What is Choice: Definition and 693 Discussions

A choice is the range of different things from which you can choose. The arrival at a choice may incorporate motivators and models. For example, a traveler might choose a route for a journey based on the preference of arriving at a given destination at a specified time. The preferred (and therefore chosen) route can then account for information such as the length of each of the possible routes, the amount of fuel in the vehicle, traffic conditions, etc.
Simple choices might include what to eat for dinner or what to wear on a Saturday morning – choices that have relatively low-impact on the chooser's life overall. More complex choices might involve (for example) what candidate to vote for in an election, what profession to pursue, a life partner, etc. – choices based on multiple influences and having larger ramifications.
Freedom of choice is generally cherished, whereas a severely limited or artificially restricted choice can lead to discomfort with choosing, and possibly an unsatisfactory outcome. In contrast, a choice with excessively numerous options may lead to confusion, reduced satisfaction, regret of the alternatives not taken, and indifference in an unstructured existence;
and the illusion that choosing an object or a course, necessarily leads to the control of that object or course, can cause psychological problems.

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  1. W

    What camera should I choose for my wife for Christmas?

    I am here hoping for some geeky advice on a camera for my wife for Christmas. The most important features are going to be speed (meaning "boot up time" and time to capture the image after pressing the button) and taking good pictures in lower light without her having to think a lot about...
  2. M

    I want to Commercialize Science: just not discover it: Effects of Carree Choice

    I want to Commercialize Science: just not discover it: Effects of Career Choice I am in need of my major advice. My father is a Political Scientist and Economist, and he has personally wrote on current and future political and economical tyrannies. He sees the formation of a much more...
  3. R

    What Is the Moment of Inertia of a Sphere About an Axis on Its Edge?

    Homework Statement The moment of inertia of a sphere rotating about an axis through its center is (2/5)MR^2, where M is the mass and R is the radius of the sphere. What is the moment of inertia of the sphere about an axis on the edge of the sphere? a. 0.4 MR^2 b. 1.4 MR^2 c. 0.9 MR^2...
  4. Chewy0087

    Schools UK University Choice: MSci Physics Course Concerns

    Hello again everyone, looking for some advice from people who are/have studied at university; The problem I'm having is that the university I'm seriously considering studying at for an MSci (in physics) is UCL however I'm not sure about the course... Indeed UCL has a fantastic reputation...
  5. D

    Couple Multiple Choice questions on force and centripetal acceleration.

    #1) A child ties a .25kg rock to the end of a string and whirls it at a constant speed in a horizontal circle of radius 75 cm. What, approximately, is the maximum speed at which the stone may be whirled if the string will break for a tension exceeding 300N? A. 10 m/s B. 13 m/s C. 15...
  6. TheStatutoryApe

    Zombie Slaying Weapon of Choice

    Zombie Slaying Weapon of Choice... I did this a couple years ago but let's do it again. If the Zombie Apocalypse came what would be your zombie slaying weapon of choice? Vote and post a description and/or reasoning if you would like. I'm trying to add a poll here but I haven't done it...
  7. U

    Linear algebra - basis multiple choice questions

    Homework Statement 1. Which of the following is not a linear transformation from 3 to 3? a. T(x, y, z) = (x, 2y, 3x - y) b. T(x, y, z) = (x - y, 0, y - z) c. T(x, y, z) = (0, 0, 0) d. T(x, y, z) = (1, x, z) e. T(x, y, z) = (2x, 2y, 5z) 2. Which of the following...
  8. Monocerotis

    Tools for Science: Pentel P207 & Sharp EL531

    What are your necessary tools when it comes to the world of science ? Myself... 1) Pentel P207 Mechanical Pencil 2) Sharp EL531 Scientific Calculator
  9. V

    Please tell me I made the right choice ;)

    First of I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Jeroen, I am HUGE fan of physics and science. It's frustrating with physics for me because I am very visual person everything is video or modeling in my head, and I have a very hard time converting back and forth so I hope you guys don't mine...
  10. D

    Why is this choice the correct answer?

