Theoretical Definition and 999 Threads

whats the big difference to between a theoretical physicists and a experimental physicist? do they have or need different skills? would it be possible to become both?

What are the processes in earning a doctorate in theoretical physics ?

Lets say two particles are entangled with each other. One particle is put in a spaceship, while the other remains on Earth. The spaceship then increases its speed till it is nearly at the speed of light. How does the time dilation effect influence the properties of entanglement? How does...

Hi PFers, I'm a senior physics/math major and very interested in pure mathematics (esp. algebra and number theory) but I'm also interested in the very abstract side of physics like string/particle, some QFT and unification theory. If I pursue mathematics as a graduate as opposed to...

Hi, I have a BS in Physics and Math, and am taking a 2 year hiatus to bike to Argentina. I'm currently 3000 miles in, 14000 left. Anyway, I am going to apply to graduate school for admission 2013, and I'm interested in theoretical physics. Primarily, I am interested in the foundations of...

Is there any point in doing a theoretical/astrophysics degree from home, even if you are able to achieve exceptionally good grades, what about people who are agoraphobic and can't get to a uni?

I'm a second year mathematics undergraduate at a good university (top 50 world) in the UK who has started to take an interest into physics (mostly theoretical physics, i don't want to do any experimental physics). I've always had a interest in physics but never did perform so well on it...

OK. I'm a high school student in Ontario, soon to be applying for university. I have a couple of questions. First, I want details on the differences between theoretical physics, and regular physics. I seem to have a much heavier inclination towards theoretical physics, but it seems that...

Is Pure math like functional analysis and real analysis of any use in Theoretical high energy physics research ? Do I need to learn them?

Thought some people here might enjoy a little video we made: For context: Everybody involved in this project, in front of and behind the camera, is actually a theoretical physicist. This should obviously be taken as tongue in cheek, and it is not directed against string theory in...

Homework Statement Include free body diagrams and equations solved independently for acceleration and tension. Note: a and T are to be expressed in terms of m1, m2, and g only. Trial 1:Mass1= 55g and Mass2= 60g Trial 2:Mass1= 55g and Mass2= 65g We are doing 2 trials but i need help with the...

Hello. I have three questions that I would like to ask.1. Could someone provide me with a resource containing examples of arbitrary parameters in theoretical physics. E.g. a modern example, yet to be varified, is dark energy. A historical example, one which has since been discredited, is the...

Hello all, so to keep things short and simple, let's assume I just discovered my passion for math, just for math-not because of the modern applications. I want to learn math where what you do is proven. I really don't know where to start. Please recommend! ty! -John

Hello guys. I am a molecular biology student and at my physics class I have an assignment which says "What are the top 5 unsolved problems at theoretical physics nowadays? " I am thinking of including the; *string theory, *super-symmetry, *quantum chromodynamics, *quantum gravity...

Hi, guys need a bit of guidance here a little bit of background on me: interested in financial engineering and medical physics, but I'm afraid if I go the road of FE (which is not a Physics degree) I won't be able to pursue a PhD in Physics (I'd like to remain a physicist :) ) I don't think...

Homework Statement This is for personal study and as I am on study leave its a bit hard to contact a teacher. This is the question; (the circled answer was the teachers answer) I'm unsure as to why you would individually square the times before subtracting as the actual time is (t2-t1)...

Homework Statement Hi all, So I am in an intro to design and ethics class and we are creating a theoretical design project. Basically just going through the 10 steps, but actually coming up with ideas, doing research, and conceptually creating some alternative solutions (the project...

Hello everybody, I am a high school student from Vietnam. I have been self-studying Physics for two years and I definitely want to study Theoretical Physics at university. However, most of my friends told me not to do Theoretical Physics. The reasons for this are: My view on Physics as a high...

Hi! I am a very mathematically-oriented physicist. Since I never plan in making contact with "dirty" mechanics like robotics, structural problems or force diagrams, I want a book that prepares me for the mathematical/theoretical foundations of mechanics so that I can transition more smoothly to...

Hi there, I've started working through Spivak Calculus, and was wondering if there is an introductory physics textbook that is of similar level of difficulty? I have Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Knight but it's a little slow. Thanks.

Because theoretical physics I've heard is heavily mathematical based, would it better to have a degree in theoretical physics - where you may get the oppurtunity to specialise more, or to do a joint honours with more pure mathemetatical modules? thanks a lot for any advice :)

First time poster so please be gentle... E = h * f f = c / wavelength 1) Is there a theoretical limit on maximum f (minimum wavelength of Planck length)? 2) Is there a theoretical limit on minimum f of 1 (maximum wavelength of c)? (ie// the maximum distance that a photon can cover in...

I'm sure this was asked before on here. The title is pretty self explanatory. Personally I don't know a good answer to this question. On the one hand you'll have a group of people who are very smart and are exploring why nature is the way it is. Also if there are more theoretical physicist it...

Theoretical Physics and Mathematics? By doing the joint would I miss out on valuable theoretical physics and be less able to specialise...? I mean a Theoretical Physics degree involves a lot of mathematics anyway right? Thanks for any advice :) !

Homework Statement Suggest a reason why theoretical and experimental results for resistors R1 and R2 are different for: experimental R1 and R2 in series vs R1+R2 and Experimental R1 and R2 in parallel vs 1/R1+1/R2 R1=23.080 Ohms R2=41.289 Ohms Series Experimental=58.769 Ohms Series...

