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wow? either you're REALLY good currysauce, or your exams are REALLY easy.PHYS= 99% 1st
I suspect that I would have prefered the old syllubus to the new one, but if it's just the difference between a several more basic equations then it's much of a muchness really. If anything gets to me it's the questions in the vein of 'assess the affect of the transistor on society'. By the way, I noticed the QED references in your signature and you're obviously very competent mathematically so I was wondering whether you'd ever looked into the mathematics behind QED (Feynman Calculus etc)? I've just been curious about how it all fits together from a mathematical standpoint, that is, quantum physics and modern physics in general.who_loves_maths said:wow? either you're REALLY good currysauce, or your exams are REALLY easy.
btw, do you like the new hcs style of physics? ie. watch out for the verbs....
or, do you prefer the old quantitive nature of hsc physics?
just out of curiosity. cause i don't know anyone, incl. those that like the new physics, who does that well in physics.
hahaha... i'm very interested in the QED theory and the mathematics behind it (physics is my fav. subject in fact)... however, through independent learning, i've learnt a long time ago (since yr 9) that pupils of the HSC level and of the high school level in general are not equipped with the appropriate tools to even begin to delve into the mathematical world of post-classical physics.Originally Posted by KFunk
so I was wondering whether you'd ever looked into the mathematics behind QED (Feynman Calculus etc)? I've just been curious about how it all fits together from a mathematical standpoint, that is, quantum physics and modern physics in general.
^ haha, nice. i think my maths teacher was one of the co-writers of the Signpost maths book series.nah, it was from signpost maths 10 , that book had so many jokes in it..
This is a fact that I have spent quite some time trying to denywho_loves_maths said:however, through independent learning, i've learnt a long time ago (since yr 9) that pupils of the HSC level and of the high school level in general are not equipped with the appropriate tools to even begin to delve into the mathematical world of post-classical physics.
It's actually the interpretation of the mathematical models which I have in mind but I geuss what I'm interested in attaining is the ability to interpret them myself rather than relying on reading someone elses'. One of the more interesting lay-person's examples that I have come across is in the huge generalization of T-duality in string theory. If you consider a closed string the idea is that you have 'momentum' modes where the energy of the mode comes in integer multiples of 1/R (where R refers to a kind of 'dimensional radius') and then you have 'winding' modes where the energy is proportional to R (since the string wraps around an integer number of times). This then gives an equivalence between a circular dimension with a radius of R and one with a radius of 1/R. It's such a simple idea (and very generalized of course) but the implications are fascinating to think about.who_loves_maths said:I find that, at this level, intepreting the mathematical models of physics potentially provides a more grand, stimulating, and beautiful picture of the universe than does deconstructing these models mathematically. and that's what drew me to physics in the first place.
i recognise that revolutions in physics have had in the past catalysed positive progress in mathematics, both fields of study go hand in hand; but at this stage, my appreciation of physics blooms purely from the aesthetics that it tallies to our existing picture of the universe, and not its intrinsic mathematical potentials.
eventually i think that everyone or anyone who's interested in the abstracts of physics will need to start intepreting the mathematical models for themselves in order to gain a personal understanding and appreciation of physics, and to perhaps contribute and expand to the stash of knowledge of physics at hand.Originally Posted by KFunk
It's actually the interpretation of the mathematical models which I have in mind but I geuss what I'm interested in attaining is the ability to interpret them myself rather than relying on reading someone elses'. One of the more interesting lay-person's examples that I have come across is in the huge generalization of T-duality in string theory. If you consider a closed string the idea is that you have 'momentum' modes where the energy of the mode comes in integer multiples of 1/R (where R refers to a kind of 'dimensional radius') and then you have 'winding' modes where the energy is proportional to R (since the string wraps around an integer number of times). This then gives an equivalence between a circular dimension with a radius of R and one with a radius of 1/R. It's such a simple idea (and very generalized of course) but the implications are fascinating to think about.
I figured an example would be the easiest way for me to explain what I was getting at. If you have found, or if anyone else reading this has found, anything of a similar nature, I'd be very interested to know what it is.
As far as physical 'extra dimensions' go, I'm skeptical, but as far as fancy mathematical constructs go I think that they can work even though the conceptual premise behind them might be incorrect. While there might not actually be (10/11/26 etc.) dimensions, it's still possible that particles/strings could behave as though there were when you take into account various degrees of freedom and force interactions. The conceptual basis for much of the standard model could potentially be upturned but that wouldn't change the fact that it has afforded us a lot of very accurate predictions. My personal interest in string theory actually comes from the fact that I have something of a musical background. I've always played stringed instruments (bass, guitar, double bass, mandolin etc.) and so the idea that our world could be summed up in the harmonic oscillations of little strings kinda strikes a chord with me (excuse my pun also).who_loves_maths said:but btw, tell me something, String Theory has not yet been 'proven'... so do you really believe in extra dimensions to this universe? (other than the four we already know) because they might just turn out to be fancy mathematical/abstract constructs, and that's also one of the problems of using abstract mathematics in building physical theories and models for our universe - you don't know if it's real or imaginary.