What is Confused: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In medicine, confusion is the quality or state of being bewildered or unclear. The term "acute mental confusion" is often used interchangeably with delirium in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and the Medical Subject Headings publications to describe the pathology. These refer to the loss of orientation, or the ability to place oneself correctly in the world by time, location and personal identity. Mental confusion is sometimes accompanied by disordered consciousness (the loss of linear thinking) and memory loss (the inability to correctly recall previous events or learn new material). The term is from Latin: confusĭo, -ōnis, from confundere: "to pour together", "to mingle together", "to confuse".

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  1. B

    How Do You Calculate Orbital Period with Limited Data?

    Homework Statement An Earth station receives data transmitted back in time from a future intergalactic expedition. The table summarizes the data for the moons of a planet that will be discovered in a distant galaxy. Moon 1: only has orbital radius = 5E7 meters Just only this...
  2. D

    How Does Every Convergent Subsequence Prove the Limit of a Sequence?

    Homework Statement Prove that lim a_n = L given that (a_n) is a sequence defined such that every subsequence has a convergent that converges to L\in R Homework Equations Bolzano-weierstrass and the works The Attempt at a Solution A subsequence of a subsequence is just a...
  3. D

    Solve differential equation still confused

    hi. I have asked for help on this again but i got even more confused. The question says solve: dx/dt - 2t(2x-1) = 0 when t=0 when x=0. I did: 0.5 ln(2x-1) = 2t^2 / 2 + K then i have 2x-1 = 0.5(e^t^2) + K putting x=0 and t=0 i get: K=0 thus i have 2x-1 = e^(2t^2) thus...
  4. D

    Confused About Osama or Usama?

    Is it Osama or Usama? The FBI Most Wanted List has Usama but CNN says Osama. Personally, I have always used Osama. Opinions?
  5. N

    Distinction free and bound current (or charge) [very confused]

    Hello, I'm reading Griffiths' Introduction to Electrodynamics and I got quite confused in 9.4.1 page 392 (but the question is general, for anyone who does not have that book): It's about EM-waves in conductors. I will quote a paragraph: What is the definition of bound (or free)...
  6. D

    Confused about what direction friction really acts in.

    If an object is moving forwards on a rough plane, we assume that there is a force opposing its motion, namely friction or resistance. This friction includes the friction because of the contact between the moving object and the ground. From Newton's third law, we can conclude that because the...
  7. F

    The proof of convergence. I am confused with the summation

    Homework Statement Prove\; that\;if\;\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_n \;converges,\;then \lim_{n\to\infty}a_n = 0 Book solution s_n= a_1 + a_2 +...+a_n s_{n-1}= a_1 + a_2 +...+a_{n-1} a_n=s_n-s_{n-1} Then they did a few limits, and proved that the difference is 0. BUt that is not my...
  8. J

    How Does Side-Slip Affect Lift Calculation in Flight Simulations?

    I'm writing a flight sim for use in Cinema 4D, an animation package that has a built-in physics engine. It's not supposed to be totally realistic, and I've got most things working fairly well. But one thing I don't understand is how to calculate lift correctly when the relative wind isn't coming...
  9. K

    Confused about the intuitive explanation of degrees of freedom

    One common explanation of the concept of D.F. is this: Suppose you have n numbers (a, b, c,...) that make up a sample of a population. You want to estimate the variance of the population with the sample variance. But the sample mean m is being calculated from these numbers, so when...
  10. C

    Thermodynamics, confused with definitions

    Homework Statement dU = dQ + dW so dU = Cv dT... but only if dW is zero right? as dQ = CvdT so then the central equation is TdS = dU + PdV which is then TdS = CvdT + PdV according to my notes. surely PdV should be zero no?
  11. L

    Confused by Mark Scheme: Exam Q on Fire Engine Sound Wave

    I've just finished some past exam papers and when marking them using the mark scheme something confused me a little One question said when a fire engine moves away from an observer, the pitch of the siren decreased, why and I chose the wavelength of the sound wave decreases The mark scheme...
  12. M

