
Which Scientist Said What Quiz
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Think you know your famous science quotes? Let's find out in this 12 question quiz. There are no prizes, so it doesn't pay to Google. Try your best on…

Interview with a Biophysicist: Andy Resnick
Let me introduce you to Andy Resnick, a long time Science Advisor at Physics Forums.Tell us a little bit about how you developed an interest in biophysics
…

Interview with a Physicist: Doc Al
This is a new Interview category for Insights. While I line up some great new interviews I’ll be migrating some previous mentor interviews.
Doc Al is…

Russ Watters: Astrophotography & HVAC Engineer Mentor
This is a new Interview category for Insights. While I line up some great new interviews, I'll be migrating some previous mentor interviews.
About Russ…

Why the Need of Infinity in Physics
Infinity in Mathematics and Physics
It is beyond doubt that the notion of infinity lies somewhere near the core of all mathematics, probably in a finite…

Thoughts on the Complexity of Modern Science
Science today is incredibly complex. Anyone who ever did scientific research knows that, but many in the general public seem to be completely unaware of…

Ice Quiz: All About Ice Trivia
Ice is the solid form of water, and understanding its basic properties (freezing point, density, crystal structure) helps explain everything from why it…

Trials and Tribulations of a Physicist who Became a Math Geek
How did I go from the brink of changing my major from physics to ceramics (no more math) to the Math faculty of the Air Force Academy? How did I go from…

A Guide to Going Back to School For Math or Science
Motivations for creating the series
I came to Physics Forums originally to read ZapperZ’s thread about becoming a physicist back in 2013. It was one…

Self-Study High School Math: Best Books & Order to Learn
To self-study high school mathematics in a logical sequence, most learners should progress through basic algebra, then synthetic geometry, then trigonometry,…

How to Self-Study Calculus: Topics and Book Guide
To self-study calculus, work through four core areas in order: differentiation, integration, sequences and series, then multivariable calculus. Each builds…

How to Self-Study Mathematics: A Step-by-Step Guide
Self-studying mathematics is achievable for most learners willing to commit to daily, consistent practice rather than occasional cramming. Success depends…

The Block Universe – Refuting a Common Argument
The "block universe" interpretation of SR has come up repeatedly in threads here on PF. Rather than link to them, I want to summarize a common argument…

Understanding Retrocausality and Blockworld
In an Insights series “Blockworld and its Foundational Implications,” I quoted Huw Price and Ken Wharton in several places advocating a blockworld…

Blockworld and its Foundational Implications: Delayed Choice and No Counterfactual Definiteness
In parts 1 and 2 of this 5-part Insights series, I explained the blockworld (BW) implication of special relativity. In part 3, I introduced…

Blockworld and its Foundational Implications: General Relativity and Closed Timelike Curves
In parts 1 and 2 of this 5-part Insights series, I explained the blockworld (BW) implication of special relativity (SR). In part 3, I introduced…

Blockworld and its Foundational Implications: General Relativity and the Big Bang
In parts 1 and 2 of this 5-part Insights series, I explained the blockworld (BW) implication of special relativity (SR). Geroch sums up the…

Doubt vs. Discouragement: A Physics Student’s Calculus Story
Overcoming discouragement means recognizing that another person's doubt about your ability is not evidence of your limits. The author failed a calculus…

Pluto Quiz: Test Your New Horizons Mission Knowledge
This quiz tests reader knowledge of NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto, covering key facts and discoveries reported during the mission's flyby coverage.…

How to Overcome Procrastination: 8 Proven Methods
Procrastination is a predictable pattern of avoidance behavior, not simply laziness or poor time management. It splits into two main types: anxious procrastination,…

Why Imagination Without Knowledge Is Ignorance Waiting to Happen
Introduction
My feelings on people who think that imagination is more important than knowledge are well-known. These people simply are parroting Einstein's…

Apollo Moon Missions: Eugene Cernan and the Final Landing
Eugene Cernan became the last person to walk on the moon on December 11, 1972, during NASA's Apollo 17 mission, closing out a nine-mission lunar exploration…

Is Spacetime Really a Continuum?
Introduction
Is spacetime really a continuum? That is, can points of spacetime really be described---at least locally---by lists of four…

Why You Should Not Use Wikipedia As Your Primary Source
It is no secret to anyone who has read my posts in this forum for a while that I do not like Wikipedia. I think that there is a fundamental flaw with the…

The Most Important Thing You Can Learn from Physics Forums
Introduction
It is a bit pompous of me to think that I can tell you the most important thing you can learn from Physics Forums (PF). After all, each…

False Physics Major Dichotomy: Theorist or Experimentalist?
Figure showing links between ballistic pressure waves and traumatic brain injury.Many physics majors believe that pursuing a Ph.D. in…

CV Tips for Physicists: Secure Postdoc & Research Jobs
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

How Well Do You Know Isaac Newton? Take the Quiz
Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was an English mathematician, physicist, and astronomer widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists in history.…

Postdoctoral Positions: How to Succeed as a Physicist
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Physics PhD Job Search: Start Well Before Graduation
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Teaching Math: Why “Obvious” Beats Memorized Rules
Teaching math well means teaching students to ask "why" until an idea feels inevitable, not just memorizing rules. A math teacher's central goal is to…

Should You Do Science for Love or for Money
While I served on the math faculty of the US Air Force Academy, we invited numerous cadets to participate in self-funded research…

Preparing for Your Physics PhD Thesis Defense Effectively
Overview: The Thesis Defense
At this point you have completed writing your thesis, your adviser has approved it, and you have distributed it to all members…

Writing Your Doctoral Thesis: Guide for Physics Grad
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

APS March & April Meetings: Guide for Physics Grad Students
Overview of the APS March and April Meetings
I'll try not to make a habit out of this, but I believe there's something to add to this chapter of the…

