All Questions

416 views

Hamiltonian or not?

Is there a way to know if a system described by a known equation of motion admits a Hamiltonian function? Take for example $$\dot \vartheta_i = \omega_i + J\sum_j \sin(\vartheta_j-\vartheta_i)$$ ...
54 views

What is meant by the quantum integrity in a superconducting loop

I encountered this in the context of using squid microscopy to test for d-wave pairing in an iron arsenide superconductor where the goal of the experiment was to detect half integer flux quantum ...
463 views

Reflection of sound waves

I was doing a physics experiment, and i encountered a question which i couldnt answer. The experiment was about using a radar technique to measure the speed of sound. The apparatus was a plastic tube ...
104 views

What are virtual excitations in the context of superconductors?

In a superconductor I have read that the energy gap can be defined as the energy difference between the ground state and the virtual excitations of the system. Is this the energy required to form a ...
847 views

How much effect does the Bernoulli effect have on lift?

I understand that the Bernoulli effect is a flawed explanation for the cause of lift, and does not cause much at all, but how much? Is there any experimental data on the force caused by the ...
635 views

Dynamics of a Vertical Mass-Spring Simple Harmonic Oscillator with Gravity

I am having some trouble obtaining the elastic potential energy and gravitational potential energy of a simple mass spring system. In this experiment, masses attached to a spring were dropped from a ...
75 views

$f_{NL}$ non-Gaussianity in cosmology

In the context of cosmology, what is meant by "..arbitrary quadratic non-Gaussianity i.e non-Gaussianity that is described to leading order by a 3-point function.."? (.."quadratic non-Gaussianity" ...
244 views

Curved space or curved spacetime?

As I understand it, you can have time + flat space = curved spacetime. So, when one is trying to emphasise that there is a curvature to the space, is it more technically correct to say curved space ...
640 views

What's the role of classically forbidden paths in path integral?

I'm interested in how and how much classically-forbidden paths contribute to a path integral? Is there any good reference on the issue? Any discussion in QM or QFT context would be appreciated. ...
2k views

Rotate vector in spherical coordinates

I have two arbitrary vectors $\vec{x}$ and $\vec{x}'$ given in spherical coordinates $(|\vec{x}|=x,\theta,\phi)$ (as convention I take the "physics notation" given on Wikipedia ...
682 views

Shape of a string/chain/cable/rope/wire?

The height of a string in a gravitational field in 2-dimensions is bounded by $h(x_0)=h(x_l)=0$ (nails in the wall) and also $\int_0^l ds= l$. ($h(0)=h(l)=0$, if you take $h$ as a function of arc ...
640 views

Do gases reflect some IR radiation?

The usual definition given for a greenhouse gas is that it absorbs infrared radiation. Of course, then the gas emits its own thermal radiation, and it does so without preference for direction ...
372 views

Difference between Diamond anvil cell and Bridgman cell

In high pressure physics what is the difference between diamond anvil cells (DAC) and Bridgman cells? My understanding is that they are both forms of anvil cell but in the scientific literature I'm ...
55 views

Fading transition and rotation of and object in 2D

I'm looking for sources about I guess dynamics subject. The model I'd like to solve is reduced to a question of: How does a force applied on a certain point of an object results in both fading ...
245 views

What is actually a resonating vibration and resonance?

What is actually a resonating vibration and resonance? I have searched many books and made Google search too but couldn't understand it clearly.
41 views

What is pulsed neutron diffraction?

I have tried a google search and checked my condensed matter books but I can't find out what pulsed neutron diffraction is and how it differs from inelastic neutron scattering.
45 views

Looking for a reference book, or book chapter to learn about piezoelectricity

I'm looking for an introduction to the treatment of piezoelectricity, specially in semiconductors emphasizing the dependence on the orientation of the unit cell and the interactive effects with the ...
638 views

Tachyonic antitelephone vs messaging through a wormhole

From the wikipedia article on tachyons: Most physicists think that faster-than-light particles cannot exist because they are not consistent with the known laws of physics.[3][5] If such particles ...
557 views

proof of radius of convergence of perturbation series in quantum electrodynamics zero

Can anyone show detailed proof of why radius of convergence of perturbation series in quantum electrodynamics is zero? And how is perturbation series constructed? So, as this argument requires ...
273 views

Could a planet ever end up with a doughnut hole in it?

