Theoretical Definition and 999 Threads

Which branches of theoretical physics are the most likely to find a TOE? I'm just trying to learn a little about this stuff, but my physics knowledge isn't too deep as I am only a first-year undergrad. A nudge in the right direction would be appreciated!

How have some of you used your knowledge of physics to serve others, and be a contributing member of society? Or: any suggestions?

A lot of people told me that theoretical physics is boring. But I love it. But if you ask me where is the fantasticality of theoretical physics, comparing to experimental physics or other science, I cannot answer. So can you give me your opinion? Why do you want to be a theoretical physicist?

Hi all Do you know of any interesting subjects in theoretical solid state physics? Are there any theories that have had a wide impact, e.g. in computers and such? Thanks in advance,

Hi, if say you are determining the speed of sound and you want to compare your values to the theoretical value, would you predict that your experiment values will be higher or lower than the theoretical value and why?

Hi, if say you are determining the speed of sound and you want to compare your values to the theoretical value, would you predict that your experiment values will be higher or lower than the theoretical value and why?

Could GR's "background independence" be a theoretical artifact? ==quote from Rovelli "Unfinished Revolution" (2006) page 2== ...Others, on the other hand, and in particular some hard–core particle physicists, do not accept the lesson of GR. They read GR as a field theory that can be...

hi, I am required to search the internet to find out what the theoretical value of the lift slope (dcl/dalpha) is for thin airfoils. Cl is the lift coefficient and alpha is the angle of attack of the airfoil. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your time.

I have just came up with the following idea which can, with the proper equipment and technology, be applied in space in order to produce immense acceleration for a specific body/bodies: STEP 1: Number of engined spacecraft s will be placed in one dimension, in equal distances from one to...

Hello, I am a student with a M.Sc. in theoretical physics in search of a PHD. I would like to know which groups in Europe have some relevance in the context of QFT, in particular the problem of the mass in particle physics (no Higgs mechanism), Renormalization Group,.. and General Relativity in...

Which EU university provides the best MSc degree programme in theoretical physics (I am interested in quantum cosmology and CM physics)?

Is this unheard or a lot of people do such a thing? I mean if someone like me would like to do research in both areas, but knowing that doing 2 phds is too much (although I have read of a few who have done two phds one in CS and one in maths), I think my compromise would be to do first in pure...

"methods of theoretical physics" vs "normal math classes" Hey. I am in a dilemma. Originally, I was going to go the math minor route but I think I am deciding against it mainly because of the structure. I wanted to take an advanced calculus class to prepare myself for EM, but I really want...

What to expect from my class "Theoretical Physics 1"? I'm starting my major in physics this fall and I'm taking multivariable calculus, mechanics, E & M, and theoretical physics 1. I pretty much know what to expect from the other 3. But I'm going into this class "theoretical physics"...

If I'm interested in going to grad school to do theoretical physics how much math am I expected to pick up as an undergrad? I know theory requires a lot more math than experiment but how much more and do I need to do it while I'm still an undergrad or will I be able to pick it up along the way...

Out of curiousity, I am wondering what happens, theoretically of course, if we place a 1.5V AC light bulb (which do not exist) onto a DC circuit with a 1.5V battery? What would happen if we connect this battery backwards on the circuit (positive to the negative terminal and vice versa). This...

If we define Landau's Theoretical Minimum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Landau#The_Landau_School) as roughly understanding ALL of the entire course of theoretical physics by Landau and Lifgarbagez, who thinks they would make the minimum? I know I sure as hell wouldn't. That requirement is...

What are in your opinion the most interesting areas or topics in foundational physics? (that have or could have profound philosophical implications) I want to see what's out there.

Hi all, my situation is as follows: I'd like to pursue a career in research in the absurdly competitive field of theoretical physics. I'm 3/4 of the way through an MSci in Physics and Maths from Durham in the UK and at present, I'm *JUST* on course for a 1st class degree (Not sure what that is...

Hi, I am doing an acceleration/force lab, and I am having difficulty finding the theoretical acceleration. In my lab it states: The acceleration is the ratio of the net force divided by the total mass? ath= (m-hanger*g-f) / m-cart+ m-hanger) My values are: M hanger= .00567 kg or...

Okay so I was poking around the wiki for the video game Fallout 3 the other day when I came across this page: http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/T-51b_Power_Armor It has specs on the armor (keep in mind this is mostly the type of stuff the game designers make up for interesting backstory, so...

I'm starting CMU in about a month and I ultimately want to get a PhD and do research. My dream is to work on theoretical physics and I wanted to know what you guys think about what classes I should make sure I take while I am an undergraduate. I don't know if I am smart enough to work on...

Well, to get straight to the point, I've got a BSc in electrical engineering and have developed an interest in theoretical physics. Since string theory and theoretical physics in general is heavy on math I was wondering if a possible way into the field of theoretical physics might be an MSc in...

Hi everyone, I am comtemplating the PhD which I would like to embark on late 2010. I am having difficulty deciding whether I should take an experimental or theoretical path. Of course I have been speaking to as many relevant people as I can, and reading lots of information. Just...

I wanted to know if it would be at all possible to get my bachelor's degree in theoretical astrophysics at the time I'm 18. I'll be 16 when I graduate this year from high school, and I'm taking 2 dual credit college classes (the max a student can take). I'm also taking AP Physics and AP...

I was looking for some undergrad books covering topics that you would learn in a university as an undergrad in the fields of theoretical physics and theoretical astrophysics. I would also like to know what maths the books require.

