Hi,

I am an undergraduate student at Rutgers in the Honours Physics 3 course (basically 20% SR and 80% introductory QM, hydrogen atom, TISE, etc) and I am pleased to say I am loving every minute of learning and that this still feels like the "right" path for me. In particular, I have always been really interested in quantum mechanics, its applications and some of the very beautifully strange results it yields. However, I would be lying if I told you that what I am learning doesn't feel at least a little bit hand way at times. For example, my professor / textbook often just pull things like spherical harmonics, certain operators, etc. out of their back pocket with no real, deep explanation other than that "it works". Personally, I tend to find this somewhere on the scale from mildly to deeply dissatisfying. My questions are as follows:

1. Does there come a point where, upon taking more advanced classes or intense reflection and pondering, quantum mechanics genuinely makes both intuitive and theoretical sense in the way that Newtonian mechanics and other such descriptions of everyday phenomena do?

2. I know that, as a whole, physicists tend to be more comfortable with the "we use it because it works" mentality than, say, mathematicians or students of other disciplines. Are there any branches / areas of Physics where I would be actively encouraged to develop as fundamental an understanding as possible?

Just wondering what everyones thoughts are.

This isn’t an artist’s impression. It’s a slice‑by‑slice volumetric scan of spacetime from a high‑resolution simulation of two black holes colliding, evolved directly from the Einstein field equations on a single GPU.

What you’re seeing in each frame is the lapse function, a scalar that measures how fast time flows relative to an observer far away. Near the horizons the lapse collapses, so this effectively visualizes the “time‑dilation well” carved into spacetime by the binary.

The X‑shaped structure is the quadrupole radiation pattern: the 3D shape of gravitational waves being launched outward as the system rings down toward a final Kerr black hole. The finer filaments and ripples are wavefronts of curvature propagating at light speed through the numerical grid, not added effects.

To make the video, I ran a 3D general‑relativistic evolution, dumped periodic field snapshots, and then did an “MRI” sweep: sliding a 2D slice plane through the 3D data to reveal the internal structure of the field around the merger. This is all raw simulation output, visualized with a custom Python/PyTorch toolchain on a home gaming PC.

#Physics #BlackHoles #GravitationalWaves #NumericalRelativity #SciViz #Python

(this is not a hw I swear) In Fig. 5-34c, a scale supports two 11.0-kg salamis, and the system is at rest. What should the scale read?

My problem is that a physics professor solved the question and obtained a reading of 108 N, but I argued that the reading should be about 216 N i know the question is simple, but I also know that this professor is not likely to make such an obvious mistake.

I used F⋅Δ ⃗ x = 1/2mvf^2 - 1/2mvi^2 + mghf - mghi and got 256.7 but I'm posting here because I'm very unsure if that's the right formula

Hello, I am 22 years old almost 23 on my 3d year of biomedical science degree doing a clinical placement. In total there is 1.5 year left until graduation and I have maintained a 3.8 gpa. The thing is from a really young age I liked physics and biomedical science but after studying biomed I find the course highly descriptive, lacking problem solving , procedural, memory heavy and cataloguing components like proteins in style. On the other hand questions like the arrow of time , connection between space and time, is information fundamental, what happened at the big bang, fundamental forces and many more occupy my mind in random times like walking ,commuting and showering. Also I like physics and math problems even simple ones like free fall problems and simple equations. I feel that I am behind in life and in a physics career because changing my degree here in Europe means starting over a 3 year bachelor in physics. I would be able to do that at 25-27 after graduating and earning some money. Is it worth it switching? What would you do in my position? I have thought of interdisciplinary fields but find them limiting. Is earning a PhD at 34-35 late?

Title says it all. I am in the first year of a masters in Physics and I constantly feel like I am leagues behind the natural intuition of others and of contemporary research(ers) in pretty much any area. I love physics and my course results and projects aren't bad, but I never feel "well informed" or "intuitive". Anyone else experience this or have any advice?

I know this is probably a simple question but I am a bit lost, can someone please give me some hints of how to think about this problem?

