What is Explanation: Definition and 975 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. T

    Explanation of uncertainty principle

    Is this explanation of uncertainty principle from wikipedia correct? Is this "compressing" the Fourier series/integral? Because the function is not periodic, and with infinite frequencies some of then would put make the speed greater than c "According to the de Broglie hypothesis, every...
  2. N

    Help for a circuit schematic explanation

    http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/variablegaincontrol.png/"can someone please explain me the circuit schematic that i have attached because i can't understand it. Thank youhttp://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/variablegaincontrol.png/
  3. R

    Understanding Vectors: Parallelogram PQRS Question

    Hey, I'll state first that I've obviously just been introduced to vectors and I have looked through the given material in class let alone watched "Khan Academy" and "Patrick JMT" video on Vectors but i can not really grasp the concepts. Question: In parallelogram PQRS let q = PQ and...
  4. J

    Explanation of double slit experiment.

    Quantum objects are particles, not waves. Particles are bundles of energy propagating on a field. It is the properties of the field that seem to give particles wave-like qualities. Thus in the Young's double slit experiment, a given particle goes through one and only one of the slits; it does...
  5. L

    Integrating e^x^2: Proof & Explanation

    I went through several threads about the integral of e^x^2 but I could not find anything about the proof why e^x^2 cannot be integrated as an elementry function. Could you explain why?
  6. B

    Qualitative explanation of S domain

    I'm doing LaPlace transforms for a circuits class, and I realized that I don't REALLY know what the S domain is. When you do Fourier transforms, obviously you're in the frequency domain and that's pretty easy to understand. The other domain you work in a lot is time. But up until now, I've just...
  7. T

    Products of disjoint cycles. Explanation please.

    Hey all, Currently trying to revise products of disjoint cycles. I am struggling to get my head around the idea however. Its strange, i can generate disjoint cycles easily however i can't quite see the product of cycles. Mabye I've missed something. eg of what i don't quite get. What is...
  8. R

    Quantum Defect Theory: Looking for an Understandable Explanation

    For a college project, I'm researching quantum defect theory. In my study, I'm using emission spectra to determine the quantum defect, treated as the correction term in the denominator of the Rydberg equation. What I understand In general, the Rydberg equation is effective for Hydrogen...
  9. J

    Trying to understand Galois theory book explanation

    I'm trying to read this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1584883936/?tag=pfamazon01-20 On the pages 12-13 it says: The bold part is where lose the track. Why are quantities, which are invariant under permutations of roots, expressible in some certain way?
  10. G

    Torque, have answer, need explanation

    Force F= (2.0N)i - (3.0N) k acts on a pebble with position vector r= (0.50m)j - (2.0m)k relative to the origin. In unit vector notation, what is the resulting torque about a) the origin and b) the point (2.0m, 0, -3.0m)? Okay, I got the answers and their right. For both (-1.5)i - (4.0)j...
  11. 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...
  12. 1

    Not satisfied with textbook explanation of X chromosome deactivation

    According to my biology textbook, calico cats get their fur color mosiac from the random deactivation of one of their X chromosomes, by condensing them into barr bodies and displaying either the maternal or paternal X chromosome fur color only. IE each cell randomly deactivates either X and...
  13. F

    I need some explanation on this

    Homework Statement http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/949/unledto.png Go to problem b) [PLAIN][PLAIN]http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5388/unledzb.png The Attempt at a Solution Now my question is why L + 2x? L is the height and x is the width, why are they adding them? I know...
  14. K

    One-paragraph explanation of compensation rates

    Goal: to very concisely explain how & why certain people are paid a particular dollar amount (in the USA). I'll go first: In the US, compensation is generally based on the availability of labor, and the value added (expected revenue gain) by your work. Thus, skills which are very common but...
  15. F

    Explanation of light refraction

    Why does light refract between the two mediums when transferring from one to another? And why is the refractive index different for different wavelenths/frequencies? Thanks in advance, fawk3s
  16. G

    Twin Paradox (thorough explanation needed)

    Hi, I'm an undergraduate physics student trying to comprehend why the twin paradox is not a paradox. The standard reply usually amounts to this: the dude in the spaceship has to turn around at some point to come back to Earth. So he accelerated during his journey (by changing his direction...
  17. D

    Could escaping gravitrons be an explanation of dark energy?

    I am not a scientist, however I am very interested in quantum mechanics and string theory at a basic level. One thing when learning about string theory that struck me as being particularly interesting is the branes described by the "M" theory. Let me start my query with three assumptions...
  18. G

    Oscillator problem, explanation needed

    Hi, I've got a few questions about that common base colpitts oscillator. I am trying to simulate it but, I am not sure if the circuit is complete or is it missing anything? I have some formulas but not sure how to use them.I have some assumptions, are they right? 1. Capacitors R3 R4 nad R5...
  19. M

    Is computer simulation the simplest explanation of our universe?

