Tell me what you want to learn about

Seriously, I'm looking for some community feedback on the kinds of things they want to learn about in physics/applied math. I'm bored and want to teach people some stuff. Here's your chance to get detailed knowledge of something fun you can't learn in school!

Possible topics off the top of my head are below. The idea would be that I would pick an aspect of one of these disciplines and do a few nice sets that explain that aspect and give serious practice. So, rank your top five topics in comments on this note, and if there is a large enough feedback I can do a series of sets with notes/problems over the next few weeks that will illuminate the most popular topic. Other topic ideas are also welcome.

Physics-y topics:

Relativity

Black holes

Gravitational waves

Dark matter/energy

Cosmology

Pulsars

Entropy

Uncertainty principle

Entanglement

Quantum information theory

Chaos

Extra dimensions

2-d materials like graphene

Particle accelerators

Neutrinos

More mathy topics:

Topology and geometry in physics

Principle of least action

Mathematical methods in physics

Group theory in physics

The role of symmetry

Representation theory

Fiber bundles

Why do we care about complex numbers? (life would be harder if we had to use quaternions all the time)

#Physics #ElectricityAndMagnetism #Mechanics

Comments

Sort by:

Top Newest

Alright, here is the list with my admittedly unscientific summation of votes. I took every mention of a topic in a list as a vote. I did not take into account rank order within lists, as some people did rank and some listed "in no particular order". Even with a little noise, I think it's pretty clear where people's interests lie.

As a result of the voting, we will start off with the following sequence: a little basic relativity, what is a black hole?, what is information and thermodynamic entropy?, what is the entropy of black hole?, why is that so surprising?, holography.

This makes for a nice story, is something you may have heard about in pop sci books/stories, and hits the first three topics. Then we can run down the list. Expect the first set in a few days. Each set will have expository notes, some basic problems which you should be able to do to move on to the subsequent sets, and some challenge problems for those who want it. And yes, I can make Hawking radiation, black holes, the holographic principle, and relativity accessible to those who may have only taken a minimum of physics, so it'll be fun!

Topic Votes

Relativity 19

Entropy 13

Black holes 12

Gravitational waves 11

Uncertainty principle 10

Dark matter 10

Mathematical methods 9

Extra dimensions 8

Cosmology 7

Dark energy 6

Complex numbers 6

Chaos 6

Topology and geometry 4

Symmetry 4

Group theory 4

Quantum mechanics 3

Quantum information theory 3

Pulsars 3

Fiber bundles 3

Entanglement 3

Representation theory 2

Particle accelerators 2

Neutrinos 2

Thermocouples 1

Quantum field theory 1

Nuclear 1

n-d displacement 1

Gravitational force 1

Graphene 1

Gaussian distributions 1 – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

Awesome response so far. What I'm going to do is to let this note sit for today, so that everyone who wants to has a chance to vote, and then I'll tally up the results and put them here. The first set on the chosen topic should then come a few days after (probably over the weekend).

One thing I'd like is for people to not just submit answers to the problems on the sets, but if you get it right to submit a nice solution too. We all know that there are topics for which there are few resources around. It'd be great to have nice community solutions so that those who come after in the Brilliant community have a resource to learn this stuff too. Giving back and all that :) – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – I love physics but I have only few knowledge on those out-of-school topics. So, I hope you can start a set with fundamental notes of that topic and advancing the notes as the problem gets tougher. For example, I'm eager to know what chaos theory is and I can solve the first 3 problems but now I have still no idea on the 4th problem and I don't think I really understands it.

Looking forward to it! I would like Chaos, Black Holes, Cosmology and Relativity. – Christopher Boo · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Christopher Boo – If you want to learn Chaos Theory, I would suggest the following books (to be introduced to the subject):

"Chaos" by James Gleick "Does God Play Dice? The New Mathematics of Chaos" by Ian Stewart

