All Questions

15k views

High and low pressure area and raining

In the high-pressure area it is mostly likely that there is sun. In low pressure area it is mostly likely that rain will occur. Because of the law that ...
6k views

Isothermal Gas Expansion, a Reversible or Irreversible process?

Consider the following situation. A certain quantity of ideal monatomic gas (say one mole) is confined in a cylinder by a piston and is maintained at constant temperature (say $T_0$) by thermal ...
40k views

What is the electric field in a parallel plate capacitor?

When we find the electric field between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor we assume that the electric field from both plates is $${\bf E}=\frac{\sigma}{2\epsilon_0}\hat{n.}$$ The factor of two ...
481 views

Some Dirac notation unclarities

Q1: Ok so i have come to a point where i know that $\Psi(r,t)$ which we denote only by $\Psi$ can be represented in a Hilbert space by a vector which we denote $\left|\Psi\right\rangle$. Does this ...
1k views

Why the magnetic flux is not zero?

If $\vec{\mathbf B}=B\vec{\mathbf a}_z$, compute the magnetic flux passing through a hemisphere of radius $R$ centered at the origin and bounded by the plane $z=0$. Solution The hemisphere and ...
167 views

Acceleration due to gravity?

I was looking into orbitals and found something I haven't been able to understand. http://www.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-01a/hunter/satelliteOrbits.html There is a part on the page which states ...
225 views

Hamiltonian in 2-dimensions? [closed]

I am trying to construct a Hamiltonian for a system in 2 dimensions using Matlab. I am not sure how this Hamiltonian will look like in matrix form. If somebody can help me visualize this matrix that ...
2k views

Is the preferred basis problem solved?

Once and for all: Is the preferred basis problem in the Everettian Interpretation of QM considered solved by decoherence or not? THere are a few people who claim that it's not, but it seems the vast ...
105 views

Is there any case where one would use, snap, crackle or pop? [duplicate]

As we all know, if you differentiate distance with reference to time, you get speed, and likewise, differentiating speed you get acceleration. However, if you keep differentiating, to the rate of ...
1k views

Symmetry of the $3\times 3$ Cauchy Stress Tensor

When presenting the stress tensor (say in a non-relativistic context), it is shown to be a tensor in the sense that it is a linear vector transformation: it operates on a vector $n$ (the normal to a ...
562 views

Why is the temperature zero in the ground state?

This is probably a simple question: I see this claims in many books, but I can't figure a reason why this is true. So my question is why this claim is true: "If we know that the system is in the ...
168 views

Polarization of Light

How do materials polarize light? I know that they polarize light in the same plane, but light has two perpendicular directions with the two fields, so which direction is reflected and why? And if ...
2k views

Refraction of light and frequency dependence

Why do higher frequency waves refract more, both ocean waves and light waves? Also why is energy stored in the frequency as opposed to the wavelength.
1k views

Pulley system with rope

Two masses $m_1$ and $m_2$ are connected through a weighty, uniform and an unstretchable rope of length $L$. The surface is frictionless. Masses of the objects are $m_1=m$, $m_2=\frac{2}{3}m$, mass ...
623 views

Is the fine-structure constant a parameter of the standard model?

According to the wikipedia entry on the fine-structure constant: In fact, α is one of the about 20 empirical parameters in the Standard Model of particle physics, whose value is not determined ...
247 views

Electric power transmission

If we want to transmit electic current for a long distance, we must minimize a heat that releases because of the resistanse. We cannot make a cable wide because it is expensive and it will be massive. ...
755 views

Best current bounds on nonconservation of momentum?

It's not straightforward to test conservation of momentum experimentally, and many experiments that seem like tests really aren't. For example, in a Newtonian system of identical particles that ...
73 views

Superconductivity [duplicate]

What is the correct explanation of why superconductivity occurs in metals when they are cooled to a temperature below $T_c$? My textbook has the following explanation: Superconductivity is the ...
148 views

Help Understanding Non-conservative Fields

While watching a video lecture, I became uncomfortable with the results, (around 35 mins). The professor draws an electric circuit with a 1V batter, and two resistors (1 and 9 ohms). He then ...
1k views

Do generators belong to the Lie group or the Lie algebra?

In Physics papers, would it be correct to say that when there is mention of generators, they really mean the generators of the Lie algebra rather than generators of the Lie group? For example I've ...
144 views

Why is planar geometry preferred to observe ordinary Hall effect?

In the Physics Today article by Avron et.al. "A Topological Look at the Quantum Hall Effect" Physics Today (2003) it is suggested that to observe ordinary Hall effect, planar geometry is preferred to ...
730 views

Why are some jenga pieces easier to remove than others?

Jenga is a game place with wooden blocks stacked on top of one another in an alternating pattern. Players take turns removing blocks from any layer and placing them on top. As the game progresses ...
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Solution of multiple materials

Introduction I'm trying to make some strawberry liqueur. The recipe I got says I should put alcohol, strawberries and sugar in a bowl and leave it soaking for 4-5 weeks. I read that making liqueur is ...
654 views

What is the result of applying a fourier transform n times to a distribution?

For a function applying the fourier transform twice is equivalent to the parity transformation, applying it three times is the same as applying the inverse of the fourier transform, and applying four ...
160 views

I have a cylindrical container say of some base area $A$. The atmospheric pressure is $P_0$. The cylinder is moved at an acceleration $a$ horizontally right. I need to find which base would have to ...
180 views

can be exist the negative mass? [duplicate]

I'm not sure about this but I guess there must be negative masses in the universe because of the symmetry. If the gravity is one of the main forces in nature it must has negatives mass to be able to ...
687 views

What is the effect of humidity in temperature?

