Path Definition and 1000 Threads

  1. K

    Radius for the path of an electron in a magnetic field

    Just double checking this - I found this formula describing the radius of the path of an ion in a cyclotron: R = sqrt(2*E*m)/(e*B) .. where R is the radius in meters, E is the energy of the particle in joules, m is the mass in kilograms, c is the charge in coulombs, and B is the strength of...
  2. F

    Choosing Between Physics, Aerospace Engineering, and Biology: My Struggle at 18

    Hello, my name is Marcos. I am 18 years old and I am from Argentina. I am going through quite a struggle deciding between Physics, Engineering(specifically Aerospace Engineering) and biology.The reasons for my interest in physics are: I would love to carry out research(I like science), I like...
  3. S

    Adiabatic Free Expansion and Reversible Isothermal Path

    Homework Statement Consider an ideal monatomic gas that undergoes an adiabatic free expansion starting from equilibrium state A with volume 500 cm3, pressure 40 kPa and temperature 300K to state B, which has a final equilibrium volume of 1000 cm3. Construct an reversible isothermal path that...
  4. O

    What Happens When an Object Is Dropped from the ISS?

    An astronaut on a revolving space station releases a wooden spoon out of the satellite, into empty space. Will the spoon fall toward Earth ? What will happen next ?
  5. A

    How can I derive the path integral using the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula?

    On the attached picture I have started trying to derive the path integral but I don't know how I get further. Can anyone help me? Also I have used that: exp(-iHΔt/ħ) = exp(-i(T+V)Δt/ħ) = exp(-iTΔt/ħ)exp(-iVΔt/ħ) But my book says that this identity is only correct to first order, i.e. there is...
  6. A

    Greens functions from path integral

    Let me post this question again in a slightly modified form. On the attached picture the path integral for the partion function: Z = Tr(exp(-βH)) Now according to what it says on the picture it should be easy from this to get the Green's function in the path integral formalism. The Green's...
  7. trytodoit

    Proof the shortest path on a sphere is the great circle.

    There are plenty of proofs for the statement, but I do not find one which is not rely on other assumptions. Here are some common proofs of this statement: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Circle#Derivation_of_shortest_paths This proof require the path to be differentiable, which is not a...
  8. A

    Greens function path integral representation

    In my book the path integral representation of the green's function is given as that on the attached picture. But how do you go from the usual trace formula for the Green's function 2.6 to this equation?
  9. S

    Michelson Interferometer (Zero Path Difference)

    Homework Statement A Michelson interferometer is illuminated with a laser with a wavelength of 514.5nm. A Haidinger fringe pattern is photographed with a lens of focal length 55mm. The diameter of the two adjacent circular fringes in the image are 1.53mm and 2.62mm. How far would the mirror...
  10. S

    Haidinger fringe (interferometer at zero path difference)

    Homework Statement A Michelson interferometer is illuminated with a laser with a wavelength of 514.5nm. A Haidinger fringe pattern is photographed with a lens of focal length 55mm. The diameter of the two adjacent circular fringes in the image are 1.53mm and 2.62mm. How far would the mirror...
  11. S

    How Does a Thin Film Alter the Optical Path Length?

    Homework Statement A thin film of dielectric material of refractive index 1.455 and thickness 6.50 mm is now placed over one of the slits (say the right-hand one). By how much will this change the optical path between the slit and the centre of the screen? Homework Equations Optical Path...
  12. A

    Engineering I need advice on an engineering career path

    Hi, I'm 23 and I go to gateway community college in new haven ct. I have been taking my core credits and it is now time to pick a degree. My original intention was to get my accounting degree (fathers choice), but I despise it. My school has a few engineering programs and I'm 95% positive that I...
  13. C

    Path of an object at the vertex of an equilateral triangle

    Homework Statement There are three objects at the Vertices of an equilateral triangle that start movin towards each other at the same time with a speed v. Describe the path of the objects and the time taken for them to meet. Homework Equations V1=v3 - v2 Where all velocities are in...
  14. A

