O/T Science Junkies

[Mash1]

I just got done reading the first few chapters of "A Brief History in Time" by Stephen Hawking. If you have ANY interest in science, more specifically physics I suggest you read a little of it. Great book and Hawking simplifies every theory making it easy to read.

 

[Hossienda77]

If you like Hawking, I recommend that you read Cosmos by Carl Sagan next. I guarantee that you'll love it. Sagan wrote a shitload of good science books, but he's dead now unfortunately. Also, go to thepiratebay.com (you do have to have utorrent on your pc, but it's free) and you can download torrents that literally have hundreds of science books in one file.

I've been studying quantum mechanics, string theory, and general relativity the past couple of years for personal reasons. Another author you'd like is Richard Feynman. He's a smart as shit physicist and he's funny as hell. His best book is "surely you must be joking, Mr Feynman". You can download that one as well.

Alright, one last author and I'll shut up. Definitely read some of Brian Greene's work. The Elegant Universe is great, and it's an easy read without all the mundane formulaic retarded shit that bores you to death.

For instant gratification, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgg2tpUVbXQ

 

[tkav1980]

follow that up with hawkings "the universe in a nutshell". you can also read a nice paper by Alfred Lorentz explaining his formulation of Lorentz contractions and relavistic speeds. another great book is "Super Luminal Loop Holes in Physics".

 

[Mash1]

I love physics. My major is is exercise science, but with a pre-med curriculum so I'll only be taking physics 1 and 2. I'm seriously thinking about staying in undergraduate a 5th year just to minor in physics.

I'll check out ALL those authors and see what their like!

 

[Pekkerwood]

Mash:

In addition to the Stephen Hawking books, in that same vein, an author that also make the subject accessible is Brian Green. Almost makes it easy to consider eleven dimensions.

 

[Mash1]

If you like Hawking, I recommend that you read Cosmos by Carl Sagan next. I guarantee that you'll love it. Sagan wrote a shitload of good science books, but he's dead now unfortunately. Also, go to thepiratebay.com (you do have to have utorrent on your pc, but it's free) and you can download torrents that literally have hundreds of science books in one file.

I've been studying quantum mechanics, string theory, and general relativity the past couple of years for personal reasons. Another author you'd like is Richard Feynman. He's a smart as shit physicist and he's funny as hell. His best book is "surely you must be joking, Mr Feynman". You can download that one as well.

Alright, one last author and I'll shut up. Definitely read some of Brian Greene's work. The Elegant Universe is great, and it's an easy read without all the mundane formulaic retarded shit that bores you to death.

For instant gratification, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgg2tpUVbXQ

THAT WAS INSANE!!!!!!!!!!! 10,000 galaxies!

 

[Mash1]

Mash:

In addition to the Stephen Hawking books, in that same vein, an author that also make the subject accessible is Brian Green. Almost makes it easy to consider eleven dimensions.

That's what I love too...the entire 11 dimensions. I'm DEFINITELY going to look into those.

 

[Hossienda77]

THAT WAS INSANE!!!!!!!!!!! 10,000 galaxies!

Yeah, if you ever need to be humbled just go watch that video. It puts a different perspective on the sheer immensity of the universe. Don't watch it if you've been drinking though... it'll make your head hurt even worse!!

 

[Hossienda77]

That's what I love too...the entire 11 dimensions. I'm DEFINITELY going to look into those.

Be forewarned though- Brian Green specifically writes about string theory which a lot of physicists consider pseudo-science. Just ask one of your instructors. They'll either laugh at it and blow you off or they'll have a strong belief in it. The Large Hadron Collider that CERN just built will be able to test some of the proposed theories and see if they are valid or not. For me personally, I love the string theory stuff.

My two favorite science sites that I think you'd all enjoy are:
www.badastronomy.com
www.sciencedaily.com (go to the space & time, matter & energy, and computers & math tabs)

 

[tkav1980]

Be forewarned though- Brian Green specifically writes about string theory which a lot of physicists consider pseudo-science. Just ask one of your instructors. They'll either laugh at it and blow you off or they'll have a strong belief in it. The Large Hadron Collider that CERN just built will be able to test some of the proposed theories and see if they are valid or not. For me personally, I love the string theory stuff.

