Explanation Definition and 982 Threads

An explanation is a set of statements usually constructed to describe a set of facts which clarifies the causes, context, and consequences of those facts. This description may establish rules or laws, and may clarify the existing rules or laws in relation to any objects, or phenomena examined.Explanation, in philosophy, is a set of statements that makes intelligible the existence or occurrence of an object, event, or state of affairs. Among the most common forms of explanation are causal explanation; deductive-nomological explanation, which involves subsuming the explanandum under a generalization from which it may be derived in a deductive argument (e.g., “All gases expand when heated; this gas was heated; therefore, this gas expanded”); and statistical explanation, which involves subsuming the explanandum under a generalization that gives it inductive support (e.g., “Most people who use tobacco contract cancer; this person used tobacco; therefore, this person contracted cancer”). Explanations of human behaviour typically appeal to the subject’s beliefs and desires, as well as other facts about him, and proceed on the assumption that the behaviour in question is rational (at least to a minimum degree). Thus an explanation of why the subject removed his coat might cite the fact that the subject felt hot, that the subject desired to feel cooler, and that the subject believed that he would feel cooler if he took off his coat.

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  1. M

    Can i find more exercises and explanation online?

    Basically I'm in a chapter about double and triple integration, integration using polar cordinates, etc... I'm not a big fan of my book and it's not very clear to me , so maybe anyone knows where i can find online good explanation of the subject and maybe more exercises. thank you
  2. S

    Exploring the E8 Theory: A Layman's Explanation

    I don't have much of a math/physics background, undergraduate physics and calculus is where I stopped... yet I find theoretical physics extremely interesting. The recent online hype about the "E8 theory" only really discusses the fact that Lisi likes to surf and doesn't wear a pocket protector...
  3. F

    Looking for complete explanation of logic behind relativity

    Hello, My name is Joe and I am a junior in high school. I am taking AP Calculus right now along with a basic physics class. I am very, very interested in the special and general theories of relativity, but I want to know the exact logic behind it. Right now, I don't really understand any of...
  4. rcgldr

    Bernoulli's Principle explanation help

    There's a simple explanation that wasn't covered in the last thread about this. Start off with an ideal incompressable fluid with no viscosity in a pipe. The flow rate in the pipe is fixed. The amount of mass per unit time moving past any cross section in the pipe is constant, otherwise mass...
  5. C

    Understanding the Scalar Product in Vector Calculus

    Homework Statement What surface is represented by r . a = conts. that is described if a is a vector of constant magnitude and direction from the origin and r is the position vector to the point P(x1, x2, x3) on the surface? The Attempt at a Solution I know that the dot product of two...
  6. T

    DDCS: Understanding What it Measures

    Hello all, I was doing some reading on doubly differential cross-sections and was wondering what does this actually measure, in a physical sense. The way I see it, it looks like the differentiation of the incident angle of the scattering with respect to the reflected angle? Also, there's also...
  7. P

    Explanation for moment-generating function

    Hello everyone, I have taken up on reading a mathematical statistics book and have gotten stuck on the moment-generating function. I tried using Wikipedia for a simpler explanation to no avail... I noticed it is used a lot in finding the mean & variance for all types of distributions. Can...
  8. S

    Easy partial fractions explanation

    Homework Statement I just want to know how to proceed to get 1/s - s/(s^2+1) using partial fractions on the term 1/(s(s^2 − 1)) I know this is probably straight forward but I just don't get it. Thanks.
  9. L

    How to Convert Between Julian Day and Gregorian Date?

    Hi guys, I have another weak problem here if you would care to help, please. I am trying to convert between the julian day and the gregorian date, and I found a eally good website:http://www.ortelius.de/kalender/calc_en.php The only problem is that when I run into the centennial cycle...
  10. Mallignamius

    Exploring a Possible Explanation for an Unusual Sighting in Northern Illinois

    I'd really like at the least a possible and rational explanation for what we (my parents and I) saw. This was about a decade ago, in northern Illinois. About 4:30 AM early January as I was getting ready for work, I saw way off in the distance a light in a trailer park. It changed colors, so I...
  11. H

    Biological explanation for accelerated aging of amphetamine victims?

