# All Questions

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### Determining wave function for term symbol 1D

I am trying to follow a book (Introduction to Ligand Field Theory by Ballhausen in 1962 on pg 15), but it isn't clear how they make a particular leap. Background I want to find the wave function for ...
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### Might the LHC see nothing new at all?

There's no guarantee that supersymmetry (or more exotic new physics) will be seen at the LHC. Meanwhile, it's standard lore that a Higgsless standard model becomes nonunitary somewhere in the vicinity ...
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### 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 ...
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### existence of other forces obeying inv square law

Is there any restriction in what we know of physics to the existence of other type of forces that obey the inverse square law in 3 dimensions. I mean other than electromagnetic and gravitational. ...
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### What could cause a planet to have apparently random season lengths?

The world A Song of Fire and Ice series is set on is characterized by seasons that last several years (how years are measured on this planet is not specified to my knowledge). However, they are of ...
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### Is it possible to make a hydrogen-alpha solar scope?

Is the construction of an etalon / Fabry-Pérot interferometer within the reach of amateur telescope makers? Are there any resources pointing to such projects?
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### How do you find conserved quantities for linear second order ODEs?

I have a differential equation of the form $\frac{d^2 y}{dt^2} + f(t) \frac{dy}{dt} + g(t) y = 0$ where $f$ and $g$ are known functions of time. Is there a systematic (or otherwise) way of ...
177 views

### Photon absorption

[sorry, this way below the level of this forum -- flames are most welcome] When a photon is absorbed by a piece of matter that does not reflect it -- where does the photon "go"? Eg, one shines light ...
4k views

### calculating thermal energy [exam prep]

I'm preparing for a grade 11 physics exam but having trouble with a question: a 19.9kg mass slides in a straight 28.8m line experiencing friction with a coefficient of 0.105, how much thermal energy ...
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### What was the apparent magnitude of the June 15th 2011 lunar eclipse?

My plan was to observe and estimate the apparent magnitude of the Moon during totality of the June 2011 lunar eclipse, but the clouds rolled in at the exact moment, so I couldn't make any useful ...
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### How long would it take to scan the visible universe for unique signals?

The article Amazing rays as star succumbs to dark side talks about a very large black hole swallowing up a star. The report goes on to say that the only reason it was discovered was because it shot ...
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### Why did the june 2011 lunar eclipse last so long?

It was kind of hard to miss the lunar eclipse this week, although I didn't see it in person (Sod's law means that on every relatively major astronomical event clouds cover where I am). From what I ...