyics project for a high schooler [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Study Quantum Physics
I am a high schooler who is interested in physics and mathematics, and I have a kind of 'high-school thesis' coming up in a year and a half or so. ...
-1
votes
2answers
135 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
480 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
0answers
92 views
Road to understanding Quantum Mechanics [closed]
First of all, I would like to apologize in advance for this mundane question which you have been probably asked a thousand times on this forum. But I would like to understand what (rudimentary) QM is ...
5
votes
5answers
476 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
503 views
Study Quantum Physics
I'm an aspiring physicist who wants to self study some Quantum Physics. My thirst for knowledge is unquenchable and I can not wait 2 more years until I get my first quantum physics class in ...
1
vote
4answers
270 views
Matrix mechanics for those with wave mechanics background
Just curious:
Is there any book or resource that teaches matrix mechanics (quantum mechanics) only without wave mechanics stuff - meaning that the book assumes wave mechanics background.
2
votes
1answer
160 views
Considering the wave function is not 'real', what is interfering?
I find the idea of the wave function being 'just' a collection of numbers (probabilities) quite alluring, and elegant in explaining away the whole 'collapse' business (see Luboš' answer to this ...
0
votes
1answer
208 views
Problem book in Quantum mechanics with emphasis on physical(ly relevant) problems
I am a second year undergraduate and studying quantum mechanics from sakurai's 'Modern Quantum Mechanics'. Is it a good idea to solve problems from sakurai, which are mostly mathematical in nature? I ...
1
vote
3answers
390 views
Can I study Quantum Computing or Quantum Mechanics with an Engineering background?
Sir,
I am studying Electrical & Elctronics Engg. now. I wish to pursue Quantum Mechanics or Quantum Computing as my research subject. Is it possible for me to do my M.Tech. & then pursue ...
3
votes
4answers
916 views
What is meant by “Nothing” in Physics/Quantum Mechanics(QM)?
I am not a phycisist, so please forgive my ignorance. This is related to my posts and this.
I am trying to undertand what is meant by the term "Nothing" in physics or Quantum Mechanics since it seems ...
2
votes
2answers
308 views
Naive question on quantum mechanics and uncertainty principle
This is a follow up on this question, the answer of which points towards Quantum Mechanics.
As stated I am not a phycisist so please forgive my ignorance.
I will try to understand the issue by going ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
What would be the requirement to learn matrix mechanics?
What would be the requirement to learn matrix mechanics?
More specifically, what math do I need?
Can anyone recommend me a book that covers all maths needed for matrix mechanics?
0
votes
1answer
166 views
Variations of double slit experiment with their results to look up
Are there variations of double slit experiment with their results to look up? for example besided the two parallel slits, having two holes or two slits at 90 degree angles?
2
votes
0answers
53 views
Are there any connections between James–Stein estimator and quantum mechanics?
Very nice statement from wiki:
When three or more unrelated parameters are measured, their total MSE can be reduced by using a combined estimator such as the James–Stein estimator; whereas when ...
7
votes
3answers
233 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
votes
4answers
789 views
Are quantum mechanics calculations useful for engineering?
I heard it's is pretty tough to get results for more than a few quantum particles. Are quantum mechanical calculations useful at all for any technology that is being sold?
Or do they use ...
3
votes
2answers
372 views
Connections between classical and quantum mechanics?
I've done basic or introductory mechanics at the level of Resnick and Halliday. I'm currently studying calculus of variations and the Lagrangian formulation of mechanics on my own. I read somewhere ...
2
votes
2answers
470 views
Careers in physics that are related to quantum mechanics or relativity?
Personally I learned Physics in high-school and found it very interesting, I read up a lot about physics in my free time.
Personally I am also a programmer which I think is also good when it comes to ...
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 ...
0
votes
0answers
174 views
How to get into quantum mechanics research domain [closed]
I am currently working in a telecom R&D company.But I am very much interested towards quantum mechanics domain of physics. But currently I don't have the scope of doing anything about it. I need ...
5
votes
1answer
231 views
Chance of “macro tunneling”?
We know that subatomic particles can and do tunnel through barriers, so it is theoretically "possible" somewhat that a grain of sand could tunnel through a paper, but Id like to get some perspective ...
2
votes
4answers
933 views
What is a correct and simple definition of quantum physics?
Is it correct to define Quantum Physics as the study of Physics in sub-atomic scale? Does Quantum Physics studies something else other than sub-atomic phenomena?
This may be a very stupid question ...
0
votes
2answers
189 views
How is an arbitrary operator usually denoted in quantum mechanics?
Which symbols are usually used to denote an arbitrary operator in quantum mechanics, such as O in the following example?
$O \mbox{ is Hermitian} \Leftrightarrow \Im{\left< O \right>} = 0$
3
votes
3answers
830 views
Popular books on QM
After some discussions with my friend about some "popular" aspects of quantum mechanics, my friend asked me whether there exist any books that could convey the basic ideas in a non-technical way (my ...
2
votes
2answers
242 views
Any resources to learn how to interpret formulae/diagrams?
Are there any materials exploring intermediate levels (of any sub-subject) which give plain English descriptions along side formulas/equations/notation?
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 ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Are we living in a false vacuum? Is there any way to tell?
I was thinking of the noted 1980 paper by Sidney Coleman and Frank de Luccia--"Gravitational effects of and on vacuum decay"-- about metastable vacuum states that could tunnel to a lower energy "true ...
