Theoretical Definition and 999 Threads

I am doing my final year B Tech in electrical engineering, but my interest is in theoretical physics. Though I have applied to some US universities for applied physics with the hope that I can switch to theoretical physics later but am not sure if I will get admission. Can anyone suggest me...

It is my understanding that the world of physics is split by a fast chasm into experimental and theoretical physics. The first time I told my father I wanted to be a physicist, he asked me “experimental or theoretical physics?” I thought for a second and responded “both!” He went on to explain...

I have heard from many sources that getting a PhD in theoretical physics (relativity, string theory, cosmology) is a trap. The US trains twice as many PhD's as there are jobs available. Also, there is tough competition and only a 1/4th of PhD's get tenure at a university! The point is I'm in...

Come on guys, the decision deadline is coming up! I am completely and utterly in two minds. As I understand it Manchester is better for physics than UCL, but UCL is a much better university. Which one dudessssss :S Cheers -Christie

I have read the numerous threads discussing experimental vs. theoretical physics on this forum. I am leaning toward pursuing theoretical physics in and after graduate school despite the numerous caveats regarding job prospects. I realize that one need not make a decision between theoretical and...

i'd like to know two things a) is there a theoretical upper and/or lower bound to electromagnetic frequencies in the universe? I'm thinking for an upper limit, 1/planck time? for a lower limit, i have no idea-- does Heisenberg uncertainty calculate into that? i suppose it would when you...

I am a junior in high school in AP Physics. Although not in the curriculum, I have been reading about theoretical quantum mechanics, string theory, et cetera for the past few months and I am extremely intrigued. If I do end up furthering my "physics career," where might it take me? There...

Generally I've found that the more mathematical a Physics class I'm taking is the more I like it. For example I didn't really love the modern physics course I took because it wasn't very math heavy and focused a lot more on conceptual understanding rather than delving very deeply into the math...

Hi I'm doing my pre-final year Electronics and communication engineering in India. But i want my career to be in theoretical physics. My ultimate aim is to find the secret behind the birth and working of our universe. Previously due to my family's compulsion i took engineering. Now i want to go...

The theoretical maximum efficiency of silicon solar cells is about 29%. How is this theoretical maximum efficiency derived? How can I use the working principles of a silicon solar cell to explain this?

¿Cosmology or Theoretical Physics? I have a dilemma. I have an offer for Cosmology and I have an offer for Theoretical Physics. I'm ofcourse aware of both fields, but I would like to know from you what their main differences are. Thank you!

Homework Statement Demonstrate using free body diagrams and equations that, using the same force, a heavier load can be lifted with a rope and pulley system than with a rope alone. 2. The attempt at a solution To lift something off the ground without a pulley, the applied force must be...

I'm currently applying for 1 year postgraduate courses in Theoretical Physics at the following universities in the UK: Durham - Physics Department Imperial College London - Physics Department Kings College London - Maths Department The aim is to hopefully go on to a PhD after one...

Theoretical physics after physics?? Hey all I am going to do Physics bachelors course (UCAS F300).But i do like theoretical physics due to financial problems i cannot go any university which having theoretical physics courses.But i got a university which having only Physics courses...

Hello everyone- My question is in regards to Theoretical Physics. Since my last post (which apparently was in Oct 2008...my goodness, I have learned so much since then), I was debating on whether or not I even wanted to go the physics route, but now here I am, a lot of math and two...

I'm in the middle of doing an experiment where I find the heat dissipation by hysteresis through the stretching of an elastic band. I have experimentally found out how much heat is dissipated, but I was wondering if there is a way to theoretically find out the dissipated heat, most likely by...

Hi PF, This semester I'm finally starting to enjoy problem sets. I was wondering, how similar are the skills used to solve problem sets to the skills theoretical physicists use to solve actual problems? Thanks, DoD

I heard some supervisors ask their students to first learn the subject and then start working on a problem. Some other supervisors ask their students not to spend much time in reading but directly start working on a problem. Then it becomes the duty of the concerned student to learn what is...

Hi, I am half way of a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics in an European university. I have started to worry about my future after learning how really difficult it is to get a position, how much do postdocs earn and how difficult it is for some to find a good job outside academy. The truth...

Homework Statement There are two slides at the park between which you are deciding. Both start at a height of 6 m. One is short and steep while the other is long and shallow. If both slides are frictionless, which one should you choose if you want to be moving as fast as possible at the...

Hello, I have a question Lets say you have a container of water that weighs 10 pounds including the water/container material and u have a 5 pound object that can float quite easily in that water and u attach a piece of string to that object to the bottom of the container of water to the...

I'm working on trying to understand wave propagation. In particular, I'm trying to understand directional wave propagation in elastic and inelastic materials. Is there an ideal theoretical medium in which it is possible to propagate waves in an entirely directional i.e. straight-line manner...

Alright, I don't know anything about the basic properties of electricity. But I'm hoping you can help me figure out this funny little situation here, so... You're standing in a room with an electrified floor. The shock isn't enough to kill you, but it's zapping your feet. You're wearing a...

Hi there! Long time lurker first time poster. I have to choose a major this year and I was looking at Astrophysics (yes, it is a major at my university) however I was reading the university handbook and in 3rd year (I'm entering my second year now) I have to choose between theoretical and...

Hello dear forum member I wanted to know how about the research on this branch of science.Are many people working on or is it a very very small area because it is too difficult . Are researchers in this area seeking new maths in the short what is the general policy direction of their research

I'm a high school senior at the moment and am interested in knowing MIT's stance in the theoretical physics community. I've heard it's a bad place for particle theory, but I'm not sure I want to go into that anymore. Recently I've been intrigued by SUSY and (less so) String Theory, but I'm...

