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. SamRoss

    I Seeking better explanation of some quantum stats formulae

    In "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics", Griffiths derives the following formulae for counting the number of configurations for N particles. Distinguishable particles... $$ N!\prod_{n=1}^\infty \frac {d^{N_n}_n} {N_n !} $$ Fermions... $$ \prod_{n=1}^\infty \frac {d_n!} {N_n!(d_n-N_n)!}$$...
  2. mktsgm

    What is the scientific explanation for herd immunity?

    We are hearing more of herd immunity particularly in the wake of the recent SARS-CoV2. What is herd immunity? Is it real? Or is it a mere statistical reality? How come somebody who is not vaccinated would be protected because more of somebody else is vaccinated? Logically I am unable to...
  3. A

    Linear transformer driver explanation

    Ok, so to be honest I am not really sure to which subcategory this belongs, but I think it is high energy physics. So my question will be rather brief and vague , can you explain me the working principle of a linear transformer driver? Google wasn't of that much help with this one as it seems...
  4. I

    Exploring the Logical/Geometrical Explanation of Escape Velocity

    If you derive the equation for orbital velocity you get \begin{equation} v_{orbit} = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}} \end{equation} and for escape velocity you get \begin{equation} v_{escape} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}=\sqrt{2}\,v_{orbit} \end{equation} I'm wondering if there is a logical/geometrical...
  5. bland

    I Can the multiverse hypothesis be an explanation for life on Earth?

    Specifically he homes in on the multiverse and the 10^500 number that crops up. Basically he ends up saying that the whole concept of the multiverse virtually renders any TOE into pointless oblivion. So with this in mind I was wondering if I could also use the multiverse as an explanation for...
  6. H

    I Explanation that sin(x+iy) is one-to-one

    Not hw, just reading the textbook. In section 1.5, page 50, the book goes through an explanation that \sin(x+iy) is one-to-one if 0 \le x < \pi/2 and y \ge 0. At one point the book states that for 1 = -e^{-i x_1}\,e^{-i x_2}\,e^{y_1}\,e^{y_2} the absolute value of the left side is 1 and that...
  7. R

    I Exact historical explanation of deducing speed of light constancy

    As much as i search Google, in an effort to find out how exactly the constancy of speed of light was historically deduced before 1905, from Maxwell equations or by any other means, i am not able to find such an explanation. In all of the search results that i could find, it is just stated that...
  8. K

    I Simple explanation for cross section ratio

    Hello! Is there any simple (i.e. using some physics arguments, without actually doing the math) explanation for why $$\sigma(pp \to \pi^+d)/\sigma(np\to\pi^0d)=2$$ where d is the deuteron? Thank you!
  9. cemtu

    I Heisenberg Uncertainty: simple explanation required please

    why can't we know where electron goes after it was hit by light? Light has a travel direction, can't we assume that electron bounces to the same direction that the light was headed??
  10. mgkii

    B Entanglement - lack of "symmetry" in no-hidden variables explanation

    Hi. Over the years I've read LOT of "popular science" (i.e. non-textbook) books on entanglement, and on the explanations / objections / arguments Einsten, Bohr, Bohm and others had that still remain today. There's one aspect which never seems to get covered in these books and I wondered if...
  11. penroseandpaper

    I Explanation of Galilean transformations

    Hi everyone, We've just started special relativity and I'm just wondering if you'd mind clarifying something for me. The transformation is described as x'=x-vt, where x' is moving relative to x. However, in the diagram I've attached, x' is ahead of x ; so why is the transformation described...
  12. K

    B Relativistic explanation of electromagnetism

    I am intrigued by the special-relativity explanation of magnetic force discussed here (linked from the physicsforums FAQ): http://www.edu-observatory.org/physics-faq/Relativity/SR/experiments.html#Length_Contraction Naively, from this explanation, it seems that a test charge at rest in the lab...
  13. Wrichik Basu

