Do you think you are genius, or even pseudo-genius? Test yourself here...

[Ankit]

This isn't quite a test, I just need some questions answered, but if you can answer all these questions satisfactorily, you must be genius.

1. Can anyone explain the theory of relativity? It's not that I don't get it, the case is that no-one has ever actually explained it to me.

2. What are the most prominent theories about black holes? This is a most fervent interest of moi, so please, reply in moderate (or above) detail (if you would).

3. Can anyone explain chaos theory (at the very least) with a modicum of detail?

4. Just an inquiry...concerning Newton's magnum opus...F = ma.
Why, in high schools, do 'they' insist on this equation, when Momentum = mass x velocity is more accomodating? Or am I wrong and both equations are required? Please assist...I'm quite screwed at this particular point.

Thank you.

 

[kmguru]

Wecome to sciforums. I suggest to dig through the forum to find those answers since many have asked and got something in return. Then comeback to focus on specifics...

Good hunting....

 

[thecurly1]

If I'm correct there are two theories of relativity. Einstein didn't like the relativity part but never bothered changing it.

The first is commonly E=MC2, this states that (E) Energy equals (M)Mass times the (C)Speed of Light squared. This means that a certain amount of energy or mass can be converted into its counterpart. So much mass like uranium for instance can be converted into energy under the proper conditions of course.

Energy can be converted into mass as well, I can't think of an example off the top of my head but I'm sure you can.

The other theory of relativity, the Special Theory of Relativity states that nothing containing mass, any piece of matter cannot travel at or faster than the speed of light. When matter approaches the speed of light it gains mass, not matter, becoming so heavy that it would take too much energy to propel it to the speed of light. Upon reaching the speed of light matter would become infinitely heavy and never reach the speed of light.

I hope that clears things up.

 

[Crisp]

...

Hi Ankit,

Concerning your questions:

1. Can anyone explain the theory of relativity? It's not that I don't get it, the case is that no-one has ever actually explained it to me.

Okay, nobody can just explain you the theory of relativity in a couple of words, books of thousands and thousands of pages have been written on that theory alone, and I wouldn't recommend anyone typing those in. I suggest you visit your nearest library or university and look up the following book: "Spacetime physics" by Taylor and Wheeler. It's a simple, non-mathematical introduction to the special and general theory of relativity.

2. What are the most prominent theories about black holes? This is a most fervent interest of moi, so please, reply in moderate (or above) detail (if you would).

To my knowledge, there is no real single theory about black holes yet, but there are some good candidates. The advanced literature requires a good knowledge of the general theory of relativity (not really trivial). I suggest going for the more popular works by Hawking, "The universe" for example.

3. Can anyone explain chaos theory (at the very least) with a modicum of detail?

Sorry to disappoint you again. Chaos theory is a subfield of nonlinear dynamics and it requires quite some heavy maths to explain.

So basically I can only suggest the following: as soon as you feel prepared for it, go to your local university and enroll either for physical mathematics or mathematical physics courses (yes, there is a slight difference, I advice the mathematical phyisics ). After you've gone through the usual Newtonian mechanics bits, the more interesting theories of special relativity and linear dynamics are handled. Afterwards, you can choose to take extra courses in general relativity and chaos theory.

4. Just an inquiry...concerning Newton's magnum opus...F = ma.
Why, in high schools, do 'they' insist on this equation, when Momentum = mass x velocity is more accomodating? Or am I wrong and both equations are required?

A question in linear dynamics . If you only use momentum p = m*v , then the only kind of behaviour you can have is particles moving in a straight line. In order to allow them to slow down or accelerate, a "force" is required.

The physical explanation is encapsuled in Newton's first low: a particle that is not subject to a force will continue flying in a straight line.
The mathematical explanation for this behavior is the following: "p = mv" is a first order differential equation, only giving rise to two kinds of possible solutions: either the particle flies of to infinity, or they stay at one point (when their velocity is zero at the start, it will remain zero).

As a sidenote, I should add that "p = mv" is actually a definition, and not an equation commonly used to describe motions.

Finally, there is one other formulation of Newton's second law, being:

dp/dt = F

Which is basically just the m*a replaced by m * (dv / dt) which can be written as d(mv)/dt since the mass is constant in Newtonian mechanics. And p = mv is the definition of momentum we've been talking about.



thecurly1,

Actually "E = mc^2" is an equation that is deduced in the theory of special relativity. You are right that there are two theories of relativity: the special theory of relativity (that handles object travelling at high speeds) and the general theory of relativity (that handles gravity).

Bye!

Crisp

 

[Xerxes]

about the poll......

dont you think that rather than travelling to a different part of the universe, that the matter might travel to a different time in the universe the same spot ofcoarse and because there is so much energy in a little area that it might work like a time machine in a sense

 

[Moose]

What qualities do you suppose time has to allow this? It cannot be linear...

 

[Moose]

er?

And how comes elbax or whatever is senior and yet he joined only 2 months before me luvly self (I'm english, u can tell)
I would prefer 'Brainspiller' ... bugger, wrong guys
moosey out

 

[kmguru]

Hello Moosey:

Welcome to sciforums. When you post 100 posts (quality posts that is), you are eligible to be senior. You will still be senior after a 1000 post....

 

[Stryder]

I looked at the topic that is voted on in this post and well It doesn't have my theory.

In the future a star is a blackhole, and all the light and mass that it sucks into it's centre, is shot out back. That would be equal to down here when it's a star. Simple really. Of course I can't prove it.

What do you think?

 

[Moose]

yeah.......

i think that if you improved your typing/grammar i'd know what the f**k you were talking about....... "spotted out"
what on earth is that>?

sorry for the aggression, just realised that its friday.......[damn]

moosey rollin' to safeway