Theoretical Definition and 999 Threads

I was studying theoretical physics in the university for 2.5 years before giving up this speciality. If I study physics ~2 hours daily plus 3 hours every weekend myself and individually with teacher, will I be able to do serious research (write papes that will be cited and will have influence...

Hi everyone, I've just registered on this forum, I recently decided to abandon my studies mid-bachelor in physics for various reasons, including feeling like I wasn't really learning physics due to time constraints and having to study just for the exam, I was starting to hate what I was doing...

I had been thinking the area I wanted to specialize in was theoretical astroparticle physics. After digging deeper into the exact roles of various sub-fields, I realized what I actually want to do lies in theoretical cosmology. Essentially, I want to study dark energy, or dark matter as a...

I want to apply to Cambridge University for theoretical physics for undergraduate degree.I want to ask that should i chose natural science tripos or mathematical tripos for theoretical physics? I am also aware about the option(b) 'maths with physics' in mathematical tripos,but it is a one year...

Classic text in very good condition. It is ex libris so contains the usual writing on the flyleaf, library stamps, and a card pocket in back. The spine is free of the usual white sticker of card catalog information, however, because the book was enclosed in a plastic slipcover. As a result, the...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bjorken Remembering theoretical physicist James D. “BJ” Bjorken, 90, who played a crucial role in discovering quarks https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2024-08-14-remembering-theoretical-physicist-james-d-bj-bjorken-90-who-played-crucial-role...

I was watching John Michael Godier and he mentioned that since quantum measurements can change the measurement in the past (known as a delayed choice quantum eraser); that you potentially could send a message back in time. You would however have to hope the someone does the same measurement in...

Hey guys, I am Henricus. You can call me Henry. This year (accurately 2024) I'm a middle schooler and i have an interest to physics, especially quantum physics & particle physics. If I had a chance, i would like to get a scholarship in theoretical physics. I've learnt Lagrangian and Hamiltonian...

Hello! This is a continuation thread from this one, but the question is different from the one I purposed that time, thus I'm creating a new thread. I will enter in details in what credits I do have, also the title is self-explanatory. I have done credits and this courses (I will also give the...

Hello everyone, nice to be here. I am a PhD student working in theoretical physics. You can ask me questions if you want to know more about :). Thank you

How easy to switch from research in theoretical physics to astronomy and is it possible to become a qualified specialist in this field after that?

- One of the most fascinating particles for me , have always been neutrino's because of them balancing between mass and massless properties. So the question 'why was this needed' in the context of the weak force has led me to the question : as with attempts to explain 3 generations of particles...

I am approaching an old age of 40, and now pursuing an MSc in Engineering without a thesis nor project. Before that I pursued MScs in Physics and Maths, but never finished writing my theses. I have a sort of perturbed attitude towards both Maths and Physics, I mean something really pure in maths...

How much chemistry do I need to know as a theoretical physicist in order for this knowledge to be sufficient for research in any field of theoretical physics? It is also interesting to know how difficult the transition from theoretical to experimental physics is? Do experimental physics require...

Hey guys, I'm a first year student studying theoretical physics in England. My physics modules include a fair bit of python programming and I want to apply to ICGs cosmology PhD in England. Can I escape learning python by choosing maths modules?

Hey to all.. I am in the process of designing a ligand for a clarinet mouthpiece for my own use created only out of string material (braided kevlar). For those uninformed (like me a few weeks ago) saxophone/clarinets are instruments where the vibration of the standing wave through the...

"The Operation Combination Problem" In the "Operation Combination Problem," we explore the space of possible solutions, much like we explore the different possible topologies for the universe. The problem consists of finding all possible combinations of mathematical operations that, when...

Hi, I am 25 years old living in EU. I am posting my experience with the objective of getting advice or opinions. I have a bachelor in physics with a thesis on the SM electroweak sector. I have a master again in theoretical physics with a specialization on Hadron Physics ( QFT ). Both of my...

I am trying to calculate the theoretical thickness of an anodised coating. I know all values apart from I am unsure whether to use 2e or 6e for the amount of electrons. Anode reaction as follows: 2OH = H2O + O + 2e the aluminium reactions preferentially with the one O atom, using equation: 3O...

I recently conducted a physics lab to measure the surface resistivity of a conductive sheet of a paper with a carbon filler. The theoretical Rs is approx. 5,000 Ω/☐ for this paper and yet we have calculated two Rs values: Rs when Varying Length and holding Width = 10100 +/- 83.07 Ω/☐ Rs when...

Hi, I understand there is computational research as well as completely theoretical research compared to experimental research. I was curious about what they are like. Could anyone point out some good papers? Thanks.

I am looking to derive a method of plotting the theoretical pressure decay of a pressurised vessel. I would like to end up with a graph that plots internal vessel pressure against time. Is this possible? What assumptions would I need to make? The following inputs will be known. Gas: air...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicap_principleThe handicap principle is a controversial hypothesis, possible confirmed by Alan Grafen. I would like to understand his reasoning. A handicap is a harmful thing, like a peacock's tail, that attracts females precisely because it is harmful. Dawkins...

Hello. I have been a member on this forum for quite some time and I came here because I've always had an interest in science, particularly physics. When I was in Junior High, I did very well in my science class but by the time I got to college, I wanted to make money. However, I realized that...

Jupiter is huge. TrES-4 is 1.8 times the size. How big can planets actually get? is there a limiting factor? cheers.