    Construction of the path integral

    I am reading about the construction of the path integral in which states that the propagator is given by: <qf l exp(-iHt/ħ l qi > = ∫Dq exp(i/ħ∫dt L(q,q')) and Dq is the integration measure given by limN→∞Πn=1N-1 dqn. Can someone help me understand this integration measure a bit better? I...
  15. dwn

    Calculating the suns path in sky

    I've searched the internet and found a few sites, of varying depth, that contain some of the equations to calculating the solar path. At the moment, I'm not particularly concerned with precision. I am trying to discern the equations in order to implement them into a java program I am writing...
  16. Matta Tanning

    Relation between phase space and path integral formulation?

    I am trying to conceptually connect the two formulations of quantum mechanics. The phase space formulation deals with quasi-probability distributions on the phase space and the path integral formulation usually deals with a sum-over-paths in the configuration space. I see how they both lead...
  17. Math Amateur

    Multiplication of Path Classes and the Fundamental Group

    In Chapter 7 of John M. Lee's book on topological manifolds, we find the following text on composable paths and the multiplication of path classes, [f] ... ... Lee, writes the following:In the above text, Lee defines composable paths and then defines path multiplication of path classes (not...
  18. S

    Path of Light Beam in Plane Parallel Plate

    Homework Statement In plane parallel plate the refractive index is a function of coordinate ##z##, so that ##n=n_0 -{n}'z^2## for ##{n}'>0##. The origin of the coordinate system is in the middle of the layer, and ##z## is parallel to the normal of the layer. In paraxial approximation calculate...
  19. M

    Mike's Path to University: Struggling with National Exams at 18

    Hello everyone, my name is Mike, and i am 18 years old. In a month from now, i am going to be giving the national exams my country does to qualify for a university. Unfortunately, there is no idea to know in which university i'll pass, if i pass at all. These exams are known to be difficult...
  20. T

    Understanding the Role of Multiple Integrals in the Path Integral Formula

    Here's the source:http://web.mit.edu/dvp/www/Work/8.06/dvp-8.06-paper.pdf Regarding page 5 of 14, I don't understand the multiple integrals thing. What is that supposed to mean? Ain't we supposed to sum up all the paths but why do they do the multiple integral thing? Also regarding page 4 of...
  21. M

    Path dependence (Complex Analysis)

    Are the integrals of the function f(z) = (1/(z-2) + (1/(z+1) + e^(1/z) path independent in the following domain: {Rez>0}∖{2} The domain is not simply connected I know that path independence has 3 equivalent forms that are 1) Integrals are independent if for every 2 points and 2 contours...
  22. evinda

    MHB Proving Longest Path Belongs to NP & Reducing Hamiltonian Path

    Hello! (Smile) Longest path We have a graph $G=(V,E)$, lengths $l(e) \in \mathbb{Z}^{+}$ for each $e \in E$, a positive integer $K$ and two nodes $s,t \in V$. The question is if there is a simple path in $G$ from $s$ to $t$ of length at least $K$. Show that the problem Longest Path belongs...
  23. kostoglotov

    An equation for the path that the shark will swim on

    Homework Statement [/B] A shark will in the direction of the most rapidly increasing concentration of blood in water. Suppose a shark is at a point x_0,y_0 when it first detects blood in the water. Find an equation for the path that the shark will follow by setting up and solving a...
  24. Puma

    Sinusoidal path of light video

    Can you explain the sort of sinusoidal path here: http://i.imgur.com/vN7PJCu.gif
  25. P

    Path of the end of a string wrapping around cylinder

    Hey, Most related questions here specifically talk about torque, force, angular momentum/velocity etc. I just want to know how I can aptly describe the motion of the tip of some string as it wraps around a cylinder. So basically, the path of an object in circular motion with a decreasing radius...
  26. C4l1

    How Can the Euler-Lagrange Equations Describe Light Path in Optical Fibers?

