I am done with classes for the rest of the (calendar) year! Although I still have one more semester to finish my first year in graduate school, I feel happy for the temporary calm. Today we had the last lectures on Classical Mechanics and Electrodynamics.
Mechanics treated the infinite-degrees of freedom system, and we considered a case where we got equations that were completely similar to field equations. We define the functional derivative and the professor discussed a bit the road that leads to the Quantum Field Theory.
In Electrodynamics we discussed various topics. First we considered some naive arguments about superconductivity, and discussed the London equation and the Landau argument of the macroscopic extent of the wave function. We arrived at the quantum of magnetic flux, then my professor discussed Dirac's argument about electric charge quantization in the present of a magnetic monopole field and how an experiment by Cabrera displays one event that is candidate for a magnetic monopole. All in 55 minutes!
NO MORE HOMEWORK!!!!
I guess tonight is going to be easy and light. I am doing laundry now, after some end-of-classes celebration in a nearby brew house with other graduate students.
15 December 2006
12 December 2006
First Final
That sounds paradoxical, but today I had my first final exam of the semester. It was on Quantum Mechanics.
As usual, time was the biggest factor. The exam consisted of 4 problems. The first problem was about coherent states. Given a coherent state \ket{\alpha} we were asked to find its normalization and expectation value of the square of the position and momentum variance. I am pretty sure it was not as long as I made it. It involves lots of creation and annihilation operator algebra. Very tedious for a timed exam. The second problem was to calculate the approximate energy eigenvalues given the potential using the WKB quantization condition. It was easy. I was a bit clueless for the third problem: two infinite solenoids, with opposing currents, and electron beams that passed in their vicinity. We had to compute the interference pattern for one path vs. the other path. Sadly, I did not read much on the Aharanov- Bohm effect, so I left it for the end and had no time to work on it. The last problem was our good old friend the infinite square-well, finding the propagator. It was a bit tricky, since I was a bit confused with the units of the energy levels. But I quickly re-derived everything and confirmed that my memory was right.
Should be well! I hope I pass this class, so I can start with the good stuff.
As usual, time was the biggest factor. The exam consisted of 4 problems. The first problem was about coherent states. Given a coherent state \ket{\alpha} we were asked to find its normalization and expectation value of the square of the position and momentum variance. I am pretty sure it was not as long as I made it. It involves lots of creation and annihilation operator algebra. Very tedious for a timed exam. The second problem was to calculate the approximate energy eigenvalues given the potential using the WKB quantization condition. It was easy. I was a bit clueless for the third problem: two infinite solenoids, with opposing currents, and electron beams that passed in their vicinity. We had to compute the interference pattern for one path vs. the other path. Sadly, I did not read much on the Aharanov- Bohm effect, so I left it for the end and had no time to work on it. The last problem was our good old friend the infinite square-well, finding the propagator. It was a bit tricky, since I was a bit confused with the units of the energy levels. But I quickly re-derived everything and confirmed that my memory was right.
Should be well! I hope I pass this class, so I can start with the good stuff.
07 December 2006
Done for the week!
I am done with homeworks for this week! It might not seem like much, since tomorrow is Friday. Still, some of the past weeks I have spent most of Friday evening's working on the Classical Mechanics problem sets that are done on well, Fridays.
On Sunday I worked on the Classical Electrodynamics homework assignments. We are not studying electromagnetic waves. Most of the problems were about calculating transmission and reflected coefficients with two interfaces of materials. These problems have an awful amount of algebra with the boundary conditions. It was sad that I was not able to worked out all the cases for the last problem. Oh well! I am doing pretty bad on this course, so I have a feeling I am going to have to repeat it next fall, which is a bit annoying considering that I have to catch up on some fancy Theories...
After I handed the E&M problem set on Monday, it was time for Quantum Mechanics. Three problems, mostly on electromagnetic terms in the wavefunction (gauge invariance). The first one was about a magnetic monopole. The second problem was about the spin precession of an electron in a uniform magnetic field and the last problem was to calculate a commutator for the x- and y- components of the mechanical momentum. This problem set took a while since I was just out of it thinking of crazy things that were not helping. I handed the quantum problems today.
Finally Classical Mechanics! This time it was on fluid dynamics. Two problems, one to determine the free shape of a fluid rotating in a cylindrical vessel. The other was to find the velocity profile for a sphere submerge in a flowing fluid with constant asymptotic behavior. Fun, fun!