    I've just started thinking about this and haven't read much about the "simulation argument" yet, but is there anything unreasonable about using computational/information theoretic/Occam's razor arguments to argue that the simplest explanation for the universe is that everything is being...
  20. L

    Explain Magma: Basaltic vs Rhyolitic Temperatures

    Can somone explain to me about Magmas which have different chemical compositions have different temperatures i.e basaltic magmas erupt at about 1200 °C whereas rhyolitic magmas erupt at about 700 °C. what is the difference in chemical composition between these two? also why can the composition...
  21. A

    De Broglie Wavelength and Wave Nature of a Bullet: Explanation and Significance

    This question appeared in my exam . Q. A bullet of mass 41g travels at 960m/s. what wavelength can we associate with it? why does the wave nature of the bullet not reveal itself though diffraction effects? Ans.. i find de broglie wave length by formula lamda = h/mc but didnt...
  22. M

    Why does Sin (right angle plus theta) equal cos(theta)?

    Homework Statement I am reading an explanation on a trig identity but I am not fully understanding it... Angle MOP = Theta Angle POP' = Right angle Angle AOP' = (Theta + Right angle) Take OP' = OP ( WHY must it be equal?) Angle MOP + P'OM' = 90 ( I understand this) Angle MOP = Angle...
  23. R

    Understanding Spillage vs. Mach Number

    Could someone help me clear my understanding of spillage? I need to plot spillage vs. Mach number at for different fuel flow rates. It's defined in this problem that full mass capture is when Mach=0.8, fuel flow rate=.2506 kg/s. The other Mach number's are based on the other fuel flow rates of...
  24. bcrowell

    Exploring Superfluidity in Neutron Stars: A Crayon Explanation

    I thought others might be interested in this: http://arxiv.org/abs/1011.6142 As a nuclear physicist, I don't find it surprising to hear that neutron stars are superfluid. Nuclei are superfluid. I'm not clear on the relationship between superfluidity and cooling. Can anyone explain this using...
  25. D

    A quick explanation of stability?

    I have the following DE: y'=y*(1-y^2) And understand that y=0, and y=+/-1 are critical points I am confused as to which are stable/unstable and why. TIA
  26. bcrowell

    Incorrect explanation of parity violation?

    This APS page http://focus.aps.org/story/v22/st19 describes the classic experiment by Wu et al. in the 50's that demonstrated parity violation. It contains the following explanation: "[1] The magnetism of the nuclei can be thought of as resulting from their spin. With the nuclei aligned with...
  27. T

    Coriolis explanation for cyclones and anticyclones

    This relates to a long standing confusion I have had about the Coriolis explanation for cyclones and anticyclones... The usual 'turntable' demonstration of the Coriolis 'force' is very intuitive. The demonstration relies on the ball/pen/pendulum not having any friction with the turntable and...
  28. P

    How could random connections on a manifold be the key to understanding AdS/CFT?

    new explanation for AdS/CFT?? Here is a possible new interpretation of AdS/CFT. (Just humor me for a moment.) First, take a look at the pattens as photographed in Discover magizine: "Waves on a sphere follow the unpredictable Rules of Quantum Mechanics". (p. 53 of March 2011 Discover...
  29. L

    Explanation of Limit Superior/Inferior

    I'm in the middle of a Complex Analysis course, working on the proof for a theorem to calculate radii of convergence for power series; a formula that utilises lim sup. Unfortunately, either I've forgotten lim superior/inferior from 1st year Analysis or I was never taught it in the first place. I...
  30. M

    Short Reduced Echelon Form Explanation?

    Homework Statement If my original echelon form is: 1 1 -2 1 | 2 0 3 3 3 | -3 0 0 0 1 | -4 and according to my notes that my teacher provided, the reduced form is: 1 0 -3 0 | 3 0 1 1 0 | 3 0 0 0 1 | -4 he noted that in the reduced form, the 1's in columns 1, 2, and 4 are...
  31. J

    Mechanics of Materials Explanation

    I was reading through my mechanics of materials book (Mechanics of Materials 8th ed. R.C. Hibbler) learning about stress and came across example 1.6 pg. 28. while most of the example makes sense the last bit of part b) confused me. I am unsure as to why for Pcd he only showed the 22 kN force...
  32. V

    Explanation of tidal wave formation in sea due toe gravitaion force of moon

    Hello According to general theory is there any explanation of tidal wave in sea due to gravitation of moon. How moon warp space time in such a way so that tidal waves are generated in sea?
  33. M

    Solving a Physics Mystery: An Explanation of Landau's Collision Problem

    Hi there. I'm a second-year physics student. I'm from Mexico (so please, forgive my english), and I'm on winter holidays. I've been studying Mechanics with the first volume of the "Course of Theoretical Physics", by Landau and Lifgarbagez, that awesome though hard book series. My study plan...
  34. M

