Questions tagged [notation]
This tag is for questions on the meaning, history, and usage of various symbols and notation that are used to denote different quantities in physics. Don't forget to mention the reference, where you encountered those notations.
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Notation for vector density in Lagrangian density
Consider a manifold $M$ and a Lagrangian density $\mathcal{L} \equiv \mathcal{L}(\phi, \nabla \phi)$. By varying the action, one obtains the equation
$$\int_M \, dV \; \Big( \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}...
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Symbol denoting parity eigenvalue
What is the symbol reserved for designating the parity of a parity eigenstate?
For example an eigenstate $\phi$ of the squared angular momentum operator $\hat{\mathbf{L}}^2$ is characterized by a ...
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Dirac's Bracket Notation
I have a question on Dirac's bracket notation. In particular, according to this notation, vectors and covectors are represented by $|\psi\rangle$ and $\langle\psi|$ respectively. Moreover, these two ...
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Is my vector notation in electrostatics correct? [closed]
Let’s say we are expressing Coulomb’s law in Cartesian coordinates (not radial). Let the two charges of equal magnitude (and opposite sign) lie on x-axis. The equation for calculating the force acting ...
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Operator's definition in Dirac picture [closed]
I have a question about the definition of quantum operators in the Dirac picture. The definition is: $$A=\sum_i \sum_j \vert i \rangle A_{ij} \langle j \vert.\tag{1}$$
By deplacing the ket vector I ...
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What does it mean when vector quantity is negative?
I’ve seen in some problems that vector quantity is negative. For example, negative Coulomb means that two charges attract… negative acceleration means that object is slowing down. However, magnitude ...
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What does $v$ actually represent in pulley problems?
Let us consider the problem of two pulleys with boxes attached to their ends. One pulley is movable, and the other is not. The problem requires us to find a relationship between velocities of these ...
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About the notation for TEM waves
I just came across this article where the term "$\mathrm{TE}_{101}$ microwave mode" is mentioned. Other than the basics of TEM waves which I learned in Griffiths, this is the first time I ...
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What's the difference? $\nabla_\mu e_\nu=\Gamma_{\mu \nu}^\rho e_\rho~\text{ and }~\partial_\mu e_\nu=\Gamma_{\mu \nu}^\rho e_\rho~?$
What's the difference? $$\nabla_\mu e_\nu=\Gamma_{\mu \nu}^\rho e_\rho~\text{ and }~\partial_\mu e_\nu=\Gamma_{\mu \nu}^\rho e_\rho~?$$
In John Dirk Walecka's book 'Introduction to General Relativity',...
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How to state that a function has a certain andament in a limit? [migrated]
Assuming we have a function $f(r)$ that has the following limit
$$ \lim_{r\to0} f(r) = \frac{5}{3 r^2} \,.$$
What is the correct symbol to express that the denominator goes like $r^2$?
Is the ...
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Multiplication of $\mathrm{U}(3)$ matrices [closed]
On this page of this paper:
I am unable to understand how they multiplied the $3\times 3$ $\mathrm{U}(3)$ matrix with $T_{3,2}$, which is a $2\times 2$ matrix, in Eqs. (26) to (28). Can anyone please ...
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What does the superscript $3$ in $d^3x$ mean in an integral?
At the risk of seeming ignorant, please explain what does the superscript $3$ in $d^3x$ mean in the integrals 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15? Why 3? Why there is no such in the 5.10 integral?
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What is $r$ in a metric signature in general relativity? If $v$ and $p$ are the time and spatial coordinates?
The Wikipedia article on metric signatures says that the signature of a metric can be written $(v,p,r)$, where $v$ is the number of positive eigenvalues, $p$ is the number of negative eigenvalues, and ...
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Would it be valid to say $y \propto 2x$ instead of $y \propto x$?
Would it be acceptable to write $y \propto 2x$ or would it be wrong to add the $2$? I just want to describe a relationship in more detail.
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Questioning the Probability Expression for Neutrino Oscillation in Griffiths' "Introduction to Elementary Particles"
In Griffiths' book, Introduction to Elementary Particles (Griffiths, D. (2020). John Wiley & Sons, p. 390), the author defines the pure electron and muon neutrino states as:
$$|ν_{e}\rangle=-\sinθ|...
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