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. S

    Is there a Scientific explanation to the Weirdest thing I saw today?

    I was sitting in my kitchen this morning at 8:10am eating breakfast with my mom and sister present in the room when a glowing yellow & orange light appeared directly over the counter table across the room for no more than 2sec. At this same instance our electric garage door started going haywire...
  2. M

    Classical Explanation for Photoelectric Effect

    Hello. I have a question regarding photoelectric effect. My textbook says that when photoelectric effect experiment was first performed, physicists could not explain the outcome with classical physics (e.g. maximum kinetic energy depends on frequency of light, not intensity). My question is...
  3. N

    How a Cathode Heater Works: A Clear Explanation

    How does a cathode heater work? Can't seem to find a straightforward explanation anywhere.
  4. W

    Medical Should I go see a doctor? Explanation inside.

    My left hand shakes whenever I'm holding something with it. It's not just small movements, it really is shaking abnormally. I don't know how long I've had this, I noticed it yesterday while holding my umbrella. Could this be temporary? I don't know if it's worth going to see the doctor over it.
  5. J

    Vector notation. just an explanation

    i don't have a problem just a little confusion. what exactly does the i hat and j hat notation mean when given a vector problem. such as \vec{}a= 0.023 \hat{}im/s^{}2 + 0.046 \hat{}jm/s^{}2 what is this statement actually saying. i know what i need to do with it, but don't quite grasp...
  6. W

    Why Do Magnetic Fields Differ in Right Hand Rule Illustrations?

    Homework Statement http://www.cramster.com/Answer-Board/Image/20073231626286331026398833900007956.jpg This is not problem. I just having trouble understanding the basics. Please just tell me right away, don't 'assist!' I trying to understand the right hand rule. Here are to...
  7. T

    Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion: Explaining Car Movement

    Homework Statement Why do you lunge forward when your car suddenly stops? Why are you thrown backwards when your car suddenly accelerates? Explain using Newton's laws Homework Equations ? The Attempt at a Solution Because of your seat belt, you are attached to the car, causing...
  8. L

    Needing explanation of Kittel Intro to Solid States chapter 4.

    In chapter 4, Kittel is setting up the differential equations for the forces involved in lattice vibrations. I understand the concept, the only problem I'm running into is why he chose the solution he did. Here goes: He states that the differential equation is...
  9. C

    Surface Area Equality: The Simplest Explanation

    ok why does surface area = ( y) ( 1+ f ' (x)^(2) )^(1/2) equal surface area = (x ) (1+ f ' (x)^(2) )^(1/2) the simplest explanation please.
  10. Y

    Time dilation explanation for gravity?

    Hi, I seem to recall reading a post a long time ago (that I cannot find) that gravity in the Newtonian limit (eg the Solar system) can be completely explained in terms of time dilation alone. Is that true and if so, how does that work?
  11. F

    Possible Explanation for Quantum Mechanics?

    First and foremost, I would just like to say that I have limited familiarity with quantum mechanics and virtually no familiarity with string theory, so this is quite a shot in the dark, but I'm hoping someone here who is more knowledgeable will tell me what they think of the idea I'm about to...
  12. jal

    How Does String Theory Explain Quark-Gluon Plasma Properties?

    http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/hep-ph/0701201 String theory and quark-gluon plasma Authors: Makoto Natsuume (Submitted on 24 Jan 2007 (v1), last revised 28 Feb 2007 (this version, v2)) Abstract: We review the AdS/CFT description of gauge theory plasmas for non-experts. We discuss the low shear...
  13. N

    How Does Grounding Affect the Electric Field of a Charged Plate?

    The setup is: Suppose that we have a point charge q held a distance d from an infinite, grounded, conducting plate. Let the plate lie in the xy-plane, and suppose that the point charge is located at coordinates (0, 0, d). What is the scalar potential above the plane? The solution to this...
  14. S

    Explanation of the centripetal force and acceleration

    I just need a detailed explanation of the centripetal force and acceleration. Please take it step by step so that I can understand
  15. V

    What is a Fractal? A 10th Grade Explanation

    Unfortunately my level of maths does not allow me to fully understand fractals. I am at a tenth grade level of mathematics and my understanding of fractals is minimal. Very minimal. After searching the net tirelessly I have realized that any information available to my level of understanding...
  16. nomadreid

    Question on Greene's explanation

    My first question is whether the next paragraph is a correct summary, and then I have questions about the two shaky points mentioned in the summary. In "The Elegant Universe", Greene presents the division of energy of strings into the winding energy, the uniform vibrational energy, and ordinary...
  17. O

