Layman Definition and 71 Threads

In religious organizations, the laity consists of all members who are not part of the clergy, usually including any non-ordained members of religious orders, e.g. a nun or lay brother.A layperson (also layman or laywoman) is a person who is not qualified in a given profession or does not have specific knowledge of a certain subject.In Christian cultures, the term lay priest was sometimes used in the past to refer to a secular priest, a diocesan priest who is not a member of a religious order. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the term "Lay Priesthood" to emphasise that local congregational leaders are unpaid. Terms such as lay priest, lay clergy and lay nun were also once used in certain Buddhist cultures to indicate ordained persons who continued to live in the wider community instead of retiring to a monastery. The adjective lay is often used to describe someone of the laity.

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  1. T

    Help Layman Understand EM Wave Propagation

    Hello everyone. I have tried to do as much research as my layman mind will allow on how an electromagnetic wave propagates in relation to how a sound wave for example does. I understand that an acoustic wave is longitudinal and works on compression and that a light wave is a transverse wave...
  2. P

    What are some recommended physics books for the layman?

    Hi all, I'm a new poster here, so sorry if this question has been asked before! I'm a student in the social sciences and humanities, who often wishes he were a physics major. Physics has always been a passion of mine, and a subject I hope to pursue more seriously someday, when I have the...
  3. J

    Heuristic derivation of Schrodinger's equation for a layman

    Hi all, I was trying to explain to my girlfriend how you can `derive' Schrodinger's equation using the Planck relation E = \hbar \omega, the de Broglie relation p= \hbar k and conservation of energy. If you assume that the fundamental wavefunction is of the form \psi = e^{i(kx - \omega...
  4. G

    A layman a bit scared of the LHC (as always)

    Hello there, I've been here before to ask for help with my fears about the LHC a while ago. Suffice to say I eventually overcame them thanks to the help from some members of this forum and that of Michaelangelo Mangano of CERN. However recently I've decided to revisit the old LHC Defense forums...
  5. T

    Any book recommendations to a physics layman?

    I've been reading a lot about physics on the web, which has got me curious. Particularly about things like the EPR paradox, entanglement, quantum physics, unification theories, supersymmetry, etc...you know, all the interesting stuff. I just want dumbed down books on all this stuff because it's...
  6. E

    Explaining quantum coherence to a layman

    Hey folks. I'm giving a poster at a conference in a month or so and I'm supposed to explain my research (optimal control of quantum systems in dissipative environments) to people from many other disciplines (psychology, biology, etc). I'd like to hear any tips those on this board have on how to...
  7. D

    Time relative to someone moving at a high speed-equations for a layman?

    I know only the basics about relativity, and was explaining to my friend that as you travel at a speed that approaches c, you experience less time than an observer. I believed that it was explained in "A Brief History of Time" such that your 'velocity' vector can only have a magnitude of c, and...
  8. N

    What is 400 Newtons and How Does it Relate to Everyday Life?

    I'm a middle school history teacher and I have to explain to a group of parents what 400 Newtons is. It's a long story... I've googled Newtons and understand that they're a measurement of force. It would be great if someone could give me some real world examples of what can produce a force...
  9. G

    Loop Quantum Gravity/Cosmology ~ for the layman?

    I've read Brian Greene's "Elegant Universe" and most of Lee Smolin's "The trouble with Physics". I found them both to be decent books. Honestly, I like them because they did not go to in depth with any math. I've read other misc papers that have been posted here at PF, but some of those...
  10. A

    Understanding the Train Experiment: Explaining Observers and Time Perception

    Hi there I have a question that has possibly been covered before, however, I cannot find the answer that I seek in any of the threads much less understand the odd mathamatical symbols and explanations that go with most of them. I have no physics backgroud so most of the posts are filled...
  11. M

    Best way for a layman to get up to speed on cosmology outside of school

    I got as far as Calc 2 in college, took some college physics and read lots of popular cosmology books. What if I want to get technical now? What specific math do I need to know to fast track it without learning things that are irrelevant? It's too late to go back to school now.
  12. D

    Can Wormholes Accurately Determine Points in Space and Time?

    Hello there. This is my first post here but just spent the last couple of hours browsing the forums. There seems to be some pretty smart people here and so I would like enlist their help in helping me understand some of the principles of time and space. A little background; My name is Nick...
  13. A

    How does a tank circuit work in a radio?

    [SOLVED] Radios for a layman I'm trying to somehow wrap my mind around how a simple radio works, but I've run into some problems at the tank circuit, what it does, and how it works. The various resources I've tried to get answers from don't seem to be able to discuss this part of a radio...
  14. S

    Can MWI and String Theory Coexist?

    Do MWI and String theory conflict? (sorry--I'm a layman) Hey, Well basically I've been skimming over lots of different multiverse theories and as I don't have a science background (total layman) my question is basically can these two theories co-exist or do they not leave room for each other...
  15. A

    How can a layman visualize an electric field?

    I have read that an electric filed is a vector of electric charge and this explains its effects and boundaries. How, in practice, is the charge mediated across the field from the source charged particle so that the particle can interact with any other charged particles that come within the...
  16. O

    Light/ universe questions from a layman

    I am a bit "obsessed" with cosmology and the universe. Unfortunately, although very intelligent physics is not my strong suit. But- even the most detailed available books cannot always answer my questions and thoughts. With that said I have another question- not exactly a physics one though :)...
  17. lemma28

    Layman Reflection on Classical and Quantum Mechanics

    We have 1 particle. Classical Mechanics says: If I know the initial state I can predict with absolute certainty what position (etc.) it will have the next second. Quantum Mechanics says: I don't know the position the particle will hit. But If I know the state I can tell you the possible future...
  18. A

    A Serious Question from an Educated Layman

    Point 1. All speed is relative to an observer and is never absolute (because there is no absolute frame of reference from which one can observe and measure). Point 2. The laws of physics hold true for all frames of reference (i.e., an inch is an inch no matter how fast you are traveling)...
  19. wasteofo2

    Anyone want to explain lightning to a layman?

    I have very little knowledge of physics, I'm 16 and won't be taking physics for another 2 years. But regardless, I'm curious, could somoene explain what exactly causes lightning, what makes it strike etc.? In 7th grade this was actually covered, I think I remember something about differing...
  20. wasteofo2

    Discover the Basics of Physics with Layman-Friendly Books and Papers

    Physics books/papers for the layman. I'm pretty much a laymen when it comes to physics, I really only joined this forum to get a few specific questions answered but now my curiosity about physics in general has been piqued, but I find that I can't understand most anything that's discussed...
  21. B

    Can Two Observers Traveling at .75c Perceive Each Other Exceeding Light Speed?

    Forgive me if this is an ignorant question. I have only a very superficial grasp of GR and SR, but this has been really bothering me ever for a while now. I understand that according to SR, nothing can excede the speed of light. I also understand that constant-velocity motion is relative to...
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