You should know differential equations though, before those books and chaos theory in general. – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Christopher Boo – @Christopher Boo ,Actually The 4th question of the set, doesn't require any knowledge of chaos theory(way to advanced), All that is required is the way things bounce of each other (angle of incidence equal to the angle of reflection), plus since \(Ne \ll 1\), you can reasonably assume \(sin\theta =\theta ,\quad and\quad tan\theta =\theta\). The solution might not seem clear since a lot of small angle approximation is required. I hope that clears things. – Beakal Tiliksew · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Beakal Tiliksew – Oh thanks for it but I've just viewed the solution... However, I'm still not so sure what chaos theory is. If we cannot predict it, is there anything to learn about? Sorry if I've asked silly questions... – Christopher Boo · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Christopher Boo – You can predict certain things. For example you can predict that the system will be in a certain region of phase space (i.e. for the billiard ball it will have a position and momentum between certain values) some fraction of the time. Consider weather, which is chaotic, and look at the part of the "phase space" described by rain/sun. It rains in San Francisco X days out of the year on average. This is consistent information, and next year I can predict that it'll rain this amount and likely be pretty correct. What I can't do with any accuracy is say "next year it'll rain on June 7th". – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – I just thought about one example: The half-life. We don't know when will the mass reduced (chaotic) but from experiments we can know the time for it to reduce half of its mass is always the same. Is this example correct? – Christopher Boo · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – And please make them hard like the good all days:)) – Beakal Tiliksew · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Beakal Tiliksew – They will start easy and become harder with something devilish at the end. The sets would be meant to be educational as.well as fun. Hence we'd begin with basics, end with sophisticated questions, and people just go as far as they can. Something for everyone! – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – thats really nice of u sir.thanks for making such a gud decision. – Siddhant Singh · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – Hello David sir. Can you teach me projectile motion ??????? – Kushagra Sahni · 3 years, 3 months ago

Why do we care about complex numbers? – Michael Diao · 3 years, 3 months ago

All the topics are equally interesting!!Make sets on all of them please!! ^_^ – Eddie The Head · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Eddie The Head – Ha! I wish I had the time... – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

Quantum, relativity and nuclear :) – Chee Hy · 3 years, 3 months ago

I vote representation theory and fiber bundles! – Josh Silverman Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

Gravitational waves(quite recently, on March 14, they were experimentally detected)

Relativity

Mathematical methods in physics – Tanay Kibe · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Tanay Kibe – Pulsars and entanglement to be added here too. that completes 5!

I guess symmetry as in Gaussian surfaces and method of images? Well that is taught in school. If any other articles are present related to symmetry then I am willing to learn.

And of course Dark energy. – Pinak Wadikar · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Pinak Wadikar – Oh there is so much more to symmetry...symmetries dictate the content of our physics, they tell us what is out there in the universe. – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – Then I would love to learn about it. Please post the links to your discussion here itself. It will be easier for us to find these notes. – Pinak Wadikar · 3 years, 3 months ago

It would be really great if you answer me only about one question. To my satisfication nobody has ever answered me this. When physicists tried writing equation for sound wave for first time, whatever function that would describe the sound wave was taken to be real because obviously sound wave is real. But then what happened when they tried to build theory of quantum mechanics? How and why did they start with complex \(\psi\) instead of real? How did they a priori know that it has to be taken to be complex? Why didn't they start with something real and then swithced to complex?

I would be really greatful to you if you answer my question. Thank you – Snehal Shekatkar · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – Since we're not going to get to this this time around, did you ever read Aaron's note mentioned in this Brilliant discussion? – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – Think abt it this way..the most fundamental equation in qm the schrodinger in itself is complex in nature. The wavefunction are the possible solutions to the schrodinger equation...so they must be complex obviously. .. – Harry Potter · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Harry Potter – It's actually more basic than this! You don't need a specific equation, and indeed there can be extensions of qm that use variations on the schrodinger eqn. It boils down to some basic physical requirements and the fact that complex numbers are algebraically complete. But we're getting ahead of ourselves.... – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – Harry's argument is circular.. so I just ignored it.. – Snehal Shekatkar · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly I would definitely like to learn about -

Relativity

Black holes

Dark matter/energy

Cosmology

Topology and geometry in physics

I really admire your effort regarding this initiative .... Days are going to be tough for you(There is lot of expectations)All the best! – Archiet Dev · 3 years, 3 months ago

Extra dimensions, Representation theory, complex numbers, Mathematical methods in physics, Uncertainty Principle

Not listed according to degree of interests. – Happy Melodies · 3 years, 3 months ago

Well, I would definitely want the topics related to astrophysics and cosmology to be addressed. :) – Krishna Ar · 3 years, 3 months ago

The first set is up!