    Homework Statement An optical fiber is one way to guide light efficiently from one point to an other. It is currently used for data communication: it offers low loss and very high bandwidth, ideal for the requirements of the internet. Generally, we can describe an optical fiber as a medium with...
  27. T

    Silly current path thought experiment

    Hi, I want to varify something that I intuitively know (I think), that might not seem intuitive. If an electrical current is circulating and then it's path splits in two, where there is a circulating current. The larger current (black) will have to pass through this loop; what I want to varify...
  28. F

    How Important is a College Degree in the IT World?

    First post, but have seen some great information while lurking. Here is the situation. I am 35. I dropped out of high school and entered the IT world at age 17. I went back and got my GED at 25 (got tired of lying on applications!). I have always had gainful employment. I work in telecom...
  29. N

    Path of a Projectile in Polar Coordinates

    Homework Statement A projectile is launched from a mountain at a given angle and velocity (which is large). Using polar coordinates find the position of the particle at time t. I'm ignoring drag (for now). Homework Equations I tried using the polar kinematic equations...
  30. P

    Engineering Which path should I choose? (Computer Engineering, Math, Cosmology ?)

    I am currently computer engineering student(second year). Well its not like I don't like computer engineering.but somtimes I think I should have chosen another path.I am pretty good at mathematics.I like to solve maths problems.I am also fascinated about cosmology.I like electronics as well.I...
  31. hyperickz

    Experimental determination of Mean free path.

    Is there any direct experiment to determine the value of mean free path(not the distribution) of a gas molecule?
  32. F

    Can the Feynman Path Integral Account for Two Non-Interacting Particles?

    Is there such a thing as a Feynman Path Integral for two non-interacting particles? I find myself wondering how the wave function of a single particle is changed in the presence of a second particle. The Feynman path integral takes into account every possible path that a particle can take. So...
  33. P

    Why won't any electrons flow through the resistor R2?

    So I was doing a circuit with some friends, and the circuit breaks down such that There is what looks like a parallel circuit, with one branch containing just the wire, and the other branch containing a resistor. The answer to the question shows that the electrons will not flow through this...
  34. S

    Resistivity mean free path and scattering time of copper

    so this is the question I'm having a little trouble with: Assume that the ratio of copper resistivity at room and absolute zero temperatures (so called "residual resistance ratio") is 1000. Estimate the electron mean free path in copper at low temperatures. we also know this: Let us assume...
  35. F

    Feynman Path integrals in space with holes?

    Feynman Path Integrals are a way of calculating the wave function of quantum mechanics. It usually integrates every possible path through all of space. I wonder if there is any study of Feynman path integrals through a space with holes in it - with regions of space excluded from the integration...
  36. shade rahmawati

    Fortran Fortran Write Path - Change File Paths

    Hello, I have write a fortran code to write several file, like this CHARACTER(len=12) :: FNAME INTEGER::ST DO 100 ST=1,12 DO KC=1,4 !number of layer IF(ST.EQ.1) WRITE (FNAME,10)KC IF(ST.EQ.2) WRITE (FNAME,11)KC IF(ST.EQ.3) WRITE (FNAME,12)KC...
  37. G

    Continuing to Euclidean Space Justified in Path Integral?

    It seems to me that in a path integral, since you are integrating over all field configurations, that going into Euclidean space is not valid because some field configurations will give poles in the integrand of your action, and when the integrand has poles you can't make the rotations required...
  38. P

    Mathematical state of Path Integral?