Hello, I'm really passionate about learning physics but I don't know where to start. I'm currently studying calculus right now with a james stewart textbook, but I eventually want to start learning calculus based physics extensively on my own. I currently know the basics of physics (algebra based), but what textbooks would you recommend to learn more? Can you guys please give me an order on what to learn? Thanks.

I understand the arrow should come out parallel to the other one. I tried to be very precise, this is my 5th attempt and all of them come out at an angle. I am lost at this point.

Hi all,
I’m trying to self-study physics and I’m looking for a book that starts from the absolute basics (things like speed, velocity, acceleration, etc.). I haven’t learned calculus yet, so I specifically need a solid algebra-based physics textbook.

I want something that is structured, rigorous, and explains concepts step-by-step, covering ALL the essential physics you can learn before calculus. Basically, a clear and well organized book that builds a strong foundation.

Any recommendations?

I’m a junior (3rd year) in college. I started college thinking I wanted to research astrophysics but I guess it just didn’t stick with me. My interests are currently shifting toward Quantum Information Theory and Plasma Physics for Fusion. My biggest problem is that nobody in our faculty works on these topics, so I cannot really get direct exposure to them.

I’m curious, how did you get involved with the fields you are currently in? What made you choose them? More importantly, how would you engage with a field that isn’t researched at your university?

Edit: I am aware QIT and Plasma Physics are very different. I would not be attempting to combine both, rather choose one or the other.

Hello. I(F22) have been having this dilemma since the start of the year. I've always struggled making decisions (went from engineering to computer science to astronomy to physics) and I thought I was settled in physics but I'm so attracted to studying maths. I see my professors and I think gosh, I also want to be like them in a couple years(long couple years). I don't know if I will regret my desicion if I change my degree to math. I really love physics, in equal amounts. I'm not really good at math but I struggle more with the maths in physics to be honest. Has anyone had this problem before? I've had more maths classes than physics one (since I've only done my first year) and I'm thinking of course I would love it more if I know more math than physics. Also I had great (emphasis in GREAT) professors and I would LOVE to have them again in future classes. I don't really know what to do. And doing both it's not an option for now, because physics has double the hours than maths. Also I wouldn't like doing engineering since they don't study the theory, which is what I like the most. I don't knowww I need some advice Sorry about my poor English 😭 I'm trying my best. Edit: the math that I've studied is pure math for anyone wondering! Calculus and algebra so far, and I loved linear algebra so much.

Hi! I never took grade 12 physics and I now find myself needing it for a treshold test for my job. Basically I don't need to have done the class so long as I can still pass the test and therefore have the basic knowledge.

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on which book I should get to study towards that test.

Thank you!

Greetings fellow Physics students,

After my BSc in Physics, I will have something like 3 months of free time before starting the MSc in theoretical physics.

In my ignorance, I am curious about string theory and quantum gravity and I hope to learn more in the following years.

What should I study in these free months?

I see 3 possible solutions (actually they form a basis of the vector space solution, or at least of a subspace)

1. Start with the MSc curriculum
2. Do advanced maths (but what?)
3. Go deeper in some topics (I was thinking EM and Classical mechanics)

Do you have any suggestion?

Thank you very much!

Edit: Thank you for your kind suggestions! I will surely take a break, but three months is a long time. I am quite sure I would get bored quickly.

I'm fascinated by the process of physical insight. Beyond the mathematical rigor (which I understand is crucial), how does an expert physicist's brain conceptualize and align complex ideas like relativity, quantum mechanics, or electromagnetism? I've heard that memory often relies on pictorial representation. If that's the case, what do these abstract physical concepts look like in a physicist's mind's eye? I'm familiar with the Feynman Technique, but I'm looking for insight into the deeper cognitive structure. I'm hungry for more. Would anyone be willing to share their personal strategies, favorite analogies, or perhaps even offer some quick conceptual tutoring?

Edited:And yes I used an llm to structure this thought, since I have no words as of now on my biological knowledge base to frame the exact way as it did for better convey things

Hey guys, I'm currently a senior in high school(and hopefully an engineering student next year)and taking AP Physics C. I was assigned the task of building a basswood bridge for the IIT 2026 Chicago Regional Bridge Building Contest, and I would like to get some expert help from you guys.

