What is General: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, or marines.In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel.The term general is used in two ways: as the generic title for all grades of general officer and as a specific rank.
It originates in the 16th century, as a shortening of captain general, which rank was taken from Middle French capitaine général.
The adjective general had been affixed to officer designations since the late medieval period to indicate relative superiority or an extended jurisdiction.
Today, the title of general is known in some countries as a four-star rank. However, different countries use different systems of stars or other insignia for senior ranks. It has a NATO rank scale code of OF-9 and is the highest rank currently in use in a number of armies, air forces, and marine organizations.

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  1. M

    MHB Seeking general solution for Graeco-Latin Squares of order 4N+2 with N>1

    Greetings from a newbie here to MHB. I am a director of a duplicate bridge club, and would like to be able to generate movements when the number of tables is 10, 14, 18 etc. I am aware that the most convenient movements are equivalent to Graeco-Latin Squares, and that these exist for all...
  2. vetgirl1990

    General question about conservation of momentum

    Referring to the Law of Conservation of Momentum: How is momentum always conserved? In a non-isolated system, an external force causes a change in momentum, so that initial momentum isn't the same as final momentum. Wouldn't this constitute a situation where momentum is not conserved? Or, is...
  3. H

    Finding general solution of an ode using substitution

    Homework Statement By making the transformation u= x^αy where α is a constant to be found, find the general solution of[/B] y'' + (2/x)y' + 9y=0The Attempt at a Solution I've worked out y,y',y'' and subbed them into get x^-au'' + x^a-1(2-2a)u' + x^-a-2(x^2-a(a-1))u =0...
  4. Ygggdrasil

    Randall Munroe Explains General Relativity

    Randall Munroe, creator of the webcomic XKCD, wrote a piece for the New Yorker, in which he explains special and general relativity using only the thousand most common words in the English language. Here's an excerpt. Read the full piece at...
  5. 1

    How Does General Relativity Predict an Expanding Universe

    Hello Everyone, Back when Einstein was formulating General Relativity his equations just could not predict a static universe. I have read that they actually predicted an expanding Universe. Later Friedmann derived an equation from GR that would explain how an Expanding Universe would evolve...
  6. E

    A general question about quantum physics

    hello, I have come across "quantum physics" during the curriculum of an Inorganic chemistry course. and since the topic is too broad, I'm confused a bit about what exactly do I need to know ( or to which extent should I learn about this theory). we are studying the historical development of the...
  7. W

    Should I Retake the General GRE if My PGRE Scores are Average?

    Hello, I'm an ex-teacher (4 years) who got her Physics degree (with minor in Math) in 2010. I have a Masters in Teaching and went straight into teaching high school. I have since decided I wanted to go back to school for Physics/Astrophysics/Astronomy/Aerospace Engineering (still deciding...
  8. K

    General Theory of Relativity: What & Why

    what general theory of relativity deals with. why special theory of relativity fails at one stage
  9. W

    Writing a general curve on a manifold given a metric

    I have what I think is a basic question. Say I have a manifold and a metric. How do I write down the most general curve for some arbitrary parameter? For example in \mathbb{R}^2 with the Euclidean metric, I think I should write \gamma(\lambda) = x(\lambda)\hat{x} + y(\lambda)\hat{y} But what...
  10. P

    Explain why Zn is released and write the general equation.

    Homework Statement We throw clean Zn in a HCl solution and see that nothing happens. We add 2-3 drops CuSO4 and some kind of gas starts to release. Why dos this happen? Write the equation Homework Equations Zn+HCl->ZnCl2+H2 The Attempt at a Solution I know that equation and also...
  11. K

    Space-Time Curvature in General Relativity

    Suppose we are in a Minkowskian space, away from all the source of gravity, and observe an accelerated frame from this frame. Acoording to Equivalence principle, we can consider the accelerated frame to be at rest and assume we have gravity in the accelerated frame. Thus, observer in the...
  12. K

    Confusion in General Relativity

    According to equivalence principle, gravity can be treated like acceleration "locally". Based on this principle we can treat a non-inertial frame at rest and explain the fictitious forces (of Newton's Laws) as gravity. From this we can prove that time elapses at different rates at different...
  13. N

    Graviational vs Electrical Potential

    Hi all, Thanks for taking your time to help me. It means a lot! For some context: I'm a physics student taking an analytical chemistry course and am a bit confused by the concept of electrical potential. Gravitational potential is the potential energy per unit mass, V(gravitational) = U/m. (I...
  14. T

    General Question About a System of DE's

    We were looking at some examples of systems of differential equations in class a couple days ago, and some of them were simple looking systems. One such was ##\frac{dr}{dt} = 4j## ##\frac{dj}{dt} = r## Why is it that we can't treat this as a scenario where both sides of each equation could...
  15. Cosmology2015

    It is possible from the general relativity reach a ToE?

