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. B

    Explain delayed choice quantum eraser without consciousness

    I'm trying to understand the delayed choice quantum eraser experiment without consciousness. As I understand it, photons will either interfere or not depending on whether or not "which-path" information is randomly hidden and rendered unkowable to the experimenter. That is, rather the by any...
  2. A

    Physics field and career in lasers

    Hi, am a student who studies physics in university. I want to know does laser technology is good choice for career.
  3. TheExibo

    Multiple Choice Question about Enthelpy of Formation

    Homework Statement The term chlorine is used to mean a number of possible types of matter containing chlorine atoms, such as Cl2(g), Cl(g), and Cl-(aq). Which of these forms of chlorine would have a zero standard enthalpy of formation? a) Cl2(g), Cl(g), and Cl-(aq) b) Cl(g) c) Cl-(aq) d)...
  4. L

    Crazy multiple choice question

    Hi everyone, a friend once emailed me a crazy multiple choice question. I thought about it for a while but then gave up. I can't find it anymore, but I remember it was something like: What is the probability of answering this question correctly? 1) 100% 2) 50% 3) 33% Does anybody know what the...
  5. F

    Picking a Tent: Prism-Shaped Choice of 2.4m or 250cm

    You and your friend will camp during the summer and going to buy a tent that has the form of a prism . The store has two different tents that you choose from. Which tent will you buy. Tent 1: 2.4 m long, 220 cm wide and 12 dm tall. Tent 2: 250 cm long , 21 dm wide and 1.15 m high
  6. A

    Genetic sequence multiple choice question

    Homework Statement 5) Examine the following sequence: 5' GAATTC 3' 3' CTTAAG 5' If this sequence was disgested with an enzyme (ex. ECOri) which cut between the guanine and adenine bases on which would it have? A) 3' overhang B) Blunt ends C) 5' overhang D) Any of these Homework Equations n/a...
  7. C

    To what extent do subfields matter for an undergrad choice?

    I am about to take part in an undergraduate recruiting event at my school, and prospective undergraduates were invited to ask questions to current students of the school. One such prospective undergraduate claimed that he crossed one school off his list because that school only did condensed...
  8. S

    MHB Find Area Problem in Multiple Choice Question

    hi all... how to easy find to figure it out this problem.. how to find are that shading blue color.. please, see my picture.. thanks in advance...susanto3311
  9. B

    How would MWI explain delayed choice quantum eraser?

    How would MWI explain the delayed choice quantum eraser? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_choice_quantum_eraser#The_experiment_of_Kim_et_al._.282000.29 I don't see how this can be explained with MWI. If the idler photon hits detector 1 or 2, an interference pattern can be seen on the...
  10. R

    Seeking Advice on Choice of School

    As the results for physics phd program admissions have come out, I am lucky enough to get into several top programs including Stanford, Harvard and Princeton. So far, I have no clue which one to choose and I would like to hear some advice. Personally, I would like to study hep-th and I am more...
  11. I

    Choice of negative stains

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  12. C

    Dense exoplanet atmosphere, choice zeppelin vs. plane

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  13. C

    Unlocking the Mysteries of Quantum Entanglement with Delayed Choice Question

    When you have the delayed choice quantum eraser, and you make it really really big and you put a measuring device just before the prism where the entangled photon will hit (Kim et al experiment). Does that mean that when that measuring device is 1 light year away and the people operating it can...
  14. I

    MHB Easy Question On Multiple Choice.... Confused

    Hey, i was doing a multiple choice question and i got 0.83/1 on it... There were 6 options to choose from and you could choose as many as you liked. I only picked one of the options. I'm confused as to how or what equation is used to calculate what mark you will get on each multiple choice...
  15. M

    Choice of action to geodesic equations

    Hello, I am quite new to GR and I have a question regarding the construction of the action to find the geodesic equation. In pretty much every book, you'll find: ##S=-m ∫ dS## using: ## dS=dS\frac{d\tau}{d\tau}=\sqrt{g_{\mu \nu}\frac{dx^{\mu}}{d\tau}\frac{dx^{\nu}}{d\tau}}d\tau## with...
  16. Beenigma

    Schools University recommendations for a physics graduate

    Good day, forum. Last year I finished my bachelor in physics, and due to a mess-up on my behalf, I could not begin on my masters degree at once. This has given me a one-year pause which I spend working, and most importantly, thinking about what I wish to do from now on. I've come to realize that...
  17. P

    Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser

    I found other threads with the same title on this forum but my question is somehow differ. I think this was the most simple DCQE with double slits: http://arxiv.org/pdf/quant-ph/0106078v1.pdf For a short summary: the experimental setup uses an entangled pair of photons (p and s). The s-photons...
  18. gfd43tg

    Should You Use Acronyms or Full Terms for Skills on Your Resume?

