Recent content by Sandalwood

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    How to Calculate Error in Fourier Series and its Approximation of Angles?

    Does anyone know how to calculate the error between a function and its Fourier series representation as a function of the partial sums of the series? So far I haven't been able to find anything in the literature that talks about this. I'm also interested in looking at how well a Fourier series...
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    Fundamental question about thermodynamics

    Thanks for the info, Chet. I guess I have a lot of studying to do if I really want to understand thermo!
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    Insights Why Is Quantum Mechanics So Difficult? - Comments

    From my experience, undergraduate QM wasn't too difficult. Yes, there were things that weren't fully explained, but if you were willing to take them for granted and follow a few simple rules, it wasn't bad at all. The real hard stuff comes at the graduate level, and I think you need a really...
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    Fundamental question about thermodynamics

    I read in Reiss' book Methods of Thermodynamics that when you're using a PV diagram (for example), you're assuming that every point on that plane is an equilibrium point. So if you can't use CET to describe states between the initial and final states, then I don't think you can use CET at all...
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    Why do problem sets take me so long?

    Exam questions are actually easier than homework questions from my experience, mostly because of the time constraint.
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    Why do problem sets take me so long?

    Aren't problem sets supposed to take long? That's how it was for me. The homework for some of my undergrad physics courses required at least 10 hours to finish. Anyway, time shouldn't be your primary concern. Understanding the material is the most important thing.
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    Fundamental question about thermodynamics

    Hopefully this is the right place to post this question. This is a very fundamental question on the applicability and limitations of classical equilibrium thermodynamics (CET). I've been learning non-equilibrium thermodynamics (NET), and a few sources mentioned that NET is needed because CET is...
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    Programs Conversion of physics degree to meng in aerospace

    I did my undergrad in physics and then switched to aerospace engineering for my MS degree. It's certainly doable, and you'll probably find some of the engineering math courses easy. Do you have any research and/or internship experience? That will really help your application. I don't think...
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    Somewhat Rigorous thermodynamics?

    I feel like thermodynamics is one of those subjects where you need to learn from various sources. No one book has everything you need. I'll mention two older books that haven't been mentioned yet. One is Methods of Thermodynamics by Howard Reiss (thermodynamics from the point of view of a...
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