    A IceCube rules out last SM explanation of ANITA’s anomalous neutrinos

    Quoting from IceCube Observatory's webpage, (Emphasis added.) The paper, available on arXiv, has been submitted to The Astrophysical Journal. I haven't read through the paper yet, but if this detection cannot be explained by the Standard Model, what could possibly be the cause? Is there any...
  14. U

    Energy Conservation as an explanation for v=0 for spring mass system

    My Solution: For the displacement graph, the gradient is crucial to predict the behaviour of the displacement of the block through time. At 1: System is released - velocity is zero, considering forces acting on block, kx < mg, as block is observed to move downwards, and object is...
  15. J

    1018 carbon steel tensile test explanation

    Tensile tested 2 samples of 1018 unheat treated carbon steel, assumed to be very similar steel (bought from same place, same order, ect) but very different tensile test results. The results of the tensile test can be seen below as well as a few calculated values. I do not know what this would be...
  16. G

    I Need a layman's explanation for how scientists contain antimatter

    I know how antimatter is created, both naturally and under laboratory conditions. But what boggles me is how we can contain it without it interacting with its surroundings and causing annihilation. Apparently scientists use a "special" magnetic field to contain it. But what's so special about...
  17. J

    A Explanation of the Diagram of the Rashba Effect

    Hello, I find something about the Rashba Spin Orbit coupling but I am not sure how to understand it. Hope you can help me. Consider the following picture of the Rashba effect i found: Well i don't really know what's about the arrows here. They should showing the spin direction i guess but i...
  18. M

    I Is this explanation of "space itself expanding" correct?

    Hi, I always used to struggle with the concept of "space itself expanding" (didn't Einstein say that the aether did not exist?) until one day an idea struck me that seemed to explain it all, without any need for complicated math. After talking about it with others, I got some great feedback...
  19. DEvens

    I ADM Formalism: Intro-to-Intermediate Explanation

    So I'm reading about the Alcubierre warp drive. And it's presented in the ADM formalism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcubierre_drive And I realize that understanding it is being slowed by my not having studied the ADM formalism. So, is there a good text or website or such, that does a good...
  20. Kartoshka123

    Zeeman effect: Experimental Setup and Explanation

    Homework Statement: Hello, I have to explain using numbers the Zeeman effect for hydrogen and the setup needed. I have done some research and if I'm not wrong, then a magnetic field of 1 Tesla is needed. I have no idea how to achieve that using commercially available products and how to even...
  21. J

    I A simple explanation of the Born rule?

    Summary: Perhaps the Born rule can be understood by considering quantum transitions going both forward and backward in time simultaneously. The probability that an initial quantum state ##|\psi_i\rangle## becomes the final quantum state ##|\psi_f\rangle## is given by \begin{eqnarray*} P(i...
  22. A.T.

    I Intermediate Axis Theorem - Intuitive Explanation

    Veritasium posted a video, featuring a visualization of an "intuitive" explanation of the Intermediate Axis Theorem by Terry Tao, based on centrifugal forces in a rotating frame of reference: Unfortunately, the animation is just as incomplete, as Tao's original explanation from 2011, and...
  23. bryanso

    A Question about Albert Shadowitz's Explanation of Ampere's Law

    In Shadowitz's book The Electromagetic Field, Section 3-4, p. 129 to 134, there is a very interesting derivation of Ampere's Law. It is a general derivation with a circular source circuit S, and a circular test circuit T. The pages can be seen here, at least from where I post (USA)...
  24. D

    Joule heating effect - qualitative explanation

    Hi, I understand mathematically why using low resistance results in a greater heating effect. Could someone give an intuitive and microscopic picture of why the current contributes more to a greater power dissipation by the resistor rather than the resistance contribution to the power...
  25. QuarkDecay

    I Solving the Horizon Problem: 1 Source or 105?