    So I've just recently started learning path integral methods in QFT and string theory, and I've heard from numerous sources that the path integral (specifically fermionic path integrals, perhaps?) are objects which are not at all on solid mathematical ground. The feeling I get is that perhaps...
  39. Heather

    Problem with motion in a circular path

    Homework Statement Calculate the average vector velocity between 0 and pi/4 sec. Homework Equations x=rcos2t y=rsin2t Vx=2rsin(2t) Vy=2rcos2t Ax=4rcos(2t) Ay=-4cos(2t) Circular path is x^2+y^2+r^2 The Attempt at a Solution I'm not sure if I am missing something simple or not, What I need to...
  40. T

    Min and Max temperature of path in 3D field

    Homework Statement Temperature varies by function T(x,y,z)=3x + 4y + 2z Path is given by r(t)={ x(t)=\frac{t^3}{30}+\frac{16t}{9}+7 y(t)=-\frac{t^3}{120}-\frac{13t^2}{30}+28 z(t)=\frac{13t^2}{60}+\frac{4t}{3}-14 t\in \left[0,10\right] Question: What is the maximum and minumun temperatures of...
  41. M

    Motion within a circle and path kinematics

    Homework Statement John is thrown into the outer part of a circular den of radius a. At the centre of the den is a Lion. John decides his best tactic is to run round the perimeter of the den with his maximum speed u. The Lion responds by running towards John with its maximum speed U. (i)...
  42. Xiaomin Chu

    Path integral and discontinuous paths

    Somebody asked about this but that thread was closed very soon. In physics, discontinuous paths breaks locality so they must be 0; but mathematically, they causes some problems. Discontinuous functions must not be differentiable, so it's impossible to calculate the action over that path. However...
  43. G

    Does a particle really try every possible path?

    Hi, I'm reading that a particle located at any given point can, in the next moment, be at any other given point in the universe. My understanding is that this is a correct interpretation of quantum physics. So, my question is, how does the particle 'decide' where actually to be in the next...
  44. F

    Determining Motion from a Derivative

    Homework Statement Given position function r(t) and r'(t) = c X r(t), where c is some constant vector, describe the path of the particle. In other words, describe r(t). Homework Equations // The Attempt at a Solutiona) r'(t) points in the direction of motion. If we can understand how r'(t)...
  45. T

    Feynman's QED lectures: quickest path and reflection

    Feynman's first topic in his second lecture on QED is the nature by which light reflects off of a mirror. We work in ##\mathbb{R}^2##. Suppose we have a light source sitting at ##(-1,1)## and a photomultiplier sitting at ##(1,1)##, with a mirror along the x-axis. We also place a block between...
  46. A

    Calculating Mean Free Path of N2 Molecule in UHV Chamber

    Homework Statement What is the mean free path of an N2 molecule in an ultra-high-vacuum chamber at a pressure of 10-10mbar? Homework Equations λ=1/(√2)nσ number density n, collision cross-section σ p=nkT pressure p, temperature T σ=πd2 d molecular diameter The Attempt at a Solution...
  47. L

    Am I stuck on the wrong path? [Civil Eng vs Elec Eng]

    Hi! Long story short, I studied Civil E (Structural and Geotechnical), which it turns out I don't like. On the other hand, I found over the years I really like Electrical E. I don't have neither time nor money to go back to school, but I'm determined to learn some of it on my own. Because I...
  48. Quarlep

    The Path Inetgral and Classical Lagrange

    I know that The path Integral becames classical Lagrange (Classic Mechanics) how can it be turn it.
  49. Quarlep

    Understanding the Path Integral Formulation in Feynman's Theory

    What's the main logic of path integral formulation ? (Feyman path integral formulation) I mean what's the reason to think this way ? Thanks
  50. nuclearhead

    Where does the 'i' come from in QFT path integral?

    So I've been thinking about the axioms of quantum field theory. In particular the expression for the particle amplitudes: G(x1,x2,...,xn) = ∫Φ(x1)Φ(x2)...Φ(xn)ei S[Φ]/ħ D[Φ] / ∫Φ(xn)ei S[Φ]/ħ D[Φ] But I've been struggling to explain the existence of the 'i'. It seems like this is a...
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