I'm pretty sure this is probably a stupid question but it is annoying me a lot. In my physics textbook it says, cars move because the wheels exert a backward force on the ground and the ground exerts an equal and opposite forward force on the car. If the wheel ....
Factors on which barrier potential in a p n junction depends
I have a few queries regarding the barrier potential in a p-n junction diode (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%E2%80%93n_junction). Is the barrier potential dependent on temperature? Why/why not? Does the barrier potential depend on doping concentration? Why/Why not? Why is the barrier potential different for different semiconductors? Basically, what determines the barrier potential for ....
Group theory and quantum optics
This is a question about application of group theory to physics. The starting point is the group $SU(n)$. I have a representation $R$ of $SU(n)$ that takes values on the unitary group on an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space $H$. This representation can be written as the direct sum of ....
Stress-energy tensor of Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke action
I have a question about the JFBD action, in particular the part that involves a scalar field. It is given by $$ S_\phi = \int d^4x \sqrt{-g} \left( \frac{1}{2} g^{\mu\nu}(\nabla_{ \mu}\phi)(\nabla_{\nu}\phi)-V(\phi)-\frac{\xi}{2}R\phi^2 \right).$$ The energy-stress tensor is defined as $T_{\mu\nu}^{\phi}:=\frac{-2}{\sqrt{-g}}\frac{\delta S_{\phi}}{\delta g^{\mu\nu}}$. I should get the following: $$T_{\mu\nu}^{\phi}=(\partial_{\mu}\phi)(\partial_{\nu}\phi)-g_{\mu\nu}\left -\xi G_{\mu\nu}\phi^2-\xi\phi^2,$$ where ....
Accurate mathematical description of angular acceleration?
My physics textbook says that angular acceleration is the derivative of angular velocity, but I think that this isn't accurate. For example let's imagine that a block is tied to a rope that passes through a hole in a table. Then let's make the block revolve in a circle on ....
Why is neper frequency called a frequency?
In the context of complex frequency of RLC circuits, the real part is called neper frequency, according to units it's understandable that it has 1/s as the unit which is same as frequency but what is repeating at this frequency as I nowhere see any repetition? Why is it a ....
"Hollow Earth" like Theories for pedagogical porpuses
I recently encountered the Hollow Earth theory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollow_Earth), and I realize that This kind of theories can be used to give a really interesting discussion of a physical law. For example, If we take the hypothesis that the earth is hollow and if we ignore the border effects of the ....
Potential is with respect to what
When we say a body has "high" electric potential and "low" electric potential, to what potential is it with respect to? ....
What happen when two galaxies collide?
As the title suggests, I know collision of galaxies happens. Questions are Why do they collide (obviously because of gravity, but in what conditions)? Aftermath of the collision? If there is a super massive blackhole in the center of the galaxies, what happen to them? ....
How do we presently understand time?
How do we presently understand time? Can a second be related directly to physical phenomena? What is a second really? Why are we sure that time is linear? ....
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