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Official Physics Thread

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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
post cool shit for other physics nerds.
Feb 18 2014 5:57AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Could you be a bit more specific with how you're supposed to show them and what equipment you have available?

An easy way to demonstrate Newton's first two laws would be to have a video of a projectile being launched and plotting its x position vs. time and its y position vs. time. From the first graph you can easily graph the velocity of the object, which will be very close to constant due to Newton's first law, and explain why this is.

For the second graph of y position the velocity won't be constant since there is a force (gravity) acting on the object. You can however calculate the acceleration of the object, which will be constant and close to 9.8m/s, by using the equation dv/dt.

Mar 28 2014 11:54AM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
what course is this for?

Mar 28 2014 5:09PM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
why would anyone*
Mar 28 2014 8:39PM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
why would anyone think it would*
Mar 28 2014 8:39PM
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blazer258
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 646
Whatever physics course seniors in high school take, like physics 41 or something like that, we just have to do a project explaining each law and giving an example of each one in the real world
Mar 29 2014 10:30AM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
what bungee jumper has a chain hanging to the ground you freaking moron?

Mar 29 2014 5:28PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
haha you are a fucking first year physics major and think you actually know shit about physics. I have no idea how the fuck you even define "free will", and don't really give a shit.

you have no idea what quantum mechanics even is. so go study your little physics problems and come back in a few years. idiot.
Mar 29 2014 8:30PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
BIO?

Click for larger image

you must know so much about the universe...
Mar 29 2014 8:53PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
1) obviously I am alive.
2) what do you mean by free will?

Mar 29 2014 9:12PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
haha now I know you are a troll.

obviously I am just a bunch of chemical structures and reactions. A bunch of very complicated chemical structures and reactions though.
Mar 29 2014 9:45PM
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Twerk
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,059
Anyone a physics major in college? What is it like/ what would a future job be for that major?
Mar 30 2014 12:27AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I'm currently in physics, it's an awesome degree. For most of the courses the workload is very similar to engineering however most people also find them more challenging so expect to be spending a lot of time in the library.

Physics majors have a very broad range of potential jobs; about a third of physics majors go into research or a job directly related to physics, about another third end up working at engineering firms and a third generally end up in the private sector.

As for pay the median salary for physics majors is usually slightly higher than mechanical engineers however straight out of university you'll most likely be making less than an engineering major.

If your goal is to get into graduate school for physics you'll have to work exceptionally hard as it is very competitive.

Sorry for being so brief, I'm hungover as shit right now and my brain isn't functioning 100% right now. If you have any other questions you can send me a pm, I'm happy to answer any of them.
Mar 30 2014 2:05PM
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-emile-
Posts: 6613 - Karma: 8,592
I have to make a skiing video explaining physics forces in action during aerial manoeuvres,

anyone have any help to offer
Mar 30 2014 2:49PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
The joke has always been that the smart physics majors switch to engineering and all the dumb ones stay in physics. I know that a bunch of physics majors end up doing a two year diploma after their degree to be more hireable in specific fields so learning other skills is very important. I would say that's pretty common for most degrees though, in Canada university degrees aren't like college degrees in which you are training for a specific career. A physics undergrad gives you a strong skill set in analytical thinking along with math, computer systems and some intro to engineering.
Mar 30 2014 4:31PM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
I also like to watch very comprehensive videos explaining the answer in layman's terms, and then pretend I'm superiour to those who got the wrong answer before seeing said video.
Mar 30 2014 10:48PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Start with the equations v=sqrt(F/u) where v is the velocity of propagation, F is the tension force and u is the mass per unit length and v=wf where v is the velocity of propagation, w is the wavelength (the notation should be lambda) and f is the frequency.

Combining these equations you get wf=sqrt(F/u), you can rearrange that to get the wavelength.

Also I can't see what the photos you posted are.

Here are the two relevant equations:

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
Mar 31 2014 12:54AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Start with the equations v=sqrt(F/u) where v is the velocity of propagation, F is the tension force and u is the mass per unit length and v=wf where v is the velocity of propagation, w is the wavelength (the notation should be lambda) and f is the frequency.

Combining these equations you get wf=sqrt(F/u), you can rearrange that to get the wavelength.

Also I can't see what the photos you posted are.

Here are the two relevant equations:

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
Mar 31 2014 12:55AM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
The smart physics majors end up going to grad school.

