Questions that ask about some aspect of physics research or study which doesn't involve the actual physics. In general, soft questions can be answered without using physical reasoning.

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2answers
137 views

What postulate means in physics?

What does postulate mean in physics? What is their role in physical theories? Is it possible to break physical postulates?
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1answer
97 views

How is gravitational force is compared to flow of water?

I listened to a lecture. The professor said that the gravitational field around the particle (spherical in shape) can be compared to a pond having a constant height and depth and water is constantly ...
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1answer
99 views

Einstein and vibrational energy of the atom and its way to QM

As suggested by one of the commentators on my last question, I am going through Bohr's Nobel prize lecture in order to understand how quantum mechanics was developed. The lecture describes Planck's ...
6
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0answers
306 views

What happened to David John Candlin?

This is an ultra-soft question about relatively recent history. While reading some of Mandelstam's papers, I noticed that he cites David John Candlin consistenly whenever he does anything with ...
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0answers
205 views

Mathematical concept of supersymmetry

I wish to study supersymmetry in field theory(sometime in december). However, I am quite not sure what is needed for its study. In supersymmetry, I just want to get the mathematical idea, such as its ...
5
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0answers
32 views

What is the importance of studying degeneration on $M_g$

Let $M_g$ be the moduli space of smooth curves of genus $g$. Let $\overline{M_g}$ be its compactification; the moduli space of stable curves of genus $g$. It seems to be important in physics to study ...
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0answers
127 views

Semiclassical QED and long-range interaction

I'm interested in the (very) low energy limit of quantum electrodynamics. I've seen that taking this limit does not yield Maxwell equations, but a quantum corrected non-linear version of them. If ...
3
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0answers
133 views

To what extend is theoretical physics done in a non-univeristy setting?

Maybe it's just me, but in the last weeks or so I noticed a small increas of the number of more theoretical question on this site. I consider myself on this side and I wondered how many, if this is ...
2
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0answers
52 views

Are scalars starting at around 1300 MeV analogous to some kind of sound in the vacuum glue?

Are scalars starting at around 1300 MeV analogous to some kind of sound in the vacuum glue? Background: There are scalars starting at around 1300 MeV which are probably some combination of ...
2
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0answers
52 views

Are there any connections between James–Stein estimator and quantum mechanics?

Very nice statement from wiki: When three or more unrelated parameters are measured, their total MSE can be reduced by using a combined estimator such as the James–Stein estimator; whereas when ...
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0answers
58 views

Motivation For Definitions

I noticed in my physics textbook that we define certain relationships to be true. I can see how this is considerably helpful in deriving other relationships from these definitions; for instance, take ...
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0answers
184 views

Apostol or Spivak for mathematical physics?

I came across many recommendations for both of these books, but I'm not sure which one should I use to study calculus... I know most of the methods used in calculus and I use them frequently, but I'm ...
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0answers
99 views

What are the prerequisites to study CP violation?

If one would like to study CP violation, what would be the prerequisites for it? For example, until now I have not studied quantum field theory and have done very little classical field theory, but ...
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0answers
216 views

Is the conclusion that the cosmic burst observed in the Draco constellation from gamma rays that are streaming towards a massive black hole correct?

Referencing this news article: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/cosmic-burst-in-far-away-galaxy-puzzles-nasa-20110408-1d6kz.html It also references an event id: (GRB) 110328A The article ...
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0answers
20 views

Is it possible to manipulate only one pole of a magnetic field, using a bar magnet?

The magnetic field of a bar magnet shows that the N pole field is repelling outward from the tip, is it possible to redirect the field of corners of the magnet so the field is also repelling outward? ...
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0answers
55 views

Did Planck said that his theory is distinct from Zeno's paradoxes?

I remember once reading that Planck or some other prominent figure in quantum physics said that the theory (probably Planck length or Planck time in particular) is not about the thing what Zeno's ...
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0answers
129 views

Starting string theory studies in grad school

How is it possible for a grad student to do research in any modern area of string theory like AdS/CFT or ABJM if they need to start grad school by having to learn QFT from scratch? Is there a ...
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0answers
45 views

Where to find probability density plots for all elements?

Does anyone know where I can find something similar to this, but for all elements? I would love to find something with the same image quality. Also, is there any software that can produce images ...
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0answers
89 views

What pre-requisite knowledge is required to understand the Alcubierre equation?

Similar to here. I have decided to start the long journey to understanding higher levels of physics. My first goal is understanding the Alcubierre equation at a mathematical level. I have a CS ...
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0answers
314 views

worksheets for khan academy

I'm thinking of teaching myself physics over the summer. I want to use the khan academy playlist but there are no physics problems on the site yet. Is there a set of worksheets somewhere else that I ...
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0answers
148 views

Question Based On Direct And Alternating Current

A Wikipedia article on Power engineering reads, Most refrigerators, air conditioners, pumps and industrial machinery use AC power whereas most computers and digital equipment use DC power. Well ...
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0answers
661 views

Studying from “Berkeley Physics Course Volume I - Mechanics”

I'm a first year physics student and the main source for our Physics I course is "Berkeley Physics Course - Volume I." I'm having a hard time understanding this book because it assumes a pretty high ...