    I was seeing a documentary on amphetamines the other day and I was looking for a biological explanation for the accelerated aging that was apparent in the drug victims' faces. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_meth#Effects It doesn't list my observation on Wikipedia...
  12. B

    GR explanation of Newtonian Phenomena

    1. How would a general relativist explain why an object falls towards the earth? 2. Is it correct to say that it is not the apple that falls towards the Earth but it is the Earth that accelerates towards the apple? Why is this ok to say? Is it because, in GR, there are no preferred reference...
  13. M

    Comprehensive explanation of Aliasing?

    Hello, I need a comrehensive explanation of Aliasing? and its relation to filters... Thanks for the answers
  14. I

    Heat capacity at constant volume explanation

    Homework Statement Explain what is meant by the heat capacity at constant volume, CV, and the heat capacity at constant pressure, CP. How are these two properties related for an ideal gas? Why is CP generally greater than CV Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution...
  15. E

    Can Null LHC Results Falsify SUSY Theories and Hierarchy Solutions?

    If LHC does not see SUSY-partners, of course, this null result would not falsify all SUSY theories, as some SUSY theories could still be realized in nature at a breaking scale some point above 1 TEV, but would a null result falsify SUSY theories that serve as an explanation for hierarchy of the...
  16. J

    Electricity - detailed explanation ?

    hey from what i have been told , in an electric circuit , electrons only move at a few millimeters per sec but then, how can u produce energy kilometers away from these moving electrons ? i mean if we look on an atomic level , u have electrons moving very slowly at the beginning of the...
  17. J

    Explanation of why there can't be dipole gravitational radiation

    [[disclaimer: this is *not* a homework assignment]] In general relativity, the lowest non-vanishing multiple of gravitational radiation is generically the quadrupole: the monopole is forbidden by Birkhoff's theorem, and conservation of momentum is forbidden by conservation of momentum. I...
  18. C

    Dirichlet's Theorem (Complex Analysis): John B. Conway Explanation

    Hi could please let me know the Dirichlet's theorem(Complex analysis) ,statement atleast... as stated in John B Comway's book if possible ...I don't have the textbook and its urgent that's why...thank You
  19. B

    CMBR - a possible alternative explanation?

    How can we be sure that the Cosmic Microwave Backgound Radiation is a relic of the big bang and not a reflected echo of the sun's solar wind after it's interaction with the heliopause? I ask this because I read an article some years ago which indicated that one of the voyagers had detected a...
  20. W

    Solar Cycle & Explanation for Recent Changes?

    Is the Sun heading towards a Maunder Minimum? [PLAIN]http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/10may_longrange.htm[/URL] The following is an excerpt from the above link: The sun's "Great Conveyor Belt" And from the next link, it appears there was a failed solar magnetic field...
  21. N

    Understanding Lenz's Law - Get a Clear Explanation Now

    i am having so much difficulty understanding lenz's law. i don't know what it means and how to use it. will someone please give me a good explanation for it because my book SUCKS and I'm having a very hard time understanding this hard(and stupid) topic so please help me.
  22. T

    Solving My First Vector Problem: Answers & Explanation

    I JUST started adding vectors.. as in.. last class. I got a ton of questions, and have done three of them. The answers are given, but I got them wrong. I'll follow the little template already given: Homework Statement What is the net force on a stack of books which are applied two forces...
  23. L

    Sky colour explanation by scattering

    I have done a little research on the internet and I would like to ask my concept is correct or not. 1) Sky is blue As the effect of rayleigh scattering is more effective for shorter wavelength, blue light scatter more than others (e.g. red). Furthermore, our eyes are more sensitive to blue...
  24. H

