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.
0
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0answers
25 views
Books for General Relativity [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Getting started general relativity
I know that Gravitation (MTW) is the representative book for studying General Relativity, but I feel that it has so many pages to ...
0
votes
1answer
125 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
161 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?
6
votes
3answers
280 views
Non equilibrium statistical mechanics
A question kept bothering me about the Non-Equilibrium Statistical mechanics, can somebody give a simple description of how one approaches this subject. Is there a exact formalism, as we have for ...
1
vote
1answer
209 views
Has the use of the holographic principle of string theory in condensed matter physics silenced the skeptics?
It seems to me that the use of string theory in calculations of strongly-interacting matter in condensed matter physics is an example of the theory being on the right track. And then there's the ...
5
votes
2answers
254 views
Current scope of Chaos theory and non-linear dynamics?
I am a physics undergrad interested in stuff like dynamical systems, chaos theory etc. Is there ongoing research in these fields? I am talking about pure research and not applications to things like ...
4
votes
3answers
248 views
How to tell whether a physics theory is beautiful?
A lot of physicists would have agreed that General Relativity is a beautiful theory.
My question is that, what really makes a physics theory beautiful? Is there any criteria that a theory must ...
3
votes
3answers
317 views
shifting from mathematics to physics
I am a postgraduate in mathematics. I studied physics during my B.Sc.studies.I want to go for further studies in physics particularly in theoretical physics. I am in a job and cant afford regular ...
1
vote
4answers
151 views
Are physics and philosophy compatible? [closed]
Lately, there has been a war between physicists and philosophers. Some of the exchanges can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/opinion/sunday/what-physics-learns-from-philosophy.html?bl, ...
4
votes
2answers
345 views
Book covering Topology required for physics and applications
I am a physics undergrad, and interested to learn Topology so far as it has use in Physics. Currently I am trying to study Topological solitons but bogged down by some topological concepts. I am not ...
0
votes
1answer
230 views
Fundamentals of Physics vs Classical Mechanics book and physics undergraduate course
There are books like Halliday Fundamental of Physics and there are books titled Classical Mechanics.
To me, these two types of books seem to cover the same thing.
Is there any difference?
(If ...
1
vote
2answers
256 views
Are the laws of physics objective or subjective? [closed]
The laws of physics have often been taken to be objective statements about reality, but are they? Suppose Bob is a smart computer programmer with access to a super-duper-supercomputer. In it, he ...
4
votes
0answers
130 views
Semiclassical QED and long-range interaction
I'm interested in the (very) low energy limit of quantum electrodynamics. I've seen that taking this limit does not yield Maxwell equations, but a quantum corrected non-linear version of them.
If ...
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 ...
4
votes
4answers
143 views
Is it possible to have incommensurable but equally valid theories of nature which fits all experimental data?
Is it possible to have mutually incommensurable but equally valid theories of nature which fits all experimental data? The philosopher of science Paul Feyerabend defended this seemingly outrageous ...
24
votes
2answers
2k views
Reading the Feynman lectures in 2012
The Feynman lectures are universally admired, it seems, but also a half-century old.
Taking them as a source for self-study, what compensation for their age, if any, should today's reader undertake? ...
3
votes
0answers
134 views
To what extend is theoretical physics done in a non-univeristy setting?
Maybe it's just me, but in the last weeks or so I noticed a small increas of the number of more theoretical question on this site. I consider myself on this side and I wondered how many, if this is ...
2
votes
1answer
168 views
A database for review literature in theoretical physics
Is there a database somewhere of the review literature (especially the most cited papers) in theoretical physics? I know about Spires but unfortunately it is not working. When I open a page it says ...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
Is existence timeless or in time? [closed]
What is the nature of existence? When something exists, does it exist for all time, or do things come and go? Or does only the present exist. To quote Wheeler, "The past has no existence except as it ...
6
votes
2answers
390 views
Introduction to string theory
I am in the last year of MSc. and would like to read string theory. I have the Zwiebach Book, but along with it what other advanced book can be followed, which can be a complimentary to Zwiebach. I ...
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
223 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 ...
3
votes
5answers
222 views
How do we recognize hardware used in accelerator physics [closed]
When I see a new accelerator in real life or on a picture, I always find it interesting to see how many thing I can recognize. In that way, I can also get a small first idea of how the accelerator is ...
0
votes
3answers
162 views
Why is 'the period' marked as letter T?
I'm not a native English speaker and I was wondering, why 'the period' got the letter $T$.
I've asked myself the question when I was thinking about stuff related to the frequency. I.e.:
$f$ - ...
2
votes
1answer
191 views
Which main physics journals publish the main types of physics papers? [closed]
I'm thinking of writing a paper on a new way of deriving the conservation of energy from symmetry principles and the Galilean transformations, but I'm not sure where to publish. Taking a look at AJP, ...
6
votes
0answers
434 views
10 Big Problems - Condensed Matter [closed]
I think it was Feynman that suggested that you should always carry ten big problems around in your head, and when you encounter a new method, see whether this new method allows you to make progress on ...
