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
votes
2answers
103 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
33 views
How the “Standard Model” get that name? [closed]
I want to know how the Standard Model theory got such "generic" name?
3
votes
2answers
54 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?
2
votes
1answer
105 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
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?
3
votes
3answers
307 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 ...
-3
votes
1answer
59 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
248 views
Mathematical concept of supersymmetry
I wish to study supersymmetry in field theory(sometime in december). However, I am quite not sure what is needed for its study. In supersymmetry, I just want to get the mathematical idea, such as its ...
0
votes
2answers
126 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
77 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
281 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
155 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?
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?
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:
...
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. ...
0
votes
1answer
107 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 ...
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 ...
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
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 ...
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
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 ...
-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? ...
5
votes
2answers
257 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
552 views
Should linear algebra and vector calculus from traditional courses be replaced with `geometric algebra`?
geometric algebra gives geometric meaning to linear algebra and much more.
it can provide a coordinate free geometric interpretation of spaces.
those who learn of ...
0
votes
1answer
108 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 ...
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?
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? ...
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 ...
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?
...
2
votes
2answers
145 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 ...
-1
votes
2answers
74 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"
-1
votes
0answers
43 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 ...
30
votes
18answers
904 views
What papers should everyone read? [closed]
Mathoverflow
A single paper everyone should read?
CSTheory
What papers should everyone read?
TheoreticalPhysics.SE
What papers should every physicist read?
NOTES:
One paper per answer.
Please ...
4
votes
7answers
400 views
Physical intuition for higher order derivatives
Could somebody give me an intuitive physical interpretation of higher order derivatives (from 2 and so on), that is not related to position - velocity - acceleration - jerk - etc?
-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?
5
votes
2answers
390 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
3answers
518 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
7answers
541 views
Physics Equations for Grad School / Physics GRE Prep
Motivation for asking question:
I am planning to take the GRE subject test for Physics.
Question:
Can somebody please tell me what are the most important equations I should definitely know and ...
11
votes
7answers
2k views
How to learn physics effectively and efficiently [closed]
How do you effectively study physics? How does one read a physics book instead or just staring at it for hours?
(Apologies in advance if the question is ill-posed or too subjective in its current ...
12
votes
6answers
1k views
Where should a physicist go to learn chemistry?
I took an introductory chemistry course long ago, but the rules seemed arbitrary, and I've forgotten most of what I learned. Now that I have an undergraduate education in physics, I should be able to ...
2
votes
4answers
757 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 ...
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 ...