    Hello, I am working on my resume, and I was wondering when listing my skills, should I use abbreviated versions for the skills. For example, in my field of study HPLC is an acronym forhigh performance liquid chromatography, but when I list it on my resume "skills" section, should I say HPLC or...
  19. F

    Choice of Origin of Coordinate Systems

    I am having a personal discussion with somebody elsewhere (not on Physics Forums) and we are stuck at the moment because of a disagreement that I narrowed down to the question whether, in the context of SR, two observers in different reference frames can choose the origin of their coordinate...
  20. M

    Many World Interpretation and Personal Choice

    So I've heard of the many worlds interpretation - something about any event that could have happened in the past, really did happen in some parallel universe. What I want to know is - how does this translate into personal choice? Like, say I am considering some decision. Tonight for dinner I...
  21. gfd43tg

    Undergrad research professor choice

    Hello, I am on exchange at a university where there are not a lot of students fighting for undergrad research positions, so I have pretty much any pick I want in what group I want to join, coupled with the fact that I go to a famous University makes professors to want to have me on their team...
  22. W

    Help with two multiple choice questions related to light and interference

    Homework Statement A thin film of glass is in flush contact with a thin film of transparent plastic that has a higher index of refraction than the glass. Monochromatic light of a certain frequency is shown on both sides of this combination, and there is very little light reflected from either...
  23. T

    MTW Ch7: Choosing Lagrangian for Scalar Potential

    I have managed to get to the end of Chapter 6 and have done almost all of the exercises (I didn't get anywhere with exercise 5.6 (d) and have seen the Cesarth/TSny exchange and still don't feel I have a satisfactory solution...) but I have hit a bit of a wall with Exercise 7.1 (a).First question...
  24. E

    Where did all the physics ladies go?

    First of all, I'd like to clarify my title by pointing out it is NOT a dodgy pick-up line. I am a female myself and have noticed that pretty much every woman who enrolled at my university in physics is going on, or plans to go into the field of astrophysics, myself included. I am wondering if...
  25. A

    Programs Would physics or math be the best choice major?

    Hi, I need some help from people who are currently in these majors/ fields. I just transferred to a university from a community college, with original interest of doing their Earth science program. But, the more I reevaluate my interest, and look into grad schools, the more it seems I should...
  26. J

    Java Why does the output show 1 and not 3?

    Consider the following java code int a=1; if (a != 0) { int a=3; } System.out.print(a); What is the output A. 0 B. 1 C. 3 D. No output. A compilation error occurs The answer is B. I want to ask why the output shown will not be 3. As the 1 is not equal to 0, should the ' int a '...
  27. A

    Multiple Choice for Physics Courses

    Hey guys! This is my first post, so hopefully it is in the correct spot. I'm a grade 12 student in Canada. I am thinking of majoring in computer science because I love logic and technology. I plan on taking some physics electives because I enjoy physics, more specifically modern physics...
  28. S

    PCB Design program of your choice

    Hello, what PCB Design program do you prefer? What's the reason for your choice? I am freshman to PCB design and working on PADS from Mentor Graphics. But I have to admit it seems me a little bit unintuitive and I am unhappy with non-perfectly fitting transmission lines and prolonged editing...
  29. B

    Understanding Cell Volume: Why It's Independent of Choice

    "Volume of a primitive cell is independent of the choice of the cell." Why?
  30. H

    Engineering Science-Engineering Career Choice

    I'm about to start my second year of college, and I'm very conflicted and confused about I want my major and career path to be. This is partly because I'm interested in multiple fields (physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, I could keep going)...
  31. K

    Help with degree/career choice

    Good day to everyone reading this, I thought I would know what degree I would want to pursue after high school, however I have not decided what I should do in the future. My interest in science arose a little over an year ago, especially in physics, after I tried amateur karting. Before, I...
  32. Z

    Senior level Math Class choice

    Here is my situation, I am a physics major who is also minoring in math. I have already taken Calc1-3 and Diff EQ as well as an intro to linear algebra course. I am scheduled to take a vector analysis course this Fall. The reason for my choice of linear algebra and vector analysis is because...
  33. N

    Making the Right Choice: Deciding Between Physics & Computer Information Systems

    Hey guys! I am in community college, and this will be my first semester. But I am basically confused in making perfect choice for my major. And the reason is I am good at Math, but bad at Chemistry and Biology. Following are the courses required to obtain an Associate degree in respective...
  34. stevendaryl

    Is Choice of Spinor Representation a Gauge Symmetry?