    Here is a multiple-choice question. It is the exact wording of the question. A true statement regarding the graph of y=inverse relation of f(x) is (a) an x-intercept occurs at (1,0) (b) a y-intercept occurs at (0,-1) (c) The point (-2,3) becomes (3,-2) (d) The graph of the inverse...
  11. T

    Electric Potential, spherical shell: Multiple Choice

    A non-conducting, spherical shell centered at the origin has radius r1 and total charge -Q, where Q is a positive value. (DO NOT ASSUME THE POTENTIAL AT INFINTIY IS ZERO!) http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu347/TwinGemini14/ELECpotential.gif 1) The electric potential just outside the...
  12. K

    Frictionless Floor Multiple Choice

    Homework Statement Somehow Larry got stuck in the middle of a room with a frictionless floor. Larry is at rest. How could Larry start moving to get to the edge of the room? A. Push on the floor with his hands or feet. That way the floor could exert a force on him and Larry could...
  13. R

    EE still good choice for new Engineering major?

    Given the current state of the jobs market, would the current Electrical Engineers still encourage new Engineering majors to select EE? Thanks!
  14. F

    Difficult choice regarding Abstract Algebra

    Hi all. I am currently a Junior attending SUNY-Stony Brook as a math major. This coming fall semester I have a very good opportunity before me: I can either take the undergrad abstract algebra course (textbook: Contemporary Abstract Algebra by Gallian), or I can take the graduate abstract...
  15. M

    Choice between two grad math classes, DG vs. PDE

    I am trying to decide between two different graduate math classes in the fall. These are the only classes that sound really interesting to me, as well as fitting in with the rest of my schedule. My other courses will consist of several physics type courses, notably, Jackson's electrodynamics...
  16. L

    Not too Sure in my Comp. Engin. Tech. Program Choice.

    Well, I'm new to the forums and (must say, great forum you guys have here) I am in a bit of a dilemma here. I have read many of the comments in this thread and some have lead me to have my usual doubts about engineering and technology. I'm attending the University of Houston in Houston Texas...
  17. A

    Exploring the Multifaceted Nature of Phase Transitions

    http://i42.tinypic.com/97vehc.jpg ^It's all in there. Thanks in advance =]
  18. G

    Resolution to the Delayed choice quantum eraser?

    I've been thinking about this weird experiment for a while and came up with a couple of insights: * This experiment presents before us the paradox between our concept of time, and the photon's nature of living outside of time. For the photon, the idler and the signal were measured at the...
  19. A

    Power Choice for Offworld Refinery: Solar Thermal vs Nuclear

    So let's say we have an offworld mining colony somewhere in the solar system and we want to build an orbital refinary and fabrication plant to process the ore, for such an application which choice for power would be more practical, solar thermal or nuclear? How large would they need to be?
  20. H

    Delayed choice quantum eraser experiment

    Hi, I would like to ask some questions regarding "delayed choice quantum eraser experiment". (I think it is possible for those who are familiar with this experiment to skip the text and go ahead into questions 1 and 2.) It is mentioned e.g. on these links...
  21. P

    Liquid pressure multiple choice

    Homework Statement a piece of metal of 10cm X 20 cm X 5 cm is sitting flat on the bottom of water basket, with one of the 10cm X 20cm sides facing up. the metal has density of 19.3 g/cm3. The basket is filled with water(full). The backet has a radius of 0.25m and a hight of 1m, density of...
  22. A

    Book Choice for the Physics Olympiad

    What are the best books to use for preparing for the Physics Olympiad? I have University Physics and Fundamentals of Physics? Which one is better? Thank you!
  23. M

    Choice of source photon production in entanglement experiments

    Just a quick question regarding the sources used for investigating entanglement (of photons). There are two types of production method as I understand it: ('Fundamentals of quantum optics and quantum information', Peter Lambropoulos, David Petrosyan, 2006, Springer): Page 242 "In fact...
  24. ~christina~

    Filtration and choice of solvent

    Another seemingly simple issue that I've never really had to think about before until now. Say, I have to filter out a solid precipitate that I see in a limited amount of unknown solvent. I have a Büchner funnel, but I need to have a solvent to rinse the solid with. Questions I have...
  25. G

