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)
Note by
David Mattingly
4 years ago
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Top NewestAlright, 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
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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 :)
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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.
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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.
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@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.
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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...
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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".
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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?
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And please make them hard like the good all days:))
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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!
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thats really nice of u sir.thanks for making such a gud decision.
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Hello David sir. Can you teach me projectile motion ???????
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Why do we care about complex numbers?
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All the topics are equally interesting!!Make sets on all of them please!! ^_^
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Ha! I wish I had the time...
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Quantum, relativity and nuclear :)
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I vote representation theory and fiber bundles!
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Gravitational waves(quite recently, on March 14, they were experimentally detected)
Relativity
Mathematical methods in physics
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Since we're not going to get to this this time around, did you ever read Aaron's note mentioned in this Brilliant discussion?
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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. ..
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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....
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Harry's argument is circular.. so I just ignored it..
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@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!
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Extra dimensions, Representation theory, complex numbers, Mathematical methods in physics, Uncertainty Principle
Not listed according to degree of interests.
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Well, I would definitely want the topics related to astrophysics and cosmology to be addressed. :)
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The first set is up!
Link is here
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All my votes go to gravity waves!
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I wud like to know about entropy in detail
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My Top 5: Relativity, Gravitational Waves, Entropy, Mathematical Methods in physics, Group theory in physics
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Gravitational waves, Topology and geometry in physics
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I'll go with black holes, dark matter, and gravitational waves \m/
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My top 5 subjects would be
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Next set is up!
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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. ^^
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Yep quantum and entropy seem to be popular. What is your major in MIT?@Vishnuram Leonardodavinci
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- 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.
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would u teach me all of them??
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For me, it would be Quantum information theory, Entanglement, Black holes, Cosmology and Dark matter/energy. I have this insane fascination for these topics.
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The role of symmetry, Chaos, Why do we care about complex numbers? ,Mathematical methods in physics, Relativity
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Electricity genration by thermocouple
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That's a good idea!!!!!!
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if you start something like this, that will b interesting way of learning PHysics for me ...............thanks
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I would like to know about the relativity
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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
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I want to learn plasma physics
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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!
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Relativity Entropy Dark Matter or Dark Energy
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A brief introduction to Cosmology.
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By the way, all of these topics are taught at university.
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Teach me entropy
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Extra dimensions..!!
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1.relativity 2.black holes 3.The role of symmetry 4.Extra dimensions 5.mathematical methods in physics
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please do teach entropy in a detailed way.. i always wanted it..
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I would say Uncertainty principle / Entropy / Quantum Information Theory / Fiber Bundles / Topology and Geometry in Physics
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Thank You :) Relativity Black holes Gravitational waves Dark matter/energy Cosmology
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I have heard that to understand the quantum world we need to understand group theory...
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Well hw abt group theory???
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Topology ans geometry of in physics!
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It would be relativity, black holes, uncertainty principle
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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)
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dark matter interests me the most
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Sir , it would be Brilliant if you would create a new set on the concepts of work, energy and power.Thanks.
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@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.
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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.
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Yes, just list all that you are wondering about, and I'll try to incorporate them all.
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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
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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
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How schodinger darived wave equation
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relativity and extra dimensions
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Sir I would love to learn more about BLack Holes. I found this very interesting.
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BLACK HOLESS
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Relativistic Mechanics, Relativistic Electrodynamics
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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.)
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Black hole is having very high density. But temperature s about 6 nK for stars of solar mass! Why and how?
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Cosmology
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thanks if you start this . I want to know about ENTROPY..... AND
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Gravitational waves
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Quantum information theory , Relativity and Black holes
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Relitivity,Neutrinos,Black holes bt from basic concept.
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Thank you, sir. My top is .Gravitational waves, Black holes, Dark matter, Quantum information theory, fiber bundle.
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Topology ang Geometry in Physics
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CAN U INCLUDE QUANTUM COUNTING
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relativity,black holes,cosmology,gravitational waves and dark matters !!!