    Hello everyone! As an admirer of string theory, I have strong interest in the theories that purport to unify general relativity with quantum mechanics. In the case of string theory, the goal is to find a form of describe the force of gravity according to the principles of quantum mechanics, ie...
  16. C

    Making use of completion relation to find general expectation

    I am stuck on this Self-test 1.6 in molecular quantum mechanics by atkins and friedman. Probably making use of the completeness relation the question is the following: Show that if <Ωf>*=-Ωf*, then <Ω>=0 for any real function f. Anyone got a clue?
  17. B

    General Physics Question(s): attatched blocks with strings

    Homework Statement This is just a general question; but if there are two blocks attached with a string, how do you calculate acceleration and tension? Like, do you add the masses together and work with it, or do you do each separately? Also; if you have one block on an incline, and another...
  18. Q

    MHB Linear Algebra: General Solution, Stability & Diagonal Transforms

    Hi everyone I'm taking a linear algebra class at university right now and this is one of my homework questions . I am unsure how to even approach these questions. Any pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I apologize in advance for not showing any attempt at this...
  19. T

    MHB General question, which formula to use to find derivative?

    Hi this is my first post ever in MHB, and I'm in Calculus 1 wondering which formula to use to find derivatives. There are 2 as far as I know: (1) and the one one at the beginning of this: (2) Example Problem: How would i know which formula to use? Is there a particular reason the...
  20. D

    Possible to Specialize in General Relativity?

    I'm about to start my senior year at university pursuing a double major in physics and electrical engineering. I decided recently that I wanted to go to graduate school for physics so I started thinking about the area I would like to specialize in. My current university does most of its research...
  21. MathematicalPhysicist

    Eduard Prugovecki's Quantum General Relativity

    What impact has Eduard Prugovecki's work in QGR have on nowadays research?
  22. C

    Markov chain: finding a general solution

    1. The problem statement Given a stochastic matrix P with states s_1...s_5: P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & p_2 & 0 & 0 & 0\\ 0 & 0 & p_3 & 0 & 0\\ 0 & q_2 & 0 & p_4 & 0\\ 0 & 0 & q_3 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & q_4 & 1 \end{pmatrix} and the matrix A (which is obviously related to P, but I can't see...
  23. rayne1

    MHB General solution to 2nd order....

    I'm supposed to use undetermined coefficients to find a general solution to: y" + 4y' +3y =4^(-t) I can't find an example online where f(t) is equal to an exponential function that does not have e as the base, so I have no idea how to solve it. So far, I found the general solution to the...
  24. M

    Relevant General Education Courses?

    I'm a first year physics and astronomy major at Ohio State(double major). I just got the information for when my scheduling window opens and I'm thinking about what kind of general education courses I should be taking. I notice that physicists are typically well versed in a lot of topics outside...
  25. B

    Compound Thick Lens: Calculating Refractive Power with Thick Lens Equation

    Homework Statement I have a compound thick lens problem that I need to find the sign of the refractive power. Homework Equations Thick lens equation and focal length equation. The Attempt at a Solution I believe all I need to do is calculate the focal length of the first two thick lenses and...
  26. S

    General Relativity & Differential Geometry Q&A

    Dear all I am studying general relativity and i have a question as follow. We have the 2- sphere can be scanned totally by a coordinate system (theta, phi) with the metric tensor written in terms of theta and phi. Now i want to divide the 2-sphere into charts 4 charts then each will have its own...
  27. ujjwal3097

    Physics What are the perks of being a physicist?

    I was actually wondering what it likes to be a physicist what i mean is what are the perks . for example traveling the worlds ,meeting new people etc
  28. ujjwal3097

    Which one is better dictionary

    which one is better dictionary Cambridge Oxford Merriam -webster please tell which has easy to learn definitions ,I have seen that merriam has quite confusing way to define a word
  29. B

    Solution for a general variational equation of 2nd order

    In a book of math, I found a kind very very crazy of equation, an "variational equation of second order" So, my question is: exist solution for an general equation like this: A \frac{d^2}{dx^2} \frac{\partial F}{\partial y^{(2)}} + B \frac{d^1}{dx^1} \frac{\partial F}{\partial y^{(1)}} + C...
  30. D

    Deriving Riemann Tensor Comp. in General Frame

    How does one derive the general form of the Riemann tensor components when it is defined with respect to the Levi-Civita connection? I assumed it was just a "plug-in and play" situation, however I end up with extra terms that don't agree with the form I've looked up in a book. In a general...
  31. MathematicalPhysicist

    A path which its domain is a general compact set.