Two homeworks left for this fall 2006 semester. The E&M is looking a bit long, but doable. Mechanics is going to be just redoing old problems, but using the Hamiltonian method. I think it is going to be alright. Quantum Mechanics final on Tuesday! I am leaving tomorrow afternoon to Massachusetts for some quality time.
Snow is around the corner!
On Sunday I worked on the Classical Electrodynamics homework assignments. We are not studying electromagnetic waves. Most of the problems were about calculating transmission and reflected coefficients with two interfaces of materials. These problems have an awful amount of algebra with the boundary conditions. It was sad that I was not able to worked out all the cases for the last problem. Oh well! I am doing pretty bad on this course, so I have a feeling I am going to have to repeat it next fall, which is a bit annoying considering that I have to catch up on some fancy Theories...
After I handed the E&M problem set on Monday, it was time for Quantum Mechanics. Three problems, mostly on electromagnetic terms in the wavefunction (gauge invariance). The first one was about a magnetic monopole. The second problem was about the spin precession of an electron in a uniform magnetic field and the last problem was to calculate a commutator for the x- and y- components of the mechanical momentum. This problem set took a while since I was just out of it thinking of crazy things that were not helping. I handed the quantum problems today.
Finally Classical Mechanics! This time it was on fluid dynamics. Two problems, one to determine the free shape of a fluid rotating in a cylindrical vessel. The other was to find the velocity profile for a sphere submerge in a flowing fluid with constant asymptotic behavior. Fun, fun!
Two homeworks left for this fall 2006 semester. The E&M is looking a bit long, but doable. Mechanics is going to be just redoing old problems, but using the Hamiltonian method. I think it is going to be alright. Quantum Mechanics final on Tuesday! I am leaving tomorrow afternoon to Massachusetts for some quality time.
Snow is around the corner!
20 November 2006
Nima Arkani-Hamed on Naturalness
On November 14th, Nima Arkani-Hamed gave a talk titled Naturalness, the String Theory Landscape and the LHC.
By now I have forgotten most of the details of the talk, so below is a sketch of the small amount of notes that I took.
--
The first part was to mention that the LHC will explore the weak energy scale. This energy scale is around 1 TeV. The weak scale is many orders above the Planck scale and many orders bellow the Hubble scale. This is part of the so-call Hierarchy problem.
This large leap make an "unnatural" fine tuning to 1 in 10^(-120) figures (in what I think is the cosmological constant, but I clearly suck at taking notes). Nima also mentioned that if you put a bunch of theoretical physicist in a spaceship, they will probably discover the Standard Model, with the right physics but all the numbers wrong.
An experimentalist fine-tunes a metal for example. (But I forgot the analogy here... :-( ).
Naturalness = compute until things blow in your face. For the weak scale to be natural, there should be some cutoff at 1 TeV. The LHC will run with 14 TeV in center of mass energy.
Nima then goes on to tell the story of the classical electron and the observation of the positron. Composite objects generate a doubling in degrees of freedom. For the weak scale there are two broad ideas:
An example of fine tuning is the nearly perfect alignment of the sun and the moon during an eclipse. The moon is the right size to cover the sun perfectly and leave a white halo.
The acceleration of the universe would be another finely-tuned aspect of the universe. If this were not the case, no structures would have ever formed. God? Other mechanism? Our planet is where structure is, around nebulae.
He then went on to talk about other universes, and looking for them. He also commented on split supersymmetry, but at this point I was already day dreaming. :-[
By now I have forgotten most of the details of the talk, so below is a sketch of the small amount of notes that I took.
--
The first part was to mention that the LHC will explore the weak energy scale. This energy scale is around 1 TeV. The weak scale is many orders above the Planck scale and many orders bellow the Hubble scale. This is part of the so-call Hierarchy problem.
This large leap make an "unnatural" fine tuning to 1 in 10^(-120) figures (in what I think is the cosmological constant, but I clearly suck at taking notes). Nima also mentioned that if you put a bunch of theoretical physicist in a spaceship, they will probably discover the Standard Model, with the right physics but all the numbers wrong.
An experimentalist fine-tunes a metal for example. (But I forgot the analogy here... :-( ).
Naturalness = compute until things blow in your face. For the weak scale to be natural, there should be some cutoff at 1 TeV. The LHC will run with 14 TeV in center of mass energy.