    Software Explanation Document

    In software maintenance, I have noticed that very few organizations and companies publish a precise well written Software Explanation Document to explain exactly and in a very well written way how thousand lines program work. It is amazing that of all the documents that are written, none of...
  18. S

    Understanding Spectral Index: A Plain Explanation

    Hi, Can anybody please explain to me (in everyday language) what spectral index is? The wikipedia entry doesn't shed much light, and a lot of the textbooks give very convoluted explanations for its derivation. Thanks.
  19. E

    Determining RMS Velocity: A Simplified Explanation

    In very simple terms, (1) How is RMS Velocity determined?
  20. A

    GR explanation of Newtonian Phenomena

    1. How would a general relativist explain why an object falls towards the earth? 2. Is it correct to say that it is not the apple that falls towards the Earth but it is the Earth that accelerates towards the apple? Why is this ok to say?
  21. E

    Griffiths E&M: Finding Torque Direction Explanation

    Homework Statement This question refers to Griffiths E and M book. See the solution here http://www.physics.gatech.edu/academics/Classes/fall2005/3122/hw9solution.pdf I don't understand why they say the torque we exert is clockwise (I assume that means in the minus z direction). Homework...
  22. N

    Explanation of particle physics phenomenon - multiple Coulomb scattering

    Homework Statement Hi 1) I read the following article: http://pdg.lbl.gov/2005/reviews/passagerpp.pdf On page 12 of the .pdf there is a figure, figure 27.8, which shows how a charged particle deviates from it's path when scattered by the Coulomb force that comes from the nuclei of the matter...
  23. J

    What's wrong with Michelson's explanation of ether dragging?

    The null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment led Lorentz to believe that the ether can never be detected because it distorts things in the direction that they move with respect to it. But from what I've read, Michelson himself explained the result by saying that the ether must somehow be...
  24. M

    What is the simplest explanation of how a transistor works?

    Just curious. For some odd reason, I don't seem to get it.
  25. H

    Just a simple explanation please

    Can someone please explain something too me. From what I understand our current calculations suggest the universe is between 11 and 20 some billion years old. Astronomers have measured the cosmos to be roughly 156 billion light years across, or 78 billion light years from the outermost...
  26. X

    GR explanation of Newtonian Phenomena

    1. How would a general relativist explain why an object falls towards the earth? 2. Is it correct to say that it is not the apple that falls towards the Earth but it is the Earth that accelerates towards the apple? Why is this ok to say? Is it because, in GR, there are no preferred...
  27. M

    Why are there points of zero intensity in the single slit experiment?

    Today in class we went over the single slit experiment, the aim of the lesson was to see that the greater the diffraction angle the lower the intensity. We then looked at a graph where it showed along the x-axis the angle of diffraction and up the y-axis the intensity. There was a decrease in...
  28. P

    What Happens When the Net Force on a System of Particles is Zero?

    Q 5 Match the column If net force on a system of particles is zero then Table 1 Table 2 a) acc. of COM p) constant b)momentum of COM q)zero c)velocity of COM...
  29. T

    Uncovering the Mystery of Graph 2: Analysis & Explanation

    Homework Statement http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2813/graphmo4.jpg [/URL] Homework Equations Not necessary The Attempt at a Solution The answers that I have up there are correct, but I was wondering why graph 2 did not look something like this...
  30. C

    Is this a suitable explanation of relativity?

    this isn't my explanation, but I was just wondering what others thought: "Einstein's special theory of relativity showed that an object can be of two different sizes for two different people and that they can perceive the time between two events to have different duratoins. His General...
  31. O

    Explanation of changing particles within a blackhole

    I am currently reading A Brief History of Time and after reading chapter 7 there are still concepts which I do not understand. Hawking explains that particles go into black holes while antiparticles are thrown outwards into infinity. How and why does this happen? He also goes on to explain...
  32. M

    The 7-Fold Paper Dilemma: Is There an Explanation?

    Hey, well recently I've found out at the late age of 17, that you can only fold a sheet of paper 7 times over, no matter how thin, or large the piece of paper is. Is there any scientific reasoning behind this? I can't think of anything??
  33. B

    Understanding the Cut-Off Ratio: A Physical Explanation

    what exactly is the cut-off ratio, in physical terms?
  34. G

    Explanation for hydrophobic ?