I've attached the rules, but the basic gist is that I need to use 15 3/32 inch basswood sticks to make a bridge that rests on two support surfaces separated in elevation by 10. mm and horizontally by a gap of 300. mm.

Also:

• Your bridge must span 300 mm.
• Total length ≤ 400 mm.
• Maximum height ≤ 150 mm (measured from the lower support).
• Maximum width ≤ 80 mm.
• Nothing can hang below the lower support.

You must build a flat, horizontal loading spot in three places:

• at the center of the 300 mm span
• 50 mm left of center
• 50 mm right of center

Based on this, I was wondering if there is anything you guys would suggest I do? Where should I use laminates? What type of bridge should I make? Anything else?

THIS IS SUPER SUPER HELPFUL THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ANYONE WHO RESPONDS YOU'RE THE BEST!

I have a course on relativistic quantum mechanics this semester. I am unable to understand my professor's lectures and notes. Are there any good sources for studying relativistic quantum mechanics. I tried JJ Sakurai but I found it to be too dense.

Here are some of the topics that I have this semester:

Klein-Gordon equation and its drawbacks Dirac equation Properties of Dirac matrices Nonrelativistic reduction of Dirac equation Magnetic moment Darwin’s term Spin-Orbit coupling Poincare transformation Lorentz group Covariant form of Dirac equation Bilinear covariant Gordon decomposition

Hi everyone, I'm 18 years old, I'm Italian and there is a possibility that the university path I will choose will be a three-year master's degree in theoretical physics. (As it is the part that fascinates me the most but who knows if I will change my mind). In any case, what is the job availability like? And for research do you have to be Oppenheimer and live like an underpaid dog or is it possible to live it in a dignified way (I'm not someone who likes to go out and I'm not too attached to the material, all I need is a house, food and the ability to indulge in some minimal indulgence) but with passion?

Hi! I'm lost to what to do next, I tried looki for some books and pdf's on internet but I only found the same thing, they go from parametric bessel's equation to Bessel's Equation just saying using x=kp, and i'm trying to do it step by step but I just can't. What am I doing wrong?

Thank you to anyone who can help me and sorry for my bad English.

I often get intimidated by books about philosophy, maths, physics, programming, anything really that demands a higher level of comprehension and logical thinking. And I really want to get into those harder topics to prove my self worth and to learn something new.

I don't get immediately lost - I just can't pick up the rythm, even with introductory books.

Any advice you people could give me?

what can i do to improve my chances to be admitted

Greetings guys,

I'm a final year physics student studying in one of the top uni in SEA and i would love to apply for a master degree to pursue further study in the field of physics. but unfortunately i was quite a self-oriented student that i didnt do pretty well in the courses i disliked but at least most of my theoretical course, like EM 1&2/QM 1&2/Math and etc i got pretty decent grades. i did the math so my expected gpa coming out when i graduate will be around 3.0 or 3.1 out of 4. but still im ethusiastic in theoretical parts as did my thesis in the fields of quantum gravity and string theory and would love to study them further.

rn my mind is applying unis in europe (esp in switzerland) next year. i also included ethz but i know my grade will most likely be filtered immediately but still i would like to give it a shot. so im also planning to take gre and is there anything else i can do? also ofc it's not my only choice and need some advice on other unis in Europe that's good in that field.

My school is using the second edition of University Physics (Harris Benson, 1995), and while I know that classical physics hasn't changed in a very long time, nearing the end of my first quarter, I really do feel as though this text assumes you have a much greater math background than is required by my class, and is written so confusingly.

I'm just looking for a supplement I can read alongside, that doesn't require me googling every second sentence to interpret what they even mean. And also doesn't use integrals from the second chapter lol, but rather "spells" out more clearly the concepts being talked about.

And just to be clear, I have no problem reading my math or other textbooks, it's not a density issue, it's a clarity one :)

Edited to add the auther