    In the Dirac equation, the only thing about the gamma matrices that is "fixed" is the anticommutation rule: \gamma^\mu \gamma^\nu + \gamma^\nu \gamma^\mu = 2 \eta^{\mu \nu} We can get an equivalent equation by taking a unitary matrix U and defining new spinors and gamma-matrices via...
  35. V

    Multiple Choice Kinematics Problem

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution ## α = v\frac{dv}{ds} ## and K is the kinetic energy . In all the four cases ## α = v\frac{dv}{ds} = mgsinθ ## where θ is the angle which the normal to the body makes with the vertical . Fig 1) K...
  36. S

    Questions about Quantum erasure with causally disconnected choice

    Hello, Interested mostly-amateur here with some questions about the Quantum erasure with causally disconnected choice experiments conducted in Vienna and the Canary Islands by Ma, Zeilinger et al. 1. Does the projection event of the system photon's entangled partner occur AFTER the system...
  37. C

    Choice between 3 Calculus textbooks -

    I've taken a Calculus course with Steward Calclulus, and to be honest I didn't really like that book, so I'm looking for a new book to have in case I'll need to review some differentiation or integration during my science studies. I've seen many mathematicians speak about Michael spivak...
  38. B

    Riemann Manifold: Choosing a Basis & Lie Algebra

    On the spacetime manifold in general relativity, one chooses a basis at a point and express it by the partial derivatives with respect to the four coordinates in the coordinate system. And then the basis vectors in the dual space will be the differentials of the coordinates. Why do one do that...
  39. Y

    MHB Counting problem - Multiple choice test

    A quiz has 4 questions with 3 choices for each answer. If you guess every answer, in how many different ways can you complete this test?__________ How many students must take this test to guarantee that at least 3 identical answer sheets are submitted?__________ I know how that the answer to...
  40. J

    What do you think about my class choice for next semester?

    I registered for Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Design I, and Vibrations in Mechanical design. I'm not sure if this is going to be too rough or not. Vibrations is an elective and I think it is important. Another option would be FEA. I'm in thermodynamics now and I enjoy it. I'm...
  41. K

    Regretting PhD Choice: Solutions & Advice

    Hey all! I am in a bit of a bad situation. I recently started my PhD in another country, but now I feel that I am regretting it. The main reason is that my girlfriend does not seem to be able to move here (she lives in a different country, also different from where I am from). Right now I just...
  42. edpell

    Evolution: Could speciation in humans happen by choice?

    I think "physics" forum is not the place to find a discussion on evolution. I am hoping someone can point me to a place where evolution is discussed. Let me be clear I do not want a discussion of whither evolution is real. I am looking for a group of people ALL of who accept evolution to discuss...
  43. T

    Angular Momentum Contradiction Due To Choice Of Origin

    Homework Statement Imagine a particle tracing a counter-clockwise circular path on a flat table with a certain speed. The particle is tied with a massless string of length R to a point P at the center of the circular path. Will the particle rotate about P forever at constant speed in the...
  44. U

    Spherical coordinates choice for an electric field problem

    I am finding the electric field from a spherical shell at a point on the z-axis outside the shell. The shell is centered at the origin,and I am only allowed to use coulomb's law. I want to find dE in spherical coordinates first then transform it to Cartesian before integrating to get E. So I...
  45. F

    Engineering Engineering technician good career choice? For sure

    Hi, so as the title reads is engineering technician a good career choice? I think it is. I've been doing my homework and it looks like there is and will always be a need for engineer technicians. As I understand it one who goes to school to become a technician has two choices at the end of...
  46. E

    Finding the Right OS for a PhD Student: Making the Best Choice

    Hi all, I am currently a electrical engineering PhD student, and I spend a huge amount of my time on a computer and I plan to do so in the future as well. So, I thought it is wise to look around for another OS to use besides Windows 8, which is tolerable and works but I can't help but think...
  47. Ascendant78

    Schools Choice for undergrad college and grad school as a physics major?

    Ok, so I am just finishing my AA as a physics major and on the fence about two different universities to finish my BS. One of them is more well recognized as far as physics goes (University of Florida). However, being a non-traditional student, it would put me a substantial distance away from...
  48. S

    Physics-please check answer (multiple choice question)

    Physics--please check answer (multiple choice question) Homework Statement Two objects have the same mass. One is traveling twice as fast as the other. The work that must be done to stop the faster object compared to the work required to stop the slower object is: a)two times greater...
  49. D

    Delayed Choice Eraser with dispersion pattern controlled detectors

    Sorry if it's a silly question but I was trying to find such an experiment and wasn't successful. What I am thinking is, in the standard delayed choice quantum eraser, the dispersion pattern on the screen correlates to whether or not we can detect which path the electron took. What if the...
  50. O

    Astrophysics - Safe Choice vs Risky Choice

    Hello all, I was hoping to get some advice from people who have already completed their phd and have faced the real world situation of the post-doc pressures and job market. I am at a cross-roads now that I have been admitted to some graduate programs, and I am really struggling to decide...
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