What is Explain: Definition and 1000 Discussions

An explanation is a set of statements usually constructed to describe a set of facts which clarifies the causes, context, and consequences of those facts. This description may establish rules or laws, and may clarify the existing rules or laws in relation to any objects, or phenomena examined.Explanation, in philosophy, is a set of statements that makes intelligible the existence or occurrence of an object, event, or state of affairs. Among the most common forms of explanation are causal explanation; deductive-nomological explanation, which involves subsuming the explanandum under a generalization from which it may be derived in a deductive argument (e.g., “All gases expand when heated; this gas was heated; therefore, this gas expanded”); and statistical explanation, which involves subsuming the explanandum under a generalization that gives it inductive support (e.g., “Most people who use tobacco contract cancer; this person used tobacco; therefore, this person contracted cancer”). Explanations of human behaviour typically appeal to the subject’s beliefs and desires, as well as other facts about him, and proceed on the assumption that the behaviour in question is rational (at least to a minimum degree). Thus an explanation of why the subject removed his coat might cite the fact that the subject felt hot, that the subject desired to feel cooler, and that the subject believed that he would feel cooler if he took off his coat.

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  1. opus

    Please explain the difference between these fractions w/ radical

    Homework Statement For the solution to a given problem, in the second to last step I had: ##-\frac{\sqrt 6}{4} + \frac{\sqrt 2}{4}## I stated next that the solution was ##-\frac{\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{2}}{4}## I was told this was incorrect and that the correct solution is...
  2. arda

    I Can someone explain this phenomena?

    Can someone explain? When two charge moving as fast as possible , what force is acting on for blocking to collide.I mean if you think you are not moving and you are looking 2 charge which are moving as fast as to near light speed, they must collide each other if charge is not increasing...
  3. JTC

    Bernoulli to explain Magnus Effect

    Hi I have been reading some internet articles that state the Bernoulli equation does NOT explain the Magnus Effect. The articles state that the effect is due to circulation (Bernoulli requires inviscid flows) Could someone explain the cause of the Magnus effect without reference Bernoulli's...
  4. T

    Explain what is meant by an 'overall heat transfer coefficient

    Homework Statement (I) Explain what is meant by an 'overall heat transfer coefficient'. (II) Explain what is meant by fouling and what its effect will be on the value of the overall heat transfer coefficient. 
 Homework Equations None provided. The Attempt at a Solution (I) The overall heat...
  5. All year camper

    B What Are the Mysterious Zig Zagging 'Stars' in the Night Sky?

    Ok all you bright boffins and I don’t mean an insult , I want to run this by you all so be tolerant and don’t turn off my blog until you have read through it please , I am wild camper in uk north east England mainly Teeside area for your expertise on what I have seen in the sky at night . No I...
  6. S

    Need help to explain the peak of thermal conductivity

    Progress This is the experimental data of thermal conductivity of stainless steel 304L at low temperature. The data is calculated with the Fourier's law of thermal conduction. I checked many times in the excel file and I confirmed that there is no mistake in the calculation. The parameters are...
  7. opus

    I Explaining Enumerable: Understanding the Concept in Godel, Escher, Bach

    I'm reading a book called Godel, Escher, Bach, and the author is talking about formal systems, in particular, primes and composite numbers. He goes on to mention that "There exist recursively enumerable sets which are not recursive". I don't understand the term "enumerable" though. The...
  8. A

    B Einstein's Gravity Model: Explaining Its Creation

    When we do the stretched rubbers he etc analogy of gravitational well, there are two differences 1) the ball moves into depression because of gravity of the earth. 2) stretched rubbersheet is physical and prevents ball from falling down while space would allow you to move anywhere as space...
  9. M

    Interpret success-rate/time * $

    Homework Statement You are applying for a ##\$1000## scholarship and your time is worth ##\$10## an hour. If the chance of success is ##1 -(1/x)## from ##x## hours of writing, when should you stop? Homework Equations Let ##p(x)=1 -(1/x)## be the rate of success as a function of time, ##x##...
  10. slow

    B Using the words "Formulate" "To imply" "Explain" in Physics

    Hi. I ask in advance that you forgive me if my questions are poorly made or are irrelevant. Is the next. 1. Words that are frequently applied to parts of theoretical physics. Formulate. To imply. Explain. Are they interchangeable, that is, can any of them replace one of them in a phrase? Or...
  11. X

    I Can someone please explain quantum entanglement to me?