Hi everyone, I'm a 2nd year astrophysics and math student and considering the possibility of pursuing a phd in astrophysics. I'm more interested in theory rather than the observational side of astrophysics. I've heard that grad programs tend to see research experience as much more important...

What exactly is the difference? The latter does not seem so popular to me? On average how much does the latter earn?

Hello everyone, My name is Uri and I have a question. What jobs are available for those who completed a Ph.D in particle and theoretical physics and made a postdoctorate research in string theory and quantum gravity? What kind of jobs are available to these kind of people besides working...

Science is independent of philosophy, however, Theoretical Physics is not JUST a science and sometimes philosophical arguments are employed. I have noticed that, although I do independent philosophy, I have never studied formal philosophy. Can any of you recommend me a book on philosophy...

I am going to apply for UK universities for postgraduate. Why 4 years for M.Sci Theoretical Physics in UK? 4 years full-time Hon M.Phys How many years for P.hd? After full time M.sci or M.Phill 4 years I get Hon M.Phys ?? please tell me ? Some universities offer some combined...

Hello! I am going to do bachelors in theoretical physics in next year,so I want to know what kind of computer knowledge needs for theoretical physics (I mean even fast typing programming) Thanks Have a nice day and happy x'mas!

It's suddenly started creeping up on me that the degree is almost over, barely having even started, and I was wondering about internships and things. We've just been sent an email by the department about penultimate year internships, which as I'm on a 4 year course I'm not that far yet. Still...

Dear All, I'm in the process of looking for a PhD position in Theoretical Physics but I'm unclear about a few things. 1) I still don't really know what I really want to do. The only thing I am sure of is that I want my research to help me in my understanding of ideas which I regard as...

**theoretical linear algebra final in 14 hours*** I have some fundamental questions to ask.1. a linear transformation is invertible iff A is invertible. IS THIS TRUE? (dumb question but my brain hurts and I just need confirmation) 2. if a linear transformation is invertible, then it's an...

I am still a senior in high school and I am goin go to graduate next year and go to university next year. I was in the career center today and the teacher asked how many students here are pursuing a career in Physics? And a few of us put our hands up. The teacher said that it is a wise...

Gravitons are still theoretical, of course, but I'm not quite sure how they're supposed to fit into the current picture. If gravity is, in basic terms, caused by the curvature of spacetime around objects with mass, then what role would the theoretical graviton be playing? What comes first, the...

Hi guys. I was surfing threads on this forum once again and i read a line that was like physicists aren't interested in mechanics..or else they'd be engineers.. And in other threads things like physics not being practicle. This is confounding. Physics..originally something of philosophy, not...

Currently I am back in school taking some math courses to finish an undergraduate degree while getting credit for a master's program in math. I am fairly competent in calculus and did well in the first half of an introductory physics class that I had to withdraw from for other reasons. My long...

Hi, I was wondering if the job-market for a theoretical condensed matter physicist is any better than the other branches of theoretical physics (e.g., particle and astro-physics). At first glance: it seems so, given how applied a branch of physics it is.

i'm on first year of physics studies, but i got a little dilemma - do i want to be a mathematician, or phycist? I'm thinking about being theoretical physicist - but at the moment - math is much much more interesting to me than physics. I think that may change when i'll start to learn about...

I have become frustrated with modern theoretical physics as of late; because it seems to be slow on the validation of on different physical theories. Of course due to the nature of the field this is completely expected – with where we are today, it is extremely expensive and requires much human...

[SIZE="4"][FONT="Book Antiqua"]I did a Hooke's Law lab in class last week and one of the post-experiment questions asks to explain why the graph made should be a straight line and what should the slope and y-intercept be in terms of quantities in this lab? I know that Hooke's Law demonstrates...

Which do you think would be better for getting into a theoretical physics program: -- a 2.5 cumulative gpa with a 3.5 physics gpa or -- a 3.0 gpa, both cumulative and physics Also, if your gpa is around 3.0 (+- 0.2), what are your chances of actually getting into a phd program?

Homework Statement hey guys i have been undertaking a project on constructing a small scale hydro electricity generation system. I completed my project and was able to generate electricity using a turbine and a genrator, what i need to do now is find theoretical values for the electricity...

I hope to do my bachelors in theoretical physics and after i need to do a job due to my financial problems.So i want to know how about the job opportunities for theoretical physics Bsc in UK and how much do they earn? I heard jobs for theoretical physics Bsc are very rare? is it true...

anybody can help ... i need a topic in theoretical physics ...?! hello everybody ! how are you everybody ...?! i wish you are ok ... at first let me introduce myself ... i'm a graduated physicist "2009" ...tel aviv university me and two friends want to do a research in physics "i mean...

Homework Statement I'm trying to derive an equation which should look like this in the end: %loss in Kinetic energy= M/m+M*100%, I'm just not sure how to substitute everything, and cancel things out to get the expression. Can someone show me the steps? Homework Equations mVi=(M+m)Vf...

Homework Statement A tennis ball of mass m is held just above a basketball of mass M. Their centers are vertically aligned. Both are released at the same moment, and fall a distance of h until the basketball hits the ground, which it rebounds from elastically, and then undergoes an...

V is a vectoric space. W_1,W_2\subseteq V\\ W_1\nsubseteq W_2\\ W_2\nsubseteq W_1\\ prove that W_1 \cup W_2 is not a vectoric subspace of V. i don't ave the shread of idea on how to tackle it i only know to prove that some stuff is subspace but constant mutiplication and by sum of two...