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The role of symmetry
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Dark matter, black holes, graphene, cosmology.....
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hello sir david,can u teach me trigonometry....??
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hello david sir can u help me with trigonometry...
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space time dimensions
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What is dark energy ?
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gravitational waves
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i do seriously want to learn about spin(Quantum Spin)!! I really hope you could help!!!
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Black hole
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cosmology, dark matter, relativity, pulsars
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1 Relativity,2.gravitational waves 3.particle accelerators 4.group theory in physics 5. Entanglement...
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mathematical methods in physics
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astronomy, cosmology, mathematical method and relativity,
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Sir I would be happy to learn everything you can teach me :)
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I would like cosmology, black hole, dark matter. .
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Entropy!!
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Black holes Cosmology
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I agree
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Applied maths.
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1.Black holes 2.Gravitational wave 3.Quantum theory of information 4.principle of least action 5.Dark matter
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Black holes Gravitational wave Quantum theory of information principle of least action Dark matter
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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
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No idea if we are taking votes anymore, but I'd love to learn about group theory and lie algebra!
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Quantum theory
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Dark matter/energy Gravitational waves Cosmology Mathematical methods in physics geometry in physics
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I want to learn quantum physics,relativity,role of symmetry,gravitational waves,dark energy.
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How about some Fluid dynamics; Euler equation, Navier- Stokes, Bernoulli equations, things to that effect?
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i want to learn about the concept of resonance in physics and how to solve problems on the topic.
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relativity entropy chaos black holes qantum mechanics
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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
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group theory in physics, extra dimensions, topology and geomtry in physics, relativity :)
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Quantem mechanics
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Entropy
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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.
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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.
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However black hole is a difficult topic i would like to learn....
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So what if it's difficult? That just makes it more exciting sometimes :D
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gravitational force, cosmology,Fiber bundles, Chaos and Relativity.
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Relativity Group theory in physics Black holes Uncertainty principle Entanglement
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Black holes Gravitational waves Dark matter/energy Extra dimensions
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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
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Bring it on!!!!!
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Dark energy. Why complex numbers.
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Mathematical methods in physics, entropy, chaos... and yes want to know what is meant by extra dimensions?
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mines are 1)-relativity 2)-dark matter/energy 3)-pulsar 4)-entropy and the last but not the least 5)- mathematical methods in physics.
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Vote goes for uncertainty principle.
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mathematical methods in physics
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Relativity Entropy Uncertainty principle Chaos Extra dimensions
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relativity,black holes,dark energy,quantums,entropy......................please upload soon
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Hello David can you please write solution for self-similar circuits problem. Sorry for interrupting in anotheer discussion
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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
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Neutrinos and dark matter
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extra dimensions!!!!!!!!!
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Entropy, Uncertainty Principle and 2D materials like Graphene.
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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.
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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.
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Nope..a medium is not required for light propogation...
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black holes,gravitational waves,particle accelerators,neutrinos,group theory in physics
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How about Quantum Field Theory, with a touch of mathematics?
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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?
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I agree
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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
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A theoretical physicist knows a lot about mathematics and physics.
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In general yes, but there are always those philosophers who call themselves theoretical physicists.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A lot of real, legitimate theoretical physicists never test a theory in their lives.
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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?
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Dude you are level 4 in EM and Mechanics
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Yeah I know right. It's sad.
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Why didn't you study physics or math?
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I study math.
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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....:(
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It's probably because he is 13 and wants to start physics after covering it in school.
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ohk ....) alright! goodluck and remain sincere to your interest Finn Hulse!:)
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Yeah that sums it up pretty well.
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About particle physics
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1.Black holes 2.Dark matter 3.Mathematical method in physics 4.Cosmology 5.Uncertainty principle
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Uncertainty principle..mathematical methods in physics
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I want to learn abt relativity
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Mathematical methods in Phy & uncertainty principle
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