Questions tagged [big-list]
DO NOT ASK SUCH QUESTIONS! The "big-list" tag is applied to list-like questions which have no single answer. A few of these were asked early in the site's history, but they are no longer allowed.
64
questions
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What technological advance would a room temperature superconductor allow? [closed]
I have read a recently published paper on arXiv where the scientists claim to have developed a superconductor material working at room temperature and pressure.
While it is clear that the results - if ...
- 151
5
votes
1
answer
178
views
What Conformal Field theories are currently known to exist?
Conformal field theories (CFTs) pop up all over physics, especially in condensed matter and string theory. Their existence puts strong constraints on what quantum field theories can exist, since every ...
- 1,656
1
vote
3
answers
117
views
Higher powers in physics formulae [closed]
A huge number of formulae involve second powers (squares). For example, the very famous:
$$e = m c^2$$
Third powers (cubes) are also common e.g. volumes:
$$V = \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3$$
Fourth powers ...
- 2,043
3
votes
2
answers
169
views
Analytical solution for Navier-Stokes where non-linear term is important [closed]
In general, analytical solution of the Navier-Stokes is difficult to obtain. Simple cases where analytical solutions are known include Poiseuille flow and barometric pressure variation for ...
- 97
-1
votes
1
answer
53
views
What are all the quantum equations to find the wave equation? [duplicate]
What are all the quantum equations relativistic and non-relativistic to find the wave equation?
Is it possible to write the name of each equation and its formula, and if it is possible to explain it?
...
- 269
0
votes
3
answers
101
views
Examples of "natural" observed events (phenomena) without scientific explanation [closed]
Could you provide me some examples of observed events considered "natural" but with no scientific explanation? I would prefer some easy-to-understand examples, not involving a lot of ...
- 19
10
votes
9
answers
780
views
Are there any quantum effects which we can see in every day life? [closed]
I am wondering if there are any natural phenomenon in every-day life that cannot be explained by classical physics but can only be explained by quantum mechanics. By classical physics, I mean ...
- 479
4
votes
0
answers
107
views
Non-supersymmetric CFT in $d=4, 5, 6$
There's no known interacting CFT in $d>6$, see Interacting CFT in $d>6$
Also we know a lot CFT in $d=2$ (minimal models for example) and in $d=3$ (WF fixed points in $4-\epsilon$ approach to ...
- 5,579
1
vote
2
answers
82
views
Using technology in Physics [closed]
Currently I find that technology is a wonderful tool in efficiently understanding physics. It helps in giving access to resources and providing a better understanding of topics but what I dislike is ...
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Which quantities are Lorentz-Invariable and which are not? [duplicate]
The only physical constant I know for sure is Lorentz-Invariant is electric charge. I am curious to know if there are others even if it's not possible to make an exhaustive list.
- 744
0
votes
1
answer
315
views
What quantities are Lorenz-Invariant? [closed]
I understand that quantities in physics can either be Lorenz-Invariant (eg charge) or Lorenz-Covariant (eg length). Is it possible to obtain an exhaustive list of which quantities are which?
- 744
2
votes
1
answer
150
views
Ways to derive black-body radiation in Unruh effect
I know two ways to derive black-body radiation in Unruh effect and they are:
Using Bogoliubov coefficients (N. D. Birrell and Paul Davies)
Using Page approximation (David J. Toms and Leonard Parker)
...
- 2,943
1
vote
1
answer
853
views
What are the principal applications of linear algebra in theoretical physics? [closed]
I am currently doing Shankar's Principle of Quantum Mechanics, and I am wondering besides the Quantum Mechanics applications that I already know it's a myriad, what are the other things inside physics ...
- 354
0
votes
5
answers
168
views
Are there good examples of entities that are taken to exist in physics because talking about them is useful, but that don't really exist? [closed]
This question is for work in philosophy, but can only answered by physicists. It's hard to make it more precise without already knowing the answer to it. I'm looking for a good example, if there is ...
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
Natural phenomena with cubic behaviour [closed]
I'd like to know which natural phenomena (in planet earth) may be described with a cubic function/polynomial? or is there not any.
Accelerated movement is quadratic. Work, is also quadratic. the ...