    It says that since there is homogeneity in the Universe's temperature, all these points must have come from one source (or a source close to each other?) at a certain time. Then it also calculates the number of these sources and it's ~105. But isn't that very dense mass right before the Big...
  26. haushofer

    I How a mirror works: condensed matter explanation

    Dear all, in the context of my teaching I was wondering what exactly the explanation is of how a mirror works at the atomic level. Apparently, the fact that reflecting materials are often also good conductors and hence big energy bands helps reflecting the photons. Does someone know a nice set...
  27. A

    Explanation for this interesting rotational effect?

    You can see the effect around minute 1:20 in this video. It seems to me that the un-twist of the elastic band and the rotation of the ball about the line that joins them is what keep the constant the initial zero angular momentum, though I can't tell for sure. The inversion of in the...
  28. S

    I Explanation of spin degrees of freedom with respect to the x axis

    Hey Guys/Gals i understand the general premise of this question and can calculate the solution but i am a bit confused. I am supposed to represent a generic state as a linear combination of the |-,x> , |+,x> basis vectors. However i don't know why, is the question actually asking for the...
  29. S

    Physical explanation of eye contact

    Is it not fascinating that you can feel eye contact on such distances we do? What is it that we actually detect? I understand that the eye absorb light, it may be the starting point for the explanation?
  30. S

    I Orthogonal state with m = 0 carries s = 0 .... explanation?

    Hello I could use some help understanding a statement / sentence within my Griffiths Quantum Mechanics book. The same statement is made within video lecture I found surfing to understand the Griffiths text. I have the 2nd edition. (On page 185) Discussing addition of angular momenta – 2 spin ½...
  31. user366312

    Explaining the Source Code for Calculating Stationary Distribution in R

    Summary: Kindly explain the source code in R which meant for calculating stationary distribution of a transition matrix. I am trying to understand the following source code meant for finding stationary distribution of a matrix: ### Stationary distribution of discrete-time Markov chain ###...
  32. user366312

    What is the purpose of using the mod operator in this line of code?

    #================================================================== # Build the transition matrix for random walk on n-cycle #------------------------------------------------------------------ n <- 25 # we are creating (nXn) transition matrix r1 <- c(0, 1/2, rep(0,n-3), 1/2) # create same...
  33. O

    I Simple explanation of three body problem

    Hiya, I was wondering if one of you clever people here could just affirm something for me. The three body problem : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-body_problem In classical mechanics. Some background, I wanted to write something in a blog about theory and reality and the differences...
  34. I

    I Very simple explanation of Wigner's friend needed

    Hi, just browsed through some news stories and saw a story about a group of researchers who seemed to prove we can experience very different realities. I was just wondering if anyone could provide a simple explanation of their experiment and what they did? Do we really live in different realities?
  35. J

    Question 3B Part II: Buckling or Crushing? Joe Seeks an Explanation

    Hi all, the question has been posed many times, unfortunetly, there does not seem to be any explanation for finding the mode of buckling in Question 3B part ii, hence we i am posting. 1. Homework Statement Below in image Homework Equations Also elow in image The Attempt at a Solution The...
  36. Z

    Gearbox Explained: Connect Motor, Driveshafts & CV Joints

    Dear community, for my hobby project I found a gearbox online which shall be connected to a electric motor I have. I expect that the driveshafts with CV joints to be connected directly to this gearbox. Can someone explain me the construction as in how should the motor be connected and how the...
  37. C

    MHB Wacky explanation in a student solutions manual for manipulating an equation

    In the answer book to Stewart's College Algebra 4th Edition, question 47 in Review for Chapter 2, it takes me, in a distance/rate/time problem, from 4/(r+8) + 2.5/(r) = 1 (which I got), to this common denominator procedure: "Multiplying by 2r(r+8), we get..." WHERE DID THEY GET THE "2"? It...
  38. K

    Latent Heat: An Alternative Explanation

    1. In studies of the heat budget of the global free atmosphere, the concept of “latent heat” (now known as “enthalpy of condensation”) plays an important role[1]. 2. Both observation and experiment confirm that when humid air condenses the temperature of the remaining air increases[2]. 3. This...
  39. J