Nima then goes on to tell the story of the classical electron and the observation of the positron. Composite objects generate a doubling in degrees of freedom. For the weak scale there are two broad ideas:
- Supersymmetry (SUSY) - Bosons related to fermions, couplings related. This phenomena should show up at the TeV scale.
- Composites (Higgs made of techniquarks) - New dynamics.
An example of fine tuning is the nearly perfect alignment of the sun and the moon during an eclipse. The moon is the right size to cover the sun perfectly and leave a white halo.
The acceleration of the universe would be another finely-tuned aspect of the universe. If this were not the case, no structures would have ever formed. God? Other mechanism? Our planet is where structure is, around nebulae.
He then went on to talk about other universes, and looking for them. He also commented on split supersymmetry, but at this point I was already day dreaming. :-[
19 November 2006
The end is approaching!
The world is not ending! On the contrary is getting better.
What is approaching is the end of the semester! Eeee! The first semester of graduate school. It was something to me, something very, very frustrating. But I have learned a lot. Sadly I have learned the hard way, by committing crucial mistakes in homeworks and bad judgments. Some mistake include algebra and arithmetic mistakes ;-) . Other were volunteering to help type the string theory lecture notes with three core course, two lab sections, a seminar and a colloquium in my schedule. Oh well!
Tomorrow is my last "real" midterm. It is on Classical Mechanics: couple oscillations, 2-d motion including central forces and scattering, rigid bodies and rotations. Fun, fun! I have not studied that much, meaning that i have re-read the lecture notes and homework model solutions, but besides that not much. I think I could have prepare more, but I just want to get over with. A soft voice in the back of my head says Oh Mel! If you really want to get over with this, you should do better so you need not repeat the courses and waste more time! That might be true. But it is to late for that. I feel prepared (just like I felt the night before the Electrodynamics second midterm), and I hope I can at least understand the problems and work a great part of them in the test (unlike the Electrodynamics second midterm :-(). Then I will be relatively free, with some homeworks due on the week after Thanksgiving. I guess the "final" exam for Quantum Mechanics is on the last week of classes. I am really happy it is going to be a midterm-like test. :-)
What is approaching is the end of the semester! Eeee! The first semester of graduate school. It was something to me, something very, very frustrating. But I have learned a lot. Sadly I have learned the hard way, by committing crucial mistakes in homeworks and bad judgments. Some mistake include algebra and arithmetic mistakes ;-) . Other were volunteering to help type the string theory lecture notes with three core course, two lab sections, a seminar and a colloquium in my schedule. Oh well!
Tomorrow is my last "real" midterm. It is on Classical Mechanics: couple oscillations, 2-d motion including central forces and scattering, rigid bodies and rotations. Fun, fun! I have not studied that much, meaning that i have re-read the lecture notes and homework model solutions, but besides that not much. I think I could have prepare more, but I just want to get over with. A soft voice in the back of my head says Oh Mel! If you really want to get over with this, you should do better so you need not repeat the courses and waste more time! That might be true. But it is to late for that. I feel prepared (just like I felt the night before the Electrodynamics second midterm), and I hope I can at least understand the problems and work a great part of them in the test (unlike the Electrodynamics second midterm :-(). Then I will be relatively free, with some homeworks due on the week after Thanksgiving. I guess the "final" exam for Quantum Mechanics is on the last week of classes. I am really happy it is going to be a midterm-like test. :-)
17 November 2006
The pope...
...of string theory.
I came upon these lecture series the other night. A set of them are three lectures by professor David Gross, from UCSB. Here is a transcript of the introduction of the introducer of David Gross:
To introduce David Gross tonight we are lucky to have in the audience another living legend of our time, professor Edward Witten of the Institute of Advanced Studies, the world's leader string theorist; often viewed as an intellectual leader in the tradition of Albert Einstein. Prof. Witten has received many top honors including the Dirac Medal, the Einstein Medal, the Fields Medal, several honorific doctorates and three years ago a National Medal of Science. Please welcome prof. Edward Witten.
Then Ed goes on to mention some facts about David and everything goes on. I have not being able to listen to the whole set of talks. But I got really annoyed by the introduction to Ed Witten.
I am not jealous of Ed. Well, maybe a bit. Of course! He might very well be one of the best string theorist. But the person says "leader string theorist". I think this is not fair. Maybe I do not know Witten's entire contribution to physics (and mathematics), but still. I believe that the main goal was to introduce professor Gross, who was the speaker of the night, the main attraction. Why would you want to start mentioning details about Ed Witten?