The smart physics majors who realize at the beginning of junior year that grad school is not a good plan, will either switch to engineering, or use their options for more applied type classes. If you are not going to grad school you do not need advanced electromagnetic theory, advanced quantum mechanics, general relativity, etc. You should fill up your schedule with like numerical methods, fluid mech, solids, etc. Courses that will give you at least some experience with the kinda stuff you will be doing after university.
Mar 31 2014 1:17AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Just out of curiosity are you a physics major as well?

I'm in a slightly unique situation where I need a bachelors degree to enter the military however since I've applied for combat trades there actually isn't a degree that is really recommended. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this however I am taking extra engineering, computer science and math courses. Depending on how I feel later on I may complete a secondary degree in engineering or finance or I may do a college diploma if there is a specific career path I would like to take later on.

Thanks for the advice though, it's greatly appreciated.
Mar 31 2014 2:16AM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
I don't know. if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life right?

astrophysics is ultra competitive. It's right up there with HEP as one of the sexiest fields in science. That being said, if you have a good head on your shoulders and truly love the field, then you can make it happen.

I've never met someone who did a phd in astrophysics and regretted it, even if they moved on to other things. Although in Canada and Europe you don't end up in nearly as much debt.
Mar 31 2014 2:53AM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
yes. I am in my senior year and am thinking about grad school in astrophysics.
Mar 31 2014 2:54AM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
particle physics.
Mar 31 2014 5:31PM
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acualywasdolan
Posts: 1172 - Karma: -747
Alright so my post got deleted if anyone wabts to know why heavier people slide faster. Air resistance goes up as a square function, proportional to exposed surface area and shape. Wight goes up as a cube function. So as a person gets heavier, his sa doesnt increase as fast as mass pulling him down.
Also friction on ice is fluid friction afaik so resistance is not directly proportional to mass as it is in solid friction
Apr 7 2014 6:49PM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
Conservation of energy; more mass -> more force; and I guess once you get going real fast the terminal velocity of the big guy will be higher
Apr 7 2014 10:54PM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
Anddd I thought you were asking a question. It's late and I have a lab exam tomorrow I'm studying for. Oops
Apr 7 2014 10:56PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
A avergae this semester bitches.
May 4 2014 7:09PM
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-emile-
Posts: 6613 - Karma: 8,592
I'm failing physics hard this semester..

I got one lab and 2 exams left
May 24 2014 8:39PM
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elinde
Posts: 1467 - Karma: 3,050
DiracI don't know. if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life right?

astrophysics is ultra competitive. It's right up there with HEP as one of the sexiest fields in science. That being said, if you have a good head on your shoulders and truly love the field, then you can make it happen.

I've never met someone who did a phd in astrophysics and regretted it, even if they moved on to other things. Although in Canada and Europe you don't end up in nearly as much debt.


Being in high school at the moment this statement probably doesn't mean much... But if I had to choose a major right now, it would probably be astrophysics. Seems like something I want to do.
May 25 2014 1:11PM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
elindeSeems like something I want to do.


if you enjoy physics and math, enjoy reading lots of papers and doing lots of tedius boring work, then go for it. It's very rewarding to find out how things work. However if you are just stoked on the big exciting stuff, you might be just as happy being an amateur astronomer. Those guys often get to see so much more awesome stuff than astrophysicists do, because they have the time.

I know astrophysicists who have not been out stargazing for like a year.
May 25 2014 8:08PM
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BlakeG
Posts: 1450 - Karma: 1,030
This thread blows i was expecting new news or advances in modern physics not people taking about friction on an incline and why no one has pointed up the coaine of the angle and how it's related to the angle of the slope if the ski hill
May 26 2014 12:19AM
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HamFaceGirl
Posts: 5242 - Karma: 2,676
physiks 4 nrds
May 26 2014 12:21AM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
BlakeGnot people taking about friction on an incline and why no one has pointed up the coaine of the angle and how it's related to the angle of the slope if the ski hill


wtf are you talking about?
May 26 2014 12:48AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
BlakeGThis thread blows i was expecting new news or advances in modern physics not people taking about friction on an incline and why no one has pointed up the coaine of the angle and how it's related to the angle of the slope if the ski hill


Surprised this hasn't came up yet but here's something worth talking about... Don't understand much about the mechanics/methods of the experiment but really exciting shit nonetheless

http://www.nature.com/news/quantum-cloud-simulates-magnetic-monopole-1.14612
May 26 2014 3:34AM
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