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_r_theta_phi

    I Intuitive explanation for Riemann tensor definition

    Many sources give explanations of the Riemann tensor that involve parallel transporting a vector around a loop and finding its deviation when it returns. They then show that this same tensor can be derived by taking the commutator of second covariant derivatives. Is there a way to understand why...
  2. Mr Davis 97

    I Explanation for parity difference for # of simple graphs

    http://oeis.org/A000088 This is a list that gives the number of simple graphs on n unlabeled vertices. Could someone conversant in graph theory explain why the number of simple graphs on 4 unlabeled vertices, which is 11, is the only one that seems to be odd (nontrivially), while the rest seem...
  3. S

    A Semi Classical Explanation of Stimulated Emission

    Can Stimulated Emission in lasers be explained semi classically? If so, how?
  4. Buzz Bloom

    I Why is a statistical explanation for Baryon Asymmetry wrong?

    I apologize if this is not the correct forum for this thread. I have tried to find a discussion regarding this question on the Internet without any success. The Wikipedia discussion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baryon_asymmetry makes no mention of any statistical explanation, so I understand...
  5. M

    Intuitive explanation of fractional exponents?

    Homework Statement What would have caused humans to come up with fractional exponent notations? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I understand that it makes sense to use the exponent notation when we have to multiply the same number a number of times. For example, 10^8 is the short...
  6. M

    A Explaining the Geocentric Celestial Reference System

    Hi there guys, I was wondering does anyone have a layman's explanation of the GCRS as defined in the title. I am confused as to whether this is an inertial or non inertial system. In text modern reference books such as this (chapter 10, section 10.3.2) they define rotating/non rotating...
  7. Ken G

    I The Explanation for the Mass-Luminosity Relation

    I'm curious if the readers of this astronomy forum, at this point, have come to understand that the mass-luminosity relation has little to do with the physics of nuclear burning. The reason I ask this is that it is, unfortunately, still common to find textbooks and course websites that say it...
  8. S

    Relationship between Launch height and range of a projectile

    Homework Statement In a practical that we conducted, we were investigating the relationship between Launch height and the range (horizontal distance it travels) of a projectile. We launched a projectile from various heights and measured the horizontal range it traveled before reaching the...
  9. Mr Davis 97

    Real Analysis Definition and Explanation

    Homework Statement 1) Suppose ##t## is a subsequential limit for ##(s_n)##. Write the precise definition of the meaning of this statement. 2) Explain why there exists a strictly increasing sequence ##(n_k)^\infty_{k=1}## of natural numbers such that ##\lim s_{n_k}=t##. Homework EquationsThe...
  10. Arik Salehi

    B Explanation of Quantum Entanglement Please

    Hello, I am 12 years old in 6th grade and love physics and Quantum Physics, I would love an explanation of Quantum Physics and Topological Quantum Matter.
  11. Wrichik Basu

    I Explanation of optical phenomena in light of Feynman's Theory

    In his second lecture of the QED series (see below), Prof. Richard Feynman explains the phenomenon of reflection from a plane mirror, and then the working of a diffraction grating with his theory of arrows (probability amplitudes), and we see that how the new theory, which is much moved from the...
  12. anorlunda

    Wanted: B Level Explanation of Conduction and Resistance

    Students seeking “deeper” understanding of basic electricity, frequently come with one of the following misconceptions. 1. Electrons are like balls, they start with potential energy and gain kinetic energy. They deliver their energy to the far end of the wire by filling a bucket. 2...
  13. mfb

    A Possible explanation for muon g-2 anomaly: Gravity?

    For many years, the measurements of the Landé g-factor of the muon have been puzzling, as the experimental value and the theoretical predictions showed some disagreement - 3.6 standard deviations for the last years. Experimental and theoretical uncertainties have a similar size, so work on both...
  14. B

    Explanation of a torque of friction in a bearing

    Homework Statement I have no idea what torque of a friction in a bearing is. I'm looking for good explanation. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I understand what torque/friction/bearing is. But I have no idea how they come together when looking at the actual mechanical problem. Help!
  15. M

    B Unusual object on video - any explanation?

    Hi I have found a YT video in which there is an object recorded on infra red camera. It makes very strange maneouver. Is there any explanation what this could be? Thank you ( I have edited video so it shows only interesting moment).
  16. B

    I Plasma Oscillation Explanation

    A plasma is quasinetural with the negative charges (electrons) being much lighter than positive ions. When an electron is perturbed, the attractive force acts to restore it with a particular frequency. This was the explanation given to me for plasma oscillations. However, the equation presented...
  17. T

    Feynman's explanation of atomic collisions in gas

    In the first volume of his lectures' books, Feynman tries to mathematically describe that in a particular gas ( particular because in this case is the sum of 2 monoatomic gasses with different masses) as a result of the collisions beetween atoms it will be equally likely to find any pair moving...
  18. bahtiyar

    Explanation: motorcycle leaning without centrifugal force?