- 101
1
vote
0
answers
33
views
A fitting example for discoveries that were hypothesized before the discovery [closed]
(The motivation for the below question is to explain the concept of the so-called scientific evidence to laymen.)
(I am sorry that the question is somewhat broad.)
What would be a fitting (and ...
- 295
1
vote
2
answers
135
views
What alternatives did Einstein ponder to supersede quantum mechanics? [closed]
It is well known that Einstein was unhappy with quantum mechanics and it is also well known that he worked on new ideas.
Is there surveys or books or research notes or lecture notes that talk about ...
2
votes
0
answers
254
views
What are some common counterintuitive classical physics phenomena that you can think of? [closed]
Some ordinary and everyday physics phenomena are counterintuitive when first encountered. Examples:
demo of moment of inertia of cylinders rolling down an inclined plane by prof Walter Lewin: https://...
- 31
11
votes
2
answers
515
views
Are there aspects of General Relativity that have yet to be tested?
Good evening everyone, I am new in the field of General Relativity and I have been reading and learning about the subject in recent months.
For example, I read several articles about experiments ...
- 235
3
votes
0
answers
237
views
Insightful educational games about physics?
I came across this game called "a slower speed of light". I don't know whether it is officially an "educational game" (I haven't played it), but it is about the effects of special ...
-3
votes
1
answer
33
views
List of Possible Quantum cryptographic tasks? [closed]
Other than Shor's algorithm for integer factorization, what are some other algorithms that will benefit from quantum computers?
I am exploring the potential quantum cryptographic tasks.
- 101
0
votes
1
answer
818
views
Nabla operator ∇, applications? [closed]
I'm a math student I'm making one project of problems involving the operator ∇ or "Nabla operator. Just to make a hint of: gradient, divergence and curl.
I need more examples of it's uses and its ...
- 3
2
votes
0
answers
385
views
Where is the method of Contour integration used in physics? [closed]
Complex numbers have a wide variety of application in physics and so must be contour integration but where do we exactly apply the principles of contour integration, residues and poles in the field of ...
5
votes
0
answers
133
views
Were there any mathematically sound physics theories that turned out to be wrong? [closed]
What are some (if any) mathematically elegant/sound theories of physics that turned out to be wrong?
user86072
34
votes
10
answers
17k
views
Easy to perform quantitative experiments at home [closed]
What are some easy to perform physics experiments that can be done at home (with not too much special equipment) and that allow to actually measure/plot data and draw conclusions from it?
My son is ...
- 4,255
2
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Basic Classification of Energy [closed]
When I was still in school, I learnt that there are 2 types of energy: Potential & Kinetic Energy. When I searched Wikipedia and other sources, there were many forms of energy. There are some ...
- 51
68
votes
9
answers
8k
views
What are the next generation physics experiments? [closed]
The LHC and LIGO are two recent examples of hugely ambitious experiments in fundamental physics, both of which took decades to develop.
What are the next major experiments currently being planned and ...
- 13.2k
3
votes
3
answers
459
views
Examples of Bernoulli Numbers, Euler-Mascheroni Integration, and the $\zeta(n)$ in physics [closed]
In Arfken's Mathematical Methods for Physicists, there is a subsection of the "Infinite Series" chapter which covers the Bernoulli numbers, Euler-Mascheroni integration (or summation), and the ...
- 5,229
7
votes
3
answers
456
views
What theoretical predictions took the longest to be experimentally confirmed? [closed]
Looking forward to Einstein's general relativity centennial in 2015, I was thinking about how cool it would be if LIGO detects gravitational waves in 1916 (centennial of Einstein's "weak field" paper) ...
- 3,724
1
vote
5
answers
2k
views
Is there a commonly used unit of measure (other than temperature units) that is not absolute? [closed]
I live in a country where we use Degree-Celsius(°C) to measure the temperature.
Sometimes from one day to the other, the temperature rises from 10°C to 20°C and I hear people say, "Wow! Today is twice ...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Physics research topic for Undergraduate students [closed]
Can You tell me some research topics for 1st year undergraduate students? I am not getting how to make a research paper?
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Upcoming 'things to watch' in physics [closed]
What are the 'things to watch' in physics happening in the next year or so?
