Mathematics Stack Exchange
Mathematics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [mathematical-physics]

DO NOT USE THIS TAG for elementary physical questions. This tag is intended for questions on modern mathematical methods used in quantum theory, general relativity, string theory, integrable system etc at an advanced undergraduate or graduate level.

"Mathematical physics consists of the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and for the formulation of physical theories." (from Journal of Mathematical Physics). This tag is intended for questions on mathematical methods used in quantum theory, general relativity, string theory, integrable system etc at an advanced undergraduate or graduate level.

Do not use just because your question involves physics!

See also Physics Stack Exchange's discussion on mathematical physics, Math Overflow's discussion on mathematical physics and Physics Overflow for further reference.

4085 questions
0
votes
1 answer

Calculating maximum velocity in simple harmonic motion

I'm a bit confused about simple harmonic motion... If a particle is in simple harmonic motion, to calculate the maximum velocity can I use either displacement = 0 or acceleration = 0, since i know in both graphs a zero in displacement and…
Bob
  • 163
0
votes
2 answers

Three cyclists Raman, Mohan and Nitin ride around a circular course

Three cyclists Raman, Mohan and Nitin ride around a circular course 85 km around at the rate of 8, 12 and 20 km an hour. Raman and Mohan ride in the same direction and Nitin in the opposite direction. In how many hours will they meet again?
amitguptageek
  • 101
0
votes
1 answer

How to calculate $e^{ad\hat{A}}\hat{B}$?

For $\hat{a}$ and $\hat{a}^{\dagger}$ is annihilation and creation operators which, $[\hat{a},\hat{a}^{\dagger}]=1$. Could you please show me the way to…
TBBT
  • 347
0
votes
1 answer

Deflection - irradiation direction.

Compute the beam deflection $\delta$ (see figure) through a prism with angle $\epsilon$ as in the figure and refractive index $n_p$. When is the deflection $\delta$ minimal compared to the original irradiation direction. We had the pleasure to…
Rab
  • 377
0
votes
1 answer

Glass prism - refractive index

Light falls perpendicular on one side of a glass prism with refractive index n. The light is totally reflected on the right side. 1.1: Determine the angle of incidence using the figure below. 1.2: What's the smallest value n can have? 1.3: When…
Rafa Fafa
  • 205
0
votes
1 answer

Equation of motion - curve - particle

A particle of mass m moves frictionlessly under the influence of gravity on a curve defined by: $x=a(\phi+\sin\phi)$ and $y=a(1-\cos\phi)$. a) Set up the terms for the kinetic and potential energy. b)Use a suitable generalized variable $q=f(\phi)$…
Nicole Parson
  • 23
0
votes
1 answer

Physics - Conservation of Energy problem with non earth object

A NASA satellite has just observed an asteroid that is on a collision course with the Earth. The asteroid has an estimated mass, based on its size, of 5×109kg. It is approaching the Earth on a head-on course with a velocity of 860m/s relative to the…
John Boble
  • 3
0
votes
1 answer

The second law for rotations

Is Newton's second law for rotations derived from his three laws of motion, or is it an independent axiom of physics?
Evan Aad
  • 11,422
0
votes
0 answers

A simple pendulum

The idealized simple pendulum model (see the following figure) assumes that at every point of time the string to which the bob is attached exerts an equal and opposite force on the bob as does the component of the force of gravity acting on the bob…
Evan Aad
  • 11,422
0
votes
0 answers

How to find out the asymptotic behavior of a Bessel function?

How can one find out the asymptotic behavior of a Bessel function? If we start from $z= 0$, we can get a Taylor series. But in physics, we have to know the asymptotic behavior of the solution at both $z=0$ and $z= \infty$. The Taylor series is not…
Beamer
  • 1,079
0
votes
2 answers

Question about acceleration equation that is derived from place equation.

$a=4$ ${\bf R}(t)=7\sin(at)\hat{{\bf x}}+4e^{-8t}\hat{{\bf y}}+8t^{3}\hat{{\bf z}}$ how do I find the acceleration at time $t = 0.27778$ I know that the third derivative is: $ \vec {R^{(3)}(t)} = -7a^3\cos(at)\hat x -2048e^{-8t}\hat y +48\hat…
Firas Abd El Gani
  • 2,136
-1
votes
1 answer

Irrationality of $\alpha$ the fine-structure constant.

Is the fine-structure constant rational, or irrational? I have asked this question on the physics stack exchange, but I want to get some mathematicians' perspectives as well.
user107952
  • 20,508
-1
votes
3 answers

Why gauss's law of gravity has negative sign?

Why Gauss's law of gravitational field have negative sign but gauss's law of electric field is positive sign? $$\nabla\cdot{\bf{g}}=-4\pi \rho G$$ $$\nabla\cdot{\bf{E}}=\frac{\rho}{\epsilon_0}$$
ahmad
  • 1
-1
votes
2 answers

Finding speed with only distance

Excellent human jumpers can leap straight up to a height of 110cm off the ground To reach this height, with what speed would a person need to leave the ground? How do I solve this question when no other values are given other than distance?
Lisa Paima
  • 121
-1
votes
2 answers

what does mean by $\max_i$ in metric space

what does mean by : $$d(x,y) = \max_i|x_i - y_i|, \quad\text{where} \hspace{0.25cm}x_i,y_i \in \mathbb{R}^n $$ Can some one explain me what does it mean by "$\max_i$"? (note: I am studying metric space in physics, maybe my question looks trivial)
user846671
1 2 3
…
12
13