I guess Princeton is really happy they have Ed.
I came upon these lecture series the other night. A set of them are three lectures by professor David Gross, from UCSB. Here is a transcript of the introduction of the introducer of David Gross:
To introduce David Gross tonight we are lucky to have in the audience another living legend of our time, professor Edward Witten of the Institute of Advanced Studies, the world's leader string theorist; often viewed as an intellectual leader in the tradition of Albert Einstein. Prof. Witten has received many top honors including the Dirac Medal, the Einstein Medal, the Fields Medal, several honorific doctorates and three years ago a National Medal of Science. Please welcome prof. Edward Witten.
Then Ed goes on to mention some facts about David and everything goes on. I have not being able to listen to the whole set of talks. But I got really annoyed by the introduction to Ed Witten.
I am not jealous of Ed. Well, maybe a bit. Of course! He might very well be one of the best string theorist. But the person says "leader string theorist". I think this is not fair. Maybe I do not know Witten's entire contribution to physics (and mathematics), but still. I believe that the main goal was to introduce professor Gross, who was the speaker of the night, the main attraction. Why would you want to start mentioning details about Ed Witten?
I guess Princeton is really happy they have Ed.
Mel in the City!
Last Friday I headed to New York City to meet with my girlfriend who was arriving at Pennsylvania Station. Well, technically at the Port Authority complex. It was the first time I headed by myself to the city. And it was scary as hell!
Well not that much. I come from Puerto Rico, where there is a total population that is maybe less than half of NYC's. I am come from the west part of the island, not from the relatively more crowded north, metropolitan area (San Juan). So when I got of from the train I was amazed to see the BIG number of people in the subway station. I know Penn Station is one of the busiest places in Manhattan (probably I am wrong...) but still. I had to walk slowly, looking around in an attempt to localized myself in the correct direction. People just bounced on me. Everyone with a steady, fast pace. All in a hurry.
I was not sure of where to take the subway uptown to Time Square. But I made it perfectly fine. Besides the $10.05 dinner consisting of 1 (one) slice of sausage pizza, 1 (one) slice of cheese pizza and 1 (one) medium coke. Oh well!
While waiting for the train at Stony Brook, I sat down in one of the (few) benches in the train station. I had the sun right in front of my face, so I decided to work on my homeworks. This bench is relatively big, but it has 3 rails dividing it into 4 bigger than average seats. I was seating in the far left corner with other people. An old man approach, so I decided to roll to the side, since I believed that we both could fit in the "single" seat. He turned away, but a "bigger" lady approach and said to me "Excuse me but I AM going to seat here." I really had to roll to the side. We were very tight and uncomfortable but I smiled as the woman sat down and let out loud an "Oh shit..." while sitting. I continue working out a solution to a boundary-value problem for Magnetism. She turned and asked me if she was covering me. I then realized I did not longer had the bright sun in my face (she was THAT big).
I smile at her and said "I am fine."
Well not that much. I come from Puerto Rico, where there is a total population that is maybe less than half of NYC's. I am come from the west part of the island, not from the relatively more crowded north, metropolitan area (San Juan). So when I got of from the train I was amazed to see the BIG number of people in the subway station. I know Penn Station is one of the busiest places in Manhattan (probably I am wrong...) but still. I had to walk slowly, looking around in an attempt to localized myself in the correct direction. People just bounced on me. Everyone with a steady, fast pace. All in a hurry.
I was not sure of where to take the subway uptown to Time Square. But I made it perfectly fine. Besides the $10.05 dinner consisting of 1 (one) slice of sausage pizza, 1 (one) slice of cheese pizza and 1 (one) medium coke. Oh well!
While waiting for the train at Stony Brook, I sat down in one of the (few) benches in the train station. I had the sun right in front of my face, so I decided to work on my homeworks. This bench is relatively big, but it has 3 rails dividing it into 4 bigger than average seats. I was seating in the far left corner with other people. An old man approach, so I decided to roll to the side, since I believed that we both could fit in the "single" seat. He turned away, but a "bigger" lady approach and said to me "Excuse me but I AM going to seat here." I really had to roll to the side. We were very tight and uncomfortable but I smiled as the woman sat down and let out loud an "Oh shit..." while sitting. I continue working out a solution to a boundary-value problem for Magnetism. She turned and asked me if she was covering me. I then realized I did not longer had the bright sun in my face (she was THAT big).