    Hi the question is about bicycle and motorcycle dynamics How can we explain the motorcycle leaning in turn without using the centrifugal force term? You know the correct term for rotational motion is the centripetal force and it is toward the centre. I have a problem with rotational equilibrium...
  19. M

    Diamagnetism & levitation of pyrolytic graphite explanation

    Hi, This YouTube video shows various shapes of pyrolytic graphite suspended on an alternating polarity matrix of square neodymium magnets. As I understand the principle of diamagnetic anisotropy, the stronger the external magnetic force, the stronger the induced repulsive force in the...
  20. Lugonja

    Turbojet -- I with an explanation about how a turbojet works

    Hi guys! I need help about explanation how to work turbojet. I have read about turbojet on Wikipedia and I know how to work turbojet in base.But some things are unclear to me. I would be thankful if someone explanation how to calculate elements about turbojet. Thanks!
  21. S

    Understanding Complex Plane and Finding Arguments: A Scientist's Perspective

    Homework Statement The picture below. Homework Equations cos2x=1-2sinx sin2x= 2sinxcosxThe Attempt at a Solution I got the modulus by using the Pythagoras theorem which is 2sin theta But I faced difficulty to find the argument. I have no idea why i end up with tan a (alpha) = cot theta which...
  22. J

    B Against length contraction explanation of magnetism

    When a test charge stands next to a wire, there are coulomb forces between the test charge and the protons of the wire. 1: When the test charge starts to move, the Coulomb forces stays the same, because distances from test charge to protons stay the same. There is no magnetism in this case...
  23. A

    A Qualitative Explanation of Density Operator

    Hey all! I am prepping myself for a quantum course next semester at the graduate level. I am currently reading through the Cohen-Tannoudji Quantum Mechanics textbook. I have reached a section on the density operator and am confused about the general concept of the operator. My confusion stems...
  24. esha

    Penny on a card experiment.... explanation

    A card kept on a glass with a penny is jerked. The coin falls in the glass while the card moves away. why is that? My attempt at an explanation A force acts on the card which is greater than the static friction acting between the card and the coin. Hence the coin is able to overcome that...
  25. T

    Distance or Displacement-time graph equation explanation requested

    Homework Statement Plotted a distance vs time graph for acceleration on an inclined plane (constant acceleration) and got graph equation of y = 10.242x^2 + 25.996x - 10.315 So this means that d = 1/2at^2 + vt - y intercept Meaning 1/2 acceleration is 10.242 and initial velocity is 25.996...
  26. H

    B Explanation of what a parameter is

    Please could someone explain, pretty simply, what a parameter and also its relation to graphs? And if possible give a couple of examples. I have trawled through the internet and can't find anything which I understand. Thank you very much.
  27. Hawksteinman

    I Is my explanation of negative mass's behaviour accurate?

  28. C

    I Michelson Morley experiment: relativistic explanation

    I don't uderstand how, using special relativity theory (time dilatation and length contraction), one can explain why in the Michelson interferometer there is no delay between the two rays in the reference frame where the interferometer is moving. Consider the picture ##2.## Setting...
  29. ohwilleke

    I Is this thesis a plausible explanation for muon weirdness?

    Background and Motivation In the Standard Model, a muon is simply an electron with a bigger mass. But, measurements of the radius of muonic hydrogen and the muon magnetic dipole moment (muon g-2), show a fairly significant discrepancy between theory an experiment in that respect, at the five...
  30. C

    How Does Load Current Influence the Voltage Across a Battery's Terminals?

    Homework Statement Please provide a physics explanation of this question: How does load current affect the potential difference across the terminals of a cell? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution p.d. inversely proportional to current. Thus, when I increase, the p.d. decrease and vice...
  31. R

    Explanation on the Electric Field in Griffiths' Textbook

    Hi. I'm going over the discontinuity aspects of the electric field as we cross the surface charge. A pillbox Gaussian surface was drawn and the electric field for "below" is throwing me off. Can someone explain why the electric field is pointing in the same direction from both sides of the...
  32. hilbert2

    I New possible explanation for Hubble redshift

    I just saw this news article on the home page of the university I'm working in: http://www.aalto.fi/en/current/news/2017-06-30/ It seems to be about a study that can potentially explain the redshift of distant stars with a mechanism that's related to the interaction of photons with the...
  33. J

    I Explaining Siphon Mechanics with Bernoulli's Equation

    Could someone explain to me how a Siphon works using Bernoulli's equation. Why would one beaker have to have a higher height than the other beaker? My thoughts were that a Pressure differential is needed for water to flow, so the input and the output pressures must be different. In...
  34. U

    Need explanation about magnetic forces

    Hi, I saw this video and I can't explain why the magnet is propelled to the end of the coil with such a huge force. Can someone explain it in clear terms. I also tried to use Flemings left hand (or right hand) rule but it did not give me a satisfactory answer. Thanks, SM
  35. G

    I Time Dilation Exp: Answers to Questions on A & B's Experiences

    Hello everyone, The questions I am about to ask have probably been explained already, but even after everything I've read I still cannot understand how this experiment would play out and how to answer these questions. So without further ado here is the experiment: Imagine you have person A...
  36. Ethan Singer

    I Truncation Errors Explanation?

