What is Idea: Definition and 833 Discussions

In common usage and in philosophy, ideas are abstract concepts. Also in philosophy, ideas can also be mental representational images of some object. Many philosophers have considered ideas to be a fundamental ontological category of being. The capacity to create and understand the meaning of ideas is considered to be an essential and defining feature of human beings. In a popular sense, an idea arises in a reflexive, spontaneous manner, even without thinking or serious reflection, for example, when we talk about the idea of a person or a place. A new or an original idea can often lead to innovation.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. C

    Quick idea on the make-up of matter

    I'm just throwing out and idea when I say this, but what if matter isn't made up of point particles or 1 dimensional strings at all? What if matter is constantly in a state of energy and matter? This would eliminate the 11 dimensions needed for m-theory,which would keep us at the good ol' 4...
  2. T

    Continuing mobius strip theory idea

    It does seem a shame if the previously discussed notion of mobius strip theory, as a modification of string theory, remains untenable. Perhaps some 'mobiusness' can still be adopted into the logic of string theory; it could serve as a visualizable explanatory model of one-handedness. Thoughts...
  3. S

    The Higgs Field and Gravity: A Possible Connection?

    I'm just throwing out an idea, which is probably wrong since I don't have a physics degree, but I'm curious anyways. I'd appreciate anyone giving feedback. For starters, I've read that the higgs mechanism, which gives all particles mass, is a paradigm of the meissner effect for superconductors...
  4. J

    I have no idea what 'Normalize'/'Normalization' means Help please?

    Just started a Quantum Computing course, and I'm getting continuously confused and lost in the class. I don't think the class is "out of my league" as I've been able to ace every physics class I've taken so far, so I don't want to drop the class. That said, I'm getting confused at the most...
  5. B

    No idea how to compute this limit

    Homework Statement \lim_{x→-∞}xe^{x} Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution L'Hopital's rule maybe? I solved a lot of problems today, just no idea how to get past this one. Any hints? BiP
  6. M

    Need help articulating an idea in rigorous language

    So I'm working on a personal project, and I have most of the details worked out, but I'm having difficulty expressing an idea in precise terms. Premise: We start with a set which has only itself as an element, which results in the following infinite regress: {{{...}}} Now what I...
  7. C

    Uncovering Projectile Motion Properties

    A projectile, fired with unknown initial velocity, lands 19.8 s later on the side of a hill, 2710 m away horizontally and 463 m vertically above its starting point. (Ignore any effects due to air resistance.) (a) What is the vertical component of its initial velocity? (b) What is the...
  8. C

    Solving 2D Motion Problems: Where to Start?

    A cannon barrel is elevated at an angle of 45°. It fires a ball with a speed of 283 m/s. (For the following questions, ignore air resistance.) (a) What height does the ball reach? (b) How long is the ball in the air? (c) What is the horizontal range of the cannon? Known 2D...
  9. C

    How Do You Calculate Initial Velocity and Launch Angle in Projectile Motion?

    1. A ball launched from ground level lands 2.5 s later on a level field 30 m away from the launch point. Find the magnitude of the initial velocity vector and the angle it is above the horizontal. (Ignore any effects due to air resistance.) 2. Known Kinematic Equations 3. I don't...
  10. K

    What Happened to Wheeler's Single Electron Idea?

    What Happened to Wheeler's "Single Electron" Idea? Hello, I wrote out a lengthy reply that I could not retrieve after I pressed preview and was asked to log in again...not sure if that's a bug/glitch as I am brand new on this website, but it was very annoying ;) Anyways before I introduce...
  11. I

    Is it really a bad idea to do a Masters before doing graduate in the U.S?

    Hi, I've read and been told that it's not a good idea to do a masters (in Europe) before doing a graduate course in the U.S. Is it really a bad idea? would it reduce the chances of getting a place in a graduate program or is it just that it's not required? I understand that it might be...
  12. marcus

    Hossenfelder's beautiful idea resolves QG/QFT tension

    Quote from page 1 of paper posted by Hossenfelder today: "These difficulties can be circumvented by changing the quantization condition in such a way that gravity can be perturbatively quantized at low energies, but at energies above the Planck energy – energies so high that the perturbative...
  13. A

    Taking OChem and Physics at the same time. Good idea or no?

    I will be taking both Organic Chemistry and General Physics for Engineers next semester at a community college. Good idea or is that too much? I've heard that these two classes are the ones that most people struggle with. Are community colleges easier than four year universities?
  14. S

    What Are Your Innovative Ideas for Eco-Friendly Air-Conditioning?

    Any new IDEA anyone have in your mind can post over here. Whatever be it will be appreciated and if I got something really new, it will be very helpful for me. Any response will be highly appreciated...
  15. T

    Idea about change in Earth's rotation speed by Climate Change

    I know the two seem very unrelated at first, but actually I think the partial melting of the polar ice caps would actually give us longer days and nights. Most of the ice that would be melting is relatively close to the poles, the axis of Earth's rotation. But, when it melted, the mass of the...
  16. L

    The idea of the positron's existence?