I smile at her and said "I am fine."
The energy crisis around the corner...
Some time ago, (on October 10th, 2006) I attended the physics and astronomy colloquium at Stony Brook. It was by prof. Albert Bartlett from Univ. of Colorado, Boulder. It pretty interesting, and sad.
The main idea of the talk was that we have been very ignorant about the fossil fuel usage and it lifetime. He began his talk by stating that most of the problems we faced come from not understanding a simple mathematical function: the natural exponential growth. I forgot most of the details about it, but he mentioned that the world already crossed the peak of fossil fuel production, and now it is going down. I guess his purpose is to make people realize the seriousness of the issue and consider taking on the problem of developing a new, efficient energy source. I felt pretty bad with my dreams of fame and fortune as a worthless string theorist...
No matter how much oil people could discover, it wont last long. We are increasing the consumption rate each year. So eventually, it will all disappear. My Classical Mechanics professor mentioned that certainly we all will (hopefully) live to experience the crisis. I was still ignorant about it until I realized a small detail that made me feel REALLY worried.
So what if the cars stop, the airplanes, the production lines for food. Transportation of materials will be nearly impossible, in the sense that it could still be done, with more time and money, by the old fashion ways of horses or coal. Communications will fall back 200 years. And then I realized that the Internet will shut down.
!!!
What am I going to do with out the Internet! ;-)
But seriously, the Internet has change things. Think about all the daily transactions that are done over the Internet. All the infrastructure will be useless. We will end up in a huge junkyard. I can see how countries could start wars to get each other resources. I can see how people could start fighting each other just to survive, first with the actual luxuries of water, food and warm; and then just to survive. Of course this commodities are not present in all parts of the world.
We came a long way from the caves. Now we do not know how to live in the forest without being eaten by wild animals, or just even die of dehydration. Well, at least I am not ready for that.
It all sounds very sad. I do not know what to do. I do not think I could help with any physics. At least I will never propose any idea to build another power-sucking accelerator. Hope someone helps. Else, we and our children will live the consequences.
The main idea of the talk was that we have been very ignorant about the fossil fuel usage and it lifetime. He began his talk by stating that most of the problems we faced come from not understanding a simple mathematical function: the natural exponential growth. I forgot most of the details about it, but he mentioned that the world already crossed the peak of fossil fuel production, and now it is going down. I guess his purpose is to make people realize the seriousness of the issue and consider taking on the problem of developing a new, efficient energy source. I felt pretty bad with my dreams of fame and fortune as a worthless string theorist...
No matter how much oil people could discover, it wont last long. We are increasing the consumption rate each year. So eventually, it will all disappear. My Classical Mechanics professor mentioned that certainly we all will (hopefully) live to experience the crisis. I was still ignorant about it until I realized a small detail that made me feel REALLY worried.
So what if the cars stop, the airplanes, the production lines for food. Transportation of materials will be nearly impossible, in the sense that it could still be done, with more time and money, by the old fashion ways of horses or coal. Communications will fall back 200 years. And then I realized that the Internet will shut down.
!!!
What am I going to do with out the Internet! ;-)
But seriously, the Internet has change things. Think about all the daily transactions that are done over the Internet. All the infrastructure will be useless. We will end up in a huge junkyard. I can see how countries could start wars to get each other resources. I can see how people could start fighting each other just to survive, first with the actual luxuries of water, food and warm; and then just to survive. Of course this commodities are not present in all parts of the world.
We came a long way from the caves. Now we do not know how to live in the forest without being eaten by wild animals, or just even die of dehydration. Well, at least I am not ready for that.
It all sounds very sad. I do not know what to do. I do not think I could help with any physics. At least I will never propose any idea to build another power-sucking accelerator. Hope someone helps. Else, we and our children will live the consequences.
12 November 2006
The posts I would like to (post?)
At some point I would like to comment on:
- Energy crisis,
- NYC,
- Ed Witten
I'm still alive!
After all that has happen, I am still alive and kicking (and also solving physics problems for my homeworks...)
I guess my last post was ages ago. I am happy to tell that after a couple of hours, my computer worked fine again. I have not used that stupid blanket again. It is evil!
Anyways, I have been really busy with lots of stuff. My midterm cycle is restarting again this coming Monday with Electrodynamics and next Monday with Classical Mechanics. At least I am done with my seminar talk on Orbital Angular Momentum of Light.