    Can someone please explain how the author, Domino Valdano, derives the percentages explaining quantum entanglement? The original post is by Thomas Ulrich. Any help would be greatly appreciated. first click on my link posted here, then once in it just scroll to the bottom of the post and...
  12. Q

    I Can dark matter explain dark energy?

    Why do we need the theory of dark energy? I know the it is claimed that dark-matter has no affect on the electromagnetic spectrum. How do we know the affects attributed to dark-energy aren't affects caused by dark-matter? Dark-energy is claimed to be causing the universe to expand at an...
  13. DLeuPel

    I How can General Relativity explain the Moon drifting apart from Earth

    According to various sources, the Moon is separating from Earth 4 cm every year. I’ve searched for the explanation and I’ve found the following: The friction the seas and oceans from the Earth make with it’s soil causes the Earth’s rotation to slow down. This causes the Moon to speed up...
  14. F

    MHB Can someone please explain why marks were taken off in this limit question

    My teacher says I have to solve all the limits at once, but I don't understand why it is mathematically incorrect to solve one limit before the other. The test is here:
  15. PurpleRain

    Can someone explain this equation to me? Δm=μΔt

    I don't understand how this equation came about and what μ means. And from there they said that μ=Δm/Δt=constant I have to use it to solve a problem about finding the final temperature of two liquids. I tried to google the equation, but I couldn't find anything. Can someone please explain this...
  16. M

    Hi, can somebody explain this RLC circuit to me?

    Hello to everbody can you help me how come C6 to be 10p and c5 13.5 and and l1 to be 190n and L6 240n i start with 100Meghz, with one circuits 50/XL or 50/XC now become three different thanks i understand the first circuit, i understand the second circuit, but now they make three circuits how...
  17. patric44

    Quantum Need a book to explain the princple of quanization

    hi guys i am struggling to understand how and why quantization of energy solves the UV catastrophe and the black body problem ? and how they get to the Rayleigh - jeans equation in the first place ? and why plank modified the equation the way he did ? and why should the harmonic oscillators...
  18. Richie Smash

    Explain How the Lamp in Circuit A Lights When Switch S is closed

    Homework Statement Hello Everyone, a pleasant good morning to all :) I will attach an image that shows a diagram of a circuit. The question based on this picture is as follows: ''When switch S is closed, the Lamp L, lights. Explain how this occurs.'' Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution...
  19. rishi kesh

    Please explain this limit problem

    Please explain the above limit problem.i am able to understand last steps but can't get initial 4 steps.
  20. relatively-uncertain

    B Can someone explain the Aguirre-Gratton model & how it works?

    Hi, I'm slightly confused with the Aguirre-gratton model, and was wondering if someone could explain using simpler terms? I have read from : http://www.preposterousuniverse.com/blog/2007/04/27/how-did-the-universe-start/ " Aguirre and Gratton have presented a proof by construction that such a...
  21. G

    A What does gauge theory explain?