    Schools Final University Choice UK : Manchester Or Nottingham

    Hi guys, Well I now have a few weeks to make up my mind in which to put as my first choice (not sure if I have a second but even if I did it would be sort of irrelevant as all offers are AAA or AAB :D). I've basically numbered it down to Manchester and Nottingham, I had offers from both York...
  26. D

    Learning device, help me expound: on Faraday's choice of ion , and unionized

    Learning device, help me expound: on Faraday's choice of "ion", and "unionized" So I was writing down some notes to myself on electrochemistry (100 level college chemistry---elementary electrochemistry chapter) and I wrote down the word "unionized" (as in, 'un-ionized') and realized that there...
  27. M

    Multiple Choice: A Ball Rolls Off the Edge & Forces on an Object

    1. A ball rolls of the edge of a horizontal roof at 10.0m/s. Two seconds later the speed of the ball will be... a)9.80 b)10.0 c)19.6 d)29.6 e)none 2. Two forces of 10 N each act on an object. the angle between the forces is 120degrees. the magnitude of the resultant force on the object...
  28. A

    Programs Will my undergrad affect my choice of PhD? (UK)

    I'm terribly sorry if this has been asked before, but at the moment I want to work in Nuclear Fusion eventually, MCF like JET etc. seems the most interesting although ICF like NIF is pretty interesting too.. However, many people change their mind over what they want to study whilst they are...
  29. K

    Optimizing Outcomes: The Role of Probability in Choosing Boxes

    hi, I am writing a computer algorithm which descibes the change of choice. 1.your friend puts $10 in a box among three (there are three boxes) but you don't know which. 2.you choose one of them but do not open it. 3.your friend opens (eliminates) one of empty boxes i.e. if you choose...
  30. V

    Energy Future: Impact on Lives

    we all know that coal fired plants are becoming more and more unpopular with people and know we are looking towards renewable sources of energy like solar and wind and also nuclear energy. but in the near/distant future when the changes do occur, how will these changes affect our lives??
  31. T

    Become a Physicist: Career Choice & Highest Paid Jobs

    I really enjoy physics and I've always (well maybe not always) wanted to become a physicist but i kind of changed my mind because they don't get paid a whole lot. Then, I wanted to become a rocket scientists because i still get to study physics along with mathematics and engineering. Also most...
  32. E

    Choice of computing platform for guidance system

    I am just starting to learn about attitude estimation and control of a flying(or actually, a freefalling) vehicle. There will be inputs from accelerometers and gyroscopes, Kalman filtering to estimate the correct attitude and control algorithm to achieve the desired attitude. I am still...
  33. R

    What is the electric field 4cm from a uniformly charged plate?

    Homework Statement Charge is distributed uniformly on the surface of a large flat plate. The electric field 2cm from the plate is 30 N/C. The electric field 4cm from the plate is: A. 120 N/C B. 80 N/C C. 30 N/C D. 15 N/C E. 7.5 N/CHomework Equations E=kq/r^2 (possibly) The Attempt at a...
  34. R

    Gauss's Law (multiple choice)

    Consider Gauss's law: \oint \vec{E}\cdot d\vec{a} =\frac{Q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0} . Which of the following is true? A. E Must be the electric field due to the enclosed charge B. If q=0 then E=0 everywhere on the Gaussian surface C. If the charge inside consists of an electric dipole, then the...
  35. P

    Multiple choice questions about SHM

    Homework Statement 1.Reflection goes with a. longitudnal wave b.trasnsverse wave c. both d.neither 2. if mass of teh bob on a springs are increased, howe whould that affet the period of the vibrations? 3. if a spring is released fr. progressively larger displacments, how owould this...
  36. B

    Question about engineering college choice

    My son (act 31) is having trouble choosing his mechanical engineering college. He has been accepted by Michigan State at Ann Arbor (and offered a scholastic scholarship of $6000 + international study scholarship of $5000), Rose Hulman, and expects to be accepted by Purdue. (He has not applied...
  37. J

