Physics Definition and 987 Threads

I'm currently in my first year of a combined major in Physics and Astronomy. I'm hoping to study theoretical cosmology, and get a PhD in physics. I've been told it would be wise to get a double major in Physics and Math if I wish to study theory, but would it also be wise to get a combined major...

Hi. I wrote a little algorithm that calculates some physics equations for education purposes and it's in C++. I'd like to make it avaiable by creating a website and put that code in it so it either interprets the C++ code or preferrably works with an executable (but then how would it be...

Hi, I was watching a documentary on car crashes and how designs are continually being optimised to keep passengers safe. They were saying how many ‘g’s’ certain crashes were based on crumple zones, seatbelt stretch etc. I was interested to do some number crunching to see how big the...

I’m writing a presentation for younger students explaining how science can help them satiate their curiosity in a fun way. This presentation’s goal is to apply as much science as possible to a ridiculous question in hopes of promoting STEM fields. My example is, how many capybaras --the world’s...

I am attending University of Waterloo and my school will allow me to graduate as a Mathematical Physics major without taking any labs/experiment courses (in my school lab is not integrated to physics courses, they are separate courses with separate credits). This could be great because : -...

I'm a 17 years old student and I can't choose between studying Physics or Engineering at university, any advice?

TL;DR Summary: I want to mainly figure out where in the problem solving I went wrong. I understand the correct answer (since I looked it up), but to me, it does not make any sense. I am honestly stumped at this point. Online solutions say that my equation y = 0.5774x-0.003354x^2 should...

TL;DR Summary: Theoretical astrophysics research status in ISRO, India I am from India and want to be an astrophysicist serving my nation. Whenever I check about any ISRO news, it is always about some engineering achievements, like the launch vehicle and never about pure theoretical research...

Hi all, I've been pondering over this question for a long time. Of course physicists are specialists in a specific branch (even in those branches, sometimes they specialize themselves in an ultra-specific sub-branch) in which they produce research. I've noticed some professors at my uni...

Listen just 1 minute, what does it mean when he said nobody understand quantum mechanics? This sound like comedy

I think Atomic physics gets into specific examples and experiments but I think I’m probably wrong. So, I have to ask, what is atomic physics and how is it different than quantum physics?

I know that I need to satisfy the core requirements for a Bachelor's in physics and I have the ability and desire to do it. I live in California.. Here, and I believe almost everywhere, public universities do not allowe enrollment in a second Bachelor's, even online. Private universities are...

im a first year physics student near half way through the year and I still cant get to grips with what how im supposed to study. I try to rewrite my lecture notes using the textbook as the lectures seem to miss out a fair bit of information (and we were told to do this), but this takes me so...

I brought time over to the other side and multiplied to get 686 m/s but that wasn't correct

Hello everyone. I have question about studying of quantum mechanics. My university program isn't good and universities lectures can't help me and I situation next that I should study physics use alone and use materials from internet. I tried do that but I understand that my level of math isn't...

hi, is it possible after a bachelor's degree in architecture to pursue a master's degree in physics and how?

They've gone through calculus (Essential Calculus by Stewart) but haven't had a formal physics class yet (but a lot of pop-physics reading). I recommended Thinking Physics followed by Conceptual Physics by Hewitt, followed by a meaty calc-based book like Krane or YF, but I wonder if an easy...

Hi everyone, I was looking to develop my physical insight when I encountered this book by Lewis Caroll Epstein. For the crosswind problem, I couldn't understand the author's explanation; in particular, his concept of "artificial wind," and the force being larger in this case than the previous...

Hello, I am simulating the process of NMOS construction. as you know, in order to make the LDD, we need two implantations, one before creating oxide spacer and another after creating oxide spacer. at the last implantation, I am facing an error which is shown in the following image: I put...

I know this might be a stupid question, but I am serious. Some of my friends are in graduate programs not much related to their major (a number of my friends majored in math but are in computer science grad programs, and vice versa), so I am curious whether the same holds for physics. In my...

First of all i tried to follow the textbook. Here they start of by modelling the atom as an harmonic oscilator: Then they find the solution as: They neglect the second term as omega_0 >> gamma which also makes good sense so they end up with: So far so good. After this they state the...

I'm watching a nice video that tries to explain how linear algebra enters the picture in quantum physics. A quick summary: Classical physics requires that physical quantities are single-valued and vary smoothly as they evolve in time. So a natural way to model classical physical quantities is...

In the short story "Neutron Star" by Larry Niven, the narrator, Beowulf Shaeffer, is piloting a spaceship on a hyperbolic orbit that is supposed to make a close approach to a neutron star. He says at one point that he sees incoming light from distant stars blueshifted in all directions, and...

One image is attached is the question and the other is my attempt. I believe the pillars would have a downward force of 11760N applied to each pillar since they are spaced an equal distance apart. Now the tricky bit is when Torque comes into play. I believe I need to find the distance the car...

A self-balancing electric unicycle consists of a frame+pedals that the rider stands on, a motor where the stator is attached to the frame+pedals, and a rotor which is attached to the wheel+tire. An EUC is similar to an inverted pendulum: the EUC frame is free to rotate about its axis, limited...

