Tag: Index
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Geiger-Marsden Experiment
Introduction The Geiger-Marsden experiment, also known as the Gold Foil experiment or the Rutherford experiment, was an experiment conducted by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden under the direction of Ernest Rutherford in the early 20th century. It drastically improved our understanding of atomic structure. The Experiment The experiment involved firing a stream of alpha particles,…
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Fourier Transform
Introduction The Fourier transform is a mathematical technique used in a wide range of fields including physics, engineering, and signal processing. It decomposes a function or a signal into its constituent frequencies, revealing the frequency spectrum of the signal. Basic Definition For a function , the Fourier transform is defined as: Here represents a complex…
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Fiber Optics
Introduction Fiber optics refers to the technology of transmitting information as pulses of light through strands of fiber made from glass or plastic. It’s a key technology in telecommunications, enabling long-distance and high-speed data transmission. Basic Principles The fundamental principle behind fiber optics is total internal reflection. When light traveling through a medium hits a…
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Feynman Diagrams
Introduction Feynman diagrams are graphical representations used in quantum field theory to describe and calculate the behavior of subatomic particles. Named after their creator, physicist Richard Feynman, these diagrams provide a way to pictorially encode the mathematical expressions governing the interactions between particles. Basic Components A Feynman diagram consists of lines and vertices. Lines represent…
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Fermi Surface
Introduction The Fermi Surface is a concept in quantum mechanics, particularly in the field of condensed matter physics. It is the surface in reciprocal space (momentum space) which separates occupied from unoccupied electron energy states at absolute zero temperature. Defining the Fermi Surface In a solid, the energy states of electrons, particularly those near the…
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Fermi Paradox
Introduction The Fermi Paradox is a question originally posed by physicists Enrico Fermi and Michael Hart. The paradox arises from the high probability estimates for the existence of extraterrestrial life, such as those provided by the Drake Equation, and the lack of evidence or contact with such civilizations. The Paradox The basic form of the…
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Fermi-Dirac Distribution
Introduction The Fermi-Dirac distribution is a statistical distribution that describes the probability of a particle being in a particular quantum state in a system of many identical particles that obey the Pauli exclusion principle. This principle is applicable to fermions, particles with half-integer spin such as electrons, protons, and neutrons. Fermi-Dirac Distribution Function The Fermi-Dirac…
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Exoplanets
Introduction Exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, are planets that orbit stars outside of our own Solar System. The study of exoplanets has become a significant part of astronomical research since the first confirmed detection in 1992. Detection Methods Several methods exist for detecting exoplanets, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Transit Method The transit method involves…
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Euler-Lagrange Equation
Introduction The Euler-Lagrange equation is a fundamental equation in the calculus of variations, which seeks to find the function that minimizes a certain functional. A common application of this principle in physics is found in the formulation of Lagrangian mechanics, where the functional to be minimized is the action. The Equation The Euler-Lagrange equation is…
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Escape Velocity
Introduction Escape velocity is the minimum speed an object must have in order to escape the gravitational pull of a planet or other body without further propulsion. Essentially, it is the speed needed to break free from the gravitational field of a massive body. Calculation The escape velocity () from the surface of a spherical…