    Delayed Choice Quantum Erasers

    I'm a very thickheaded layperson so be warned, I'll probably require a lot of patience. Anyway, I'm having a very difficult time understanding the delayed choice quantum eraser experiments. It seems to me that it is implying that either the idler photon is going back in time and changing the...
  38. M

    Old AP phyiscs multiple choice

    Does anyone have a link or multiple choice questions for old AP physics B or C?
  39. I

    Delayed choice quantum eraser experiment in terms of MWI and/or BI

    I'm sure there's been a lot of posts on this before, but even after taking a look at some of them, this experiment is still eluding my understanding. I'm aware that there's no backwards causation--and that the eraser causes interference by random 'categorization'--but I'm nonetheless...
  40. K

    Don't understand the choice of zero-potential level

    Hi there, I textbook it said the zero potential level can be chosed arbitrarily. Let's take the gravity as example, if an box is moving from the top of a incline to the bottom without considering the friction, suppose the center of mass located in the geometric center of the box. Someone pick...
  41. R

    MULTIPLE CHOICE: Rotational Inertia

    1. Which rolls to the bottom of a hill sooner, a car tire alone or the same tire mounted on a rim? a. The mounted tire, provided the tire is more massive than the rim b. The tire alone, provided it is as heavy as the rim c. The mounted tire, provided the tire is as heavy as the rim d. The...
  42. I

    Gravitational force multiple choice question

    Homework Statement Which of the following is a correct statement about gravitational force? A. It is applicable only to our solar system. B. It is both an attractive and repulsive force. C. It is directly proportional to the product of the masses involved. D. It is directly proportional to...
  43. thenewmans

    Quantum Eraser and Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser

    I have read that these experiments have been successful and do not cause a disagreement with QM. But I can’t quite determine what was learned. So what did they prove or disprove? Is there a simple explanation? I thought they were designed to determine if wave collapse breaks either locality or...
  44. D

    Does the Delayed Choice Experiment Challenge Classical Intuition?

    Delayed Choice Revisited. Here is a very cut down summary of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment (hope I got it essentially correct): When a wave packet is half way between the screen and the double slits, a decision is made by the observer as to whether to look for a photon or a wave...
  45. B

    Electrostatics Multiple Choice Questions

    I bolded the answer I think is correct - I'm just a little unsure on these, any help would be appreciated! 1. A capacitor and resistor are connected in a series with a batter and a switch. The instant after the switch is closed A. the voltage across the resistor is equal to the emf of the...
  46. F

    Magnetic fields (multiple choice)

    Homework Statement Problem 1 If all of the particles shown in the figure are electrons, what is the direction of the magnetic field that produced the indicated deflection? http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1013281/5/jfk.Figure.24.Q35.jpg Choices Up (toward the top of the...
  47. F

    Help with multiple choice question (kinetic energy)

    Homework Statement Work is done on an object far out in space where it has negligible gravitational-PE. If in the process there is no net change in KE, we can conclude a) friction may have been operative b) this situation is impossible c) the energy of the object has decreased d) the...
  48. S

    Multiple Choice question about Proposition Logic

    The question is here: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/175564/logic.png The correct answer is D. My attempt to the problem: Let the beginnings of the sentences be A. In a, A is B -/-> C is D. In b, A is B -/-> C is D. These first two do not make sense. in c and d, the word "only" suggests...
  49. J

    Proving Surjective Functions with Finite Y: No Axiom of Choice Required

    Homework Statement Prove, without using the Axiom of Choice: if f: X->Y is surjective and Y is finite, there exists a 'section', a function s:Y->X such that f(s(y))=y for all y in Y Hint: perform induction over the cardinality of Y The Attempt at a Solution Induction over the...
  50. S

    Question about delayed choice quantum eraser

    I was reading about the Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser experiment here: bottomlayer.com/bottom/kim-scully/kim-scully-web.htm In this experiment the which-path info is erased or not at random AFTER the original (signal) photon hits the screen. The results of the screen are seen by the...
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