Link is here – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

All my votes go to gravity waves! – Peter Taylor Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

I wud like to know about entropy in detail – Mayur Vilas · 3 years, 3 months ago

My Top 5: Relativity, Gravitational Waves, Entropy, Mathematical Methods in physics, Group theory in physics – Anish Puthuraya · 3 years, 3 months ago

Gravitational waves, Topology and geometry in physics – Julian Poon · 3 years, 3 months ago

I'll go with black holes, dark matter, and gravitational waves \m/ – Nelvson Shine · 3 years, 3 months ago

My top 5 subjects would be

Dark matter/energy, Topology and geometry in physics,Relativity, quantum and Entropy.I look forward to your notes and problems

– Mardokay Mosazghi · 3 years, 3 months ago

Next set is up! – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

A lot of interesting topics indeed! If I were to choose, I'd pick dark matter, uncertainty principle, chaos theory, complex numbers and Gaussian distribution (maybe, I think it's such an important concept :-0 Just my opinion). All of them are great, those were just my choice.

Looking at the comments, I see quite a bit of people going for quantum theory, entropy, relativity and gravitational waves seem quite popular! Those are amazing things too. ^^ – Vishnuram Leonardodavinci · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Vishnuram Leonardodavinci – Yep quantum and entropy seem to be popular. What is your major in MIT?@Vishnuram Leonardodavinci – Mardokay Mosazghi · 3 years, 3 months ago

Relativity
The Uncertainty Principle
Entropy
Quantum information theory
The Role of Symmetry

I've read several layman explanations of Special & General Relativity but still can't get an intuitive picture of how they describe space-time (whatever that is). Also, I've never understood why the speed of light is constant relative to all reference frames.

The uncertainty principle made sense to me when I first read about it: obviously, measuring a system affects it, which affects other measurements. That's why we can't measure position and momentum simultaneously, because to determine position, we need to "take a photograph" of the particle, but photographs don't tell us anything about the momentum/direction of motion, unless we take a long-exposure photograph, which in turn makes the position uncertain. I don't remember where I read that analogy but it was very intuitive. But I always wondered, is the UP an inviolable principle of physics? Won't better measuring devices someday make it possible to determine such quantities simultaneously? Apparently not, and I don't know why.

I've studied the basics about entropy in thermodynamics but want to learn more about it (it's pretty interesting).

Quantum information theory is (apparently) the future of computing, so I obviously want to hear about (qub)it. In fact, some basics about information theory would also be welcome, since I don't understand present computing either!

And finally, symmetry has been used to derive conservation laws (I don't know how or why) and that intrigues me, since they're used so commonly everywhere. – Raj Magesh · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Raj Magesh – would u teach me all of them?? – Praguna Manvi · 3 years, 2 months ago

For me, it would be Quantum information theory, Entanglement, Black holes, Cosmology and Dark matter/energy. I have this insane fascination for these topics. – Sharky Kesa · 3 years, 3 months ago

The role of symmetry, Chaos, Why do we care about complex numbers? ,Mathematical methods in physics, Relativity – Beakal Tiliksew · 3 years, 3 months ago

Electricity genration by thermocouple – Shankar Swrankar · 3 years, 3 months ago

That's a good idea!!!!!! – Anuj Shikarkhane · 3 years, 2 months ago

if you start something like this, that will b interesting way of learning PHysics for me ...............thanks – Vishal Yash · 3 years, 2 months ago

I would like to know about the relativity – Ankita Gangwal · 3 years, 2 months ago

Sir plz try to put some questions on automotive engineering... Most of the group mates r having keen interest in bikes cars n engines... So pl do this small favour.. Thank you fr this site sir – Shree Harry · 3 years, 3 months ago

I want to learn plasma physics – Pulkit Sahni · 3 years, 3 months ago

All the topics are very interesting! I love to learn more about these things! Since only 5 should be chosen, My votes go to: 1.Gravitational waves 2.Uncertainty principle 3.Extra Dimensions 4.Complex numbers 5.The role of symmetry

Thank you! – Sanghamitra Anand · 3 years, 3 months ago

Relativity Entropy Dark Matter or Dark Energy – Ethan Robinett · 3 years, 3 months ago

Relativity
Relativity
Relativity

– Vivek Sedani · 3 years, 3 months ago

A brief introduction to Cosmology. – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Shivam Bhatt – By the way, all of these topics are taught at university. – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

Teach me entropy – Hitendra Singh · 3 years, 3 months ago

Extra dimensions..!! – Taruna Malik · 3 years, 3 months ago

1.relativity 2.black holes 3.The role of symmetry 4.Extra dimensions 5.mathematical methods in physics – Shaikot Jahan Shuvo · 3 years, 3 months ago

please do teach entropy in a detailed way.. i always wanted it.. – Pradeep Ch · 3 years, 3 months ago

