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
3answers
607 views
Misused physics analogies
Have you noticed that many questions and misconceptions in physics arise due to misuse of analogies, which were invented to "explain in simple words" some physical phenomena?
For example there is a ...
15
votes
9answers
3k views
How should a physics student study mathematics? [closed]
Note: I will expand this question with more specific points when I have my own internet connection and more time (we're moving in, so I'm at a friend's house).
This question is broad, involved, and ...
16
votes
8answers
2k views
Comprehensive book on group theory for physicists?
I am looking for a good source on group theory aimed at physicists. I'd prefer one with a good general introduction to group theory, not just focusing on Lie groups or crystal groups but one that ...
6
votes
8answers
4k views
Which Mechanics book is the best for beginner in math major?
I'm a bachelor student majoring in math, and pretty interested in physics. I would like a book to study for classical mechanics, that will prepare me to work through Goldstein's Classical Mechanics. ...
41
votes
33answers
5k views
Great unsolved physics problems [closed]
We all know that some theoretical ideas lack experimental evidence while in other cases there's a lack of a suitable theory for known phenomena and established facts and concepts.
But what problem in ...
19
votes
14answers
2k views
Learning physics online?
I'm thinking of following some kind of education in physics online. I have a master degree in Computer Science and have reasonable good knowledge in physics. I would like a program of 1-2 years and ...
8
votes
9answers
1k views
Why beauty is a good guide in physics?
Dirac once said that he was mainly guided by mathematical beauty more than anything else in his discovery of the famous Dirac equation. Most of the deepest equations of physics are also the most ...
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 ...
13
votes
8answers
4k views
What are the prerequisites to studying general relativity?
This question recently appeared on Slashdot:
Slashdot posts a fair number of physics stories. Many of us, myself included, don't have the background to understand them. So I'd like to ask the ...
5
votes
4answers
479 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 ...
5
votes
5answers
448 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
780 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 ...
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? ...
19
votes
8answers
2k views
Starting a physics Ph.D. at 60?
Decades ago I was in a physics Ph.D. program, made a hash of things, and quite rightly was dropped from the program. Since then I've had a very satisfying career as a computer programmer, and picked ...
6
votes
10answers
2k views
Physics for mathematicians
How and from where does a mathematician learn physics from a mathematical stand point? I am reading the book by Spivak Elementary Mechanics from a mathematicians view point. The first couple of pages ...
7
votes
11answers
2k views
What are the most important discoveries/breakthroughs in physics recently?
Can you provide a list of the most important discoveries/breakthroughs in physics recently?
By recent, I mean the past decade or so. All branches of physics are welcome.
Basically, I am interested in ...
13
votes
7answers
743 views
Books that every non-physicist should read
To add to Books that every physicist should read:
A list of popular physics books for people who aren't necessarily physics grads.
(see also Book recommendations)
6
votes
2answers
391 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
347 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
643 views
What came first, Rice Crispy or “Snap,” “Crackle,” and “Pop”? [closed]
The fourth, fifth, and sixth derivatives of position are called "Snap" "Crackle" and "Pop". What came first, the rice crispy characters, or the physics units?
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
2answers
801 views
If I move a long solid stick can I send message fastest than light? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it possible for information to be transmitted faster than light?
I mean by using a perfect solid stick long enough and moving it forward and backward can I send ...
1
vote
1answer
102 views
Are there any good audio recordings of educational physics material?
I am studying to return to school in physics and would like to start spending as much time as possible on that task. Most of my small amount of free time, however, I am either doing house work or ...
0
votes
0answers
400 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?
15
votes
9answers
1k views
Books that develop interest & critical thinking among high school students
I heard about Yakov Perelman and his books. I just finished reading his two volumes of Physics for Entertainment. What a delightful read! What a splendid author. This is the exact book I've been ...
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 ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
What does Peter Parkers formula represent?
Okay, so the trailer for the new Spider Man movie is out and appearently our friendly physicist from the neightborhood came up with something. However I can't find out what this is.
...
10
votes
5answers
893 views
Is it possible to work on physics independently outside academia?
The traditional physics career is an academic job at some university, with the eventual goal of becoming a tenured professor. Is it possible for a mostly self-educated outsider working outside ...
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 ...
9
votes
16answers
2k views
Can pure maths create new theories in physics or does the “idea” ALWAYS come before the math?
I am in a debate with a friend about the value of string theory in physics. He is concerned that we are wasting valuable intellectual and financial resources on a path that is fanciful and can't ever ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Why do physicists believe that there exist magnetic monopoles?
One thing I've heard stated many times is that "most" or "many" physicists believe that, despite the fact that they have not been observed, there are such things as magnetic monopoles.
However, I've ...
4
votes
1answer
149 views
Is there a theory which treats particles as classical point singularities?
Is there a published theory that looks at all matter as occupying no space and only being felt because of its gravitational pull?
We've been taught in school that matter has mass and occupies space. ...
15
votes
4answers
711 views
What are the best open-access journals in physics?
I would like to support open-access journals by choosing to publish in journals which allow readers free online access. Ideally I would also like to retain copyright instead of signing it over to ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
What does it take to become a top physicist? [closed]
What does it take to become a top physicist?
Why do so many extremely talented young upstarts totally flop as they move to more advanced physics?
3
votes
2answers
414 views
Differences between classical, analytical, rational and theoretical mechanics
Can you explain me what are the differences between the four following subjects?
analytical mechanics
rational mechanics
classical mechanics
theoretical mechanics
-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 ...
3
votes
3answers
794 views
A professional physics career without a degree?
I learned programming as a child, for fun. Now I am working as a programmer, even though I got a business major degree.
I wonder if there are career paths for doing physics other than becoming a ...
2
votes
2answers
269 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
vote
1answer
365 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:
...
11
votes
4answers
754 views
What does it mean to say that the electron is a near-perfect sphere?
It's announced that researchers at Imperial College London has found that the electron is almost a perfect sphere. The popular articles all have a nice photo of a billiard ball, etc. It is reported ...
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?
3
votes
2answers
111 views
What is a good introductory text to astronomy
What is a good and easy to read introductory text for an adult with limited basic scientific knowledge to astronomy for someone without a telescope and lives in a big city and why do you think that ...
2
votes
2answers
440 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
299 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 ...
2
votes
4answers
332 views
Laws of Atomic Theory - how is this possible?
Not sure if this is the right place to post, but how is it possible to have laws of a theory?
A theory is not able to be a law, since it's just an explanation that can always be disproven. So how is ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
Negative and positive energy and Hawking [closed]
I don't have any physics background (except the material we did in high school-long time ago).
I was watching a documentary with Stephen Hawking about whether God created the Universe and I could not ...
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? ...
-1
votes
1answer
552 views
What sort of jobs do physics graduates with B.Sc/M.Sc get?
I've been told that in countries like Israel the truth of the matter is that the only available work for B.Sc./M.Sc. in physics/math is only to be high school teacher. To do serious stuff you need to ...
29
votes
25answers
2k views
Your favorite Physics/Astrophysics blogs?
What are the Physics/Astrophysics blogs you regularly read? I'm looking to beef up my RSS feeds to catch up with during my long commutes. I'd like to discover lesser-known gems (e.g. not well known ...
11
votes
3answers
853 views
Is there a physics Puzzles site like Project Euler?
I am looking for a site that publishing riddles and problems such as Project Euler
publishes problems in computer science. Is there any similar site that is hardcore in the area of physics?
This ...