If there was an asteroid that happened to be made out of something really solid (iron, titanium?) and it got enough velocity (sling shot around the sun?), is it conceivable that it could hit a planet ...
220 views

Frequency of a periodic signal with distortions

I would like to evaluate frequency of some unstable periodic signal coming from a detector: The signal is registered continuously and may or may not be present (i.e. be periodic). The frequency ...
1k views

An example which contradict to Newton's 3rd law?

Let a,b be two charged particles. $$\vec{r}_a(0)=\vec{0}$$ $$\vec{r}_b(0)=r\hat{j}$$ $$\vec{v}_a(t)=v_a \hat{i}$$ $$\vec{v}_b(t)=v_b\hat{j}$$ In which both $v_a$ and $v_b$ $<<c$. Then ...
161 views

If human energy use were to increase by 2.3% per year, would we use all solar energy by 1400 years?

Assuming 2.3% per year exponential growth of human energy consumption (so, roughly speaking, that corresponds to multiplying consumption tenfold every century), it's argued that human annual energy ...
3k views

why does a larger thermal conductivity provide a smaller temperature gradient?

I was thinking about Fourier's Law in heat transfer today and for some reason I am just not understanding the relationships it gives us. Fourier's tells us that if the heat transfer rate is kept ...
24k views

Block on a block problem, with friction

Consider two blocks, one on top of the other on a frictionless table, with masses $m_1$ and $m_2$ respectively. There is appreciable friction between the blocks, with coefficients $\mu_s$ and $\mu_k$ ...
68 views

diffrent elements from diffrent elements [closed]

Do we get elements from other elements ? Somebody said they believed the world was visited by aliens and they made slavs of us and then amde us mine gold for them then they leave us to grow into what ...
213 views

Pure mathematical exposition vs A “for physicists” approach: Which is better? [closed]

I'm an undergrad interested in theoretical physics. Don't know enough to decide which specific subfield I may go in, but particle theory (strings, QFT, GR) and mathematically heavy condensed matter ...
552 views

Explanation of the Graetz circuit

My knowledge of circuits is pretty rudimentary and I've never really understood circuits, so I'm having trouble with the concept of Graetz circuits: When you register the voltage on the resistor R ...
187 views

Non-zero higher time derivatives of position?

My mom told me to use speed control, which would allow the car to remain at constant speed. I told her that its impossible for a car to maintain constant speed, as slight changes in friction on the ...
485 views

What is the result of a classical collision between THREE point particles at the same precise instant?

Classical Mechanics is said to be deterministic, a statement that nearly always is followed by that quote from Laplace, something like If at one time, one knew the positions and velocities of all ...
51 views

How large would the electric field need to be to split the mj -/+1 626.6 nm line of neon?

I am an undergraduate considering an extension on a quantum beats experiment with neon. The premise is to excite neon atoms coherently from a metastable 'ground' state into a superposition of excited ...
690 views

What is the nature of the correspondence between unitary operators and reversible change?

Why does the formalism of QM represent reversible changes (eg the time evolution operator, quantum gates, etc) with unitary operators? To put it another way, can it be shown that unitary ...
317 views

What is the change in flux through a loop that has been rotated?

We have a number of field lines perpendicular to one loop of wire with an area $A = 10\textrm{ cm}^2$. The magnetic field is$B= 7.2\times10^{-5}\textrm{ T}$. You turn the loop and the flux decreases ...
926 views

1k views

Can a first order phase transition have an order parameter?

Order parameter is used to describe second order phase transition. It seems that in some papers it is used in the first order phase transitions. Can first order phase transition have an order ...
70 views

If a cart hits a wall, does the weight of it affect how it moves, when the center of gravity is constant?

I have a model that represents a bicycle (a wood block with wheels), and I'm balancing the center of gravity so it's the same as a real bike. However, when the center of mass is kept constant, does ...

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