Homework Statement Calculate the theoretical yield of aspirin (C9H8O4). C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 --> C9H8O4 +C2H4O2 Mass C7H6O3 = 2g Volume C4H6O3 = 4mL Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am not sure where to go with this prolem at all. I can't just assume that the density...

Hey it's me again. I'm at the stage now where I'm practically picking universities to apply to & courses and the one problem that I'm having trouble with now is theoretical/straight physics. Would taking theoretical physics affect my chances of post-graduate in terms of research? I know...

Determine the maximum theoretical speed expected for a car, leaving the rest, covering a distance of 50m. The coefficient of static friction between tire and road is 0,80. Knowing that the front wheels bear 60% of the weight of the car and the back, the remaining 40%. Determine the speed (a)...

"the theoretical max power transfer occurs when the impedance of the load is the complex conjugate of the impedance of the source". Can someone help me giving me a more detail explanation of this. Especialy the worlds "complex conjugate".

Hi Everyone, I don't know what kind of my message is so I post it here as it is matter of physics. In fact, I am a UG Students who had just finished my First year. I am so impressed by the "thought experiment" , the "theoretical approach to physics" and "The expression of natural phenomenon...

As I think this would be the right place to ask, I'd like to know what's the best university on Earth that teaches (theoretical) physics and mathematics, which I both want to study, because I want to become a theoretical physicist. What would be the minimum requirements (also diplomas) to be...

I have been wondering what some of the big problems in theoretical physics and astrophysics are. Through some research I have not been able to find a whole lot of them, I am starting to think that this means we have a good grasp on understanding the universe but then I realize that this can't...

Hi my friends, I comes from China, and I want some English math textbook for undergraduate student in theoretical physics, contains Advanced Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Statistics and Probability Theory, Method of Mathematical Physics, any suggestion pls?

Hello everyone, I am a junior in aerospace engineering student at Georgia Tech, and out of my boredom for the month that I have off I have begun to be interested in theoretical physics, I was wondering if there were some good books to read at my level. Of course with AE, there is a lot of...

A wire and a battery (a AA Duracell battery just to keep things clear) are connected in series. The way I understand it, the wire (say, 1 meter in length) already has its fixed number of charges, both positive and negative. When those charges move, meaning when there is a potential...

I am an undergraduate physics major preparing to enter my senior year. My college requires all physics students to complete a significant and original piece of research; mine will be an examination of the antiferromagnetic Potts model using the multiple histogram method. Much of this and the...

Hey people. I hold an Astrophysics Msci (undergraduate masters) at 2:1 in the UK, and I'm currently preparing to apply to PhD programmes in 6-7 months time. I have a few questions. I'm interested in theoretical cosmology, and theories of galactic evolution - I'm looking for good universities...

* In 1928, PHYSICIST and nobel prize winner Max. born told a group of visitors to gottingen university "physics , as we know it, will be over in six months".His confidence was based on recent discovery by DIRAC of the equation that governed the electron.It was thought that a similar equation...

Hi, I want to be a theoretical particle physicist, and was wondering how I, having not yet been *formally* edumacated in the various subjects of physics (but will be going to get my M.S. at the M.S.-only-granting physics department in Duluth, MN)... ...go about applying for grants, and...

I want to be a theoretical physicist. I'm 15 and a sophomore in high school. I'll be graduating next year (3 year program) when I'm 16. It's not a minimun program, I'm actually on the most distinguished graduation program (Texas Scholar). I just get many credits in a short amount of time. Since...

I would like to build stuff and conduct experiments but i would also like to take walks in the park think of theories. So how do i choose between these two. Maybe i can become an experimental physicist and then come home and write a bunch of stuff. Can you be both an experimental and theoretical...

Hey everyone, I have a hypothesis that I would like to confirm. I won't bore anyone with the nitty gritty details, so I will try to be as general as possible. I'm doing a project on gradient ascent methods and their application to quantum control. The quantum part isn't important as my...

Which one is more favorable: theoretical physics, or experimental physics? In my opinion, theoretical physics is much better, because it leaves one to ponder the how the world works without having to do the all of the things that an conducting an experiment reuquires.

I understand that it takes an infinite amount of time for an event horizon to form. Give this, if there are any black holes, they have been around forever. Are there good comological models that include 'forever', or is my premise wrong?

It seems we have come to a point where Einstein's concerns regarding the loss of the "broad horizon" has become a reality. There is a fractal like dispersion of tenable theories to such an extent that there is no solid ground in theoretical areas in general - only in each specialised area...

Does anybody know of any good and easy to understand books over theoritical fields in physics (i.e. quantum phyiscs, particle physics, general realitivity, etc.)? I'm really interested into reading in on those topics right now, so I would apperciate your help. Thanks!

If I start with basic algebra, I get rules that suggest; 1x+1x=2x Then I consider the 'no end' scenario, and say that if x is infinite; 1x+1x=1x And so I decide that infinity is a 'special case'. Then I get really clever and use something called set theory, which is pretty...

I'm a freshman at Amherst College in my first college physics course (actually an E&M course). I was doing poorly at first (B-/B) but have gotten into the swing of things and am thoroughly enjoying the theory portion of the class(the experiments are also fun but are sometimes tedious). I have...

I have just embarked upon a PhD in Lattice QCD. I'm wondering, what is research like in other areas of theoretical particle physics? Lattice is highly computational and fairly light on theory so it seems a lot of people in the field spend quite a bit of time making/updating and running large...