My two favorite science sites that I think you'd all enjoy are:
www.badastronomy.com
www.sciencedaily.com (go to the space & time, matter & energy, and computers & math tabs)

String theory only deals in 10 dimentions. once you move into 11 dimensions you superscede string theory and get into "M" theory. "M" theory still lies based in the idea that when matter is broken down to its smallest form it actually is not a particle but tiny strings. and in order for these strings to vibrate properly in space, space requires 11 physical dimentions. thats why the equations of string theory could not be extrapulated to a finite conclusion. once an 11th physical dimention was added the equations balanced. the proof in this that the hadron colider will either show to be true or falce will be to prove the Heisenberg Uncertanty Principle(HUP). we all know that you cant measure a particles velocity and location simultaneously due to the fact that the simple act of taking the measurement of one wil affect the other. but the HUP goes much deeper. when you apply Schrodenger wave functions to electrons in quantum Mechanics it shows not only that you cant measure both but that sometimes an electron can be in 2 places at once, and in fact momentarly blink out of existance in one place and reappear in another. this breaks if only momentarily the law of conservation of matter and energy. so i dont get this thread all out of wack if anyone would like to further discuss this pm me.

 

[Hossienda77]

String theory only deals in 10 dimentions. once you move into 11 dimensions you superscede string theory and get into "M" theory. "M" theory still lies based in the idea that when matter is broken down to its smallest form it actually is not a particle but tiny strings. and in order for these strings to vibrate properly in space, space requires 11 physical dimentions. thats why the equations of string theory could not be extrapulated to a finite conclusion. once an 11th physical dimention was added the equations balanced. the proof in this that the hadron colider will either show to be true or falce will be to prove the Heisenberg Uncertanty Principle(HUP). we all know that you cant measure a particles velocity and location simultaneously due to the fact that the simple act of taking the measurement of one wil affect the other. but the HUP goes much deeper. when you apply Schrodenger wave functions to electrons in quantum Mechanics it shows not only that you cant measure both but that sometimes an electron can be in 2 places at once, and in fact momentarly blink out of existance in one place and reappear in another. this breaks if only momentarily the law of conservation of matter and energy. so i dont get this thread all out of wack if anyone would like to further discuss this pm me.

Good call. I might be wrong, but is M theory what Ed Witten was working on? I haven't read much from him but I heard he's a friggin genius when it comes to theoretical physics.

In regards to the LHC, I can't freakin' wait to see what transpires. Although I think the damn thing is broken right now.

 

[Vo2Max]

Very Cool Post

Simply amazing. Although it does become overwhelming to consider how vast the universe is... My head hurts

 

[rotty]

If you like Hawking, I recommend that you read Cosmos by Carl Sagan next. I guarantee that you'll love it. Sagan wrote a shitload of good science books, but he's dead now unfortunately. Also, go to thepiratebay.com (you do have to have utorrent on your pc, but it's free) and you can download torrents that literally have hundreds of science books in one file.

I've been studying quantum mechanics, string theory, and general relativity the past couple of years for personal reasons. Another author you'd like is Richard Feynman. He's a smart as shit physicist and he's funny as hell. His best book is "surely you must be joking, Mr Feynman". You can download that one as well.

Alright, one last author and I'll shut up. Definitely read some of Brian Greene's work. The Elegant Universe is great, and it's an easy read without all the mundane formulaic retarded shit that bores you to death.

For instant gratification, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgg2tpUVbXQ

I know I'm kind of splitting hairs here but....it is kind of an insult to call him an author. He was a genius physicist that happened to write some books. He was also a hero for his work in the investigation of the shuttle explosion. A lot of people wanted to sweep it under the rug. He was a hero for coming forward and going on national TV and showing the world why it blew up. The commission didn't even put his findings in the actual report. They put it in as an appendix. If you can't tell I'm kind of a big fan of his.

And I hate physics. It is interesting and cool how everything works and how all the formulas are intertwined, but I don't think there is a such thing as a good physics professor. All of mine have sucked ass!!!!

 

[rotty]

I love physics. My major is is exercise science, but with a pre-med curriculum so I'll only be taking physics 1 and 2. I'm seriously thinking about staying in undergraduate a 5th year just to minor in physics.

I'll check out ALL those authors and see what their like!

What physics are you taking? Have you taken calculus? If you are considering taking more physics classes you may need calc II as a prerequisite. Most schools, to have a major or minor in physics you have to be taking calc based physics and unless you are some sort of engineering major, most schools don't require you to take calc based physics, just algebra based. Algebra based is much easier. I have found that most physics professors are arrogant and intellectual snobs. Or at least the ones I have had. I wish I had good professors becasue most of the material is very interesting but very hard to try and learn on your own. I do really like thermo. That is my favorite subject along with some of Newton's Laws. Not a fan of waves and oscillations. Such a pain in the ass.