0
votes
6answers
1k views
What distinguishes between physics and chemistry? [closed]
What are the major differences between physics and chemistry? I know that they both study atoms, electrons and molecules, but what makes some topics part of one and some part of another?
0
votes
4answers
279 views
why people choose condense matter physics the most in 2007 and 2008 for their phd? And what are they studying and what is application in this subject?
Page 11 of this report from the American Institute of Physics shows that condensed matter physics is by far the most common PhD dissertation topic in 2007 and 2008. Can anyone here explain why this ...
2
votes
3answers
235 views
How to distinguish 4D and 3D vectors in handwriting?
Usually vectors are denoted with bold font in printbooks and with arrows above in handwriting.
In Thorn's e al. Gravitation, 4D vectors are denoted with bold and 3D vectors with bold italic. How to ...
1
vote
0answers
99 views
What are the prerequisites to study CP violation?
If one would like to study CP violation, what would be the prerequisites for it?
For example, until now I have not studied quantum field theory and have done very little classical field theory, but ...
0
votes
0answers
208 views
Applications of Physics to other fields like Economics, Finance, Political Science, Sociology? [closed]
I know that Physics can be applied to other fields like Economics, Finance, Political Science, Sociology,etc. Can someone give me some examples of those applications that have been empirically tested ...
5
votes
6answers
7k views
What jobs can you get after Studying Physics at University?
What types of jobs can you get after a degree in Physics? My sister is choosing her course and thinking of doing physics but isn't sure what she can do after it.
2
votes
1answer
83 views
Program for radiation and toxic hazards
I worked in my masters thesis with $^{87}Rb$ and $^{40}K$, really small beta emitters. But there are so many other things around in the lab, that I want to keep track on all the things I might get in ...
0
votes
3answers
375 views
Textbook on group theory to be able to start QFT
I am very enthusiastic about learning QFT. How much group theory would I need to master? Please could you recommend me a textbook on group theory, which would help me to start QFT?
0
votes
0answers
92 views
OPERA' s chief resigns [closed]
It was said that the chief of the experiment (that proposedly demonstrated faster than light behavior) resigned after a vote. What good justification could there be for voting him out of his position? ...
0
votes
0answers
330 views
worksheets for khan academy
I'm thinking of teaching myself physics over the summer. I want to use the khan academy playlist but there are no physics problems on the site yet. Is there a set of worksheets somewhere else that I ...
0
votes
1answer
164 views
Question Based On Direct And Alternating Current
A Wikipedia article on Power engineering reads,
Most refrigerators, air conditioners, pumps and industrial machinery use AC power whereas most computers and digital equipment use DC power.
As ...
1
vote
1answer
363 views
Classical Mechanics for Mathematician [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Which Mechanics book is the best for beginner in math major?
I am looking for suitable ways to learn mechanics in mathematician's perspective.
I went through:
...
2
votes
1answer
313 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
345 views
Abstract Algebra in Relativity and Cosmology?
Is Abstract Algebra useful in theoretical Relativity and/or Cosmology? If so can anyone give me some examples or point me towards a good book with that emphasis if it is one?
Thanks in advance.
6
votes
1answer
150 views
Areas of research and their transferable skills
I've noticed that ads for postdoctoral positions emphasize the skill set that one must have for a particular position. That said, what are the areas of research to avoid because they give you few ...
6
votes
4answers
620 views
What are the best astronomy blogs and podcasts? [closed]
For someone who likes learning about astronomy what are the blogs and/or podcasts that I should be following?
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Best physics olympiad resources [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Book recommendations
I am looking for good book recommendations at the level of high-school physics.
I am having in mind to find out as to what are the typical books ...
2
votes
4answers
754 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
110 views
What chemistry course to take for a physics undergraduate [closed]
This question is mainly aimed at people who know about the science market in the UK, but any suggestions would be much appreciated.
I am a third year physics undergraduate, studding for an MSci ...
3
votes
2answers
355 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 ...
3
votes
4answers
118 views
Is there a recognised standard for typesetting quantum mechanical operators?
Firstly, I wasn't sure exactly where to put this. It's a typesetting query but the scope is greater than $\TeX$; however it's specific also to physics and even more specific to this site.
I've ...
4
votes
3answers
177 views
What is a “measure equation” as mentioned by this TeX Users Group guide?
In this TeX Users Group (TUG) document, Typesetting mathematics for science and technology according to ISO 31/XI by Claudio Beccari, the author makes various typesetting recommendations including:
...
-3
votes
3answers
162 views
New theories and publications [closed]
When someone develops a new theory on physics, which is barely on schetch (so there are no measurements, nor simulations) with just a mathematical and conceptual description, in which scientific ...
-1
votes
1answer
216 views
Which areas of physics are most demanding of good intuition or physical insight? [closed]
I'm a beginning graduate student, and I have 2 years before I have to pick a specialization. I would like to know which areas of physics call for the most intuition or physical insight. If this sounds ...
