To more scientifically adept TASPers
I have a physics report that needs to be done at some point and since I have been basically zoning out through the first quarter and a half of the class, I have no idea what to do it on. I need to write about some equation of modern physics so if anyone has any ideas of really interesting topics I would appreciate suggestions.
posted by Ben at 7:57 PM
5 Comments:
Today in my physics class we discussed Kepler's statement of the ellipse equation. It's not really fascinating in and of itself, but it has tremendous historical significance. Good standbys are Schroedinger's wave equation (which can be solved explicitly for hydrogen, and sparked a huge feud between the Copenhagen school and Einstein's Determinists) and, of course Einstein's goodies:
e=mc^2 (don't do this,...too cliche) and
special relativity dilation 1/sqrt(1+v0^2/c^2), I think, which is a way cooler equation anyway. The Natural History Musem in NYC, when I went there, had a copy of the original page where he derived the dilation. Super-awesome.
De Broglie's particle-wave duality equation (h=lambda*v, I think, where h is Plank's constant) was not only a brilliant synthesis of quantum-mechanical difraction conundrums but also the shortest doctoral thesis in the history of western science (2 pages).
Tell me if that helps.
Michael
Oh, duh, F=ma basically initiated modern physics (along with Kepler from above)
Mike, I love you.
Nice save, Yiwey Looi
One of my textbooks had me do the calculation of what speed I'd have to go to difract through a doorway. I think it would take me something like the square of the age of the universe to cross the threshhold.
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