Recent content by SprucerMoose

Hi all, I wasn't sure what section to put this under, but I was wondering if there is a simple, or at least algorithmic, process to sketching surfaces like ellipsoids, hyperboloids, saddles, etc. when they have been rotated. I seem to be able to manage (...just), with surfaces oriented to the...

Thanks a lot guys

I would calculate the Transition matrix's eigenvector corresponding to \lambda=1.

Hi all, I have been trying to gain a deeper insight into quadratic forms and have realized that my textbook makes the assumption that an orthogonal matrix corresponds to either a rotation and/or reflection when viewed as a linear transformation. The textbook outlines a proof that demonstrates...

Isn't there a length contraction missing here? I would say, and I could be wrong, that speed (in fast frame) approaches 0/0, not infinity/0.

G'day, I'm just doing some physics homework and decided to attempt to prove something. This is not a homework problem, I'm just unsure how to evaluate the limit. Using the equation for transformation of velocity U=(U'+V)/(1+(VU'/c2)), I'm trying to show that if V=-c, as U' approaches c, U...

Thanks very much for the speedy and clear response.

Gday, I was wondering if someone could tell what the nullity of an nxn zero matrix is? I can't decide if its zero or n. Could someone knowledgeable please enlighten me?Thanks

Hey guys, If I have a uniform rod rotating about its longitudinal axis of symmetry in space it will have an angular momentum vector that is colinear to this axis. If I now apply a force directly perpendicular to this (as shown in attachment) it will induce a torque that is perpendicular to...

I was that six year old. How can you say askying "why" is not the role of physics? I think you are confusing physics with engineering. If they didn't ask the questions, why would any physicists bother investigating anything? In my opinion, all the great physicists were deeply curious about the...

Why is that?

Hang on, I think I figured it out. Is it simply because gravity is a conservative force, thus any change in K.E. = change in Ug, therefore mech energy conserved? Does this get more complicated if we consider the little motion of the larger planet, or does this simple relationship still hold?

Gday, This may be a trivial questiom, but I just cannot figure it out. Why is mechanical energy conserved with an elliptical orbit? I understand that the mechanical energy of the system, i.e. both bodies, is conserved, but how is this isolated to the satellite's mechanical energy being...

No worries. Thanks again for you time and excellent responses.

To be honest, I'm not even sure what I mean. If I obtain a bunch of vectors from Mn,n with respect to the bases decribed earlier, they will now be coordinate vectors, can I take these coordinate vectors and form a column space of coordinate vectors, or is this not "allowed" because they are not...