What is Observation: Definition and 226 Discussions

Observation is the active acquisition of information from a primary source. In living beings, observation employs the senses. In science, observation can also involve the perception and recording of data via the use of scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during the scientific activity. Observations can be qualitative, that is, only the absence or presence of a property is noted, or quantitative if a numerical value is attached to the observed phenomenon by counting or measuring.

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  1. M

    Conscious vs. Non-Conscious Observation

    I'm not a physics major, I'm just very interested in quantum phenomena. I was hoping someone here could help iron out my interpretation of the Delayed Choice Experiment (in particular). The double-slit experiment shows us essentially, that the act of observation creates a physical situation...
  2. G

    A simple observation regarding the equivalence of acceleration and gravity

    This is not an attempt at refuting the validity of relativity, i adore Einstein like most girls love their fave rock star. To me, there is a glaring discrepancy between Einstein and Newton and it behooves me, out of shear respect, to make this right in my mind. Take the very simple...
  3. K

    My First Telescope Observation: Jupiter & 4 Moons

    I just picked up my first telescope today, a 12" dobsonian. We've had clouds for the last 2 weeks, but thank god tonight was a clear night. Despite the light pollution, telephone wires, aerials, buildings etc, I was able to find Jupiter. It was absolutely incredible. Could make out several bands...
  4. happyg1

    Calculating the PMF of Min. Observation of Discrete Distribution Sample Size 5

    Hi, I know this isn't hard, but I have a block on it. Here's the question: Let f(x)=1/6, x=1,2,3,4,5,6 zero elsewhere be the pmf of a distribution of the discrete type. Show that the pmf of the smallest observation of a random sample of size 5 from this distribution is...
  5. F

    Confirming an observation about Newton's Laws

    When approaching a problem concerning Newton's 2nd law of motion, if I'm dealing with a frictionless inclined plane and know the velocity of an object going up the plane, is it safe to say that the velocity will be the same on the way back down since no friction is present?
  6. homology

    A petite observation about logarithms

    Here's something cute: Consider the graph of ln(x^2) and then consider the graph of 2ln(x), missing anything? I was momentarily caught off guard by this until I realized that when we derive the property: ln(x^a)=aln(x), we choose the positive root. Has anyone ever run into a situation...
  7. H

    Observation Independence - what and why?

    Observation Independence -- what and why? So, heuristically, observation independence is the condition that separated measurements are statistically independent. I have lots of questions about this! (Actually, I have lots of questions about the theoretical foundation of using statistics at...
  8. K

    Observing Unusual Red Star in Scorpius Constellation

    Hi all, I'm not sure if this is the correct place to ask such questions, but hopefully someone here can fill me in. I've noticed a star in the sky with a strong red tint to it. Venus is clearly visible, and this star is located just slightly higher. Its quite bright, one of the first dozen or...
  9. J

    Air Flow Observation: Wind Instruments

    I would like a way to be able to observe the air flow through wind instruments. I was thinking a lab where the do tests on the aerodynamics of cars. any other ideas. also does anyone know of a facility in the New York area that might be capable of such a technique. I would like to video...
  10. H

    Kinetic Energy Change in Particle: Earth vs Space Observation

    Alright, I was wondering if Change in Kinetic energy of a particle (after undergoing a constant force acting on it) would be oberserved to be the different value measured from two different inertial reference frames. Here's one particular case...Say you're on Earth and I on a space ship. We...
  11. S

    Observation Definition - What Is It?

    Can someone tell me the definition of observation?
  12. Ivan Seeking

    An observation: About Ufologists

    A number of meetings with fellow UFO enthusiasts [academic types, not people wearing antennas] have brought to light an interesting fact about human nature. Even though each of has our own ideas about what's going on with UFOs, and even though we enjoy meeting and discussing the cases and recent...
  13. Ivan Seeking

    The 9.0 Quake: A personal observation

    I just wanted to pass along an observation that may or may not mean anything at all. In case this should happen to make sense to anyone out there I wanted to mention it; just in case... From about Dec 15th through this week, there have been a rash of meteor-like impact events reported all over...
  14. K

    Does observation really mean interaction?

    Does observation really mean interaction?? For example if something didnt interact with something else(for example proton A is far away for anything else) it would be in a superposition but would collapse into a normal state(decoherence) when it interacts(say proton A bumps into electron B)...
  15. R

    Why does observation coincide with experimental empirical data?

    Is there a reason why our observed reality is actualized and isormorphically the same within a set context? After all humans behave like humans and dogs like dogs and things like there like.
  16. D

    What is the curious relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions?

    Greetings ! Maybe I'm just too tired and missing something, but this strange thing occured to me: a^n + b^n = c^n ln( a^n + b^n ) = n * ln ( c ) a^n + b^n =/= e^n * c example: a = 3; b = 4; c = 5; n = 2; 25 =/= e^2 * 5 Live long and prosper.
  17. Loren Booda

    Is observation an anentropic process?

    Interaction between biota and their environment more often increases the order of the former (memory, DNA, morphological adaptation) and the latter's randomness. Observation is greatly affected by whether or not entities observed are recognizable, and thus incorporable. The maintenance of...
  18. P

    How Can I Create a Small Observatory to Watch the Stars?

    First of all, i don't know how to say it in English the place I can keep my eyes on some stars high above. There is no such a place near where I am staying. Therefore, I think it will be really good if i can make myself a small -what are youmaycallit-to observe the stars that are nearest to our...
  19. phoenixthoth

    Schroeder's equation: simple observation

    i was wondering if you could check this simple observation; there must be something wrong with it. schroeder's equation is a functional equation. one version is given f, say a self-mapping of R, find bijection g (defined on R) and nontrivial constant r such that g\circ f=rg. one utra nice...
  20. wasteofo2

    News Observation about how the parties have switched positions due to Iraq.

    The opinions and observations are of people in my town, and representatives of both political parties which are in the media. They're not by any mean meant to represent the view of every individual Republican or Democrat, just a growing trend among the ones I'm aware of. Before the whole...
  21. R

    Law of Observation: Is It Real?

    Is there such a thing as a Law Of Observation? How would one define this Law? If yes please state if this has its roots within QM..QFT..QCD..or Relativity..Stringtheory..or M-Theory. If no such Law exists?..then anything goes.
  22. Loren Booda

    Constant limit c restricts photons to radial observation

    We observe light only radially due to its constant limiting speed for all frames of reference in vacuo, and undefined immediate relativity (indistinguishability) between photons. We infer matter otherwise - both with radial and orbital motion - by emitted light frequency shift, apparent motion...
  23. Mr. Einstein

    Anomalous Observation: Is Two Different Types of Space In Place About the Earth?

    Hi Everyone. I'm new here. I was referred by Tesla. During my quest for a theory of everything I came across an interesting observation which I believe is a big clue. The Michelson Morley experiment was an interesting read. It uses the interference patterns generated by two separated...
  24. D

    My Strange Observation: Anything Multiplied by 9 Equals 9

    i was playing with numbers the other day and noticed this - Anything multiplied by 9, will equal 9 when added this is really weird considering that it doesent work with any # i know this belongs in the math forums, but using physics could generate a good theory, it may be stupid but...
  25. G

    What constitutes a QM observation?

    When discussing quantum mechanics, what constitutes an observation? -Glenn
  26. Loren Booda

    Observation: more decoherence or interference?

    Does observation decohere the object, or also interfere with the observer, to manifest macroscopic reality? A classical measurement might result either from equilibrium of object phase itself or of phase difference relative to the observer. How, then, do these large-scale effects of object...
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