# All Questions

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### Why is the inertia ellipsoid of a higher symmetry than the rigid body?

I was always puzzled by this fact. A uniform cube has a sphere-shaped inertia ellipsoid. The sphere has a higher symmetry then the cube. Is there any deep reason or implication behind it?
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### problem: polarized sphere [on hold]

Need some help with a practice exam question: Given a solid sphere with radius R, with polarization density given by $P(\vec{r})) = a(R-r) \hat{z}$ . I need to find the potential inside the sphere, ...
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### What force counteracts friction when a block is pulled?

Firstly, I understand and apologize that this is more of a physics question than a math question. I noticed that when I pulled a book out from under a pack of gum, the gum stayed largely in place (it ...
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### Preventing a train from derailing during turning by applying breaks from back to front [on hold]

My understanding regarding the derailing of trains during turning is that it occurs due to brakes being applied, from front to back, before the full length of the train has completed the turn which ...
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### Does any lower frequency electromagnetic radiation naturally reach us from the Sun?

I am not sure whether the sun originally emits everything in the electromagnetic spectrum, (whatever the relative strengths of each portion might be), but I do read that many waves, including gamma / ...
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### Trying to calculate the average speed from this question [on hold]

I already checked the average speed question that was posted before and tried applying the methods to my question but nothing seemed to work. I would like to know if anyone can explain to me how to ...
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### Differences between wavefunction, probability and probability density?

I am trying to understand the differences between wavefunction, probability and probability density. There are different definitions on the internet. For example: ...
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### Interpretation of a density matrix as an observable

In quantum mechanics, any density matrix (or density operator) is Hermitian. Observables are also represented by Hermitian operators. So it follows that a density matrix can also be interpreted as ...
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### First-order and second-order wave equations, versus the uncertainty principle

In classical physics, we have second-order equations like Newton's laws, so we need to specify both position (zeroth order) and velocity (first order) of a particle as initial conditions, in order to ...
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### Can light be trapped theoretically?

My question is a little silly I know, but I'm curious to know if a particle of light can be theoretically trapped between two reflective screens. For example once the particle of light has left it's ...
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### Eigenvalues of the Lagrangian?

It is often stated that the Lagrangian formalism and the Hamiltonian formalism are equivalent. We often hear people talk about eigenvalues of Hamiltonians but I have never ever heard a word about ...
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### Ergodic Hypothesis; canonical ensemble

I'm currently studying for an exam in thermodynamics/classic statistical mechanics and 2 things came up which are confusing me. First the ergodic hypothesis states that it is equal to take the mean ...
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### Uncertainty principle implies the non-deterministic universe? [duplicate]

Does the uncertainty principle imply the non-deterministic universe, or just the fact that our model of the universe, the one based on observation, can be at most non-deterministic, since we will not ...
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### Why are most accurate reflective surfaces not white?

Since white is our perception of reflection of light, why are mirrors and other metallic objects that are more grey or silvery capable more reflective than a white object? This is somewhat related: ...
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### Why did nuclear testing not result in nuclear winter?

According to Wikipedia over 2000 nuclear tests have been performed since the Manhattan Project. If nuclear war would bring about a nuclear winter, why didn't testing do? Were they too much spread out ...
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### Experiment with spring and two light sources emitting light in opposite directions

Two (almost massless) light sources connected with a (almost massless) spring emit light beams in opposite directions. What is the speed at which the spring extends?
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### How strong can tidal forces get?

I am imagining a planet the size of Earth being in close proximity to something of high mass such as a gas giant or a star, but ultimately I'd be more interested in how to figure this out myself. So ...
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### What conditions do a bunch of atoms need to satisfy to have a temperature?

Suppose that we have a beam of helium atoms travelling in a common straight line, equally spaced with the same velocity. If we place a thermometer in the path of this beam, the atoms will impinge on ...
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### What does the term 'hyperbolic model' mean?

I am reading this non-linear discrete dynamical system paper. The authors mention the term hyperbolic model. What does that mean?
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### Does Mohs scale of mineral hardness always hold?

According to Wikipedia's article on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, materials / minerals with a higher rating cannot be "visibly" scratched by materials with a lower rating. It goes on to admit ...
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### Could anti matter collisions be or make dark matter?

I've recently seen that space is or could be a quantum vacuum full of particles like matter and anti matter appearing and possibly colliding causing in theory the same effects that dark energy has. My ...