Idea Definition and 833 Threads

In common usage and in philosophy, ideas are abstract concepts. Also in philosophy, ideas can also be mental representational images of some object. Many philosophers have considered ideas to be a fundamental ontological category of being. The capacity to create and understand the meaning of ideas is considered to be an essential and defining feature of human beings. In a popular sense, an idea arises in a reflexive, spontaneous manner, even without thinking or serious reflection, for example, when we talk about the idea of a person or a place. A new or an original idea can often lead to innovation.

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  1. S

    Rocket Idea: Bell-Shaped Pendulum

    One idea that just came to me relates to the "pendulum fallacy", whereby people mistakenly think that a rocket is hanging by the nose from an imaginary string, instead of actually resting on top of its tail/thruster. So then, what if you could position a lot more of the rocket/lander's mass...
  2. A

    What Are the Best Final Year Project Ideas for EE Students?

    Please give some idea! Hihi everybody... have any new suggestion for doing final year project??
  3. P

    Physics and science, just man made idea?

    There are many people out there who assert that physics and science is just a man made invention, made by convention. They say a bunch of people just decided and agreed to say that the laws of physics are what they are and that since it was all just made up arbitrarily, this means it may not be...
  4. M

    Is anyone studying the idea of nothing?

    I am not a student of science and as an uninformed simple-minded layperson; I have this TV mangled version of what is nothing. No-thing that is the lack of a thing, what is before the “Big-Bang”? A possible positive quality is that it is uniform although form implies something, I guess. No...
  5. A

    Is getting a PhD really a good idea?

    Yeah, it's stuff like this that makes me contemplate my existence as a physics PhD student. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_418626.html This reminds me of another PhD dude I heard about last year who drives cars for a living...
  6. C

    What is the best way to patent an idea?

    I recently had an idea which is revolutionary to car travel. I would like to actually produce a prototype and gain publicity/funding for the idea, but I don't want to do anything until I have ownership of the idea. There seem to be several options available, but since this is my first attempt I...
  7. L

    Steam driven brushless DC generator - would this idea work?

    Hi fellow thinkers. I need constuctive criticism on the following:- Imagine a tube circling around into a closed loop - like a hoop. Inside the hoop is a ring of connected bar magnets all facing the same way. Pressurized steam is fed into the hoop - and exited in such a way as to spin the...
  8. V

    Programs Is double majoring in both Honors Physics and regular Math a good idea?

    I am thinking about doing Honors Physics. Is getting the major in math as well a good idea?
  9. A

    Why do people refuse the idea that something caused the big bang?

    I don't get it...even Guth from MIT who is one of the pioneers of the big bang concept says that "we know that something banged, but why it banged and what caused it to bang is another story" - quoted by memory but the meaning was like that. So...some people think they are too smart to realize...
  10. N

    Good idea to do a language module in my MEng degree?

    I'm soon starting my 3rd year of my degree. Were allowed to select our modules now, and basically decide what we want to go into, i.e. fluids/thermo, materials, stress analysis etc. Were also given the opportunity to choose one module that is not engineering related. I was thinking about doing a...
  11. TheStatutoryApe

    Has Anyone Ever Stolen Your Idea?

    Has Anyone Ever "Stolen" Your Idea? It seems fairly common that people at least claim to have had an idea that someone else capitalized on before they could. How many PFers have independantly come up with ideas only to find that someone else beat them to it or maybe even came up with it...
  12. A

    Rat of reaction problems i have no idea how to do

    A certin chemical reaction is carried out at 45C and the rate observed is 280M/s. What will the rate of the reaction be at 55C? i have no idea what equation to use for this problem could someone break it down for me step by step
  13. E

    Experimenting with Magnet Drop: Feasibility of Using PVC vs. Iron Tube

    So for a project what I want to do is experiment with dropping a magnet or a piece of metal down a tube and seeing the effect on its falling speed. My first idea is to wrap copper wire around a piece of PVC pipe. I would then hook it up to a battery to make it into an electromagnet. If the field...
  14. J

    I'm too uneducated to disprove my magnetic mechanical idea.

    If you have two overlapping circles with straight lines going out in all directions, and you go from on one line from one circle to the first point where it intersects a line from the other circle and draw a line to the next line beside it from the same circle at it's first intersection with a...
  15. S

    Idea for paper on the scientific revolution

    I'm currently taking a course called 'the scientific revolution' and I have to write a paper (~4500 words) for it. The subject can be pretty broad, it doesn't neccesarily have to do with the scientific revolution, there's some room for improvisation. Now I was thinking, what about a paper that...
  16. R

    Ideas for Creative Calculus Projects

    i'm stumped as for a creative idea...i tried gas arbitrage and rate of change of human population, but apparently those won't work. if i don't find one, i'll just explain Newton's calculus theories, but does anyone have any ideas of possible topics?
  17. JK423

    An idea on explaining the weak equivalence principle

    An idea crossed my mind on how to explain the weak equivalence principle(WEP) without using the gravitational law: F=G m1m2/r2 Part of what WEP sais is that assuming we are in a uniform gravitational field, if we let two objects of different masses, they will fall with exactly the same speed...
  18. R

    Idea for light speed or possibly faster than light speed travel?

