Theoretical Definition and 999 Threads

After 3 years of udergraduate study I need to decide on my Master Degree program (which is very specialized here in EU). I really hate programming and experimental stuff while I am very interested in mathematical approach so I want to do theoretical physics (with no computional aspects). However...

I was wondering if the Euler buckling method is simply theoretical or actually accurate in the real world. I am asking this both for complex structures and a simply compressed rod or beam. Thanks

I'm currently looking to major in theoretical physics/astrophysics for my undergraduate studies next year and I have a few questions about it that I'd like cleared up. At the moment, I'm a year 12 Australian high school student and I'm trying to decide exactly where and what I want to study at...

Dear All, I am new to this forum and I hope that I am going to be able to find a support from an expert in short-circuit current theoretically speaking or someone to assist me in general ! I am working everyday to an international standard IEC60439 (or the new IEC 61439) where it describe...

After reading this: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=402926" or this: http://infoproc.blogspot.com/2005/02/out-on-tail.html" I am speechless. As far as I know in every field of science you need skills and luck in order to succeed. Yet it seems that only in math...

Dear all, I'm a German physicist in his second year and I'm going to finish my bachelor thesis in summer 2011. To make international experiences I tend to do my Master's degree abroad and I think Great Britain would be a good choice. After some discussions with friend who are studying in...

Based on the results of every variation of the two-slit experiment so far, the presence or absence of the interference pattern is based on whether or not which-path information can be known or not. The Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser experiment...

Hey guys, I'm new here. I read Zz's 'So you want to be a physicist', great post and I learned a lot about it. However, I have some questions pertaining specifically to theoretical physicists. Are there less theoretical physicist jobs than experimental physicist jobs? What constitutes a...

Anyone want to offer me a Phd in Theoretical Physics?? So here's the thing: I'm just about to graduate with an MSci in Physics and I desperately want to keep studying. I found this website (PF) earlier in the week and have thoroughly enjoyed reading and contributing to various threads. My...

Clearly integral particle number is an experimental fact. But within quantum theory, does integral particle number follow as a mathematical necessity? or is it itself an additional assumption? In QM it is built into the mathematical infrastructure: the basic entity is the wave function and...

I'm starting university in Ireland in October, and I want to pursue Theoretical Physics. Could someone please give me some feedback on the course please? Here's the link. It includes all the modules. Theoretical Physics: http://www.tcd.ie/Physics/undergraduate/theoretical_physics/

Homework Statement 1) Why, in general, do brittle materials not achieve their theoretical tensile strengths? 2) Why, in general, do ductile materials not achieve their theoretical shear strengths? Homework Equations None needed. Wordy answer. The Attempt at a Solution...

Hi there! First let me put some background here: 1. I'm an undergraduate student from (an not-well-known) university in Malaysia. Currently studying Bsc Physics, at my final year. 2. I am very interested in theoretical physics. (but not certain which subfield, of course) 3. I was stuck...

Any help on the following theoretical plasma problem would be greatly appreciated! The diffusion eqn for a one-dimensional plasma, varying in the x direction only is D d2n/dx2 =-Q Letting Q=nvi we can show the diffusion eqn has a solution of the form n=Asin[sqrt(vi/D)x] +...

Hello, I'm in year 10, Australia, Victoria.. After i leave school I am looking to do a corse in theoretical physics although I am unsure what subjects i need to do, I am planning on doing -English -Specialist maths -Physics -Math Methods -Chemistry -Software development Software...

I want to read Sommerfed Lectures on Theoretical Physics. I started with vol.1 Mechanics. Just wondering if anyone here has read any of the vols? Or perhaps wants to read them in the future?

Homework Statement Suppose that X1,...,Xn form a random sample from a inform distribution on the interval [0,1] and that the random variable Ynmax{X1,...,Xn}. Determine the smallest value of n such that Pr[Yn≥.99]≥.95 Homework Equations W=Yn-Y1 where W is the range of the sample...

Homework Statement for each value of p>1 c(p)= 1/xp (the n=1 under the sumation symbol should be x=1) Suppose that the random variable X has a discrete distribution with the following p.f.: f(x)= 1/[c(p)xp] for x=1,2,... (a) For each fixed positive integer n, determine the...

Hello, I was wondering, to gain admission to decent programs in Theoretical Physics (PhD), should you have done theoretical physics research in undergrad? The reason I am asking is because theoretical physics research has lots of prerequisites, and I might not be able to finish all those...

This may be a stupid question, but it just popped up in my mind a few minutes ago. Considering we are able to "look back in time" so to speak, because light takes so long to get here, is it possible for us to look in the night sky and see light that came from the Milky Way? Considering the...

I just saw a show by Stephen Hawking about how the universe came to be and what it is now and I was really interested. I guess I have two questions. First, what would one study or major in during college to do stuff like what he's doing? Second, what kind of jobs do these people get and what's...

What types of mathematics is needed for a undergrad pursue theoretical physics? How rigorous does it have to be and how much proofs is there?

Hello everybody, I have a question that I've been thinking about for a long time and I'm looking for some advice. I'm currently a junior at a university in California and I'm about to declare my major. Throughout my whole life I knew that it would be astrophysics, but I've taken 5 astronomy...

what's the point? my friend majored in this he's a phd student and he made $600 last year

i was wondering what the major differences between a bsc in theoretical Physics and experimental physics.. and if you are in one please indicate why you chose that one over the other?