How to Publish in a Physics Journal (Addendum)
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... SeriesPart I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year of College
…

Presenting Physics Research: Conference Tips for Students
Part I: Early Physics Education in High Schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year of College
Part III: Mathematical Preparations
Part IV: The…

How to Write a Master Degree Thesis As a Physics Major
Your First Scientific Paper Ought to be good!
Structure and Contents of a Master's Degree Thesis
This guide was written some years ago as a guideline for…

How to Publish Your PhD Research in Physics Journals
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Research Ethics for Physicists: Keep a Detailed Lab Notebook
Starting Your Research and Keeping Good Records
Now, where were we? Oh yes — you have started your actual research work. You and your adviser have…

Initiating Physics PhD Research: Getting Started Effectively
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Choosing a Physics Research Advisor in Graduate School
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Pass Physics Grad Qualifying Exams: Strategies & Plan
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... SeriesPart I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year of College
…

Entering Physics Graduate School Without a Physics Degree
Can you enter physics graduate school without a physics degree?
I decided to write about this because it is a very common question on many physics forums:…

Guide to Publishing in Peer Reviewed Journals
From Concept to Manuscript
You've done the science. You had an idea, performed an extensive literature review, designed an experiment, ran the experiment,…

Careers with a Physics Degree: Alternatives & Advice
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Physics Blogs You Need to Be Reading
These are some of the best physics blogs, updated regularly, written by some of the top minds. The feeds are updated on page refresh, so bookmark this…

Understanding the US Physics Graduate School System
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Physics Graduate Assistantships: TA vs RA Explained
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... SeriesPart I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year of College
…

Physics Grad School: Senior-Year Application Guide
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... SeriesPart I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year of College
…

Frequently Made Errors: Equation Handling in Physics
1. Algebra versus Arithmetic
When numerical values are provided as inputs in a question, it is tempting to plug these into the equations straight away.…

Physics Major Guide: Succeed in Years 3–4 and Research
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... SeriesPart I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year of College
…

How to Become a Medical Physicist in 3653 Easy Steps
For many physics students, Medical Physics is that branch of the discipline that seems to hover in the no-man's land between academia and "industry." It's…

Mathematical Prep for Physics Majors — Essential Guide
Full Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... Series
Part I: Early Physics Education in High schools
Part II: Surviving the First Year…

Periodic Table Quiz: History, Structure & Trends Explained
The periodic table is a chart organizing all known chemical elements by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. Dmitri…

Essential Guide: Surviving Your First Year in Physics
Part II: Surviving the First Year of College
This part covers survival tips for the first two undergraduate years. You’re now in college and intend…

Early Physics Education in High Schools For Physics Majors
So You Want to Be a Physicist: A 22-Part GuideFull Chapter List - So You Want To Be A Physicist... SeriesPart I: Early Physics Education in High…

Photoelectric Effect: Debunking the Photon Myth in Physics
Introduction
There are many sins in physics didactics. Usually, they occur, because teachers, professors, textbook or popular-science-book writers, etc.…

Richard Feynman Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Physicist
Richard Feynman won the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on quantum electrodynamics and is known for inventing Feynman diagrams, contributing to…

Overcoming Challenges of Self-Studying Number Theory
Introduction
During my summer break I spent several hours each day self-studying mathematics—primarily number theory—even though I had no prior experience…

Albert Einstein Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of His Theories
Albert Einstein developed the theory of relativity and the mass-energy equivalence formula E=mc², won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation…

Space Law Explained: Lasers, Spying, Broadcasting & the Moon
This piece is intended to have a logical basis but should not be taken as purely factual or legal advice.Outer space law leaves several activities…

Bioethics Explained: Genetic Engineering, Policy, and Ethics
Bioethics asks how far new biological technologies, such as genetic engineering, cloning, and stem cell research, should be allowed to reshape human life,…

9 Warning Signs of Pseudoscience You Should Know
Genuine science follows the scientific method: testable predictions, sound reasoning, and reproducible evidence. Pseudoscience borrows scientific-sounding…

The Science Crackpot Index and Bingo Game
The Physics Forums Crackpot Index is a point-based checklist used to evaluate whether a scientific argument is being made in good faith. Higher point totals…

Interview with Mentor Integral
Meet a Mentor is a biweekly (twice a week) series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.
Constructive questions and comments are welcome!
Today…

Interview with Astrophysicist D H
Meet a Mentor is a series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.
Constructive questions and comments are welcome!
Today we meet: D HGive…

Meet Mentor George Jones — UNBC Physicist & Educator
Meet a Mentor is a weekly series to help you get to know your wonderful mentors better.Constructive questions and comments are welcome!Today we meet:…

Interview with Mentor Evo
Meet a Mentor is a biweekly (twice a week) series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.
Constructive questions and comments are welcome!
Today…

Interview with Mentor LisaB
Meet a Mentor is a fun series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.Constructive questions and comments are welcome!Today we meet: LisabGive…

Interview with Biologist Ryan_m_b
Meet a Mentor is a fun series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.Constructive questions and comments are welcome!Today we meet:…

Interview with Mathematician Mark44
Meet a Mentor is a series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.
Constructive questions and comments are welcome!
Today we meet: Mark44…

Interview with Physicist jtbell
Meet a Mentor is a weekly series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.
Constructive questions and comments are welcome!
Meet the Mentor:…

Meet Mentor DaleSpam — Biomedical Engineer & Mentor
Meet a Mentor: DaleSpam
Meet a Mentor is a fun series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better. Constructive questions and comments are welcome!About…

Meet Mentor Chestermiller — Chemical Engineering Profile
Meet a Mentor is a fun series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.Constructive questions and comments are welcome!Today we meet:…