    So the other day while I was folding up some laundry I had this idea pop into my head. Now I'm not an expert or anything and I dropped out of physics in high school, but I do think quantum physics are interesting like most people. I figure this would probably be the best place to post this due...
  19. X

    What are some suitable topics for a paper about physics?

    Hello, I need to write a paper about physics and I hvae no idea at all what I could write about. Just about a topic related to physics. Could be based on an article, a book, video etc. I was going to write about an interesting article about physics , but I can't find anything :frown...
  20. M

    Applied Physics at Purdue a good idea?

    I've been look at some stuff about applied physics recently to see if I would be interested in doing that, but it seems like mostly everywhere else it is different than it is here at Purdue. Applied Physics here at Purdue takes all of the core classes of the Physics degree (physics and college...
  21. N

    Any idea about how determine body movement upun the accelerations?

    Any idea about how determine body movement upon the accelerations? Hi, I am trying to implement an algorithm which would determine the person's activity upon the received acceleration measurement data. I am measuring the accelerations using accelerometer sensors on mobile phones and send...
  22. C

    Finding Values of k for 6k2+4k in the Form 6ab+5a+b?

    can somebody please tell me if there is any way to find all values of k for which 6k2+4k is of form 6ab+5a+b? eg. for k=1, 6k2+4k=10=6x0x2+5x2+0
  23. K

    Understanding Fluid Velocity in a Restricted Pipe

    Homework Statement Liquid flows through a 4.0 cm diameter pipe at 1.0 m/s. there is a 2.0 cm diameter restriction in the line. What is the liquids velocity in this restriction? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I know that solution is 4.0 m/s but in don't know how to...
  24. W

    Half Life / Alpha Decay Question - No IDea

    Half Life / Alpha Decay Question -- No IDea Homework Statement A space rock contains 3.20 g of 147 62 Sm and 0.110 g of 143 60 Nd. 147 62 Sm alpha decays to 143 60 Nd with a half-life of 1.06 1011 yr. If the rock originally contained no , how old is it? Homework Equations ...
  25. Y

    Thermo/Fluids Research Paper Idea

    I am a sophomore engineering student taking a thermodynamics/fluid mechanics course right now. We have to write a short 4 page research paper on a topic of our choosing, that deals with thermodynamics and/or fluid mechanics. I am looking for ideas on a good topic, keeping in mind that I have to...
  26. X

    Does anyone have a idea on how lifters work yet?

    does anyone have a idea on how lifters work yet? i am agreed with those that believe it is not a ion wind effect. i believe this technology should be researched and it is my goal to use it as my field of research. i was just hoping someone is already working on it. i mean imagine, hover...
  27. S

    Least Squares Regression Analysis - No Idea

    Hello, I am a first year undergraduate university student majoring in Engineering and Computing Sc. One of my courses is Linear Algebra. We have been given an assignment in which question no. 2 is out of syllabus. It is on Least Squares Regression Analysis. This has not been taught to us. We...
  28. M

    Skipping a class (temporarily) a bad idea?

    I want to take a statistical physics class next semester which requires that I take ODE first, and recommends that I have taken linear algebra as well. Since I will not be able to take ODE until 2 semesters from now, due to the physics-major version only being offered in the spring (i...
  29. A

    Making a Supercharger for 4HP-100cc-2 Stroke Engine: Got Ideas?

    I took an engine out of a snow blower (a 100cc-4hp-2 stroke) and was planning on hooking a turbine/fan assembly from a leaf blower, up to the carburetor. I plan on taking a 200/300 watt electric motor with a speed controller (HOOKED UP TO TWO 12VOLT 12Ah RECHARGEABLE SCOOTER BATTERIES) and...
  30. K

    What is spin? i have a vague idea but im not very sure about it

    what is spin? i have a vague idea but I am not very sure about it; also how does it affect particles?
  31. T

    No idea how to start this tension/cable problem

    I'm having a really hard time figuring out where to start this problem, let alone finish it. Can anyone help me through it? I attached a scanned picture of the problem. Thanks, Matt
  32. K

    I still don't quite get the idea of subspaces, span, and range

    Alright. As stated in the title above. So, a subspace is a set of vectors that satisfies: 1) It contained the zero vector; 2) It's closed under addition and subtraction. By "closed", it means that when I add another vector in R2 or multiply by a scalar k on A(x)=m, it will end up with...
  33. A

    I'm really having a problem integrating this equation, infact i have no idea

    Homework Statement Please tell me how to integrate this... Homework Equations [(2x + 4)][(2x^2 + 3x + 1)^(1/2)] The Attempt at a Solution
  34. D

    Is the Bootstrap Model Still Viable in Modern Particle Physics?

