Pertains to any question concerning the ideas that are formulated, whether mathematically or not, to explain or describe physical phenomena.
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
208 views
Number of bits needed to express physical laws?
What is the minimum number of bits that would be needed to express a given physical law, like the law of universal gravitation? How many bits are needed to express each of the four fundamental forces? ...
2
votes
1answer
275 views
Are www.vacuum-mechanics.com and www.autodynamics.org reliable sites?
First off, I am not a physicist, although I would have loved to become one. The simple fact is I lack the mathematical skills needed (and now I'm too old to acquire them to any sufficient level).
...
2
votes
1answer
308 views
What does the Many-Body Problem say about mathematical physics?
I was interested to read the answers to the other Many-Body Problem questions on this site and was left with one nagging question of my own. What does the Many-Body Problem reveal about reality and ...
2
votes
1answer
407 views
Is anti-gravity possible in theoretical physics?
Is anti-gravity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-gravity possible in string theory?
I have read some articles about scientists making assumptions about the existence of anti-gravity, but is it ...
2
votes
3answers
197 views
Should any theory of physics respect the principle of conservation of angular momentum or linear momentum?
Is it possible that a theory that can describe the universe at the planck scale can violate things that we now consider fundamental in nature?For example can it violate rotational and translational ...
2
votes
1answer
615 views
Why Is String Theory Called A Theory [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Laws of Atomic Theory - how is this possible?
Generally in science, a theory is effectively a fact. The theory of evolution is not a guess, or a hypothesis. It's ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
Can we project a 4D world using 3D video technology?
Traditional movies, TV, etc, faithfully show our 3-dimensional world using 2 dimensions. So can we have a movie that shows a 4-dimensional world using 3D technology?
2
votes
2answers
123 views
Wave Function Statistical Interpretation vs Oscillation Interpretation
Can the wave function solution to Schrodinger's Equation be interpreted as an oscillation between all possible measurements (obviously with some type of weighting that would describe the shape of the ...
2
votes
1answer
80 views
2nd order pertubation theory for harmonic oscillator
I'm having some trouble calculating the 2nd order energy shift in a problem.
I am given the pertubation:
$\hat{H}'=\alpha \hat{p}$,
where $\alpha$ is a constant, and $\hat{p}$ is given by:
...
2
votes
0answers
186 views
How is the “negative dispersion” derived?
I'm looking at Kopfermann H., Ladenburg R., Nature, 122, 338-339 (1928) and it appears Ladenburg in Ladenburg R., Z.Physik, 4, 451-468 (1921) was the first to discover the phenomenon of "negative ...
1
vote
5answers
280 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
3answers
157 views
Compatibility of economics and physics?
This is an open-ended and broad and multi-part question; but I would be willing to accept an answer that simply corrects my misconceptions. I am sorry if it is inappropriate or too soft for this ...
1
vote
1answer
140 views
Crucial Misconceptions about The Universe [closed]
So I am piecing together a school project on the numerous misconceptions of the universe, which I plan to "provide proof against them" with information from various sources (one of the main ones will ...
1
vote
2answers
226 views
What could we observe if we see a 4 dimensional object and how could it change our physics view about our universe ?
My question is little bit philosophical.
I would like to explain my ideas with a 2 dimensional universe model.
If we had lived in 2 dimensional universe like a plane, What could we observe when ...
1
vote
2answers
728 views
what is meant by “crossover phenomena”?
In many articles I read the term "crossover phenomena" and a lot of methodology discussed according to it, with little or no description about what is meant by it. Sometimes there is a connection to ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Does spin alone have any effect on the physical interactions of particles?
In Hartree-Fock theory the time-independent electronic energy of a single (restricted) determinant electronic wavefunction consists of one electron terms, $h_{ii}$, Coulomb interaction energies, ...
1
vote
2answers
157 views
$2+1$ dimensional physics theory of our universe?
Is there any physics theory that depicts our universe as $2+1$ dimensional?
I heard that black holes seem to suggest that the world might be $2+1$ dimensional, so I am curious whether such theory ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
List of theories supporting origin of universe [closed]
Big Bang theory is widely accepted theory when it comes to origin of universe. What other really compelling theories are out there explaining/supporting the origin of universe. I know many people ...
1
vote
2answers
241 views
What is an analog to QM's Hilbert space in GR?
I've read that QM operates in a Hilbert space (where the state functions live). I dont know if its meaningful to ask such a question, what are the answers to an anlogous questions on GR and newtonian ...
1
vote
2answers
108 views
Has there been any serious work in how the world would look if basic physical laws were changed?
Has there been any serious work in investigating how the world would look if certain basic physical laws were changed?
Like if gravity or electromagnetism laws were changed to have different ...
1
vote
1answer
154 views
Are there any theories or suggestions for how the multiverse came into existence?
I've just seen a documentary about the multiverse. This provides an explanation for where the big bang came from. But it leaves me wondering: how did the multiverse come into existence?
Because this ...
1
vote
1answer
218 views
Why *should* the mass of elementary particles theoretically be of the magnitude of the Planck mass?
Why should the mass of elementary particles be theoretically of the magnitude of the Planck mass?
I've read that already a few times but I don't understand why it should be that way.
For example: ...
1
vote
2answers
639 views
Why does my body accumulate charge?
If I wander outside in cold weather for 10-20 minutes my body accumulates charges. I get electric shock if I touch metal, e.g., door knob, car door etc.
Now I've two questions:
Why does human body ...
1
vote
1answer
130 views
Does the positive mass conjecture indicate a necessity of interactions in our universe?
