Thinking Definition and 383 Threads

  1. T

    Teaching Math/Science to Different Thinking People

    My friend is taking linear algebra this semester, and math is definitely not one of her passions. She was nervous about taking it, but ended up doing it because I got an A+ in the course last semester and said I would help her with anything she's having trouble with. Unfortunately I'm having a...
  2. H

    Bsc in Electrical Engineering thinking about Msc physics or mathematics

    Hello, this question may have been asked a lot of times, and I'm sorry if it bothers you, but oh well.. I am in my 2nd year of Electrical Engineering undergraduate, got 1 year left. I have always been very interested in physics (particularly astrophysics) and mathematics . Do you think it is...
  3. D

    Vectors Thinking Question: Proving Perpendicularity using the Cosine Law

    Homework Statement a) Write the cosine law using a vector operation. b) If |vector a - vector b| = |vector a + vector b|, prove that a is perpendicular to b using the formula you found in a). The Attempt at a Solution The red period represents the dot product a) magnitude c =...
  4. R

    How an individual's hobbies are related to their lateral thinking?

    Hello all, Is there some books (preferably some websites) that deals with: how an individual's hobbies are related to their lateral thinking? thanks
  5. I

    Medical Thinking purely in words, how this works

    I am very curious about how people think in words alone for a long time and am hoping that some of you here can enlighten me on this topic. When i try to investigate the subject almost all that i come across are articles on how people think visually which for me is normal and therefore of little...
  6. I

    Difference of functions thinking problem

    Homework Statement Determine a sine function, f, and a cosine function, f, such that y= √2 sin (π(x-2.25)) can be written in the form of f-g. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution well.. i know that: = sinx - cosx = sinx - (-sin(π/2-x)) = √2 sin(x + π/4) that's as...
  7. R

    I've been thinking about blackbodies, and have become confused with

    I've been thinking about blackbodies, and have become confused with regards to their temperature. Is the temperature constant throughout in a blackbody, or is there a temperature gradient dependant on which side is closest to the source of heat? Would it matter?
  8. 1

    Is the Speed of Sound the Limit of Cause and Effect in a Medium?

    Lately I've been thinking of c as the maximum speed of cause and effect in the universe, and the speed of sound as the maximum speed of cause and effect within/for that specific medium. Is it correct to say that if i had an iron bar as a lever, and i threw on end down, the other end would not...
  9. J

    I'm thinking of entering the field of Theoretical Physics

    First off, I'd like to introduce myself as this is my first post. My name is John, I'm 17, unemployed and science/technology has kept me entertained and happy for most of my life. With that said, I have a few questions. The first one is for the physicists (w/ a job) on this forum. What's a...
  10. I

    Tricking Theoretical Thinking Question

    Tricky Theoretical Thinking Question Homework Statement Two equal-weight kids each hang from the ends of a rope passing over a weightless, frictionless pulley. If one child accelerates up the rope, what happens to the other? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution At...
  11. I

    Mastering Hard Thinking Questions: Solving for a, p, and q with Given Equations

    Homework Statement a) given, a + 5 and 2a-1, one is 40% greater than the other one, solve for a. b) given, 5x^{4} + 4x^{3} + 3x^{2} + Px + Q. When divided by x^{2} - 1, you get a remainder of 0, solve for p and q. c) given csc(6b + \frac{pi}{8}) = sec(2b - \frac{pi}{8}), solve for b...
  12. M

    Speed of Thinking: Adding Large Numbers Instantly

    Since I don't have have a formal math background, I'm always under impression that academically trained mathematicians/physicists/computer scientists have superb arithmetic abilities. For example, they can add large numbers on a fly. Say a physics Ph.D. just got job in a bank. He is a quant...
  13. A

    Thinking of Becoming an Actuary, in last year of high school

    Hello! So I am in Canada, and applications for universities are due in a few months. I love music, and i also love math. I recently stumbled on a career path of Actuarial Science and i think it sounds rather cool. I've heard about all the exams and how everything will pay off in the end...
  14. I

    Autism thinking and quantum physics

    Hi, this is my first thread, and my question is; to witch degree can an autist thinker(comprehending via association through different fields such as music) learn quantum phyisics without math?
  15. P

    What should you do in the Two-box Monty Hall problem?

    In the thread for my post of "The Boys Puzzle", D H, a PF Mentor, wisely mentions the Monte Hall problem as an example of the type of puzzle that people have difficulty dealing with. That is indeed the case. For example, here is a slight modification of that Monte Hall puzzle that has been...
  16. B

    Canadian Student Asks: Is It Possible to Pursue Engineering and Physics?