    What are some of the problems with Chew's bootstrap model? Is it still a theory to be recognized and seriously considered?
  35. S

    Crazy idea about atomic structure

    Is it generally assumed that there is a smallest building block of matter? Or is it assumed that there is always a smaller particle within any particle? because i was thinking in my calc 2 class the other day... If you have, say, a water bottle on a table, and you assume that there is always...
  36. J

    Can a Magnetic Floor Improve Roller Hockey Puck Handling and Gameplay?

    my friend thought of an interesting idea and i was just wondering if it would be worth the money to do it, or if it seems practical. the problem with roller hockey is that the puck, even with wheels on it, doesn't slide too well. its pretty difficult to handle the puck on wood and its 10x easier...
  37. X

    Tension on a rope-no idea how to even start.

    Tension on a rope--no idea how to even start. Homework Statement A rope is used to pull a 10kg block across the floor with an acceleration of 3m/s^2. If the frictional force on the black is 50 N, what is the tension on the rope? M=50kg A= 3m/s^2 Frictional force is 50 N. Homework...
  38. Z

    Is Finding a Study Partner Beneficial for High School Physics?

    Hi, I have a question, obviously... I am currently at high school and doing my own self-study on physics. However, I was wondering if anybody here has a "partner" they do stuff with... I can imagine someone has a friend that they sit and discuss quantum mechanics with or how to solve some...
  39. B

    Pondering over the idea of going to Princeton

    I am currently pondering over the idea of going to Princeton. I will be done with school in another year, 10th grade. Anyone have any things to say about it? I was also thinking about Dartmouth or maybe Penn State. And which one would you say has the greater Physics departments. I am really...
  40. T

    Medical Is Animal Experimentation for Science Fair Projects Ethical and Effective?

    So I have been straining my mind for a science fair idea since august and have just now came up with a good idea. I was planning on studying the effects of addiction in mice. My idea is to get 9 mice and place them into 3 different cages and assign them each different numbers, A1 B1 C1, ect. I...
  41. C

    Is it a good idea to test out of first-year mechanics and e&m?

    This fall will be my first semester at a university. I have a pretty easy schedule in HS so I'm studying the Feynman lectures and working Irodov's problems. Since the university doesn't give credit for University Physics I&II (Mechanics and E&M) for the AP Physics C exams, I'm planning to test...
  42. T

    I have no idea where to start with this plane mirror question

    Homework Statement does anyone know how to do this plane mirror question? The rear window in a car is approximately a rectangle, 1.29 m wide and 0.330 m high. The inside rear-view mirror is 0.480 m from the driver's eyes, and 1.27 m from the rear window. What is the minimum height of the...
  43. G

    Easy problem, but no idea how to solve it?

    Homework Statement A motorbike with the velocity 40km/h is able to stop at a distance, D, when it brakes with maximal deacceleration. At what distance will a car with a velocity of 60 km/h stop? Homework Equations . The Attempt at a Solution I was trying to solve it through regular...
  44. M

    Exploring the Possibility of Baryonic Superfluids as Dark Matter

    Suppose dark matter is normal matter, in an exotic state. Superfluids have some interesting properties in common with "dark matter". Superfluids are quite restricted in how they interact with their surroundings. Because a superfluid is, quantum mechanically, a single entity, all of its...
  45. V

    Plasma Generator Idea: Generating Power?

    I had a idea a while ago about a possible energy generator. I was wondering if you set up a plasma arc, then circulated gases through the arc so they would be ionized. Then, the ionized gases were moved through to a wire net through means of a strong fan or magnetic fields. Would it be...
  46. WCOLtd

    Is Mach's Principle incorporated into General Relativity?

    In this mock-up universe there exists two observers on a large disc of great mass, and there is a third observer a great distance away. In this scenario we take the observation of the spinning disc from the distant (third) observer. I was thinking about Special Relativity and Mach's Principle...
  47. D

    Which Crazy Green Idea Will Win the Next X Prize?

    Remember the X Prize Foundation? In case you forgot, the X Prize Foundation is the group that awarded the $10000000 Ansari X Prize to SpaceShipOne four years ago:http://space.xprize.org/ansari-x-prize. Has anyone seen the new video-submission contest to determine the X Prize Foundation's...
  48. S

    I'm interested in the idea of voltage

    I'm interested in the idea of voltage. if the curl of E =0, then E = -grad(potential), and it's possible to calculate the voltage between two points as the line integral of E over some path. When there's a time changing magnetic induction, the curl of E = -d(B)/dt. so strictly speaking...
  49. M

    The idea about Pythagoras stairs?

    Hello everybody I have looked everywhere for some good guides, so the question is: You probably know the Fibonacci sequence (1,1,2,3,5,8…) but there is a lesser-known sequence called (Pythagoras stairs) generated by a similar recursion formula. This is a sequence of pairs (Xn,Yn)...
  50. D

    What could be causing the discrepancy in Y0 when finding the placement vector?

    given the acceleration Ax=6t^2 Ay=-0.66PI*cos(0.66PI*t) and knowing that the starting point was (0,0) and that the starting velocity was V0=(-1,0) find the Velocity vector and the placement vector si what i did was- 1st integral on Ax Ay getting Vx= 2t^3-1 Vy=-sin(0.666PI*t) which...
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