    Explanation for "hydrophobic"? Hi, in chemistry class I was always wondering how materials can be hydrophobic. I understand that dipolar molecules such as water are hydrophil because they attract due to the dipole interaction, but why do they repell neutral molecules? What is the...
  35. S

    The twins paradox and explanation

    Hello, I'm reading through my textbook and it claims the explanation for the twins paradox is that the space-traveler must experience acceleration during his journey... but could it not be said that, relative to him, the rest of the universe is accelerating in the opposite direction?
  36. R

    Cramer's Rule: A Simplified Explanation

    Is there any simpler proof for Cramer's rule because I've been trying to understand it from this site and some of it I just don't get http://planetmath.org/encyclopedia/ProofOfCramersRule.html
  37. A

    Physical explanation for thunder

    folks, when i was small,the explanation for thunder,given to me was that when two clouds clash lightning is produced and due to the collision thunder is heard but now someone told me that thunder is caused when two clouds clash charges are neutralised and large amount of...
  38. Z

    Ridiculous explanation of 'string theory'

    This isn't so much a question specifically as a point that came up in my mechanics class... so sorry if I'm posting it in the wrong place! In a basic mechanics class; we were finding the frictional force on a box by thinking about someone moving it by pulling an attached string. Someone in...
  39. P

    Finding a Physics Book with Comprehensive Explanation for High Schoolers

    I am still in high school taking a Physics class and honestly the book the school gave us just shows you example problems. So I was wondering if you guys knew of any good Beginning Physics books that would be good and have a lot more explanation. All we have done so far is learned about...
  40. S

    Simple transformer power draw explanation please

    I conducted a transformer efficiency experiment using a 240/110V double wound transformer, first with one heater connected in series then with two connected in parallell. What I don't understand is why when both (identical) heaters are connected current almost doubles on the primary side. Why...
  41. C

    Why Is Experiential Learning Essential in Math Education?

    Isn't providing a means for people to really learn from experience a good thing? I got a similar response when I mentioned it elsewhere. Please explain. I have looked at improving math education as a solution but this type of work it seems to me is the only way to provide an order of...
  42. M

    Looking for a mainstream explanation for gamma gays and nuetron capture signatures.

    Looking for a "mainstream" explanation for gamma gays and nuetron capture signatures. One of Elizabeth's homework problems got me to thinking: Now if Elizabeth is reading this thread, please note that the "correct" answer (in mainstream thinking today) is probably a). However...
  43. R

    Explanation of Bike Odometer Readings for Different Wheel Sizes

    Homework Statement There is a bike odometer that measures distance traveled for 27" wheels. So what heppens if you use it on a bike with 24" wheels? Will the odometer show the same, a larger or smaller distance traveled? Explain. Homework Equations The Attempt at a...
  44. M

    Can i find more exercises and explanation online?

    Basically I'm in a chapter about double and triple integration, integration using polar cordinates, etc... I'm not a big fan of my book and it's not very clear to me , so maybe anyone knows where i can find online good explanation of the subject and maybe more exercises. thank you
  45. S

    Exploring the E8 Theory: A Layman's Explanation

    I don't have much of a math/physics background, undergraduate physics and calculus is where I stopped... yet I find theoretical physics extremely interesting. The recent online hype about the "E8 theory" only really discusses the fact that Lisi likes to surf and doesn't wear a pocket protector...
  46. F

    Looking for complete explanation of logic behind relativity

    Hello, My name is Joe and I am a junior in high school. I am taking AP Calculus right now along with a basic physics class. I am very, very interested in the special and general theories of relativity, but I want to know the exact logic behind it. Right now, I don't really understand any of...
  47. rcgldr

    Bernoulli's Principle explanation help

    There's a simple explanation that wasn't covered in the last thread about this. Start off with an ideal incompressable fluid with no viscosity in a pipe. The flow rate in the pipe is fixed. The amount of mass per unit time moving past any cross section in the pipe is constant, otherwise mass...
  48. C

    Understanding the Scalar Product in Vector Calculus

    Homework Statement What surface is represented by r . a = conts. that is described if a is a vector of constant magnitude and direction from the origin and r is the position vector to the point P(x1, x2, x3) on the surface? The Attempt at a Solution I know that the dot product of two...
  49. T

    DDCS: Understanding What it Measures

    Hello all, I was doing some reading on doubly differential cross-sections and was wondering what does this actually measure, in a physical sense. The way I see it, it looks like the differentiation of the incident angle of the scattering with respect to the reflected angle? Also, there's also...
  50. P

    Explanation for moment-generating function

    Hello everyone, I have taken up on reading a mathematical statistics book and have gotten stuck on the moment-generating function. I tried using Wikipedia for a simpler explanation to no avail... I noticed it is used a lot in finding the mean & variance for all types of distributions. Can...
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