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
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
380 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
84 views
List of interesting Physics videos/documentaries [closed]
What are some interesting videos/documentaries for Physics? I would appreciate if you can add links to the list.
Here is my contribution:
The elegant universe: Part 1
The elegant universe: Part 2
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Wormholes and the illusion of time?
I was watching a video on Youtube by Brian Greene, "the illusion of time."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-u1aaltiq4
In that video, he introduces to me the idea of a "brane," or a slice of the ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
Supplements for Kittel's Solid State Physics? [duplicate]
I think by supplement I really mean replace. I spent a lot of time agonizing over the first chapter of Kittel as he introduces a bunch of concepts such as Bravais lattice and he doesn't clearly define ...
2
votes
2answers
104 views
Where to find old papers, articles and preprints?
Question: How can I find physics papers, articles and preprints decades ago?
Description: The search of articles and papers is for the purpose of finding interesting phenomenon for a science project. ...
1
vote
0answers
144 views
Starting string theory studies in grad school
How is it possible for a grad student to do research in any modern area of string theory like AdS/CFT or ABJM if they need to start grad school by having to learn QFT from scratch?
Is there a ...
0
votes
0answers
245 views
Problems and solutions to mechanics questions [closed]
I am taking a course called "analytical mechanics,” and I see similar courses listed as "theoretical mechanics.”
I was wondering if anyone would point me to Internet sources of solved example ...
15
votes
11answers
1k views
Are there still 'everyday' phenomena unexplained by Physics? [closed]
There are two very famous quotes from German Nobel Laureate Albert Abraham Michelson that are remembered mainly for being extremely wrong (especially since he said them just before two major ...
3
votes
1answer
188 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
58 views
Is there a book that discusses General Relativity in terms of Modern Differential Geometry? [duplicate]
All of the physics books that I've seen which discuss General Relativity do so in terms of coordinates - the tensor calculus - even though the naturally relevant entities are invariant under general ...
1
vote
1answer
172 views
Learning roadmap for solid state physics [duplicate]
I am a PhD student in mathematics who knows little more about physics than what one learns in high school. For my research on tilings of space and aperiodic order, every now and then I have to skim a ...
2
votes
0answers
73 views
Physics textbook for mathematicians [duplicate]
Before this post gets marked as duplicate, I've checked book book recommendations among other posts but I don't think they really answer this fairly niche question.
I am looking to compile a list of ...
1
vote
1answer
93 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
122 views
What strategies can a researcher use when confronted with a long and complicated symbolic expression?
When doing research in theoretical physics, a frequent task one encounters is trying to express some physical quantity as a function of other quantities. A lot of times this can't be done ...
0
votes
0answers
112 views
Physics problems requiring numerical solutions to polynomial systems? [closed]
This is a very general/open-ended question.
I wonder if numerical solutions to large scale system of polynomial equations (in many variables) are used in physics at all. I am looking for some good ...
4
votes
0answers
97 views
Prequisites to learn Topological Field Theory? [closed]
Sorry for the somewhat qualitative question but what are the essential prerequisites for someone wanting to learn topological field theory from say the more physical side of things? The math side also ...
1
vote
0answers
65 views
Motivation For Definitions [closed]
I noticed in my physics textbook that we define certain relationships to be true. I can see how this is considerably helpful in deriving other relationships from these definitions; for instance, take ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
Where to find probability density plots for all elements?
Does anyone know where I can find something similar to this, but for all elements?
I would love to find something with the same image quality.
Also, is there any software that can produce images ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Hypotheses a hindrance in physics?
In a recent episode of the Big Picture Science podcast, there was an interview with Stuart Firestein (chair of the Columbia University Biology Department) in which he discussed his book Ignorance: How ...
2
votes
1answer
71 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 ...
-2
votes
1answer
303 views
Can a sound mathematical formula become a science theory?
Can a sound mathematical formula become a science theory if it is constructed using a pattern creation process from sense-data, applied to observations by an inductive mapping, in contrast to ...
0
votes
0answers
108 views
Motion Mountain and strand theory [closed]
The Motion Mountain website offers six free physics textbooks. I have a background in Chemistry and wanted to learn more about physics and these textbooks seemed well written with a passion for the ...
1
vote
0answers
188 views
Apostol or Spivak for mathematical physics? [closed]
I came across many recommendations for both of these books, but I'm not sure which one should I use to study calculus...
I know most of the methods used in calculus and I use them frequently, but I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Relativity exposition from the “naïve” viewpoint
A naïve observational viewpoint doesn't automatically try to correct for signal delays. In other words, the time co-ordinate is retarded.
For example:
In popular expositions of relativity you'll ...
3
votes
0answers
254 views
What are the mathematical prerequisites to understand this paper? [closed]
What are the mathematical prerequisites to understand this paper?