Homework Statement ( 1.3 g NaCl )+( 3.5 g AgNO3) ---> (xg AgCl) + (yg NaNO3) How many grams of each product result from the following reactions, and how many grams of which reactant is left over? Enter your answers numerically separated by commas. Express your answer using two...

If Quantum Entanglement is real and observable, then what is stopping us from making the following observation: provided that the big bang was real and did occur, and provided that the initial occurrence of the big bang was from a single "particle" or entity, what is stopping us from concluding...

Hello, I am a physics student and I am currently writing my Bachelor thesis in theoretical Physics. A thing which has sometimes crossed my mind over the past months is this: I have always loved computers and programming. I always find it fun to solve some programing related problem. E.g...

Hi. If the twin paradox, etc, is not really a paradox because one twin experiences acceleration, then is the idea of recipricol time dilation etc due to symetry across inertial frames purely theoretical? What I mean is that could we ever find two inertial frames moving relatively to each other...

Is there any advantage in getting a masters of science (say for theoretical physics) before getting your PHD? I was thinking it might be easier to be admitted to a better PHD program if you obtain a masters degree at a different school first, as oppose to just applying to a PHD program right out...

The following is a paper I wrote mainly to collect my thoughts and document some research I did about interstellar space flight. The main ideas for this paper grew out of the things I always hear people talk about (blueshifted radiation) but I never see the math behind it, so I developed a few...

I am doing my final year B Tech in electrical engineering, but my interest is in theoretical physics. Though I have applied to some US universities for applied physics with the hope that I can switch to theoretical physics later but am not sure if I will get admission. Can anyone suggest me...

It is my understanding that the world of physics is split by a fast chasm into experimental and theoretical physics. The first time I told my father I wanted to be a physicist, he asked me “experimental or theoretical physics?” I thought for a second and responded “both!” He went on to explain...

I have heard from many sources that getting a PhD in theoretical physics (relativity, string theory, cosmology) is a trap. The US trains twice as many PhD's as there are jobs available. Also, there is tough competition and only a 1/4th of PhD's get tenure at a university! The point is I'm in...

Come on guys, the decision deadline is coming up! I am completely and utterly in two minds. As I understand it Manchester is better for physics than UCL, but UCL is a much better university. Which one dudessssss :S Cheers -Christie

I have read the numerous threads discussing experimental vs. theoretical physics on this forum. I am leaning toward pursuing theoretical physics in and after graduate school despite the numerous caveats regarding job prospects. I realize that one need not make a decision between theoretical and...

i'd like to know two things a) is there a theoretical upper and/or lower bound to electromagnetic frequencies in the universe? I'm thinking for an upper limit, 1/planck time? for a lower limit, i have no idea-- does Heisenberg uncertainty calculate into that? i suppose it would when you...

Hello, thanks for reading. I am solving a lab problem that involves calculating a theoretical pH value, then testing the experimental pH in a lab with tap water that is not the expected pH 7, and comparing the values. I am determining the theoretical pH value of a 0.1M concentration of...

I am a junior in high school in AP Physics. Although not in the curriculum, I have been reading about theoretical quantum mechanics, string theory, et cetera for the past few months and I am extremely intrigued. If I do end up furthering my "physics career," where might it take me? There...

Generally I've found that the more mathematical a Physics class I'm taking is the more I like it. For example I didn't really love the modern physics course I took because it wasn't very math heavy and focused a lot more on conceptual understanding rather than delving very deeply into the math...

Hi I'm doing my pre-final year Electronics and communication engineering in India. But i want my career to be in theoretical physics. My ultimate aim is to find the secret behind the birth and working of our universe. Previously due to my family's compulsion i took engineering. Now i want to go...

The theoretical maximum efficiency of silicon solar cells is about 29%. How is this theoretical maximum efficiency derived? How can I use the working principles of a silicon solar cell to explain this?

¿Cosmology or Theoretical Physics? I have a dilemma. I have an offer for Cosmology and I have an offer for Theoretical Physics. I'm ofcourse aware of both fields, but I would like to know from you what their main differences are. Thank you!

Homework Statement Demonstrate using free body diagrams and equations that, using the same force, a heavier load can be lifted with a rope and pulley system than with a rope alone. 2. The attempt at a solution To lift something off the ground without a pulley, the applied force must be...

I'm currently applying for 1 year postgraduate courses in Theoretical Physics at the following universities in the UK: Durham - Physics Department Imperial College London - Physics Department Kings College London - Maths Department The aim is to hopefully go on to a PhD after one...

Theoretical physics after physics?? Hey all I am going to do Physics bachelors course (UCAS F300).But i do like theoretical physics due to financial problems i cannot go any university which having theoretical physics courses.But i got a university which having only Physics courses...

Hello everyone- My question is in regards to Theoretical Physics. Since my last post (which apparently was in Oct 2008...my goodness, I have learned so much since then), I was debating on whether or not I even wanted to go the physics route, but now here I am, a lot of math and two...

I'm in the middle of doing an experiment where I find the heat dissipation by hysteresis through the stretching of an elastic band. I have experimentally found out how much heat is dissipated, but I was wondering if there is a way to theoretically find out the dissipated heat, most likely by...

Hi PF, This semester I'm finally starting to enjoy problem sets. I was wondering, how similar are the skills used to solve problem sets to the skills theoretical physicists use to solve actual problems? Thanks, DoD

I heard some supervisors ask their students to first learn the subject and then start working on a problem. Some other supervisors ask their students not to spend much time in reading but directly start working on a problem. Then it becomes the duty of the concerned student to learn what is...