    Carlip's explanation of lack of gravitational aberration

    Last month I asked here whether there's a consensus about Van Flandern's speculations about the speed of gravity. I quickly learned that he's not well-regarded. Fine. I was hoping to be able to get something out of Steve Carlip's explanation for how GR explains the apparent almost...
  25. R

    Settling the Hot vs Cold Water Debate: Exploring a Logical Explanation

    1. A woman informs her engineer husband that "hot water will freeze faster than cold water". He calls this statement nonsense. She answers by saying that she had actually timed the freezing process for ice trays in the home refrigerator and found that the hot water does indeed freeze faster. As...
  26. T

    Am I delusional or is there a logical explanation for this

    I've always wondered since I was a kid, I would lay down and have a blanket over my eyes sometimes while looking through it during daylight or at a light. If I focused just right, I would slowly see squiggly lines and things just slowly floating by like a transparent layer over what I normally...
  27. Z

    On explanation of negative energy states and electron pair creation

    Dirac's theory of the electron predicted that there were identical particles of equal mass but of negative energy. He appealed to the Pauli exclusion principle and proposed that there was a negative energy 'sea' of electrons that was full up to -2mc^2 in order to answer critics that positive...
  28. B

    Eigenfunctions problem - i have the answer, explanation required

    Homework Statement Now in a revision lecture given a few weeks ago, the lecturer gave this as the answer. The Attempt at a Solution No I think generally I'm fine with it (apart from it doesn't seem very obvious that this is what you should do with the maths!). BUT 1)...
  29. C

    String Theory: a layman's explanation [joke]

    If one goes to a bookstore, one can find lots of books about String Theory. Unfortunately, many of these books are very difficult to comprehend; not everyone has the background necessary to appreciate these great works. To satisfy the curiosity of these people, I have decided to write this...
  30. P

    Intuitive explanation why frequency is fixed

    From treating light as a wave it is possible using Huygen’s theory to deduce that the frequency of the light will not change whether in vacuum or some other material. I have seen a mathematical proof of it and understand it but is there an intuitive explanation for it? Does it match Maxwell...
  31. P

    Why does the partial of 2y^2e^(xy^2) equal 4ye^(xy^2)?

    \frac{\partial_P}{\partial_y}(2ysinxcosx-y+2y^2e^{(xy^2)} I worked the first part no problem, but the second part I needed a little help from my calculator. This is what I got: 2sinxcosx-1+4ye^{(xy^2)} My question is, why does the partial of 2y^2e^{(xy^2)} come out to 4ye^{(xy^2)}...
  32. H

    Scientific explanation of the Universe

    Unless we figure out time travel (laughable), there is no way to come to a scientific explanation of the universe. All the 'theories' we have on the universe's beginnings are nothing but hypotheses...and that includes the big bang 'theory'...which is currently being shot to **** (Back and to the...
  33. A

    Explaining Nuclear Fusion to Non-Sci Majors

    I need to explain fusion to some intro chem people, but they are really dense...Think this will work: *see picture
  34. B

    Scientific explanation of a chip pan fire + water

    Ok, I know what happens (big fireball : ) when you add water to a chip pan fire, but I'd really appreciate it if you guys (and gals) helped me out with SCIENTIFICALLY describing WHY adding water to the pan causes the fireball. It must contain words like "immiscible" and so on... Thanks in...
  35. S

    Explanation needed in angular acceleration

    Hi all, I am doing some homework from my textbook and I encountered this problem: "Starting from rest, a disk rotates about its central axis with constant angular acceleration. In 5.0 s, it rotates 25 rad. During that time, what are the magnitudes of (a) the angular acceleration and (b) the...
  36. K

    Physical explanation for camera DOF (depth of field)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field" stands for the range that is sharp on a photograph. The bigger the diafragma (camera opening) the smaller the range that will be sharp on the picture. A bigger diafragma also means a shorter shutter opening (so the picture doesn't become too...
  37. G