I would say Uncertainty principle / Entropy / Quantum Information Theory / Fiber Bundles / Topology and Geometry in Physics – Christopher Elamri · 3 years, 3 months ago

Thank You :) Relativity Black holes Gravitational waves Dark matter/energy Cosmology – Fares Salem · 3 years, 3 months ago

I have heard that to understand the quantum world we need to understand group theory... – Harry Potter · 3 years, 3 months ago

Well hw abt group theory??? – Harry Potter · 3 years, 3 months ago

Topology ans geometry of in physics! – Marc Duque · 3 years, 3 months ago

It would be relativity, black holes, uncertainty principle – Vinay Kumar · 3 years, 3 months ago

That's awesome I will be interested in studying the following topics : Mathematical methods in physics, Dark Energy/Matter Relativity Extra dimensions (My interest in Extra dimensions arose after I watched the TV show of Stephen Hawking in which he told that the TIME is probably the fourth dimension) Black holes (Order represents my preferential choice) – Kishlaya Jaiswal · 3 years, 3 months ago

dark matter interests me the most – Aarush Kumbhakern · 1 year, 6 months ago

Sir , it would be Brilliant if you would create a new set on the concepts of work, energy and power.Thanks. – Abhijeet Verma · 2 years, 3 months ago

@Abhijeet Verma – @Abhijeet Verma Is there anything in particular you're confused about or wished you had a better explanation for regarding work, energy, and power? I'd love to hear back from you and then make some sets this weekend. – Josh Silverman Staff · 2 years, 3 months ago

@Josh Silverman – Sir, shall I write my queries here in this set? BTW, my first query is in calculating the effective mass of a spring.I can't understand why the velocity of a point is a linear function of length. Thanks. – Abhijeet Verma · 2 years, 3 months ago

@Abhijeet Verma – Yes, just list all that you are wondering about, and I'll try to incorporate them all. – Josh Silverman Staff · 2 years, 3 months ago

I'm studying relativity right now (general) along with the math for it (diff geom), want to probably move to advanced quantum from there, train my relativity and quantum, then move to QFT, train that and maybe some math methods? So I can actually start plaint with the theories independently. So the list might look like:

1.Relativity (with implied topology and geometry)

2.Quantum (advanced with lots of problems)

QFT
Math methods (enough to build on current knowledge so I can start playing with the theories)
Current topics (String/Loop quantum Gravity / Cosmology)

How does that look? I can help on other topics like Hamiltonians and Lagrangians and Principle of least action if you're up for it! Why not just do all of them? ^^ I'm ready – Kyouhei James · 2 years, 9 months ago

Hi Sir, Here is the list of topic I would like to learn. Most of them are Applied Mathematics.

Mathematical method Complex numbers Group theory (Abstract Algebra) Gaussian distributions – Asama Zaldy Jr. · 2 years, 11 months ago

How schodinger darived wave equation – Aman Sharma · 3 years ago

relativity and extra dimensions – Anshul Yadav · 3 years, 1 month ago

Sir I would love to learn more about BLack Holes. I found this very interesting. – Bodhisatwa Nandi · 3 years, 2 months ago

BLACK HOLESS – Jin Lee · 3 years, 2 months ago

Relativistic Mechanics, Relativistic Electrodynamics – Ramon Vicente Marquez · 3 years, 2 months ago

1..Relativity 2..black holes 3..entanglement 4..uncertainity 5..representation theory Relativity and black holes is my fav. Entanglement and reprentation theory is less known by me. And uncertainity does not seems convincing to me.(maybe because i might not be knowing it well. So i want to learn about that too.) – Jayank Mayukh · 3 years, 2 months ago

Black hole is having very high density. But temperature s about 6 nK for stars of solar mass! Why and how? – Guru Prasad · 3 years, 2 months ago

Cosmology – Abhay Singh · 3 years, 2 months ago

thanks if you start this . I want to know about ENTROPY..... AND – Vishal Yash · 3 years, 2 months ago

Gravitational waves – Parth Sharma · 3 years, 2 months ago

Quantum information theory , Relativity and Black holes – Zāīd Mûghāl · 3 years, 2 months ago

Relitivity,Neutrinos,Black holes bt from basic concept. – Ajwa Marrium · 3 years, 2 months ago