    Confused about Dirac particles

    I'm really confused! The Dirac equation describes spin -1/2 particles - i.e. particles of definite spin. And yet the spin operator does not commute with the Dirac Hamiltonian! The reason I'm confused is because I thought if you were going to describe particles of a given kind - that is...
  13. S

    Is Total Pressure Constant at the Same Altitude for Any Moving Flow?

    total pressure , I'm confused ! hello :) i'm new here ... i'm confused in poits regards pressure now please correct me if I'm wrong... 1-static pressure is equal to the total pressure if the gas is static (V=0) 2- total pressure is always equal or bigger than the static pressure 3-as...
  14. J

    Confused- Integrating a vector field along a curve in 3D.

    Homework Statement Let f be a vector function, f = (xz, 0, 0), and C a contour formed by the boundary of the surface S S : x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = R^2 , x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0, z ≥ 0 , and oriented counterclockwise (as seen from the origin). Evaluate the integral (Closed integral sign) f · dr , directly as...
  15. M

    Help! Project Due in 2 Hours and I'm Confused!

    confused, project is due in 2 hours, can someone please help , thanks.
  16. O

    What is a perturbation and how does it affect a system in equilibrium?

    Perturbation-the ability of an unperturb system to remain the same when a perturb system is added to it. Can't really understand this?
  17. DocZaius

    Confused: Rotation About an Axis or a Point?

    I had always thought that the concept of rotation required it being around an axis rather than a point, but now that I have been exposed to using vectors to represent rotation, I am a little confused. Angular momentum is defined as the position vector cross the linear momentum vector. Suppose a...
  18. P

    Confused about a charge going into a magnetic field?

    Say for instance a + charged particle is moving right along the x-axis. Then it will encounter a magnetic field with the direction pointing up. Using the Right hand rule, the force acting on that particle will be going out of the page to me so to speak. But what if it was an electron with a...
  19. P

    What is the identity of a3 + b3 + c3 in math?

    Homework Statement what is the identity of a3 + b3 + c3 i am getting a bit confused please help! Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  20. B

    Bit confused about the geometric series

    I'm confused about the sum of the geometric series: \sum ar^{n-1} = \frac{a}{1-r} when |r|<1 but if you have a series like: \sum (1/4)^{n-1} the sum is: \frac{1/4}{1-(1/4)} should't it be \frac{1}{1-(1/4)} because there is no a value?
  21. Femme_physics

    The definition of pascal confused

    So 1 pascal is 1 Newton per squared meter Are 2 pascals 2 Newtons per squared meter, or 2 Newtons per 2 squared meter applied on the object?
  22. T

    Math Double MSc Engineering PhD Student Seeking Advice on Internship

    Hi, I'm a double-msc in engineering, now a 3rd year phd student in maths. My main specialty is scientific computing in C++. I got an offer for a 4-6 months internship in a very interesting company, and I don't know whether to accept. Between the decrease in my income (I have to take a leave...
  23. R

    Confused with using Proof by Smallest Counterexample

    When proving by smallest counterexample, you assume an integer k>1 where it is the smallest integer for which statement Sn is false. Then you proceed to prove that Sk-1 implies Sk. Where you deduce a contradiction by which k is true. Can't you prove this directly by assuming Sk-1 is true and...
  24. P

    Confused about col/rows of matrices

    Can someone tell me (when RREFing a matrix) when do we put the vectors of a subspace in columns of a matrix and when in rows? Example from my notes: Here, my prof put the vectors in columns: and here, he put the vectors in rows: Thanks!
  25. C

    Optical Spectrum Analyzers - Confused on Units

    Hi! I am new to these, and off the bat am confused by the units. Manufacturers quote resolution either in units of length, e.g. 0.04 nm, or HZ. For example, 0.04 pm / 5MHz 0.16 pm / 20 MHz 0.8 pm / 100 MHz. I am thrown by this since I thought frequency was the inverse of...
  26. X

    High School senior confused in life

    High School senior confused in life... :( :confused: I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to which career path I should take? I am interested astronautical engineering, because of my love of space and designing spacecraft seems incredibly interesting and fun... It would be a...
  27. M

    What is the Kinetic Energy of a 3000lb Car Traveling at 60mph?