Blumenhagen et al. Four-dimensional String Compactifications with D-Branes, Orientifolds and Fluxes. Phys. Rept. 445 no. 1-6, pp. ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Looking for a reference book, or book chapter to learn about piezoelectricity
I'm looking for an introduction to the treatment of piezoelectricity, specially in semiconductors emphasizing the dependence on the orientation of the unit cell and the interactive effects with the ...
1
vote
0answers
101 views
Pure mathematical exposition vs A “for physicists” approach: Which is better? [closed]
I'm an undergrad interested in theoretical physics. Don't know enough to decide which specific subfield I may go in, but particle theory (strings, QFT, GR) and mathematically heavy condensed matter ...
1
vote
2answers
178 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 ...
3
votes
0answers
109 views
Course advice for someone interested in strings and mathematical physics [closed]
I'll be doing Introductory General Relativity and Graduate Quantum Mechanics II next semester. I still need to choose 2 (or maybe 3, but I don't want to overload too much) from the following:
...
2
votes
5answers
279 views
Do spheres exist in nature?
Often in physics, Objects are approximated as spherical. However do any perfectly spherical objects actually exist in nature?
0
votes
2answers
141 views
What is a good way to reason in physics? [closed]
I have recently made the decision to study Physics seriously. However, in the past, I've had some difficulty with the subject because of my primarily mathematical background. I find that sometimes ...
-1
votes
1answer
178 views
How can you test what color different people perceive? [closed]
If I would show someone a yellow object and ask them, "is this object yellow?"
That person would say "yes".
But I could never know if my perception of the color yellow is the same as that other ...
1
vote
0answers
113 views
Approaches to Quantum gravity [closed]
I'm going to start my graduate studies in theoretical physics. My supervisor wants me to work on quantum gravity. He gave me the liberty to chose a particular approach to Quantum gravity (Excluding ...
4
votes
1answer
183 views
Understanding Cherns-Simons-Witten Theory
I want to read about Wittens work, on Cherns-Simons theory, and relations to knots and jones polynomials. I am extremely motivated to read his paper: Quantum Field Theory and Jones polynomial.
What ...
0
votes
1answer
287 views
Quick introduction to electromagnetism / Maxwell's equations [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Electrodynamics textbook that emphasizes applications
I am a graduate student in applied mathematics and I am looking for a concise introduction to Maxwell's equations / ...
2
votes
2answers
235 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
155 views
Is it possible to take a QFT class knowing only basic quantum mechanics?
I'm in grad school and notice there are no prerequisites required for QFT in the physics department. In fact, the system allows me to sign up for the course just fine as a technical elective.
But... ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
When is the FAIR accelerator supposed to be finished? [closed]
The FAIR accelerator is a planned facility for antiproton and ion research.
Ground water wells are being put in, the forest is being cleared... But when is it supposed to be completed? Does anyone ...
0
votes
1answer
107 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
143 views
Are the sound waves from fundamental strings impossible to interact with?
Edited the question thanks to some helpful commenters.
Are the sound waves emitted by fundamental strings so small as to be impossible to interact with the world? In other words, do they disappear, ...
4
votes
4answers
151 views
What is the term for hose fluctuating movements during flow?
What do we call it when water flowing through a flexible hose causes it to act like snake movements if the hose were disturbed?
Can this movement be explained by the Coriolis force?
0
votes
2answers
295 views
Level of calculus required for physics [closed]
First time for me here so kindly let me know if I violate the rules - especially if this is a duplicate.
After reading the page how to become a good theoretical phycist, I started a serious revision ...
0
votes
0answers
324 views
Simple physics experiments to do on your own [closed]
I have a lot of free time on my hands since it is vacation, and I want to spend the time doing some interesting and simple physics experiment, for which you do not need a lot. For example, I recently ...
2
votes
2answers
144 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
192 views
Interesting Math Topics Useful for Physics [closed]
What are some interesting, but less popular, math topics that are useful for physics that can be self-studied? Specifically, topics that might ultimately be useful in high energy theory (even if it is ...
2
votes
0answers
177 views
What's the most efficient way to study physics? [duplicate]
I'm CS major trying to learn QFT on my own . I'm trying to make an efficient study plan .The problem is that I've never read any textbook from cover to cover and solved all the problems .What of the ...
-1
votes
1answer
157 views
Why does Physica A journal contain economics papers? [closed]
Why does Physica A journal contain economics papers? Like this:
Steve Keen, Russell Standish. Profit maximization, industry structure, and competition: A critique of neoclassical theory. Physica A ...
3
votes
2answers
235 views
Instructional examples of QFT
Where can one find some concrete physical problems (with solutions) that illustrates the uselfullness and power of QFT? These must not be solvable by QM or SR alone.
It would be good if the problem ...
0
votes
1answer
311 views
How do I start learning particle physics? [closed]
I am 16 at the moment. I am really interested in physics. Especially particle physics. Can someone please tell me how to start learning the subject. like what to learn first. like which fundamental ...