Thank you, sir. My top is .Gravitational waves, Black holes, Dark matter, Quantum information theory, fiber bundle. – Thái An Lê · 3 years, 3 months ago

Topology ang Geometry in Physics – Carina Cipriano · 3 years, 3 months ago

CAN U INCLUDE QUANTUM COUNTING – Chanda Venkatesh · 3 years, 3 months ago

relativity,black holes,cosmology,gravitational waves and dark matters !!! – Yogesh Kumar · 3 years, 3 months ago

The role of symmetry – Baibhav Mohanty · 3 years, 3 months ago

Dark matter, black holes, graphene, cosmology..... – Srinivas Bharat · 3 years, 3 months ago

hello sir david,can u teach me trigonometry....?? – Prashant Patel · 3 years, 3 months ago

hello david sir can u help me with trigonometry... – Prashant Patel · 3 years, 3 months ago

space time dimensions – Gautam Sharma · 3 years, 3 months ago

What is dark energy ? – Avijit Saha · 3 years, 3 months ago

gravitational waves – Sison Simon · 3 years, 3 months ago

i do seriously want to learn about spin(Quantum Spin)!! I really hope you could help!!! – Kumar Priyadarshi · 3 years, 3 months ago

Black hole – Abhijeet Raj · 3 years, 3 months ago

cosmology, dark matter, relativity, pulsars – Diwakaran Sekharan · 3 years, 3 months ago

1 Relativity,2.gravitational waves 3.particle accelerators 4.group theory in physics 5. Entanglement... – Abhinav Kakkar · 3 years, 3 months ago

mathematical methods in physics – Sison Simon · 3 years, 3 months ago

astronomy, cosmology, mathematical method and relativity, – Hafizh Ahsan Permana · 3 years, 3 months ago

Sir I would be happy to learn everything you can teach me :) – Adrian Yap · 3 years, 3 months ago

I would like cosmology, black hole, dark matter. . – Harshit Tiwari · 3 years, 3 months ago

Entropy!! – Aaditya Rcs · 3 years, 3 months ago

Black holes Cosmology – Bharath Bathula · 3 years, 3 months ago

I agree – Tanweer Toor · 3 years, 3 months ago

Applied maths. – Guruprakash Parishwad · 3 years, 3 months ago

1.Black holes 2.Gravitational wave 3.Quantum theory of information 4.principle of least action 5.Dark matter – Ifrah Idrees · 3 years, 3 months ago

Black holes Gravitational wave Quantum theory of information principle of least action Dark matter – Ifrah Idrees · 3 years, 3 months ago

Mr David sir, i have a question. using special relativity i imagined two lines of charges running with velocity v in anti parallel directions and by considering the situation from different frames i derived that magnetism is a result or side effect of special relativity (about which i had a qualitative idea frpm internet before hand) but in the derivation i used the fact that the distance between adjacent charges in the line is decreased when moving causing a stronger electric field in that frame to compensate for the magnetic field in other frame.but then magnetism is also conveyed for moving point charges... but what contracts for a point charge. where can i apply lorenfz contraction for a point charge moving. or am i righy to assume that electric field weakns along the direction of motion for a point charge ? sorry for long post – Mvs Saketh · 3 years, 3 months ago

No idea if we are taking votes anymore, but I'd love to learn about group theory and lie algebra! – Qin Hang · 3 years, 3 months ago

Quantum theory – Shubham Gupta · 3 years, 3 months ago

Dark matter/energy Gravitational waves Cosmology Mathematical methods in physics geometry in physics – Sandra Mounir Philippe · 3 years, 3 months ago

I want to learn quantum physics,relativity,role of symmetry,gravitational waves,dark energy. – Amiya Mishra · 3 years, 3 months ago

How about some Fluid dynamics; Euler equation, Navier- Stokes, Bernoulli equations, things to that effect? – Lee Coates · 3 years, 3 months ago

i want to learn about the concept of resonance in physics and how to solve problems on the topic. – Akshat Gupta · 3 years, 3 months ago

relativity entropy chaos black holes qantum mechanics – Amr Ellissy · 3 years, 3 months ago

Sir, first of all, I express my heart-felt gratitude towards your selfless effort. Here are my top five topics: 1. Mathematical methods in physics 2. Topology and geometry in physics 3. Extra dimensions 4. Principle of least action 5. Representation theory – Dk Pandey · 3 years, 3 months ago

group theory in physics, extra dimensions, topology and geomtry in physics, relativity :) – Jord W · 3 years, 3 months ago