Hi guys so I'm told that theoretical physicist can go into investment banking. How true is this still? I have an offer to do the Quantum fields and fundamental forces (QFFF) Msc course at imperial its suppose to be very good - however it contains no computational modules. I do have the option to...

Hi guys, So I'm an undergrad, planning on going to graduate school in (probably) some form of theoretical physics (particle or cmt, not sure yet). Recently I watched a video of an interview of James Simon and CN Yang (its an interesting video, I recommend it) and at one point James Simon...

I am a Mathematics and Physics double major, currently in my second year. I really enjoy both subjects, but my interests are progressing towards Theoretical physics/mathematical physics. My academic goal is to improve my understanding of how the universe works and thus I would like to pursue a...

the title says everything. I'm studying pure-mathematics as a freshman but I also like to understand subjects like GR and QM. I have a good understanding of Newtonian mechanics and the classic theory of electrodynamics but I have found quantum mechanics and general relativity so confusing and...

What exactly does Theoretical Physics involve? Do you have to know how to write computer programs? Is it basically the Maths side of physics?

I'm doing Physics, Maths and Further Maths for A Levels. I'm planning on doing Theoretical Physics in University. I had A* in Maths and A in Physics for GCSE's. I'm wondering if I should choose another subject? If so, what? Would computing be a good idea?

Hello, It is sometimes stated that the great minds of theoretical physics also made many mistakes, and were not afraid to do so, since you have to dare to make mistakes if you want to do some original thinking; but the errors are forgotten, and the good things are remembered. Now my question...

So; I've been pretty interested in descriptive complexity and finite model theory lately, as well as geometric complexity theory. Algorithmic information theory/Kolmogorov complexity is interesting as well, as is reinforcement learning. Also, I've been reading up on lambda calculus and the...

I am soon to apply for either theoretical physics, theoretical physics with maths, or joint honours - maths and physics year 1 and then transfer to theoretical physics. Only just finished A levels and unsure of the math content in a theoretical physics degree. At the moment I am more or less...

Has anyone ever had the opportunity to have a theoretical quantum computer running on your PC (being simulated) and write software for it? If you have, could you tell me what you used for the quantum computer and maybe some "Hello World" code (a book explaining the 'language' and some of the...

Anyone have any suggestions for video lectures that go beyond the standard overview-for-the-layman or slightly-lower-level introductory courses? A post somewhere on here pointed me to Susskind's "Theoretical Physics: the Bare Minimum" on "iTunes U", which is sort of the prototype for what I'm...

As of right now I'm a rising sophomore, math and physics double major. It's hard to say whether I'm going to be pursuing a PhD in one of these disciplines or whether I'll be switching to something more employable later, as I haven't had many upper division classes. I do, however, strongly...

For my investigation regarding the aerodynamic forces on a spherical projectile, I really need to know the theoretical ratio of rotational kinetic energy to linear kinetic energy of a spherical projectile (assuming the only spin is forward spin and there is no Magnus effect). Can someone please...

I just graduated from a 4 year university. I want to go to a grad school. I am considering to pursue my graduate studies in theoretical physics. What is your opinion on theoretical physics? I welcome all kinds of comments based on theoretical physics and the areas that are closely linked to...

My ultimate goal is to become a theoretical physicist (after I have received my PhD)researching at a university. I am currently looking at majors and minors available for me as an undergrad. I was thinking of majoring in physics, and making my minor, mathematics? What are your thoughts on what I...

I have been working as an undergraduate research assistant for about a year. My research deals with scattering theory and low energy collisions between He and a single electron. I haven't had experience with experimental physics and I was just wondering if it would be possible to perform...

Hello everyone. I was just reading Ian Stewart's "Concepts of Modern Mathematics". In the end of the first chapter he writes A certain theoretical physicist secured himself a mighty reputation on the basis of his deduction, on very general mathematical grounds, of a formula for the radius...

I asked this in yahoo, and of the answers no one addressed what I was asking, so I added details to maybe help. First ever post on here, sorry if it's bad. Is it theoretically possible to have energy transfers happen continuously instead of discretely? Does it lead to any problems? I've...

If I did a PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics, would I be able to apply to this job? https://ert.cern.ch/browse_www/wd_pds?p_web_site_id=1&p_web_page_id=9147&p_no_apply=&p_show=N It is looking for an Experimental Physicist but I would be theoretical but I would have the required degree.

Here's a line from one of my characters "Take too long to aim. Stay close to the holster…and don’t lock yer’ arm. A to B, fastest way between two points is a straight line. Simple physics." I'm confused on whether that's basic physics or geometry. It's in reference to a quick draw like that of a...

Being a theoretical physicist... Do i need to be that talented or genius to be theoretical physicist...?

Here is a second thought experiment I designed to test if I understand certain concepts concerning electrostatics correctly. Help will be appreciated. There must be an error somewhere in the explanation below; I am giving the explanation as if “factual” only to explain how I understand it at...

I am casually working through Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd ed. by David J. Griffiths and created some theoretical situations to test my understanding of the subject matter. I am having difficulty with some, and will appreciate input. Consider the following theoretical cycle (see the...

Hello, much probably my job won't be research in theoretical physics, but that's what I'd like to do. I'll get out of university with a master's degree in some area of physics. Is it possible to do research even if that's not my job? Does anybody do this?

I have come to understand the basics of Pascal's Principle/Hydrostatic pressure, but there is one scenario I am looking for help with. If I have a piston at the bottom of a chamber of water, and I want to push the piston up to lift the water, I understand that I need to exert a greater PSI on...