# All Questions

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### Causality in a gedanken experiment on the hydrogen atom

Consider a gedanken(=thought) experiment where I am tracking the motion of the electron in a hydrogen atom with a time resolution of (say) $\Delta t = 10^{-20}$ seconds. Further assume (for ...
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### Definition of “Quantizing”

Could anyone explain to me what "quantize" means in the following context? Quantize the 1-D harmonic oscillator for which $$H~=~{p^2\over 2m}+{1\over 2} m\omega^2 x^2.$$ I understand that the ...
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### What are all the approaches that have been tried for a theory of quantum gravity? [closed]

I am aware that that the most researched approach is that of string theory. I have also heard about quantum loop gravity. What other approaches are there to unify gravity and QFT? Also, please include ...
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### Asymptotic limit of the two kink solution of the sine-gordon equation

I am reading a paper on the sine-gordon model. The solution for a two kink solution is given as: ...
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### General Physics Short question [closed]

Does any one know where this formula come from ? $\alpha (t) = -\omega^2\ \Theta(t)$ Thanks
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### Can you tell if a particle is in superposition?

This may be an easy answer for anybody. Is it possible to detect if a particle A is still in a superposition via the sending a group of particles B through a box containing particle A?
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### Wigner's friend and quantum Zeno effect

Suppose Winger's friend is placed into a black box, thoroughly isolated from the outside world. He constantly observes an atom with a delay of some microseconds. According to Zeno effect, atom's ...
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### Amplitude of an electromagnetic wave containing a single photon

Given a light pulse in vacuum containing a single photon with an energy $E=h\nu$, what is the peak value of the electric / magnetic field?
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### What evidence is there for the Big Bang Theory? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: What has been proved about the big bang, and what has not? I know the expansion of the universe is the most compelling but what else makes it so well liked and believed. ...
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### Can one predict mass distribution in a solar system given the mass of the star?

I'm trying to write a program to procedurally generate solar systems at a reasonably high level (I'm not interested in doing an n-body dust particle formation simulation). Is there some sort of ...
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### Rotating Empty Sphere around stationary black hole

Would it be possible to create a habitable in terms of gravity planet that would rotate with the black hole acting as a center of gravity? The rotation of the structure would lessen the gravitational ...
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### Calculating the error by a small change of the potential in Schrodinger equation

In $\mathbb{R}^3$, consider the time-dependent (non-rel) Schrodinger equation with the potential energy $V(\mathbb{x})$. When a small change(e.g., just a small constant $\delta>0$) of V(x) is ...
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### What is the angle of the string with the vertical?

A heavy uniform sphere of radius $a$ has a light inextensible string attached to a point on its surface. The other end of the string is fixed to a point on a rough vertical wall. The sphere ...
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### Convert latitude of lowest altitude to argument of perigee?

I am designing an orbit around Mercury. I know the values I want for the semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, and RAAN. I want the altitude of closest approach (periapse) to occur at ...
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### How can I cause a levitating magnet to rotate?

I have a device like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA_hw_lY-OY (All of them work the same) Here's an image: I want to make it spin without touching it with hands. I tried using magnets ...
311 views

### Phase volume contraction in dissipative systems

I am confused about phase-volume contraction in dissipative systems. Please help me catch the flaw in my understanding. From a macroscopic point of view I understand that a dynamic system tends to go ...
257 views

### Proper times of two observers in a three-torus

Consider two observer in a tree-torus space of size $L$. Observer $A$ is at rest, while observer $B$ moves in the $x$-direction with constant velocity $v$. $A$ and $B$ began at the same event, and ...
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### Why are so many forces explainable using inverse squares when space is three dimensional?

It seems paradoxical that the strength of so many phenomena (Newtonian gravity, Coulomb force) are calculable by the inverse square of distance. However, since volume is determined by three ...
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### What is non-Abelian about non-Abelian Chern-Simons' theory?

One is aware that in the axial gauge (say the light-cone gauge $A_{-}=0$) non-supersymmetric Chern-Simons' theory is a quadratic theory. Hence in this gauge there are no gauge-gauge interactions. Then ...
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### What is the Laughlin argument?

The fundamental question is Why is Hall conductance quantized? Let's start with the Hall bar, a 2D metal bar subject to a strong perpendicular magnetic field $B_0$. Let current $I$ flow in the ...
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### If we charge a capacitor can we discharge it into a battery?

I have read that we can charge a capacitor using a battery, but can the vice versa happen? My project needs to show a battery being charged through a fully charged capacitor.
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### Noise spectrum of two systems and interacting Hamiltonian

I've been discovering recently the concept of noise spectrum, defined as: $$S_{xx}[\omega] = \int dt \langle x(t)x(0)\rangle \text{e}^{-i\omega t}$$ Roughly the Fourrier transform of the two-point ...
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### Fermi's Golden Rule and Density of States

I know Fermi's Golden Rule in the form $$\Gamma_{fi} ~=~ \sum_{f}\frac{2\pi}{\hbar}\delta (E_f - E_i)|M_{fi}|^2$$ where $\Gamma_{fi}$ is the probability transition rate, $M_{fi}$ are the transition ...
131 views

### Freeze and “break apart” an object. How?

Is it possible to freeze an object, say an apple, and then drop it so that is will break apart into pieces? And if so, how can it be achieved?
140 views

### Basic question about probability and measurements

Say I have a Galton box, i.e. a ball dropping on a row of solid bodies. Now I want to calculate the probability distribution of the movement of the ball based on the properties of the body (case A). ...
2k views

### Why does the monitor make a cracking noise?

After switching off the monitor, there's a single crack after a while. I wonder where exactly it comes from. I know that this is normal and not an indicator of being defect. This sound is also not ...
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### What is physical meaning of $\kappa$ and $R$ in curved space?

What is physical meaning of $\kappa$ and $R$ in curved space? $$dl^2 = \frac{dr^2}{1 - \kappa\frac{r^2}{R^2}} + r^2d\theta^2 + r^2\sin^2\theta d\phi^2$$
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### Interpretation of $e|\psi|^2$ as electron density

In solid state physics the electron density is often equated to $e|\psi|^2$. However, the Sakurai says (Chapter 2.4, Interpretation of the Wave Function, p. 101) that adopting such a view leads "to ...
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### Conservation laws in mSUGRA model

Can somebody list all the quantum numbers (beside R-parity) that are conserved in vertex for SUSY particles in mSUGRA model?
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### Explanation on Atomic Orbitals and Molecular Orbitals

We were reading about atomic structures and bond making and my teacher told me that when two atoms are fused or when they make bond, two orbitals are formed. 1-Bonding Molecular Orbital & 2- ...
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### Seeing The Light in a Black Hole

I assume if light can't escape a black hole, then light is in a black hole. Does the light 'shine' inside a black hole