    So I just began a course on Linear Algebra, and was curious about how we can estimate derivatives using centered differences: After a few minutes of Research, I find the proof involving something about a truncation error, which led me to the conclusion that when estimating derivatives, the rate...
  37. P

    I Deriving the E Cross B Drift Velocity: A Puzzling Explanation

    I am looking at this brief derivation of the E cross B drift for a plasma, starting at the top of page 3: http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~lea/courses/grad/motion.PDF. I am a bit confused as to the justification that the drift velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field, as stated at the top of...
  38. G

    Dynamics exam prep -- forces explanation in FBD please

    I am doing a review for a Dynamics exam, but I am having trouble with this one question (below). Please note the top of the picture contains the answers. What I have done is make a free body diagram that includes the tension of the cable and the weight of the rider/swing. So according to my...
  39. M

    Feynman explanation of gravitational energy

    Hello! I hope this is the proper forum for my question(s). English is not my native language, so I apologize in advance for language mistakes. In Feynman Lectures on Physics, there is a chapter about the conservation of energy. The first part, which deals with the definition of energy, I...
  40. H

    Explanation for integration of Dr/Dt

    Homework Statement Why integration of $$\frac{D^2\mathbf r}{Dt^2}=−2\mathbf w \times \frac{D\mathbf r}{Dt}−g\mathbf R$$ gives us $$\frac{D\mathbf r}{Dt}= \mathbf v_0 −2\mathbf w×(\mathbf r−\mathbf r_0)−gt\mathbf R$$ Homework Equations Consider a time-varying vector written in the body...
  41. D

    Stargazing Is it a true explanation of an aberration of starlight?

    In 1727, astronomer J. Bradley discovered the phenomenon of stellar aberration. All stars throughout the year on the celestial sphere pass ellipses with an semimajor axis observed from the Earth at an angle of 20.5. Aberration is caused by the movement of the Earth in its orbit around the sun at...
  42. M

    New Explanation to How Newton's Third Law is Satisfied in Magnetism

    <Moderators note. Moved from the quoted thread to avoid detracting> Newton third law does apply in magnetism, and this is proved by applying the conservation of momentum principle. This will be clearer when the causes/origin of the magnetic force is understood as described in the work "Two new...
  43. I

    Hess's Law Explained | Simple Explanation for Enthalpy Change

    Homework Statement I need to research Hess' law, but I can't find a simple explanation. I know that the enthalpy change between the reactants and products is the same as the enthalpy change between the reactants and something else, and between that something else and the products, but I don't...
  44. PhysicsCollegeGirl

    Amusement Rotor Ride Explanation

    1. Homework Statement An amusement park ride consists of a large vertical cylinder that spins about its axis fast enough that any person inside is held up against the wall when the floor drops away (see figure). The coefficient of static friction between person and wall is μs, and the radius of...
  45. T

    B White Hole as an explanation for the big bang and inflation

    Was the concept of a White Hole ever intended to as a POSSIBLE explanation for the Big Bang, inflation and dark energy expansion of the Universe? Or is it considered crack pottery by the cosmology community? I presume the observable Universe would need to be as small as say a single atom in...
  46. ATY

    Question about Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS)

    Has somebody a paper, text, (whatever), which explains the Lagrangian Coherent Structures ? I want an explanation by words and not all the mathematical stuff. All I can find about LCS is 1. They organize flow 2. you can detect them with the Lyapunov exponents. But I want to understand what LCS...
  47. T

    I Understanding POVM: A Simple Explanation

    Hello, I am having a very hard time understanding exactly what a POVM is. Could anyone provide a simple explanation? Thank you
  48. J

    Trouble Understanding RLC Circuits: Detailed Explanation for 250W Power Release

    I'm having real trouble understanding some concepts in RLC circuits. If I have a circuit like this. The effective voltage is 120 V. What is the required frequency for resistor to release power of 250 W? I want to really understand this on a deeper level so please make the explanation...
  49. S

    Explanation of how spin art machine works

    I've got to explain how spin art works to some 5th graders tomorrow. Basic setup: Paper is attached to center of a horizontal disk. Paint droplets are placed at different places on the paper. Disk is spun which causes paint to produce a pattern flowing away from the center of the disk/paper...
  50. J

    I Explanation of Biot-Savart Law

    I've learned that in a wire with a current flowing through it, a magnetic field is produced, and that to determine the direction of the fields, one could match their thumb with the direction of current and curl their fingers around the wire as shown in the link below. I also learned that in Biot...
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