    Homework Statement what is the kinetic energy of a 3000lb car traveling at a 60mph (pounds are not units of mass) Homework Equations KE=1/2* mass * velocity ^2 The Attempt at a Solution pounds are the units of force but to calculate the mass I am missing some data unless I'm...
  28. M

    Can the Z-transform be used for both continuous and discrete functions?

    Hi, I'm currently studying some introductory discrete control theory and I've run into a problem with the Z-transform, although I could pose the same question regarding the Laplace transform. I know I'm completely off with this question but I've just stared myself blind to it. Here goes: I...
  29. B

    Engineering Why Does V_R3 Measure 100 V in a Mixed Resistor AC Circuit?

    I am confused when it comes to this AC circuit problem. It is part e. The back of the book shows that V_R3 = 100 V. But as you see from my calculations, I get V_R1 = 20 V and V_R2 = 100 V. So shouldn't V_R3 = 0 V because the original voltage source for this AC circuit is 120 V, yet the book...
  30. Y

    Confused about Poynting Theorem and Retarded field.

    This is not homework even thought this is an example in the book of Griffiths "Introduction of Electrodynamics" 3rd edition. This is a mix retarded field and Poynting theorem question: \vec E \cdot \vec J \;=\;-\frac 1 2 \frac {\partial}{\partial t} ( \epislon_0 E^2 +\frac 1 {\mu_0} B^2)...
  31. T

    Confused about the definition of a bounded sequence.

    Ok so for a sequence x(n) to be bounded it means |x(n)|<=M but according to by book, if x(n) belongs to some closed interval, say [a,b], x(n) is bounded. That is confusing because say x(n) belonging to [a,b] means a<=x(n)<=b. How can there exist a M such that -M<=x(n)<=M? this means...
  32. M

    Confused About Isotherms: Graph of Methane Volume vs Pressure

    I have a basic question on my prelab. The professor wants us to make a graph of of a experiment where the volume of methane gas was measured at various pressures. The temperature is held constant. She gives us data for this experiment and wants us to make a graph for it as practice. I can dot...
  33. T

    Confused about the definition of a limit

    So the definition states.( For any epsilon>0, there exists a delta>0 such that 0<|x-a|<delta => |f(x)-L|<epsilon. ) is equivalent to lim f(x)=L for x->a. Well say f<=C some constant. (reads less than or equal to) then L<=C But that means that the epslion neighborhood can't...
  34. A

    Can Friction Be Zero for a Rolling Sphere on a Surface?

    Homework Statement A spherical body is rolling on a rough surface. then "the frictional force may or may not be zero" Is this statement is correct or not? we discussed about this in classroom. Some were saying it must not be zero and others were saying it may be zero. Which is correct?
  35. M

    Energy Loss vs Energy Delivered and Voltage Drop - Confused

    Hi, ok so everytime I think that I have understood the concept of Energy transmission, losses and voltage drop, I get even more confused about things. I have searched several threads on this forum and the physics forum but failed to find anything that directly answers my query. So I...
  36. D

    Number theory: confused about the phrase an integer of the form

    Number theory: confused about the phrase "an integer of the form" Homework Statement Prove that any prime of the form 3k+1 is of the form 6k+1 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I'm not sure where to start at all. I tried rewriting 3k+1 as 6k+2=6k+(6-4)=6(k+1)-4. But...
  37. D

    Confused with closure and interior

    Greetings all, I'm looking at some examples in the Topology: Pure and Applied text. Looking at example 2.1 Consider A=[0,1) as a subset of R with the standard topology. Then Aint=(0,1) and Aclos=[0,1]. Can someone explain to me why the union of all open sets in A is that...
  38. P

    Confused while designing copper busbars

    Hello Guys! I was designing copper bus-bars which can withstand 1 kA current. Actually I am going to discharge a several DC capacitors into those bars. So, I was confused in the dimensioning the cross section. Is 25mm * 3mm cross section enough? I have made my calculation using 1.6 A/mm2...
  39. R

    Dielectrics and Capacitors, Very confused.