Quantem mechanics – Moataz Mohamed · 3 years, 3 months ago

Entropy – Brilliant Member · 3 years, 3 months ago

Can you help me to know more about neutrinos.you can even send me an email at vaibhav1579@hotmail.com.I would even like to know about relativity. – Vaibhav Chaturvedi · 3 years, 3 months ago

Extra Dimensions 2. Mathematical methods in physics 3. Black Holes 4. Relativity 5. Complex Numbers

– Joshua Siktar · 3 years, 3 months ago

My five topics are relativity,gravitational waves,entropy,principle of least action,math methods in physics. The other topics are quantum physics, entropy,cosmology, gravity. – Amiya Mishra · 3 years, 3 months ago

However black hole is a difficult topic i would like to learn.... – Abhishek Joshi · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Abhishek Joshi – So what if it's difficult? That just makes it more exciting sometimes :D – Joshua Siktar · 3 years, 3 months ago

gravitational force, cosmology,Fiber bundles, Chaos and Relativity. – Amrit Jyoti Dipanka Shaikeea · 3 years, 3 months ago

Relativity Group theory in physics Black holes Uncertainty principle Entanglement – Mohamed Shorbagy · 3 years, 3 months ago

Black holes Gravitational waves Dark matter/energy Extra dimensions – S.M. Hoq · 3 years, 3 months ago

Here are the five topics i would want to know a lot more about. 1.entropy 2.particle accelerators 3.uncertainity principle 4.gravitational waves 5.the role of symmetry – Meera Yadav · 3 years, 3 months ago

Bring it on!!!!! – Mittal Pathare · 3 years, 3 months ago

Dark energy. Why complex numbers. – Varshith Reddy · 3 years, 3 months ago

cosmology 2. relativity 3. black holes 4. gravitational waves 5. Dark matter/energy. but im very eager to know about cosmology so please please add this topic

– Yadnesh Salvi · 3 years, 3 months ago

Mathematical methods in physics, entropy, chaos... and yes want to know what is meant by extra dimensions? – Em Pintoo · 3 years, 3 months ago

mines are 1)-relativity 2)-dark matter/energy 3)-pulsar 4)-entropy and the last but not the least 5)- mathematical methods in physics. – Shubhabrota Chakraborty · 3 years, 3 months ago

Vote goes for uncertainty principle. – Utkarsh Dwivedi · 3 years, 3 months ago

mathematical methods in physics – Afifi Amran · 3 years, 3 months ago

Relativity Entropy Uncertainty principle Chaos Extra dimensions – Agnes Fung · 3 years, 3 months ago

relativity,black holes,dark energy,quantums,entropy......................please upload soon – Vikas Sharma · 3 years, 3 months ago

Hello David can you please write solution for self-similar circuits problem. Sorry for interrupting in anotheer discussion – Megh Parikh · 3 years, 3 months ago

I was having trouble with a problem I was thinking about. Its calculating the amount of force a particle weighing .1kg would impart when moving at close to the speed of light – Alex Sampson · 3 years, 3 months ago

Neutrinos and dark matter – Aalekh Awasthy · 3 years, 3 months ago

extra dimensions!!!!!!!!! – Gautam Sharma · 3 years, 3 months ago

Entropy, Uncertainty Principle and 2D materials like Graphene. – Ayush Gupta · 3 years, 3 months ago

It's awesome...I want to know that if it is required that there should be a medium to pass the rays..than how Sunrays comes to earth from sun. – Harsh Patel · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Harsh Patel – By medium, we just mean some quantity that changes from location to location. For sound, it's air pressure. For light (and all other electromagnetic radiation), it's the electric and magnetic fields, which are present everywhere. There is no physical medium required for ER to propagate, unlike sound waves. – Raj Magesh · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Harsh Patel – Nope..a medium is not required for light propogation... – Harry Potter · 3 years, 3 months ago

black holes,gravitational waves,particle accelerators,neutrinos,group theory in physics – Rajat Dwivedi · 3 years, 3 months ago

How about Quantum Field Theory, with a touch of mathematics? – Siddharth G · 3 years, 3 months ago