    This is a bit of a philosophical/conceptual question. I've done tons of reading on it, of course, but haven't found anything that makes me go 'ah ha'! I am working steadily through the mathematical formalism of differential geometry, but am struggling to grasp how the things we say in this...
  22. G

    B How To Consistently Explain Electromagnetism With Relativity

    Superconducting Ring In a superconducting ring does the contraction of space between electrons cause them to move inwards? Like in this animation. Force Between Parallel Wires With Current In the proton frame of two parallel wires with identical current, I've been told they attract and this...
  23. L

    I Can someone explain this Energy Problem

    So- I'm going to confused with the concept of total mechanical energy that's loss due to work other. I provided an example below. When do I apply this equation of Wother=E2-E2? I get confused cause I thought frictionless meant that energy is conserved.
  24. W

    Explain why all geodesics on a sphere are arcs of great circ

    Homework Statement Show that any geodesic with constant ##\theta## lies on the equator of a sphere, with the north pole being on the ##\theta = 0## line. Hence explain why all geodesics on a sphere will be arcs of a great circle. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I've had a go at it...
  25. A

    Please explain the action of forces here

    Homework Statement Two forces are acting on a 4.87-kg object that moves with acceleration 5.47 m/s^2 in the positive y-direction. If one of the forces acts in the positive x-direction and has magnitude of 12 N, what is the magnitude of the other force in N? Homework Equations F=ma The...
  26. P

    I Does QFT explain macroscopic objects?

    Is it correct to consider a given macroscopic object as a continuum arrangement of harmonic oscillators, each composed of a point mass? Would the error in such a consideration be too large?
  27. P

    Is Newton's 3rd law sufficient to explain buoyancy force?

    I assigned a question: Explain the physics mechanism that results in the buoyancy force. Some students replied: The floating object is interacting with the water. Therefore it exerts a downward force on the water. The water then exerts an upward force on the object due to Newton's Third Law...
  28. C

    Can Someone Explain The Stereo Ahead Blue Sphere Anomaly?

    While looking at stereo ahead images some shots look like there is a massive sphere that appears and disappears in the camera example of this can be found here : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3953058/NASA-cameras-capture-huge-blue-spherical-object.html as you can see the sphere appears...
  29. A

    Engineering Can someone explain me this problem? (Circuit analysis using superposition)

    I do not really understand why we don't include 7Ω resistor in step 1, and I need some explanation with step 2.
  30. D

    How to explain the phenomenon of optical rotation of chiral?

    I am Professor of Inorganic Chemistry of the State University of Southwest of Bahia - UESB. I have a PhD from UFMG in Natural Product Chemistry. I use the polarimeter in my experiments and would like to understand what happens on a micro scale (chiral molecules) to provide the phenomenon of...
  31. E

    Can this circuit be solved? Please explain

    See the attached image. This circuit seems simple enough, but the fact that the voltage drop across each of the resistors is not the same means that equivalent resistance methods cannot be applied. Is more information required? Thanks for your help!
  32. S

    Could someone explain this hypocycloid question?

    Homework Statement A circle of C of radius b rolls on the inside of a larger circle of radius a centered at the origin. Let P be a fixed point on the smaller circle, with initial position at the point (a, 0). Homework Equations x = (a-b)cos(θ)- bcos(((a-b)/b)θ) y = (a-b)sin(θ)-...
  33. ramzerimar

    Explain to me the flaw in this perpetual motion scheme

    Someone showed this to me, and I'm struggling to explain why this perpetual motion scheme is impossible. A picture: Basically, this is a cylinder within a large reservoir, with water at the level of the reservoir water level. The mass would be dropped and then reach the bottom of the cylinder...
  34. core1985

    Can someone explain to me these equations of sound waves?

    A bomb explodes on Mars how long will sound waves to travel from Mars to earth?? Ans= 0sec?? or any other answer needs only little hint
  35. ibkev

    B What course would explain why c is a hard limit?

    So far in my reading of SR, we explore various consequences of c being a constant in a vacuum and frame invariant, etc. At what point in a physics education do you learn why a universal speed limit is necessary at all? Is that the sort of thing that is revealed in an intro to GR course? Or is...
  36. M

    Explain speed limits on curved ramp with Newton's Laws

    Homework Statement Discuss how Newton’s Laws can be used to explain the introduction of transportation safety features such as: Speed Limits on curved ramps Homework Equations Newton's 2nd Law: F=ma The Attempt at a Solution I believe that according to Newton's first law objects that are in...
  37. A

    I Explain about the information lost through black hole

    Having trouble with understanding this equation and its theory.
  38. D

    B How can anyone explain the universal equilibrium density problem

    With NASA defining this equilibrium density at 9.9 x 10<30 gm/cm3, how can an increasingly expanding universe maintain a steady density as it expands?
  39. Anshul23

    Light in a cup (Can you explain this phenomenon?)