    Dirac's conception of the Positron? I have read that Dirac predicted the existence of the positron when trying to combine QM with Relativity. This doesn't make sense to me. How is the positron related to all this?
  17. I

    Is it a bad idea to do quantum with Shankar without having Griffiths first?

    I have the option of doing either a one-semester QM course with Griffiths or a two-semester course with Shankar. Background is Eisberg and Resnick's "Quantum Physics". I really like quantum mechanics and would rather do two semesters, but will Shankar be too formal for an upper-level undergraduate?
  18. I

    Could a Curved Boundary of Space-Time Explain Dark Energy?

    Assume the fabric of space-time is a volume with a boundary. (this seems to be a possibility). The same way that gravity can be modeled as curvature in space-time around an object, the derivative of which creates a force over other objects close by and pulls them closer, the assumption that...
  19. T

    Is learning programming a good idea?

    I don't intend on taking computer classes, just learning as much programming on the side as I can before going to school as well as learning maths, is this a good idea since I am looking at physics, or engineering?
  20. D

    Same idea, but different approach. Faraday's Law

    Homework Statement The magnitude of $$B$$ is increasing at $$100T/s$$ and the solenoids (the source of the induced EMF) is infinitely long. I want to find the current through the resistors The Attempt at a Solution I basically used the same idea, but I used Mesh's method and I decided to...
  21. M

    I have an idea for a gasoline powerd fridge, need input.

    So last night, a bit on the tipsy side, I drew this on paper(then in paint) and I don't see why It would not work. I'm not really an engineer so I'm not sure if there's some flaw in my logic. The idea is based on a 5HP engine with an electric starter. It automatically starts the engine using a...
  22. M

    Is this a good idea? I'm going to self study with Boas before school starts

    Hello PF, I'm going to be heading to my 3rd year as a Physics major and I want to make this last month of summer a tad productive. So my plan was to review/self study math using the mathematical methods book by Boas (and maybe some online resources to get more depth on some particular...
  23. G

    News Audit the Fed: Good or Bad Idea?

    What do people think of the Audit the Fed bill which overwhelmingly passed in the House last week? Good idea or bad idea? Why or why not?
  24. N

    Discover the Potential of Spinning a Magnetic Sphere in an Electromagnetic Field

    If you could suspend a magnetic sphere in a electromagnetic field, how fast could you spin it?
  25. P

    Taking Topology, Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra concurrently a good idea?

    Hello all, In the Fall I am planning on taking Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra and doing an independent study in something(my professor has yet to get back to me on what he is willing to do it in). My question is would it be too much of a workload to try and do another independent study in...
  26. A

    New to forum Have an idea and

    Hello, I am new to the forum but figured I could ask some intelligent people about an idea that has been bugging me. Here goes... I am trying to make a generator that is run by an electric motor but the electric motor runs off the generator head at the same time. The way I...
  27. 1

    Point charges on equilateral triangle no idea what's wrong.

    Homework Statement These are really frustrating because they seem so simple, I work them all out without a hitch only to find that I'm wrong half the time and left wondering why. In fig 21-26a, particles 1 and 2 have charge 20 microcoulombs each and are held at separation distance d = 1.5...
  28. M

    Kooky Idea: Electron Balloon Rocket

    One of the biggest problems with launching things into space is that fuel weighs a lot. With conventional rocketry, mass of fuel per unit of stored energy is high enough that it requires huge rockets to lift even a couple of tons into orbit. Electrons are very light, and can be used to store...
  29. G

    Has the idea of point particles been thoroughly refuted?

    String theory may not be proven but has the idea of treating the building blocks of matter as point particle been thoroughly refuted? For example Kaku writes:
  30. P

    Schools Graduate School Prospects - I have no idea

    Hello all, I, like so many others here, am planning on attending graduate school in the near future (in my case, I graduate next year). I'd like some advice that isn't just what I want to hear, so I figured the internet would be just the place! OVERVIEW: I want to know what "tier" (for...
  31. I

    Idea of atomtronics at the JILA site

    Hello everyone, So I was looking around on the web and came across the idea of atomtronics at the JILA site. It was really cool, and I'm trying to learn more about it. Does anyone here know about it or work with it? If so, what is it like? What is the future potential of this as opposed...
  32. P

    Idea to intercept alien communications

    Hey. I offer this idea in hopes that somebody with more knowhow can contribute. Basically the idea is this. Scan IR/Microwave/Radio wavelengths for recurring bits of information that can be sorted into a working language. If the language seems that it reveals information in some sort of...
  33. A

    No Idea how to work this out - Charging and discharging an iPod

    No Idea how to work this out! -- Charging and discharging an iPod Homework Statement It takes about 5 hours for a fully charged ipod nano to run out of power when its screen is left on and all other functions are switched off. Subsequently, it takes about 90 minutes to recharge the ipod...
  34. C

    MATLAB DSP + Statistics Project Ideas for MATLAB

    So I'm taking an intro DSP class this summer and I need some ideas for a term project. I'm also taking a class on statistics and I'd like something that incorporates the two. The project will be implemented soley on MATLAB so no hardware ideas. I'm having problems coming up with things...
  35. S

    Questioning Schrodinger's Cat: Is Outcome Real Until Observed?