This is AWESOME! It will be years before I even TAKE Physics 1, though. I hardly even understand acceleration and/or displacement. Actually... That's a good question. What is \(n\)-dimensional displacement and how can it be practically applied to problems? – Finn Hulse · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Finn Hulse – I agree – Mardokay Mosazghi · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Mardokay Mosazghi – I'm a classic example of a theoretical physicist: doesn't know a thing about math or physics equations but just sits around on his butt thinking about the universe. :D – Finn Hulse · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Finn Hulse – A theoretical physicist knows a lot about mathematics and physics. – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Shivam Bhatt – In general yes, but there are always those philosophers who call themselves theoretical physicists. – Finn Hulse · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Finn Hulse – What I mean to say is that you are not even near being called a theoretical physicist, to be brutally honest, if you do not have a much, much higher level of education then what you already do.

Also, you can't conduct actual research on the universe or practically any other topic without knowing the appropriate mathematics and physics knowledge. – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Shivam Bhatt – I think there is a fallacy here. Einstein, for example, had a nice argument about why objects cannot go faster than the speed of light at age 16. Was his mathematical knowledge overwhelming at the point? No, actually. What I want people to be careful about is that trap of thinking: since I don't know high level math and physics, I shouldn't think about the way the world works and come up with new ideas. This is a bad idea. Instead, be a theoretical physicist all the time, dream up ideas about the way the world works, and see if they are consistent and experimentally possible.

Recognize, however, that it is likely that you will not be correct unless you do know all the high end math and physics, as very smart, well trained people have been thinking about deep questions for a long time. If you don't understand what others have done and why they've done it, then likely your physical theory will veer off into crackpottery. That's one of the defining characteristics of a crackpot - they ignore what others have done and experimentally tested. But, if you are serious about physics, then sure, dream up new theories, even at a young age, and then go about and try to determine why your theory is wrong in a serious manner. This last point is key. A crackpot dreams up a theory and spends all their time believing it's right. A professional theorist dreams up a theory and spends all their time trying to see how it could be wrong. – David Mattingly Staff · 3 years, 3 months ago

@David Mattingly – Hi;

I completely agree.

What I meant to say is that he can't be called what we generally refer to as a theoretical physicist (i.e. someone with a doctorate/master's degree in theoretical physics or something related. – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Shivam Bhatt – A lot of real, legitimate theoretical physicists never test a theory in their lives. – Finn Hulse · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Finn Hulse – I don't really know what you are talking about, sorry.

How is the prerequisite knowledge of theoretical physicists related to them "testing" a theory? – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Finn Hulse – Dude you are level 4 in EM and Mechanics – Mardokay Mosazghi · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Mardokay Mosazghi – Yeah I know right. It's sad. – Finn Hulse · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Finn Hulse – Why didn't you study physics or math? – Namra Aziz · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Namra Aziz – I study math. – Finn Hulse · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Finn Hulse – Why not physics? I am asking because it is the same case with me as well. I have studied math but not physics, when I really want to....:( – Namra Aziz · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Namra Aziz – It's probably because he is 13 and wants to start physics after covering it in school. – Shivam Bhatt · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Shivam Bhatt – ohk ....) alright! goodluck and remain sincere to your interest Finn Hulse!:) – Namra Aziz · 3 years, 3 months ago

@Shivam Bhatt – Yeah that sums it up pretty well. – Finn Hulse · 3 years, 3 months ago

About particle physics – Noor Farooq · 3 years, 1 month ago

1.Black holes 2.Dark matter 3.Mathematical method in physics 4.Cosmology 5.Uncertainty principle – Aman Kumar · 3 years, 3 months ago

Uncertainty principle..mathematical methods in physics – Sarvesh Bukkawar · 3 years, 3 months ago

I want to learn abt relativity – Sarvesh Bukkawar · 3 years, 3 months ago

Mathematical methods in Phy & uncertainty principle – Brijesh Nayak · 3 years, 3 months ago

Waste less time on Facebook — follow Brilliant.

Excel in math and science

Master concepts by solving fun, challenging problems.

It's hard to learn from lectures and videos

Learn more effectively through short, conceptual quizzes.

Our wiki is made for math and science

Master advanced concepts through explanations, examples, and problems from the community.

Used and loved by 4 million people

Learn from a vibrant community of students and enthusiasts, including olympiad champions, researchers, and professionals.

Tell me what you want to learn about

Comments

Master advanced concepts through explanations,
examples, and problems from the community.

Learn from a vibrant community of students and enthusiasts,
including olympiad champions, researchers, and professionals.