    Can anyone explain the behavior of light I came across as I sat in my lounge this evening having a nice cup of Mocha . Hint ( I am sitting in a room with some led ceiling lights on) can you: 1.Guess how many Led lights I have on 2.Explain the appearance of light which is looking like a typical...
  40. D

    B Explain FBD in vertical circle

    Hi , just curious about the F.B.D of a pebble moving in a vertical circle, which component that balances the weight of the pebble at the horizontal position , as tension is providing the required centripetal force , weight is acting downwards , which component balances it ?
  41. wolram

    B Can Primordial Black Holes explain Galaxy formations

    This paper https://arxiv.org/pdf/1705.06859.pdf says that PBHs were the start of galaxy formations at up to Z=10 what do you think? In this connection a natural idea may come to one’s mind, that the SMBH are not created in the galactic halos but, vise versa, galaxies are formed around the...
  42. R

    Can anyone explain this integration for me?

    Homework Statement http://imgur.com/a/Y8NW0 Basically we start with a function of t, which was differentiated twice, that function = F_o / m Fo is a constant force, and I assume m is mass though my book doesn't state that. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Integrating the...
  43. W

    Can somone explain this review solution (moments/inertia)?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations This would be the part I think I'm missing The Attempt at a Solution In the fourth line, Ix, where is the justification for multiplying 1/3 by the first term? I believe they are using the center of inertia of a rod, which is mr2 and the first term...
  44. W

    Can somone explain this review solution (vibrations)?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The equations are all given The Attempt at a Solution This isn't really a homework question... it's solved, but I'm having a hard time following it. I don't understand where the first term: -a(kaθ) comes from. I can see it's the moment relation...
  45. S

    Heat transfer. Could anyone explain the solution?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution This is a solved question. The answer is given above. I can't understand why h1=h2. [/B]
  46. Sirsh

    Other How/where to explain grade discrepancy in job applications?

    Hi all, I have a problem. I switched my major nearly two years ago within Engineering, however my university only has one course code for our entire degree which enlists all majors within it. So my issue is that they list ALL of my classes in my academic transcript and weight them all a whole...
  47. Jehannum

    I Can someone explain this equation for Reynolds' number?

    The following is quoted from British Standard 6891:2015, the standard for the installation of domestic gas pipework: "In the UK, the Reynolds number is taken to be equivalent to: 25 043 x Q/d for natural gas; and 83 955 x Q/d for LPG." [Q = flow rate, cubic metre per hour, d = pipe...
  48. Blockade

    Can someone explain to me these equations of sound waves?

    I = 1/2 ρ v ω2 A2 I don't know what "I" is nor do I know what "A" is but it has to do with sound waves. May you also please correct me if I am wrong but is: ρ = density of air v = velocity of sound = 343 m/s ω = angular frequency of the sound wave = 2πƒ And also may you please answer what is...
  49. P

    Can anyone explain to me this infinite series problem?

    Homework Statement and in this case we have, [PLAIN]http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcII/ConvergenceOfSeries_files/eq0016MP.gif[PLAIN]http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcII/ConvergenceOfSeries_files/empty.gif Homework Equations I can not see how they get either of...
  50. T

    I Does this explain the Zeno effect observed

    Quantum zeno effect states that an unstable particle can be prevented from decaying by being observed/measured. It has been experimentally proven. However, this observation/measurement does not refer to simply looking at it. This effect vanishes as we zoom out to the macroscopic world. Hence, a...
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