This is part 2 of my thread Collection of Free Online Math Books and Lecture Notes Here, we will consider physics and mathematical methods for physics resources. Now, this is a work in progress. Please feel free comment regarding items you want to be included, or if a link is broken etc. Note...

Hey everyone, A quick question that I hope all can participate: In your educated opinion, what is the biggest question or the biggest problem to be solved in quantum mechanics for 2023? Warm regards, Thiago Munhoz da Nóbrega

TL;DR Summary: Physics book recommendation Hi everyone, I just found this site and I'm thankful for that. I want to study Physics as a pure science but in my city there is no bachelors degree, so I want to study by myself if it's possible. I just don't know where to start or what books should...

TL;DR Summary: Seeking good simulations to build my intuition Hi everyone, I am currently teaching myself classical mechanics, and am 3/4 of the way through "Vibrations and Waves," a textbook from 1971 which was used in the MIT course. It's going okay - I feel like I have a decent grasp of...

Hi,I'm a student in Romania and I want to know the steps for becoming a physics teacher. Do you need a master degree or can you teach with a bachelor's degree?

This trend is likely to drive a lot of misguided threads on science forums - IMO. Trend: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/multiverse-movies-newfound-popularity/index.html

Hi everyone! Merry christmas first and I hope you're getting great rest with close ones around :) Well, as title may suggest it, I will graduate soon in physics and I'm not sure of the next step in my academic curriculum. I like theoretical physics, I've touched upon most fondamental physics...

I have tried ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence system, to ask hard questions. Me: What's the best interpretation of quantum mechanics? ChatGPT: Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic scale. It is a...

TL;DR Summary: Questions regarding the book "Modern Classical Physics" by Thorne/Blandford Hello, I'm going through this book and on pg. 127, regarding equations of state, there is a parameter, t (explicitly stated: "not to be confused with time"), that uses hyperbolic functions to relate the...

Hello everyone! Events in my current webnovel have reached the limit of confidence in my physics reasoning, so I'm here to ask for confirmation of my estimates of what would happen from experimentation with force fields. While the setting is fantasy/magic based rather than superscience, I still...

As a hobbyist, studying physics is deeply pleasurable. Yet, I never seem to find anyone discussing this? Discussions on the merits of learning physics always focus on its practical utilites. Are you aware of any books or articles where physicists discuss the deep pleasures that come from...

I'm confused after 2 minutes of this video on acceleration; It starts with telling us that a car acclerates at 8m/s/s for 5 seconds. Then it gives a data chart which includes the car's position at each time interval. The data is as follows. O seconds; O metres 1 second; 4 metres 2 seconds; 16...

This is a confusing subject for me. It's like only getting half of the story. Reading physics but not understanding how it works in chemistry makes it nonsense to me. Imagine we are creating a silicon-based semiconductor. They have covalent bonds between them, with each silicon atom having four...

I'm curious to get people's opinions about whether this is interesting enough to write up for submission. I arrived at a set of coordinate transformations that are different from the Lorentz transformations, but which produce a coherent mechanical framework. It gives a very beautiful physical...

Hi all, I've been working in healthcare in some capacity for 10+ years now and started school a little later than your average undergraduate (started at 26). I caught the math bug and did well in my lower-division mathematics and physics courses and I am currently finishing up Classical...

How did you find PF?: Google Search I am in 8th grade and 10 hours a day free time and i am highly motivated to learn some particle physics. What should i start with?

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, so if not sorry in advance. I am a second-year physics major, thinking of switching to mathematics. I have always been interested in both, but I could never be sure whether I could become a mathematician. Understanding physics was...

Are they assuming that E = K in physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics, but I though E = K + U?Many thanks!

I'm completing College (Trig-based) Physics 1301 this week and enrolled in University (Calculus-based) Physics this January. I'm also taking Calculus 1 in parallel. My question is: How similar / different are the two classes, besides 2425 being Calculus based ? Will 2425 (University Physics 1)...

Hi! I am looking for a (recent - about 2020 or sooner but anything is welcome) meteorology textbook that actually explains things in detail. I am specifically interested in tornadoes like everyone else, but I have a solid physics background and want to actually learn about them. Does anyone know...

Hello, I am working on a theory for a Great Pyramid power plant and I need some help understanding if my current hypothesis is even possible and how to calculate how much water will fill the upper structure. I believe the water system to work as follows: An aqueduct delivers a steady flow of...

In my late twenties, currently working as a data scientist in the UK, looking to sit A level maths, further maths and physics as a private candidate (not going through a distance learning provider) and pursue a joint degree in physics and computer science (which I know both St Andrews and...

I've got no real physics education but I am interested in it from a popular science and layperson level. If anyone is able to help with this thought experiment. My question is, on a given microwave power setting and a fixed duration, is the heat transferred to the contents largely constant...

Greetings to all. I'm looking for the best textbook for introductory physics that has clear explanations and is problem-oriented. I'd also appreciate any recommendations for textbooks for the AP Physics 1 exam.

Hello everyone, I'm looking for The Feynman Lectures on Physics including Feynman's Tips on Physics: The Definitive and Extended Edition (2nd edition, 2005) for a discounted price. Any suggestions where I might look for one?