# All Questions

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### Couple Masses - Change in Basis

I'm having trouble with the linear algebra used to solved a coupled mass problem. $\ddot{x}_1 = -(2k/m)x_1 + (k/m)x_2$ and $\ddot{x}_2 = (k/m)x_1 - (2k/m)x_2$ Shankar then sets the equation up in ...
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### Spinor formalism in QFT

We can describe fields by two formalisms: vector and spinor. This is the result of possibility of representation of the Lorentz's group irreducible rep as straight cross product of two $SU(2)$ or two ...
332 views

### Precision and accuracy calculations

Precision is usually understood as the number or significant figures in some experiment. Accuracy is the difference between the best measurement and the real value. How are precision and accuracy ...
719 views

### Mixing of quarks, neutrinos… and leptons?

This is a quite simple question: quarks do mix (through the CKM matrix), neutrinos do mix (through the PMNS matrix). Then why do charged leptons not mix?
417 views

### Using Wien's Law to show spectral distruibution function of one temperature represents all temperatures

This is a exercise question from Quantum Mechanic textbook by Bransden: Using Wien's Law to show that if the spectral distribution function of black body radiation, $\rho(\lambda,T)$ is known at ...
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### How are propositions concerning spacetime curvature constructed explicitly in terms of coincidences?

Is Einstein's insight [1] that All our well-substantiated space-time propositions amount to the determination of space-time coincidences [such as] encounters between two or more [...] material ...
523 views

### Is a total solar eclipse a common phenomenon?

Is our moon "special" for creating a total solar eclipse? Is it common or rather rare for a moon to create a total solar eclipse the way our moon does, with corona and such?
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### What is the definition of a quantum integrable model?

What is the definition of a quantum integrable model? To be specific: given a quantum Hamiltonian, what makes it integrable?
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### Maximise magnetic force at one point while minimizing at another

Is it possible to have a magnet that attracts one object strongly, but not another object behind that first object? Given an (electro-) magnet M above two thin parallel steel sheets P1 and P2 in the ...
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### Expansion of the universe and strain

From cosmological models that involve expansion of the universe, can we not say that there are ever increasing tidal forces felt by solid bodies? If so, the material in solid bodies like metal ...
387 views

### Why is the value of thrust for a perfectly spherical event equal to ${\frac{1}{2}}$?

In a particle collision the thrust is defined by: $$T = max_{\hat{n}} \frac {\sum_i \left| \hat{p}_i . \hat{n}_i \right|}{\sum_i \left| \hat{p}_i \right|}$$ where $\hat{n}$ is the unit vector that ...
278 views

### Question about the Dirac notation for partial trace

I saw the following definition for the partial trace operator: $\rho_A=\sum_k \langle e_k|\rho_{AB}|e_k\rangle$, where $e_k$ is basis for the state space of system $B$. From what I know, in the ...
308 views

### Holographic principle “inside-out view”

From the perspective inside a black hole: Is information about everything outside a black hole - the rest of the cosmos - represented on the inside of the (event) horizon too? NB. I realize it is the ...
442 views

### Aerofoil Theory Project [closed]

I'm doing a project (dissertation) on the mathematics of Aerofoil Theory. I wonder if I could get some advice on a possible structure. I'm new to fluid dynamics, so it's quite hard to know where to ...
760 views

### An objective question from electromagnetic induction

A bar magnet is released from rest along the axis of a very long, vertical copper tube. After some the the magnet : (a) will stop in the tube. (b) will move with almost constant speed. ...
632 views

### Vector Potential for Magnetic field when the field is not in simply-connected region

According to Poincare's Lemma, if $U\subset \mathbb{R}^n$ is a star-shaped set and if $\omega$ is a $k$-form defined in $U$ that is closed, then $\omega$ is exact, meaning that there's some ...
53 views

### Impact of friction on a fallen body [closed]

If a body travelling at speed falls to the ground through an arc from a certain height (someone walking who trips, for example), how does friction of the ground surface affect the forces impacting ...
342 views

### How would one show that a nonabelian field strength tensor transforms in a certain way under a local gauge transformation?

How would one show that the nonabelian ${F_{\mu\nu}}$ field strength tensor transforms as ${F_{\mu\nu}\to F_{\mu\nu}^{\prime}=UF_{\mu\nu}U^{-1}}$ under a local gauge transformation? Rather than going ...
343 views

### How widespread is the meme “QM is counterintuitive” in academic physics? [closed]

I have recently entered university — studying CS — and I have spoken to many physics students on campus. Most of these — when propmted — will gladly proclaim that QM is ...
124 views

### Increasing the maximum angle of laser scanners with optics?

With laser scanning devices, very roughly speaking, the maximum deflection angle seems to be inversly proportional to speed. So for example, while acousto-optic deflectors can steer the beam very ...
876 views

### Are the air particles in today's wind on earth (more or less) the same as the air 2/3 billion years ago?

So the air pressure on earth remains relatively constant, right? Is there air gained or lost through transitions of any sort? e.g. plumes going out into space, earth gaining new air particles with ...
191 views

### Index raising and lowering - how does it work?

In the context of four-dimensional spacetime, how does the metric turn a tangent vector into a gradient, and vice versa? By this I mean that I know the metric can be used to raise and lower indices: ...
193 views

### Symmetry groups [closed]

I am quite new to this subject. I am just repeating in a few words, what I have learned so far: There are 4 fundamental forces of nature: strong, weak, electromagnetism and gravity. Physicists are ...
349 views

### Electron-Positron Scattering using the Feynman Rules - Integration Q

I'm doing independent studies on electron-positron scattering, specifically the annihilation diagram contribution to the M matrix in Bhabha scattering, and this is the equation I recovered with the ...
323 views

### Energy transfer using quantum entanglement

Can we transfer energy from one place to another separated by arbitrarily large distances without any time lag? For instance, if Alice and Bob are two observers making measurements having a singlet ...
3k views

### If I travel close to the speed of light and come back, why is everyone else dead, and not me? [duplicate]

Consider the following scenario: I get in a spaceship, and travel really close to the speed of light for a while, and then come back. A lot of time has passed on the Earth, but since I was traveling ...
158 views

### What is the mass in $\vec{\nabla}\cdot \vec{B}_g=\text{something}$ called if it could be non-zero?

Maxwell's equation for gravity has $$\vec{\nabla}\cdot \vec{B}_g~=~0,$$ see Gravitoelectromagnetism in analogy with the electrodynamics. What is the mass called that needs to make these equations ...
1k views

### The Role of Active and Passive Diffeomorphism Invariance in GR

I'd like some clarification regarding the roles of active and passive diffeomorphism invariance in GR between these possibly conflicting sources. 1) Wald writes, after explaining that passive ...
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1k views

### Is it correct that tires quickly get bald when used at high speed?

In my investigation, tires will quickly get bald if we ride a motorcycle at high speed. Is it correct? How to explain it in physics? Does the friction increase at high speed rotation? Update: The ...
483 views

### Weight registered of a falling chain

Let's say I have a metallic chain. Suppose I hold one of its tip of in my hand let the chain hang freely downward such that the other tip touches a weighing scale. At this point, with me holding the ...
311 views

### Quantum Entanglement and Causality [duplicate]

How does Quantum Entanglement not violate the principle of relativity? Alice and Bob are working on an entangled system of electrons which is spaced long apart. Now if Alice measures one electron to ...
473 views

### Faster than light in plasma

Some plasmas have a refraction index of less than 1. In these plasmas the phase velocity of light can be faster than light-speed. But the phase itself won't transfer information, so no paradox occurs ...