E.g. A big astronomical event that happens only every n thousand years, or an experiment in particle physics which will ...
- 101
22
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What interesting physics problems can't be solved because mathematics is not developed enough? [closed]
I'm curious as to what sorts of physical problems to which we don't have an answer, because we haven't developed the right mathematics yet (or advanced-enough mathematics).
Related to this question ...
- 321
2
votes
0
answers
135
views
Physics classics [closed]
I would like some help to find
good and detailed books on the history of physics.
Which are the classics in this domain? Which are your favorite?
3
votes
3
answers
387
views
Counting Problems in Physics [closed]
What are some classic counting problems in physics? I'm trying to think of interesting examples to give in a math class on the matter, and I feel as if physics should have some ones to offer.
user24082
41
votes
10
answers
8k
views
Classic home experiments for an 8-year-old child [closed]
My 8-year-old daughter's school report says that she's good at understanding the basic science she's doing, but she's having trouble seeing how experimental results lead to conclusions. Specifically, ...
- 616
2
votes
0
answers
626
views
Can you give example of some problems with solutions in each of Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian method? [closed]
I am a student from information system and just want to know about classical mechanics. I know Newtonian mechanics from high school and I have read about Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics in ...
- 137
2
votes
0
answers
145
views
Applications of low-dimensional topology to physics [duplicate]
As a mathematics graduate student whose research area lies in low-dimensional topology (more precisely, invariants of 3-dimensional topological manifolds), I heard that there exist multiple ...
36
votes
3
answers
32k
views
Best Sets of Physics Lecture Notes and Articles [closed]
This post is inspired by this math.se post.
Let me start by apologizing if there is another thread on phys.se that subsumes this.
I often find that I learn best from sets of lecture notes and short ...
17
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Accidental, unplanned breakthroughs in physics [closed]
There is possibly some idiom or saying like this, "If you try too hard for something, you will never get it. If you do not aim for something, it may fall on you accidentally, not as you originally ...
33
votes
11
answers
7k
views
Are there still 'everyday' phenomena unexplained by Physics? [closed]
There are two very famous quotes from German Nobel Laureate Albert Abraham Michelson that are remembered mainly for being extremely wrong (especially since he said them just before two major ...
1
vote
1
answer
200
views
Generic features, semi-heuristic derivations [closed]
Einstein was able to make some predictions before GR was fully formulated. e.g. gravitational time dilation.
Such predictions before the full theory are referred to as "semi-heuristic derivations" ...
- 849
5
votes
4
answers
412
views
List of Physical Toys [closed]
There should be a list of toys considered "physical", which demonstrate or make you think over certain physical principles/phenomena. And of course which could just amaze.
Related question at MSE is "...
- 2,580
5
votes
0
answers
2k
views
10 Big Problems - Condensed Matter [closed]
I think it was Feynman that suggested that you should always carry ten big problems around in your head, and when you encounter a new method, see whether this new method allows you to make progress on ...
- 65
9
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What are the best astronomy blogs and podcasts? [closed]
For someone who likes learning about astronomy what are the blogs and/or podcasts that I should be following?
12
votes
4
answers
10k
views
Interesting topics to research in mathematical physics for undergraduates [closed]
I'm planning on getting into research in mathematical physics and was wondering about interesting topics I can get into and possibly make some progress on.
I'm particularity fond of abstract algebra ...
- 433
34
votes
10
answers
3k
views
Readable books on advanced topics [closed]
I realise that there are already a few questions looking for general book recommendations, but the motivation and type of book I'm looking for here is a little different, so I hope you can indulge me.
...
17
votes
10
answers
541
views
In astronomy what phenomena have theory predicted before observations?
As far as I know, astronomy is generally an observational science. We see something and then try to explain why it is happening. The one exception that I know of is black holes: first it was thought ...
- 737
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Proofs that every professional physicist should know [closed]
There's been a lot of questions about books that every physicist should read, or what are the most important papers in physics. I would say there are also proofs in physics that have that wow factor ...
122
votes
4
answers
14k
views
The Role of Rigor [closed]
The purpose of this question is to ask about the role of mathematical rigor in physics. In order to formulate a question that can be answered, and not just discussed, I divided this large issue into ...
- 2,013