    Hello, I am a Canadian student, currently studying Mathematical Physics at the University of Waterloo. I finished my first year and I can safely say that I enjoyed my program. I performed relatively well on my Math courses, getting 80s however, my physics marks were sub-par, scraping 76 in...
  17. N

    Conservation of Energy, thinking question

    Since we all know that energy is conserved, it is converted from one form to another, I want to ask you what happens to the energy when a compressed spring, in a vacuum is released? Where does the energy go, does it simply become heat energy in the spring, or is it transferred another way?
  18. C

    Is Pursuing Multiple Ph.D.s a Viable Option for a Career in Theoretical Physics?

    Background info about myself: I am 30 years old. I got BA with double major in physics and math at UC Berkeley in 2001. I got Masters in Physics at University of Minnesota in 2004, and I got ph.d. in Physics, at University of Michigan in 2009. I am now pursuing my post doc in Raman Research...
  19. S

    Question About a Course on Mathematical Thinking

    [FONT="Georgia"]I have to take a required course for my major this fall titled Mathematical Thinking. The course description says something along the ways of "students are expected to give presentations, for examples and counterexamples and proof mathematical theories..." that's not verbatim...
  20. N

    Programs Thinking about being a physics major

    I recently got the idea of being a physics major. I was accepted for chemical engineering, but I'm not sure I want to concentrate on that just yet. I will be entering college in the fall. I really love studying physics, even though I've never had an actual class on it. I read physics...
  21. S

    Physics A Few Questions - Thinking about going into physics

    Hey! I'm a high school senior about to graduate and I'm trying to decide what to do with my future. I really love physics. What kind of job could I get with a Phd in physics? Is the job market saturated or is it open? How much could I expect to earn? If I majored in undergrad physics could...
  22. A

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering & Business Adm: Exploring Career Options

    Hey guys! I'm currently a senior in high school who will be moving onto college next year. I've always had a strong point in math, it's something I want to continue studying. In high school I didn't really push myself to the limit so I haven't studied Physics yet. I'm currently in...
  23. P

    An Idea I've been Thinking of

    When talking about classical probabilities, like whether the ball is in one of two boxes, with 1/2 probability for the ball to be under either box, we see that the probability and the ball are two separate things. The probability is just based on how much you knowledge you have about the ball...
  24. 0

    Schools Senior level college student thinking of switching to Industrial Engineering.

    I'm a 4th year college student who has studied 2 years of sociology, and 2 years of film. With summer studies, I could graduate this fall with an SOC. degree, but have little interest in doing this other than that I would have a B.S. to mark up my resume. I have been thinking long and hard, for...
  25. I

    Thinking about electronic collisions with hydrogen.

    This seems like such a simple question and I feel like an idiot asking it, but here goes: If we have a hydrogen atom (not molecule) at "rest" and we shoot an electron at it with a certain known energy, what could happen? To me, it seems as though there are two distinct outcomes; either the...
  26. S

    Medical How does thinking create action potentials?

    Hello guys, I don't know much about brain and stuff I only know a bit about action potential. My question is I can understand how sensory nerves by a stimulus, but let's say I want to pick a pen. How does brain initiate the action potential for that? This might have been dicussed before but...
  27. rhody

    How Can You Help Elderly Relatives with Computer Use?

    I am posting this because I am sure there are plenty of other folks out there who have elderly parent's or relative's who want to use a PC, and are not all that savvy with them. When they run into problems, getting competent help can be expensive, and time consuming, not to mention...
  28. K

    Thinking about problems without solution?

    There is a parlance from my teacher that we should think for hard problems as much as we can.Don't look for solutions,do problems without solutions and so you can be trained to face real problems. What's your view of this opnion?Should we think for hours to solve a test problem?
  29. 3

    Women and Emotional Thinking: Examining a Common Gender Stereotype

    Yesterday I got into a discussion with a girl from school about how women are generally more emotional thinkers than men. What mean is that they base their decisions more heavily on how they feel 'in their heart' rather than possibly looking at the big picture. It's more of a personal (dare I...
  30. G

    Could Savant Minds Unlock New Insights in Physics?

    Up front: I'm a total layperson with no formal scientific training. I'm also a rational human being who doesn't believe in mumbo-jumbo but can allow for there to be plenty of counterintuitive reality that we haven't yet discovered. No Bigfoot or Nessie talk, but, you know, open-minded. So I...
  31. C

    Schools Will Effort in Undergrad Secure Top Graduate School Admission?

    As a high school senior who hopes to pursue a career in physics, I am learning more about how I want to continue my education every day. Originally, I had hoped to get in the very highest ranked universities (with respect to the physical sciences) as an undergraduate, but I've come to realize...
  32. Topher925

    Does Thinking Burn as Many Calories as Physical Activity?