    How is a general path called instead of being a continuous function from an interval to some topological space, where we replace the domain from an interval to a compact set, is there a name for such a function? Perhaps I should add that the compact set is also convex.
  32. Hercuflea

    Question about the General Constitutive Law (mathy)

    I have attached a question about the general constitutive law for Newtonian fluids (it contains a lot of math, which is easier for me to type and send to PDF than put it on here.) Basically, I do not like the einstein notation and I decided to write everything out loud and clear, since my...
  33. D

    General Solution To Three Simultaneous Equations

    I herewith submit for reference, review and comment the general solution to 3 simultaneous equations as follows:
  34. T

    Is this in general true (about projection matrices)?

    $$A$$ is a hermitian matrix with eigenvalues +1 and -1. Let $$\left|+\right>$$ and $$\left|-\right>$$ be the eigenvector of $$A$$ with respect to eigenvalue +1 and eigenvalue -1 respectively. Therefore, $$P_{+} = \left|+\right>\left<+\right|$$ is the projection matrix with respect to eigenvalue...
  35. Garth

    100 Years of General Relativity

    A useful and concise (36 pages) history of the development and use of GR by one of the established experts in the field is posted today on the physics ArXiv : 100 Years of General Relativity by George Ellis. Garth
  36. J

    Seeking general advice for geometry

    Hello, I started my class on geometry a couple weeks ago, and I feel that I'm struggling. I took Algebra 1 and 2 over the summer, and I never had a problem. I passed both of those expedited classes never getting less than an A on any assignment, but I got a C on my first geometry test. I'm not...
  37. S

    General Relativity and Differential Geometry textbook problem

    I'm studying General Relativity and Differential Geometry. In my textbook, the author has written ##x^2=d(x,.)## where d(x,y) is distance between two points ##x,y\in M##. I couldn't understand what d(x,.) means. Moreover, I am not sure if this is generally true to write ##x^2=g_{\mu\nu} x^\mu...
  38. A

    General equations for powering a model aircraft

    I was looking at building a fpv plane. I was wondering if anyone could help me with the basic equations i would need for motor sizing etc. Just how I would go about finding power required. Looking at about a loaded weight of about 5kg wingspan 2.5-3m. Not sure of speed maybe around 40-70kph.
  39. M

    I Bell's Theorem: more general interactions with detector?

    [Mentor's note: split off from the thread https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/first-loophole-free-bell-test.829586/ as this is a general question about Bell's Theorem, not the specific experiment discussed in that thread] It says in the paper ... ... and the 'CHSH-Bell inequality' all...
  40. S

    Relativity Another General Relativity book thread

    Hi, Apologies; In spite of the numerous excellent threads that exist discussing GR books, I felt compelled to create another one. I'm taking a first course in GR & Cosmology, and am trying to select a textbook as the main 'roadmap' through GR. This is a first course on GR in the UK, which is...
  41. dylanreynolds1

    Computational General Relativity

    Hello all, first post. I have come here to get second opinions on the program I have written to compute the Einstein Tensor (the Riemann Tensor and Ricci Tensor). I enjoy looking for solutions to the Einstein Field Equations, however computing them by hand is not realistic. I decided to write a...
  42. F

    Signal Ground and ground in general

    Hello Forum, If we connect one of the terminals of an AC voltage source to ground, the earthed terminal will maintain the same electric potential as planet earth. Earth can be assumed to be a huge spherical conductor whose electric potential does not change (much) when connected to a...
  43. Jaami M.

    Difference Between Special & General Relativity

    So what is the difference between the two? Special Realitivity and General Relativity.
  44. Lagraaaange

    General GRE Tomorrow: Skip Analytical Writing sections?

    What's your take on preserving stamina/maximum mental capacity for quant and skipping the essays? I hear physics grad programs don't care at all, some don't even take the scores. Thoughts?
  45. A

    MHB How to find a general solution to sec2 2x = 1– tan 2x

    Hi all, My name is Arijit Biswas. I have resumed learning maths after a long time and I am stuck with a simple problem in trigonometry. I need to find a general solution to the equation: sec2 2x = 1– tan 2x. I have worked out something i.e. 1) Multiply by cos2 2x and that makes the equation...
  46. Lagraaaange

    Schools General GRE Quant: Will a 155 keep me out of top grad school?

    Will a 155 keep me out of graduate school? I hear the general matters very little and I didn't study. Should I bother taking it again for 160+ or am I wasting my time?
  47. Gvido_Anselmi

    Solitons, instantons etc. -- Studying the general theory of solitons in QFT

    Hello everybody! I've recently decided that I'm interested in supersymmetric solitons and want to work in this area for future 2 undergrad years. I wonder what is the best place to study the general theory of solitons in QFT? Is Rubakov "Classical gauge fields" really the best book for those who...
  48. bcrowell

    Distinction between special and general relativity

    FAQ: Can special relativity handle accelerated frames of reference? What is the distinction between special and general relativity?Einstein believed, erroneously, that the crucial difference between special and general relativity was that general relativity allowed accelerated frames of...
  49. M

    Local Geometry of General Relativity Theory

    Hello guys . Through all the analysis of theory of general relativity we used what so called Manifolds Manifolds as we know are topological spaces that resemble ( look like) euclidean space locally at tiny portion of space And an euclidean space is the pair ( real coordinate space R^n , dot...
  50. Cygnus_A

    Moving to industry from general relativity

    So I'm wondering if anyone has personal or anecdotal experience of people making the specific transition from general relativity to an industry job. It doesn't have to use specific math skills from GR, but bonus points if there is some relation. It seems that most of the options are somewhere...
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