    Homework Statement A 25pF parallel plate capacitor with an air gap b/w the plates is connected to a 100v battery. A Teflon slab is then inserted b/w the plates and completely fills the gap. What is the change in charge on the positive plate when the Teflon is inserted? Homework Equations...
  40. T

    Initial Value Problem, confused due to non-linearity

    Homework Statement The equation 2y'' - y' + y^2(1-y) = 0 is a special case of an equation used as a model for nerve conduction, and describes the shape of a wave of electrical activity transmitted along a nerve fibre. Find a value of the constant a so that y = (1 + e^(ax))^(-1) is a...
  41. nomadreid

    Confused about inner models and On

    I do not understand how On, the class of ordinals, can be included in the universe of an inner model of ZFC such as < V\kappa, epsilon>, where \kappa is the first inaccessible ordinal. My confused attempts to do so have led me to believe that I am getting off on the wrong foot in my analysis...
  42. S

    Visual field defects. Totally confused. Please help

    Visual field defects. Totally confused. Please help! Hello everyone, [PLAIN]http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2756/picsds.gif I'm totally confused with this. If there is a lesion in A, why can't you see the left visual field. According to the arrows, if there is a lesion at A, you would...
  43. J

    Really confused about skylight polarization

    I learned that the light is 100% linearly polarized when one looks at the angle shown in pic1. But when taking a photo of a blue sky and also in polarization navigation, it says that we look at the direction of 90 angle from the sun ray cos it's the region of maximum polarization. (pic 2)...
  44. M

    Are Tom and Victoria's Locations in Canada Related?

    Tom and Victoria are two children who live in Canada. Consider the following de ned events about two Canadian cities far from each other: Toronto and Vancouver.  Let T represent the event that Tom lives in Toronto.  Let V represent the event that Victoria lives in Vancouver. 1. If Tom and...
  45. R

    Confused about quantum principles

    Can anyone guide me ragarding the difference between excitation, de-excitation and ionization. I just confused with the terms de-excitation and ionization, wether they are same..please guide me..
  46. Y

    Confused about plane wave and skin effect in conductor wire.

    I want to verify my understanding about skin effect and plane wave of conductor wire. In the diagram, assume long straight on z axis. Wire with radius = a and conductance = \sigma . Accouding to the equation shown, the plane wave is going towards the center of the wire only...
  47. B

    Confused about dispersion (optics)

    Hi I'm trying to get a better understanding of dispersion in light. Specifically, the relationship between refractive index and wavelength, and why the refractive index increases for decreasing wavelengths. However, I've been confused by all the various information I've come across...
  48. mishima

    Confused about wavelength (basic)

    I'm confused about how to think about wavelength for something physical, like a simple pendulum or harmonic oscillator. I understand graphically what wavelength is but can't seem to come up with a physical description. I was thinking about ocean waves and that wavelength could be the direct...
  49. Z

    What are the Different Types of Events in Probability Theory?

    I never understand the difference between 'Equally Likely Events', 'Mutually Exclusive Events' and 'Exhaustive events'. I also get confused in calling an event to be of more than one type. I would be grateful if someone explains it clearly giving examples.
  50. N

    Confused by wikipedia on (torque-free) precession

    Hello, I quote http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precession from the first paragraph from the first section ("Torque-free precession"): But isn't the matrix product L = Iωs relative to the moving frame (that's how we did it in our course anyway), meaning L and omega are indeed the vectors as...
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