Recent content by PhizzyQs

Certainly, if a different symmetry is observed which can be described by a group action of U(1), SU(2), etc. The point is that we'll now have two different classes of gauge fields, accounting for two different local transformations.

A bit of reassurance: I'd recommend looking at some solved problem books. True, your textbooks might have some worked out solutions, but books like the Schauum's outline series have the advantage of identifying what is really important in the material. In addition, there are A LOT of solved...

Everything that needs to be said has already been said. It is true that success in physics is correlated with success in mathematics, but it is not a done deal. To be sure, problems may often be simplified using physical intuition (and it is pretty much always necessary when defining boundary...

Regarding dark matter, energy, and the inflationary universe, it is possible to extend gravity (or, more precisely, geometrodynamics) to account for those effects. The Einstein field equations, which are the main equations used to define gravity, may be derived from an Einstein-Hilbert...

But that brings up another question. When talking to the professor, I do not feel I represented myself as well as I could-indeed, he made me feel very nervous. I believe he got the impression that, while I certainly an above average first year, I was not yet Masters level. As an example, he...

Really, Choppy? That is so relieving! But, to be perfectly clear, I am definitely cleaning up my act. Not only am I extremely passionate about physics, but I do have a sophisticated store of mathematical knowledge. Still, suppose I want to go work with a different professor. Is it...

Oh, I know that much. My main concern is calculating angular deviation from using Lie derivatives. I tried this: I begin with a vector A, and there are points P, and Q. They are connected by a curve Y, parametrized by an affine parameter t, whose tangent vector is u = dY(t)/dt. Using the...

I cannot speak for Ryden, but, as I recall, Griffiths is not too demanding in terms of pde's. Sure, brush up on ode's, as you'll need them for the exercises, but nothing too demanding. Griffith's is very good at explaining the derivations, so you needn't worry too much.

Perhaps some more background is needed: I am in a second year engineering program. Most of my marks lie in the low eighty-high seventy region, but I have two fifties in courses unrelated to physics (one was an Engineering Policy course, the other was about Digital Circuits). Except for the two...

Hello, I understand marks are important because, when the time comes to chose between applicants, GPAs are a quick tool to narrow the list. Additionally, to any credible scientist, simply claiming ability isn't enough - you need to provide some evidence. Indeed, unfortunately for me, my...

Hi, I've begun learning about General Relativity, though I've already had some exposure to differential geometry. In particular, I understand that Lie Differentiation is a more "primitive" process than Covariant Differentiation (in that the latter requires some sort of connection). My...