    How did someone came up with the idea that , an outcome doesn't exist until we r... How did someone came up with the idea that , an outcome doesn't exist until we really observer it? How did that person say it?how did he really know that the cat(Schrodinger's cat thought experiment), is...
  36. K

    For all cricket fans or for those who have a genral idea of what cricket is

    Last two batsmen are at strike. Both have scored a total of 96 runs each. 2 balls remain and the team needs 5 runs to win.Both batsmen intend to complete their centuries(100).Devise a way in which both the batsmen can complete their centuries?
  37. B

    I'm not sure this is a good idea

    My childhood dream was to work for NASA. I was fascinated with being an astronaut and such, you know? Now that I'm starting college and I'm fumbling potential career options in my head, I'm trying to weigh whether or not a NASA career would be a solid choice. I've heard people say that it's not...
  38. T

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering Major. Good idea to double major in Applied Math?

    I'm having a bit of a dilemna. I'm currently a senior in Mechanical Engineering and will finish in about 1.5 years. I always feel that ME alone might not be as useful and wish to expand my knowledge in Physics or Mathematics. I'm equally passionate of both, and have thought about minoring in one...
  39. D

    Novel Guitar Wiring Idea need technical advice PLEASE

    Hi Everyone, I appreciate any useful feedback and advice on this project as honestly it has become the bane of my existence and a real downer everytime i look at my half assembled guitar. Guitar? yes guitar and I know one might be tempted to dismiss this post or just refer me to the myriad of...
  40. L

    Idea for a senior project related to renewable energy

    dear members, i would like to thank the owners of this forum for giving us students the opportunity to share our ideas and thoughts about topics related to electronics. i would like to help me pick up few thoughts or ideas for a senior project related to renewable energy such as solar or...
  41. T

    Physics is copies idea from sci fi, i dont think show

    Today my friend is argue with me that physics is copy idea fro sci fiction? but i don't think so, what do you all think about argument? my friend say engineer only come out mobile device when they saw hand phone mobile device is used in star trek and borrow the idea from this movie? what is your...
  42. N

    5-Week Summer Classes- Bad Idea?

    7.5 hrs per week for 5 weeks vs. 3 hours per week for 16 weeks? But during the 16 week class I would be preoccupied with other classes and thus have less time to study... What do you guys think?
  43. U

    Research in mechanical engineering- what is it all about(just general idea)

    Research in mechanical engineering-- what is it all about(just general idea) Hi, I'm a student of mechanical engineering and I'd like to do an MS degree following my undergrads. Up till now, I've had experience in only simulation based research i.e. during my final year project, my...
  44. S

    Can a Knuckle Crane Idea Work with 5 X 1/4 Square Tubing?

    I need to figure the load on a knuckel boom for a idea I have . it is like the ones that are located on the frames of trucks right behind the cab to be able to unload the truck or trailer. This will be of a smaller stature. The arm would pivot in the middle and rotate. and use hydraulic...
  45. B

    Should a 12 Year Old Have an Idea About His Future?

    Quick question, adults often ask me what I want to do when I grow up, and then seem a bit dissapointed when I say I don't know. Should a 12 year old boy have an idea about what he wants to do with his life? What I don't tell people, is that I kinda want to be an engineer. What do you think about...
  46. C

    Basic Differential Equations Problem (I Have No Idea What I Am Doing)

    Homework Statement Denote by L(t) the length of a fish at time t, and assume that the fish grows according to: dL/dt = k(34-L(t)) with L(0) = 2 a) solve the above equation b)Use your solution in part a to determine k under the assumption that L(4) = 10. c) Find the length of the fish...
  47. S

    I just dont get the idea on how to do this [projectile motion]

    i don't know how this works...when a body is projected at an angle "theta" with the horizontal above a height 'h'...what is its maximum height and maximum range?should i just treat it as two separate motions or is there another way to do it...i can solve if it is just a parabolic projection from...
  48. A

    No idea how to find applied forced based on kinetic friction and acceleration.

    Homework Statement A 10.0kg box is accelerated from rest to 4.00 m/s in 1.00s. The force of kinetic friction on the box is 5.00N. A) What is the size of the applied force? B)What is the coefficient of sliding friction? Homework Equations The five kinematic equations? μ = Ff/Fn Fn=...
  49. N

    Fishing for a presentation idea

    Hello all. I'm a math major attending a "math in history, art and philosophy" class as an elective. For that class, we have to give a presentation on a topic of our choice. As many of the people in the room aren't math majors or had much exposure to the subject, I was thinking about giving a...
  50. B

    Is it a good idea to take Pre-Calculus In Summer School?

    Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't been online for a while, I had to catch up in my Literature course. Anyway, I took Precalculus twice here in college and didn't pass. The first time I took it was in Spring 2011, and I didn't pass because I blame my instructor for it, and I know it's a clichéd...
Back
Top