 

[tkav1980]

i had a really cool physics professor in college. the problem physics professors have with most students is that they lack the ability to make logical leaps of faith in theyre thought process to arrive at a conclusion. in physics when you have an idea you draw a logical conclusion and reverse engineer the math for it. its a verry tough thought process to get used to. i did have one professor that could teach his students how to "think" right. the math is the easy part.lol

 

[rotty]

i had a really cool physics professor in college. the problem physics professors have with most students is that they lack the ability to make logical leaps of faith in theyre thought process to arrive at a conclusion. in physics when you have an idea you draw a logical conclusion and reverse engineer the math for it. its a verry tough thought process to get used to. i did have one professor that could teach his students how to "think" right. the math is the easy part.lol

My professors handed us the book and said....here you go, test dates are on the syllabus. Would do 3 problems on the board, go extremely fast and berate anyone that asked a question, to prevent questions from being asked. Or tell you that it was your job to figure it out. Not much teaching going on. Math is very easy but it is very difficult to learn physics on your own. Especially once you get past basic linear motion, accelleration, velocity and position. It isn't very intuitive how to find answers to questions that aren't straight forward on a subject you don't fully understand. Even my text book would only spend a page or less on each subject.

 

[Pekkerwood]

Rotty:

I will offer the argument that both math and physics are equally easy to learn on your own if you truly wish to learn. I will also offer that for some, not being constrained by a professors biases, assumptions, etc will unleash some bright minds by not being "constrained" or learning things "that cannot be true".

I have heard it proffered that most truly genius ideas are limited by education rather than enhanced. Think about it, to a young child all things are possible, and our their "education" makes them learn that fairies aren't riding unicorns sprinkling pixie dust. I think many great ideas start out as someone thinking about "unicorns".

It was truly elegant the way Einstein seemed to approach problems. He also make most of his breakthroughs early on, and most of his mistakes in later years. A view into his thought process that can be useful for all businesses and life in general can be found in the book "How to Think Like Einstein". I read it every few years to remind me to not always think too rationally.

 

[tkav1980]

i always took the standpoint of someone figured this out in the first place so why cant i. i had a thermo dynamics professor who never had anyone score over 36 on his final. until me and a friend both got 88. heres the thing about physics, its a verry logical science most of the time. it can be figured out just by thinking through it. for example, we know that the universe consists mostly of regular matter but antimatter also exists at a fraction of real matter. so you can conclude shortly after the big bang when the universe cooled enough for solid matter to exist there was an inbalance. if there wasnt an inbalance all the matter in the universe would have annihilated with al of the antimatter and the universe would be pure energy. but then the question arises how much more matter was there than antimatter. well when you extrapulate some of the figures based on the amount of matter in the known universe with the amount of antimatter found naturally in the universe you can come to a ratio of 1 billion to 1billion and 1. think about that for every billion antiprotons there were one billion and 1 protons. thats pretty damn close.

 

[Hossienda77]

Rotty:

I will offer the argument that both math and physics are equally easy to learn on your own if you truly wish to learn. I will also offer that for some, not being constrained by a professors biases, assumptions, etc will unleash some bright minds by not being "constrained" or learning things "that cannot be true".

I have heard it proffered that most truly genius ideas are limited by education rather than enhanced. Think about it, to a young child all things are possible, and our their "education" makes them learn that fairies aren't riding unicorns sprinkling pixie dust. I think many great ideas start out as someone thinking about "unicorns".

It was truly elegant the way Einstein seemed to approach problems. He also make most of his breakthroughs early on, and most of his mistakes in later years. A view into his thought process that can be useful for all businesses and life in general can be found in the book "How to Think Like Einstein". I read it every few years to remind me to not always think too rationally.

Yup. Right on the money. I think the best scientists throughout history had a deep philosophical intellect and great imagination to boot.

 

[rotty]

Rotty:

Think about it, to a young child all things are possible, and our their "education" makes them learn that fairies aren't riding unicorns sprinkling pixie dust.
.

Since when?

My biggest problem was/is my professors didn't explain anything to me. I can take a formula sheet and plug away and get an A on a test. That is very easy. My gripe was I didnt learn it. I can teach any class I have taken but physics because I completely understand them. Physics, I can take the question and with the formulas get an answer but not fully understand what I am doing or why. Some of it I do. I totally understans thermo and like it. I like statics. I love all my electrical classes. My physics professors didn't get me to that level of understanding ot even close and it was because they were teachers, they were homework problem writers in front of hte class room