    Determine the period of small oscillations

    Homework Statement Two balls of mass m are attached to ends of two, weigthless metal rods (lengths l1 and l2). They are connected by another metal bar. Determine period of small oscillations of the system Homework Equations Ek=mv2/2 v=dx/dt Conversation of energy 2πsqrt(M/k) The Attempt at a...
  40. Alex Petrosyan

    Why the explanation of wormholes using paper grinds my gears

    Hey, This is more of a discussion rather than a question. A lot of movies (e.g. interstellar, Event Horizon), have a go at trying to explain how the Warp/Alcubierre drive could work, and usually, the argument goes like this: They take a point A and a point B, connect them with a line on the...
  41. YoungPhysicist

    I Integral power rule explanation

    I am new to the world of calculus and the first thing that I learned is how to calculate the area under the range of a polynomial function, like: $$\int_1^3 x^2 \,dx$$ when I take the intergal of ##x^2##, I get ##\frac{x^3}{3}##due to the power rule, but it doesn’t make sense to me,why would...
  42. M

    I Why is the Alternator Alternating?

    Hello, let us define the Alternator $$Alt(T)$$ where T is a multilinear function $$Alt(T):= \frac{1}{k!} \sum_{\sigma \in S_n} sgn(\sigma) T (v_{\sigma(1)},...,v_{\sigma(k)}))$$. Further recognize that $$S_n$$ is the group of permutations and sgn the signum of the permutation. May...
  43. almarpa

    Morin's explanation about the work done by friction

    Hello all. In his books on classical mechanics, David Morin claims that when computing the work W = F Δx done by a contact force that don’t involve any slipping, we can equivalently say that Δx is the displacement of the thing that is applying the force. Later, when analysing a wheel rolling...
  44. YoungPhysicist

    I Is there a simple explanation for Fermi-Dirac statistics?

    Is there a simple explanation for fermi-dirac statistics? I can't understand how a particle can "follow" a statistic.
  45. navneet9431

    Intuitive explanation of why work done by tension is 0?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Work Done=Force*Displacement in the direction of the force The Attempt at a Solution I tried to solve the problem this way, I wrote these equations for the two masses, T-mg=ma...(i) Mg-T=Ma...(ii) From (i)&(ii), T=[M(g-a)+m(a+g)]/2 and then I would...
  46. J

    I Alcubierre Metric: Explaining Dark Matter Halo Speed

    So I have a question regarding the Alcubierre metric and the phenomena of stars on outer edges of galaxies moving at higher velocities than their orbital calculations state they should. When taking the accelerating expansion of space into account due to dark energy, could a sub-luminal...
  47. D

    I Explanation for the hyperbolic array of light rays.

    Hello, Recently, a solar power tower plant was founded next to where I work. Since it's the tallest object in the area, it's quite hard to miss it. But apart from that, every morning the reflected light is arranged in a hyperbolic- like way, as you can see in the picture. Does anyone have a...
  48. T

    I Proof Explanation: Showing an extension to a continuous function

    I am reading Kaplansky's text on metric spaces and this part seems redundant to me. It was stated below (purple highlight) that we need to show that the convergence of ##(f(a_n))## to ##c## is independent of what sequence ##(a_n)## converges to ##b##, when trying to prove the claim ##f(b)=c##...
  49. C

    Seeking a reasonable mathematical explanation to a simple mathematical conundrum

    Hi everyone, I came upon a simple mathematical conundrum a few decades ago that has irked me for a while now and for which I don't have a reasonable mathematical explanation. The only reasonable "explanation" I currently have is that 'certain mysterious things happen when tending towards...
  50. FallenApple

    A Is Newtonian Mechanics as Correct as General Relativity?

    Ok so these are two different goals. But mathematically, I don't see how one can explain well without also being able to predict well. After all, regression is about function estimation regardless of which goal. If we can infer well using the coefficients, then we should be able to predict well...
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