The positive mass conjecture was proved by Schoen and Yau and later reproved by Witten. Total mass in a gravitating system must be positive except in the case of flat minkowski space, where energy is ...
1
vote
0answers
89 views
What is the origin of the many-body expansion?
I'm looking for the original introduction of the many-body expansion (MBE) in the scientific literature. More specifically, I'm interested in a theoretical justification of the rapid convergence of ...
1
vote
0answers
47 views
four boson quantum system contact interaction
I have to solve this problem. Four bosons moving in 1d harmonic potential(their spin is 0) and interacting through contact interaction defined via delta function.
Now, methods that I have to use: a) ...
1
vote
0answers
223 views
Style in Physics vs Mathematics [closed]
I'm a mathematics major who has taken a few physics courses and the presentation in physics texts bothers me.
In mathematics, the standard format is a theorem-proof repetition with some discussion. ...
1
vote
2answers
149 views
What are the implications of the speed of light broken? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What would be the effects on theoretical physics if neutrinos go faster than light?
I don't know if it's been asked before, but I couldn't find a thread about it. I ...
1
vote
2answers
161 views
What does transport equation represent in terms of physical quantities?
In my math course we're taught to solve PDE (partial derivative equations) like transport equation:
$$
c\frac{\delta u}{\delta x} +\frac{\delta u}{\delta t}=0
$$
If $u(x,t)$ is the quantity ...
1
vote
3answers
383 views
Electric field at a point being an $n^{th}$ derivative of electric (or magnetic) field at some other point
This is a theoretical question for which i would like to know an answer with an example.
I'd like to know if its possible to create a setup where the electric field at a point $P$ is $n^{th}$ ...
0
votes
3answers
65 views
Is physics very dependent on equipment?
I always had the impression that physics depends a lot on particle accelerators and heavy machines for experimentation of new theories, I know there's the field called theoretical physics but until ...
0
votes
4answers
248 views
Age of universe estimates
I was recently involved in a discussion on a sister site regarding how tightly coupled Physics is with the age of the Universe (and Earth).
I believe that the Earth and the Universe are both billions ...
0
votes
3answers
497 views
Non-computable numbers in Physics
It is known that there are real numbers that can't be calculated (non-computable numbers). Quite probably that some physical phenomena (it is possible still undetected) depend on this numbers. Whether ...
0
votes
1answer
171 views
Is omniscience impossible?
I remember reading a brief note in Scientific American years ago about a mathematician/physicist who had published a paper that formally stated that no entity could both participate in a given system ...
0
votes
1answer
179 views
advantage of string theory over other theory-of-everything candidates
I am getting curious over why string theory, especially M-theory, is the most popular candidate for the theory of everything.
It seems that all candidates of the theory of everything lack substantial ...
0
votes
1answer
122 views
What theory is the person in this song talking about?
What he is talking about sounds interesting to me, and I would like to know more. But I need to know the name first.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogn5FrVGtAg&hd=1
0
votes
2answers
203 views
How did these guys get the masses from Heim Theory?
I won't even bother to ask about validity as I read the other post on this. So I know how we all feel about that. I hadn't even heard of it till today when I stumbled across it searching for something ...
0
votes
1answer
528 views
Heim Theory and FTL [closed]
Years ago there was some hype around a theory that would supposedly allow for FTL. But I have since heard nothing of this.
Is anything happening with the theory? How would a magnetic field allow us ...
0
votes
1answer
89 views
Entropy, Mass and Brane gravity
Does string theory state as vibrational entropy increases, mass increases?
Related: What is a D-brane?
Reference: Cambridge Relativity
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Are a measured object always part of the theory?
Is there a notion of measurement, which doesn't correspond to a yes/no question or with the idea of the comparison of two real world objects, which produces a real number?
And does at least one of ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Relationship between frequency and wavelength
I am currently writing up a report for science class on the relationship between frequency and wavelength. And so i was wondering if anyone knew where i could find published results (literature value) ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Dense Spherical Black Hole Shell with a Region Inside
I'm going to propose a thought experiment, based on two ideas.
One: A uniform spherical shell, by the Shell Theorem, does not exert any gravitational force on objects existing in the interior of the ...
0
votes
0answers
178 views
Calculating the number of turns and thickness of an electromagnet
I want to calculate the number of turns of an electromagnet and the thickness of the wire.
But i have tried to search arround in books, and can't really find any thing.
I know my wire is 0,114mm and ...
0
votes
0answers
136 views
Spinning X-Rays [closed]
X-Ray jets emit from galaxies as a result of spinning mass.
I'm thinking about the ties between electricity and magnetism here, and how Gauss law ties all this stuff together.
OK, so is there a way ...
-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
votes
1answer
539 views
How to validate a new physics theory and keep the credit for it [closed]
For the last few years, My friend worked on figuring out the "theory of everything". She is afraid of sharing her theory with well known physicists, because she doesn't want other people to take ...
-1
votes
1answer
365 views
Lawrence Krauss' Theory of Origin
I don't understand how a vacuum, the absence of matter, can hold energy. How can it hold energy when Einstein proved that matter is energy?
And a second related question; how does the energy in a ...
-1
votes
1answer
124 views
Physical -> Chemical -> Nuclear -> [what comes next]
If a splitting atoms / fusing isotopes (fission bomb, fusion bomb) yields more energy than chemical changes (TNT, et al) yields more energy than physical change (hydrogen bonds forming during water ...
-1
votes
0answers
94 views
Besides Field and Gauge theories what other types of theories are there? [taxonomy ] [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the most common theories and their categorization/motivation?
Besides Field and Gauge theories what other types of theories are there?
Found the answer at ...