    I've found on days where I do a lot of thinking I get really hungry rather often throughout the day like if I've been working out or something. This seems to make sense since the brain is like a supercomputer it must take a lot of energy to power it, but how much? The amount of calories required...
  33. S

    Bored, was thinking cis to trans

    Would it be possible to somehow force a cis oriented unsaturated compound to a trans oriented version? Has this ever been done? I mean without synthesis but rather some sort of immense force applied to the molecule to shift its orientation? Is it even possible...or would the bond be too strong...
  34. V

    Physics 2nd year theoretical physicist thinking about summer placements - where to look?

    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...
  35. J

    Is the Electron Confined to a Fixed Radius in Hydrogen's Ground State?

    I was wondering if the following responses, and their line of reasoning, is correct: The wavefunction is 0 at the nucleus for each stationary state of the hydrogen atom. -> False (thinking in terms of the radial distribution, it only approaches 0) The most probable value of the...
  36. L

    Studying Is an Applied Math Degree the Key to Improving Your Understanding of Physics?

    I am an Electrical Engineer. I have a MS degree. Soon after graduation, I started working for physicists. At work, I found I was lacking some fundamental concepts. Nobody said I was a bad engineer. Everything I designed worked. But the way physicists think is much different. Much more...
  37. T

    Studying Thinking of studying Astrophysics in Canada - A few questions ^^

    Well I'm in high school right now, grade 11 to be exact and I've started looking around for any interesting universities. I might change but I'm thinking of doing Astrophysics or major in Physics then move onto Astrophysics. I also know that I want to study in Canada so enough background, I just...
  38. F

    Thinking of writing a research paper on Gyroscopes

    Hi everyone Long time since i posted something. (May be i have posted at the wrong place, Doc Al...feel free to move it) I am in my first year... Basically i will have to start writing research papers from the next year... But i am really interested to start from the first year... I...
  39. Q

    Programs Thinking about returning for my degree, I have some questions

    Sorry if this is something of a re-post. Let’s start out with a little background information, shall we? ? I attended an out-of-state university and did piss poor (1.1 gpa with over 60 credits) for two years before being kicked to the curb. During my stay I switched majors about three...
  40. E

    I am thinking about joining the Air Force

    I am thinking about going into the Air Force ROTC program at University of Arizona if I can get accepted. Hints, tips, ideas, opinions, words of praise?
  41. H

    Thinking outside the box a requisite to being motivated

    I just spotted another thread where the poster asked "can a modern scientist be religious". I thought about it and I realize that my crazy notions are some of my biggest motivators behind me aspiring to become a scientist. There could be unseen phenomena all around us that is yet to be...
  42. D

    Thinking bout the Special Theory of Relativity

    I understand that Einstein derived his Special Theory from two assumptions: 1. That classical physics holds in all inertial frames 2. That the speed of light will always be measured to be the same. So, what I was trying to do was to derive the equations starting out from these two...
  43. R

    Medical What is Thinking? Theories & Content Explored

    Does anyone know a mechanistic, physical theory of the process of thinking? It seems to involve observation - emotion and so much more, that I have no handle on it. The only theories I have heard are not physical but involve some spiritual or quantum tunneling out of spacetime and into a...
  44. thrill3rnit3

    How do you know if one is good at abstract thinking?

    How do you know if one is good at abstract thinking? I'm self evaluating myself if I can do pure maths in college, so any advice would be appreciated.
  45. S

    Why do humans seek answers about God and existence?

    Ok lately, well for the past few months, I've been thinking about things like God and existence. I'm atheist if anyone is wondering, just to get that out there. I'm thinking about writing an essay and here are somethings that have been on my mind and I was just wondering if anyone here has...
  46. N

    Medical Depression linked to analytical thinking

    source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=depressions-evolutionary&page=2 Interesting. So ,depression is linked to high analytical thinking skills; They are saying the reason why some people who isolate themselves from external stimuli like social interaction and not eating...
  47. Math Is Hard

    What the &#@*$ were you thinking?

    "What the &#@!*$ were you thinking??!?" The thread title makes sense when you get to the end of the movie. This video is dedicated to Ricco and Dr. Foofer.
  48. Peter Morgan

    Wanted: quotes that encourage thinking of experiments instead of measurements

    The classic reference on this is Bell's (highly recommended) polemic "Against measurement", which is in the 2nd edition of Speakable and unspeakable in quantum mechanics (but not in the 1st edition; it can also be can be found in the original, Physics World 3 (August 1990), page 33). A quote to...
  49. G

    Thinking about a career change to ChemE

    So I have a BS in Chemistry and a BS in mathematics and just have been recently laid off from my job as a chemist at a pharmaceutical company. I have been thinking about going back to graduate school for ChemE. It seems right up my alley. The only thing is that I really don't want to have to...
  50. thrill3rnit3

    Veering Away from Mechanical Thinking

    Veering Away from "Mechanical Thinking" I'm a current high school student aspiring to become a mathematician. I am doing pretty well in my math classes, taking college level math here and there. However, I'm afraid that continuing to do the math that I'm taking right now leads me further and...
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