    Resonance need explanation (No maths)

    I know that when the applied frequency on a mass is equal to the natural frequency, the mass resonates. It has a great amplitude as a result of this. But I don't know how somethings affect the resonant frequency. Like for a mass-spring system. 1) What effect would increasing the mass have...
  38. M

    What is the scientifical explanation of death?

    what is the scientifical (phycisistic) explanation of death? and what's the point in doing anything if we're just going to die? please, keep it short/simple, couse my head aches, and my english sucks..
  39. S

    VLE Calculations: Help and Explanation

    Sorry bout putting the question in the form of like a homework problem, just didnt know how to go bout asking what i wanted. Basically can anyone explain how to do VLE calculations.. So confused with the topic. Whats bubblepoint and dew mean.. Cheers. Hopefully this post is ok for...
  40. B

    Fourier Series: Simplified Explanation for Beginners

    Can someone explain this to me simply. I just plain do not get Fourier Series. I've got a question that says: show that f(x)=exp(-cx) for 0<x<pi =exp(cx) for -pi<x<0 can be written as a cosine series that's way too complicated for me to work out how to write here. I have no idea...
  41. Loren Booda

    How does Napier's logarithm make computing powers easier without calculus?

    How can one explain the Napierian logarithm without calculus?
  42. J

    Explanation of how a capacitor works?

    Could anyone give me a brief explanation of how a capacitor works? What does its I-V graph look like? Thanks
  43. B

    Brief explanation of what entropy is?

    Hi, could someone please give me a brief explanation of what entropy is? Due to my limited understanding what entropy actually is, most of the things I've read about it seem very vague. I've only been seeing entropy popping up in integrals and in sometimes in comments along the lines of entropy...
  44. L

    Debunking HUP explanation myth

    Hi, All my chemistry textbooks (thankfully not the physics ones) and my teachers (unfortunately including the physics ones) seem bent on 'explaining' the Heisenberg Position-Momentum Uncertainty Principle using the famous thought experiment of photons striking an electron, and not one of them...
  45. S

    Does string theory/M theory have an explanation for

    If there is an explanation, I would appreciate undersanding them 1. The speed of light being (approx) 300,000 kms/sec rather than some other value? 2. That the speed of light is the same no matter what frame of reference (as per Einstein's theories and I assume it must have) 3. What is...
  46. S

    What is the Determinant and Why Does It Matter in Linear Algebra?

    My lack of any shred of idea about the concept of the determinant is really beginning to bug me. Especially now that I have begun my Linear Algebra class. Is there anybody available to help explain (or link me to a good explanation) to me the idea behind it and what the value actually stands...
  47. C

    Elastic and Inelastic Collision explanation

    *** Elastic and Inelastic Collision explanation *** 1) Why energy and momentum are conserved in elastic collision? 2) Why only momentum is conserved in inelastic collision? Why energy is not conserved? Answers: Conservation of momentum is a consequence of Newton's third law. From the...
  48. B

    Explanation for term in formula, QFT

    Hi I've got a question about a term in a formula I've found in Mandl&Shaw's QFT book It's about equation 2.18 on page 31 L(t) = {\sum_i \delta \bf{x}_i {\cal L}_i \ ... Why is there a delta x_i when summing over all lagrangians for getting the lagrange-function for the whole...
  49. W

    Looking for explanation of randomness.

    Hi all, for some time I have been wondering about something I’m not too sure on. Please could someone tell me how randomness can exist? That is to say on a molecular level, or on any level things happening without cause or justification? Patterns may be too hard for us to currently understand or...
  50. C

    MOND gravity, an explanation please.

    Greetings, I've heard something to the effect that MOND can explain the rotation of galaxies, but the article was very fuzzy. Can someone please explain to me MOND... 1) How is MOND different from the inverse-square law? (math please) 2) What 'problems' in science does MOND...
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