I am going into my senior year of hs next year and I am meditating on what I should major in. I have a keen interest in physics but also a love of math. The field in physics I would like to major in is theoretical physics/astrophysics, and the pure maths I am interested in are diff, algebraic...

Got interested on how plants (and other things such as fungi) could evolve on other planets along with how plant life may flourish depending on the position of the planet to the sun, moon etc. I'm looking for any article talking about this or something similar.

Hello, My name is Dave and I'm a physics major at UIUC. It looks like I will be taking the special relativity course (phys 225) this fall. I've always been fascinated by the theory so I decided to get a head start with Lenny and Art's perspective on it. My first head-scratching moment came in...

I'm a graduate theoretical physics student at the (almost) end of his master's degree with a fairly varied curriculum, as I attended both QFT (and sub-courses on qed qcd etc) and GR courses. However in my latest intro to quantum gravity classes I familiarised with tetrads and, after a lot of...

I'm going into my final year of undergraduate theoretical physics. I have had a bit of a deviation in what I want to do and would really like to work in software development in the future. How difficult would it be for me to deviate from my current position and what steps should I take to to...

I want to do a masters related to quantum computing from a physics background and my criteria for the place is: 1. A quantum computing group with experimental realizations and industrial ties. 2. A strong theoretical physics department with research in fundamental physics 3. A good chance of...

Hi all If we have an acoustic transducer and values of its two parameters are known, i.e conductance and capacitance, is it possible to calculate impedance using these two parameters? Thanks

Say one was to create an artificial stable isotope of Promethium as it has predicted applicable properties. What would it’s number have to be? I know Promethium-147 is semi-stable.

I finished my 1st-year physics, took analysis, linear algebra, mathematical logic, classical mechanics, quantum mechanics(I was exempted from intro phy and took some 3rd-year physics courses) I internal transferred to pure maths. The reason is that the curriculum of the physics programme in our...

By PDE. The book written by Walter Alexander Strauss perfect described a typical undergraduate PDE course I have in my mind. It should at least include: Laplace equations, waves and diffusions reflection, boundary problems, Fourier series The content of the book I mentioned can also be found...

Let us suppose I have a value measured from experiment and given by $$V_{\text{exp}} \pm \sigma_{V_{\text{exp}}}$$ and a theoretical value given as $$V_{\text{the}} \pm \sigma_{V_{\text{the}}}$$ Is there a statistical way to measure how well ##V_{\text{the}}## matches with the...

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks

I want to know about the book 'quantum mechanics: the theoretical minimum' book by Leonard Susskind. Is it a book worth buying

Toady we use energy sources like fossil fuels which in turn cause global warming, which is a slow process in which our planet changes its habitat to a hostile one for humans. For a science fiction book idea I would like to know if there is a theoretical source of energy that using it would...

How can one maximise one's confidence in the results of a theoretical calculation? After long and fiddly calculations I often encounter an uneasy feeling where I find it difficult to confirm whether the fruits of all that labour are actually correct. The first ports of call are always: -...

Suppose there is a nonprofit that wants to order a piece of research in theoretical physics. The research is rather small; it consists in considering an issue and writing a 8-10 pages article. The physicist to do the research will be from a high income country; he/she should be an experienced...

Hi all, I just graduated from my master's program in theoretical physics. I did 60% of the coursework in high energy physics and rest in condensed matter theory plus a few experimental physics courses. I did my master's thesis in what can be called as theoretical cosmology, studying particle...

I am about to start a physics with theoretical physics major, I've taken calculus before but I've not been satisfied with the "memorization of formulas" type books. I started to read Spivak and found it enjoyable, but since it's a major undertaking I am also concerned for the practical value...

An IQ of 120 is plenty good, but the average IQ of Physics and Astronomy majors is higher. It's even higher for brilliant theoretical physicists and Physics PhD holders. So is it possible, with enough hard work and dedication, that someone with a 120 IQ could become a theoretical physicist? Or...

I stumbled across this series of 28 lectures by Dr Frederic Schuller of the university of Twente whilst searching for lectures about Lie theory. Having watched through lectures 13 to 18, I think they are simply superb (of course I'm assuming the rest are of similar quality). I only wish he would...

An interesting article about theoretical physicist Chris Isham (by Michael Duff) has been posted on the arXiv, https://arxiv.org/abs/2112.13722 Combine this with (from "Group Theory for the Standard Model of Particle Physics and Beyond" by Ken Barnes) Isham has written two books that I quite...

So I'm designing a proces where carbondioxide is converted into methane using the Sabatier reaction. For this reaction hydrogen is required which I'm planning on producing using the electrolysis of water. But I'm having a problem where I need the speed of this reaction to determine the size of...

Through an intriguing fictitious dialog between Sadi Carnot and Robert Sterling, Prof. Israel Urieli of the Ohio University shows that it is not required to invoke entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, and the Carnot cycle with the [ideal] adiabatic processes in order to find out the...

I recently watched a video of Jeff Bezos explaining his journey from Princeton to Amazon. (watch from 24:39) He said when it comes to theoretical physics, if you are not in the top 50, you are probably just wasting time. How accurate is this opinion ? Are most theoretical physicists just...

Hi, I'm interested in doing research in theoretical cosmology (the kind or work hawking did). Should I do an undergraduate degree in mathematics or physics? I'm in the UK so I can't do a double major. I'm well aware of the fact that interests change a LOT later on, but ideally which one is...