    Pictorial explanation of what getting a Ph.D. means

    Credits to Matt Might, whomever he is: http://matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/
  35. E

    Direction of induced current explanation

    Homework Statement (Draw a diagram illustrating the direction of the electric current induced in a conductor as it passes through a magnetic field) Write a short paragraph in which you explain your reasoning for the direction of the current in your diagram refer specifically to the motor...
  36. M

    Sakurai Quantum Mechanics Problem 29 Explained

    Homework Statement I have attached a link to the solution set of some questions from sakurai. But I don't understand clearly the solution of question number 5.29. link: http://www.people.virginia.edu/~7Erdb2k/homework/phys752/quantum.pdf" Homework Equations how did they found the 4x4 matrix...
  37. H

    What is the explanation for using sin 30 in 2D kinematics?

    Homework Statement A tennis ball is thrown from ground level with velocity vo directed sin 30 above the horizontal. If it takes the ball 1.0s to reach the top of its trajectory, what is the magnitude of the initial velocity? Homework Equations The initial vertical component of...
  38. G

    Symmetric Difference Explanation

    Can someone explain to me how to show (x\y) union (y\x) = (x union y) \ (y union x) using only the main set theory laws for union, intersections and difference.
  39. J

    What is the actual explanation of diffraction?

    I've done plenty of problems over the course of my degree that involve waves passing through slits of widths comparable to their wavelengths, and spreading out. As far as I'm aware though, I haven't been told what is actually going on there, just that it does happen. I know that we can...
  40. Z

    Explanation to some observations

    I need explanations of some observations - 1) How do they remove the anti-theft tags from clothes (mechanism behind it)? 2) How do trolleys no matter how heavy stick to a cartveyor? 3) Why do we need to apply more force to close the door (not throughout - just before complete closing) of a...
  41. H

    Definition and Explanation of Farday's Ist Law and 2nd

    Pls give me defination and Explanation of Farday's Ist Law and 2nd(Electro Magnetic Inducation) in easy word of English,,,thanks
  42. P

    Dirac's explanation of negative energy states

    I wonder whether Dirac explanation of paradox of negative energy solutions of his equation is viable. Of course this paradox is absent in QFT but if we treat Dirac equation as an equation for wave function of electron the negative energy solution are a puzzle. Acording to Dirac we don't...
  43. J

    Need lamen explanation of ionic vs. covalent bonds

    Hi I am new on here and also new to science. I am in College getting my Biology 12 and Chemistry 11. I am having a really hard time understanding the difference between the ionic and the covalent bond. I am having trouble understanding: a) the net charge that creates an ion b)the ionic...
  44. N

    Dinosaur soft tissue explanation?

    I have read/heard about this for awhile now and I haven't really read any good explanations for this. Does anyone know how exactly soft tissue could be preserved for so long?...assuming it is indeed >60 million years old?
  45. DaTario

    Clear explanation of Doppler effect assimmetry

    Hi All, I would like to know how can one explain the assimmetry in Doppler effect. I will illustrate what I mean. If a source emits 440 Hz but is coming in my direction with a velocity V (measured in m/s) I will hear, let's say, 441 Hz. Now, if the source is at rest with respect to the...
  46. D

    Why is the Buzzer Always On in this Circuit?

    I have this circuit that I found on the internet and I see for the most part how it works. But for some reason I am misunderstanding something about it because it seems to me that the buzzer would always be on. Perhaps I am confused due to the use of both a pnp and an npn transistor (I only have...
  47. A

    Explanation Needed for Equation for Gravitation/Conservation of Energy equation

    Homework Statement A projectile is shot directly away from Earth's surface. Neglect rotation of Earth. What multiple of Earth's radius R_e gives the radial distance a projectile reaches if its initial speed is 1/2 of the escape speed from Earth. Homework Equations Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf...
  48. C

    Explanation of Sine Function Please

    Lately I have been trying to plot sine waves, but I can't understand any explanation on the net. I always get y=sine(x), but I never receive any explanation regarding what x IS, be it angle or just the x-axis number. I found a way around this using the Pythagorean theorem, but that is annoying...
  49. S

    Mathematical explanation of maximum speed limit c'

    mathematical explanation of maximum speed limit "c' i have tried many texts and searched but can't find particular mathematical proof or explanation of how sp.theory led to conclusion that maximum velocity limit is "c"
  50. R

    Lacking information of the general quantum physics explanation

    hi! Every time i stumble upon quantum physics I get to the same example, where the subatomic particles (photons i suppose) behave like particles in a particle experiment, and waves in a wave experiment. Then the conclusion is that the particle becomes what the observer measures. I'm just...
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