I want to relearn algebra, chemistry, basic mechanics, and basic physics this summer. For free?
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posted by Grandysaur
on Apr 25, 2013 -
12 answers
I am a scientifically-minded person who is trying to sort out my religious beliefs. I think it would be helpful to read some debates between deism, atheism, pantheism (Spinozism), and/or a scientifically-grounded theism. Can anyone recommend me books or essays that discuss these topics in ways that are engaging, well-thought-out, and thorough?
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posted by capricorn
on Mar 19, 2013 -
16 answers
I added some red wine to a hot pan containing some carmelized onions and garlic and spices and just-added cold ground turkey. FWOOM the wine ignited as if it were brandy in souvlaki. Wha?
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posted by mwhybark
on Aug 19, 2012 -
12 answers
What readily available materials change state at a constant, predictable rate in an easily observable manner?
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posted by londonmark
on Aug 15, 2012 -
12 answers
Explain alternating current distribution across "the grid" to me in terms an educated layman can understand. Specifically, I have a question about how to talk about which power plants are providing power to a particular consumer.
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posted by 256
on May 17, 2012 -
20 answers
I'd really love a detailed explanation of the terms and humor in this math / science related XKCD cartoon.
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posted by lazaruslong
on Apr 25, 2012 -
14 answers
There was a great series about the history of physics on PBS in the late 80s. It featured a combination of very clear explanations of each of the fundamental equations in physics throughout history presented by a very calm, level voiced (almost reverent) narrator and accompanied by fantastic very BBS Hitchhiker's Guide style animation. What was this show? And where can I find it now?
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posted by smallerdemon
on Apr 18, 2012 -
14 answers
Are there types of laser light, color or wavelength, whole beam can be seen in daylight conditions with a special eyeglass filter?
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posted by pallen123
on Mar 6, 2012 -
11 answers
If I've gotten the right impression, much of our currently visible universe will eventually be expanded away from us, never to be seen again. Do we already know how much and what parts of our present neighborhood we'll be left huddling with?
posted by Anything
on Dec 4, 2011 -
12 answers
New physics teacher filter: What was the highschool physics lab or demo that made you fall in love with physics?
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posted by JimmyJames
on Aug 13, 2011 -
41 answers
Can anyone tell me, well, ANYTHING about a person (hypothetically) standing on the sun?
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posted by argonauta
on May 16, 2011 -
44 answers
In his
TED talk, Sean Carroll very briefly discusses Feynman's explanation about how the universe we can see and experience is not a statistically lucky perturbation, before moving on to the rest of his lecture. In other words, Feynman seems to discount the "
Boltzmann brain" hypothesis, that we're not just the ephemeral product of a lucky shuffle of a metaphorical box full of marbles. Can someone explain this to me in words other than Carroll's, i.e., what evidence Feynman was using to prove his argument?
posted by Blazecock Pileon
on May 16, 2011 -
7 answers
In the
From Eternity to Here episode of the Science Talk podcast, Sean Carroll says that without entropy there could be no memory. Could you provide an explanation of why that is to somebody who's very much a layperson when it comes to thermodynamics?
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posted by willnot
on Apr 21, 2011 -
7 answers
What are some great documentaries (or documentary series) about physics? Note: I'm a physics nerd, and I'm picky. Explanations and caveats inside.
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posted by gentle
on Apr 8, 2011 -
17 answers
What do physicists do all day? What is the lab environment like? Minutiae welcome.
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posted by Frowner
on Apr 7, 2011 -
15 answers
Should I pursue my interest and study college physics more? Specifically, should I take a year-long calculus-based program, until I get comfortable that I'm on top of it-- and can really judge my level of interest and aptitude fairly?
Considering I'm a Junior English major. Also considering that it's been 15 years since HS algebra and I've never been good at math. But I want to be.
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posted by reenka
on Feb 10, 2011 -
31 answers
Can you help me understand a little more about Buddhism so I can enjoy both sides of the discussion in a particular book?
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posted by studentbaker
on Jan 6, 2011 -
13 answers
Attn: scientifically minded Mefites! I want to learn about what everything is made out of!
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posted by Griffinlb
on Oct 6, 2010 -
26 answers
I'm interested in learning everything there is to know about waves. Sound waves, ocean waves, light waves, electromagnetic waves, waves in math, in economics, brain waves, etc, etc....
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posted by empath
on Sep 7, 2010 -
15 answers
If you were to combine 1 cup of skim milk and 1 cup of 2% milk, does that essentially give you two cups of 1% milk?
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posted by ascetic
on Jul 14, 2010 -
17 answers
I'd like to know the physics of why my ice cubes seem to want to kill me for disturbing their freezing.
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posted by srboisvert
on Jan 13, 2010 -
12 answers
What is the best way to move hot air? Would it be blowing air across the heat source (ex: wood stove) or suck the air away from the heat source?
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posted by ascetic
on Dec 16, 2009 -
11 answers
What kind of small toys or devices click when you rotate them forwards and backwards? Seeking mechanism or design...
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posted by pallen123
on Nov 21, 2009 -
13 answers
I'm looking for good quotations about science (particularly physics) and education that are suitable for the wall of a secondary school (ages 11-18) classroom.
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posted by alby
on Sep 28, 2009 -
21 answers
I'm looking for a forum that hosts discussion in the field of condensed matter physics and/or materials science. I'd like a site where scientists can go to ask and answer questions, similar to Ask.Metafilter, but a general forum would be good as well. Does anyone know of such a site?
posted by Aanidaani
on Aug 17, 2009 -
2 answers
Does expansion of the universe decelerate orbits of planets and/or rotation of galaxies?
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posted by knave
on Jun 16, 2009 -
11 answers
I'm reading
Quantum: a Guide for the Perplexed and I'm enjoying the graphics, history and simplification of the math and science used to explain quantum mechanics. But I'm reasonably well versed in math and science - I took a year of college physics, linear algebra, and diff eq about ten years ago. Is there any chance of me learning to understand the equations and papers of Planck and Einstein that are the basis of QM? Are there any good books that could help walk someone like me through this stuff? Or am I stuck as a layperson unless I earn a degree in math or physics?
posted by Grundlebug
on May 30, 2009 -
14 answers
ForeignTeacherFilter: I'm a secondary (11-19yrs) science teacher in the UK and want to teach in the San Francisco area from 2010 for a few years at least. Will probably have to go private at first due to accreditation process - any recommendations for schools to contact?
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posted by bullox
on May 3, 2009 -
6 answers
Physics-filter: in the context of a diatribe against memorization, a physics professor of mine once mentioned that she fell in love with the discipline because
all of modern physics can be derived from a few foundational equations. So, what are they?
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posted by perissodactyl
on Mar 18, 2009 -
16 answers
StoryID: Alternate history where physics is based on angelology.
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posted by rwhe
on Dec 31, 2008 -
8 answers
Will there be any real world, practical applications from what will be learned with the Large Hadron Collider?
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posted by zardoz
on Nov 10, 2008 -
12 answers
What useful technologies have been developed or are in development due to advances of knowledge in modern physics?
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posted by wigglin
on Aug 3, 2008 -
16 answers