Suppose we have a building in an area with weather conditions $W_t$ at time $t$, and suppose we could change the relative humidity $\phi_t \in W_t$. Would the change in relative humidity $\phi_t$ have ...
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Is it possible to determine the state or values of something without measuring it

To give context to this question, I am currently looking into non-locality / hidden variables / Bell's Theorem, EPR / etc. I've noticed the assertion that the values / state of something when ...
802 views

if a simple pendulum is dropped in a elevator with a acceleration greater than acceleration due to gravity then what will be its frequency

if a simple pendulum is dropped in a elevator with a acceleration greater than acceleration due to gravity then what will be its frequency ? We know time period depends on frequency.
418 views

Easy to do experiments that clearly show outstanding properties of graphene

By chance we received for free some monolayer graphene sheets (20 cm x 20 cm) and mixed coper-graphene wires at our University. I would like to prepare some very easy to do experiments for the ...
4k views

Derivation of Dirac equation using the Lagrangian density for Dirac field

How can I derive the Dirac equation from the Lagrangian density for the Dirac field?
293 views

Why is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle not obvious give the conservation of mass- energy?

A photons energy is given by $E=h *f$ and momentum $p=E/c$ (spin?) but the photon has no (rest) mass! Therefore it is the ultimate probing tool for looking at any mass position and velocity because ...
345 views

T-Duality between Type HE String theory and Type HO string theory

My question is regarding T-Duality between the 2 Type H string theories. I know that the Type II String theories are T-dual to each other because T-Duality changes the sign of the Gamma Matrix so ...
553 views

Momentum, Impulse and Newton's Second Law of Motion

Newton formulated his Second Law as such: $$\sum{\vec{F}} = \frac{\delta \vec{p}}{\delta t}$$ and of course, $\vec{p} = m \vec{v}$. Why is it that if the net force $\sum \vec{F}$ is constant (which ...
1k views

In coordinate-free relativity, how do we define a vector?

Relativity can be developed without coordinates: Laurent 1994 (SR), Winitzski 2007 (GR). I would normally define a vector by its transformation properties: it's something whose components change ...
446 views

Photo of reflection in magnifying mirror shows normal magnification. Why?

I just took a picture of myself in one of those magnifying shaving mirrors and in the photo I am unmagnified! Why is this?
17k views

Can the Earth's magnetic be used to generate electricity?

Since the Earth has a magnetic field, can it, in theory, be run through a conductive metal coil to create electricity?
567 views

Can we measure “wavefunction” of quantum particles?

We know that there is uncertainty principle, so question: can we ever measure wavefunction of particles? I do not think this is possible, but I am not sure. I guess that everything is probabilistic. ...
444 views

Some questions about the edge states for time-reversal invariant topological superconductors?

Stimulated by my some recent calculations on edge states(ES) for time-reversal invariant(TRI) topological superconductors(TS) as well as many questions concerning the "edge states" in Physics ...
597 views

what is the magnetic quadrupole operator?

To find magnetic or electrical moments in quantum theory we must calculate the expectation value of an appropriate operator. the dipoles operator are similar and is easy to find but the magnetic ...
602 views

What is the magnetic quadrupole moment of a nucleus in cylindrical coordinates?

What is the magnetic quadruple moment of a nuclei in cylindrical coordinates? The quadrupole moment of a nucleus is zero in spherical coordinates but in the cylindrical coordinates it can't be ...
4k views

Radio antennas that are much shorter than the wavelength

From my limited experience with ham radio when I was a kid, I expect transmitting and receiving antennas to have lengths that are on the same order of magnitude as the wavelength, and in fact I recall ...
94 views

Can we build a synthetic event horizon?

If we imagine ourselves to be a civilization capable of manipulating very heavy masses in arbitrary spatial and momentum configurations (because we have access to large amounts of motive force, for ...
87 views

The gravitational random walk

When we shoot a single photon out into space, the chance that it will eventually return to our vicinity from a different direction is vanishingly small, even though spatial curvature exists due to the ...
246 views

When (Exactly) Does Bremsstrahlung Radiation Occur?

Regarding the Bremsstrahlung Radiation emitted when a charged particle curves inside a uniform magnetic field; Is there a way of calculating the angle through which the charged particle will precess ...
146 views

The nature of resistance at copper wire terminations

Speaker wire consists of twisted copper strands, around AWG 22 thru 10. As good consumers know, one must consider resistance when wiring speakers. How do the wire terminations contribute to the ...
3k views

Periodic boundary condition on a Wave Function of a Particle in a Box

Until now, solving the Schrodinger Equation for a particle in a box was relatively easy because the boundaries conditions imposed zero value on the wave function at the boundaries. But now I must find ...
114 views

How do we know that time and distance are not discrete?

I know that it is believed that energy is discrete, in that it travels in quanta. I was wondering if there is any evidence which either proves or disproves something similar with both time and ...
In the derivation of the Boltzmann distribution they consider a system $A$, enclosed by a diathermal wall in a heat reservoir $R$. Then they calculate the probability that the system $A$ is in an ...
In Quantum Optics and Quantum Mechanics, the time evolution operator $$U(t,t_i) = \exp\left[\frac{-i}{\hbar}H(t-t_i)\right]$$ is used quite a lot. Suppose $t_i =0$ for simplicity, and say the ...