Just like the electron has an intrinsic angular momentum (Spin) and the extrinsic (Orbital), the photon also has polarization and phase gradients. These angular momenta give rise to all sort of nifty effects. It was pretty fun.
I got a book on Lie Algebras by H. Georgi. So far I have read the first part, but it is very interesting. I think it should be very useful for the first part of Warren's Field Theory class. That is basically all I have been doing on my path to String Theory, since I had to stop typing the lecture notes. So much work!
I found this graffiti on one of the blackboards in the D floor of the physics building. It is amusing since it reads "clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right".
The Physics building is to the left of the hall. To the right is the Math tower.
I guess my last post was ages ago. I am happy to tell that after a couple of hours, my computer worked fine again. I have not used that stupid blanket again. It is evil!
Anyways, I have been really busy with lots of stuff. My midterm cycle is restarting again this coming Monday with Electrodynamics and next Monday with Classical Mechanics. At least I am done with my seminar talk on Orbital Angular Momentum of Light.
Just like the electron has an intrinsic angular momentum (Spin) and the extrinsic (Orbital), the photon also has polarization and phase gradients. These angular momenta give rise to all sort of nifty effects. It was pretty fun.
I got a book on Lie Algebras by H. Georgi. So far I have read the first part, but it is very interesting. I think it should be very useful for the first part of Warren's Field Theory class. That is basically all I have been doing on my path to String Theory, since I had to stop typing the lecture notes. So much work!
I found this graffiti on one of the blackboards in the D floor of the physics building. It is amusing since it reads "clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right".
The Physics building is to the left of the hall. To the right is the Math tower.
17 October 2006
How to fry the sound capabilities of your laptop
Follow this simple steps to make your laptop mute forever:
There was no particular reason for me to have my earphones on. There was no reason for me to use the blanket since: 1) it was not that cold; and 2) I had a jacket I could have wear. But still, I followed this simple steps....
This week has been so depressing. On Monday I had the Classical Mechanics midterm. I was able to fully solve one problem out of three. I worked my way around the third, but I had to hand in a poorly worked second problem. I do not even want to talk about last week's midterm on Classical Electrodynamics.
I feel so tired. Yet I totally did not rested during the weekend. At least I am done with grading now. Problem set #5...
- Sit down in your desk and get comfortable.
- Put your earphones on. If you do not listen yo music, it is OK. You will look cool.
- Place a blanket over you, to protect from the cold, or to look cool (or miserable).
- Now, take the blanket off.
There was no particular reason for me to have my earphones on. There was no reason for me to use the blanket since: 1) it was not that cold; and 2) I had a jacket I could have wear. But still, I followed this simple steps....
This week has been so depressing. On Monday I had the Classical Mechanics midterm. I was able to fully solve one problem out of three. I worked my way around the third, but I had to hand in a poorly worked second problem. I do not even want to talk about last week's midterm on Classical Electrodynamics.
I feel so tired. Yet I totally did not rested during the weekend. At least I am done with grading now. Problem set #5...
10 October 2006
Midterm...
Egads! Tomorrow is my first midterm at Stony Brook.
Classical Electrodynamics is first, followed next week by Classical Mechanics and the week after with Quantum Mechanics. This past weeks have been really hard. I got a 20 out of 120 in the second homework in CE. Basically I did not worked on the problems enough to say anything about them. I gain some lost ground with the third one, 70/80. I also feel a better understanding of the third chapter's material (I never liked the method of images...) Anyways, the fourth problem set was again handed in poorly worked. This time I worked the problems, but could not solve any by the deadline. Oh well! I went through Jackson's and reworked some of the homework problems with the professor's solutions. I really do not want to fail this class, or ANY for that matter. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
At the same time I feel a bit desperate. A course in Classical Electrodynamics deals with the electromagnetic field (in vacuum and matter), radiation, waves and relativity. Besides for relativity, I find most of this topics a bit boring, I guess they describe tangible, everyday-objects. But I just do not care. My interest lies along quantum theory and strings. I should learn these topics, and get them right for at least once.
I have been feeling really stupid while working with the homework problems of all my classes. It is not about dealing with the math, but the physics is coming out a bit constricted from my mind. I think this are bad signs. Am I becoming a "physically" mindless mathematician? Maybe I need that type of thinking when working with abstract concepts. Still, I believe that physical intuition is important. I hope I do not fail as a physicist!
I do not want to fail.
Classical Electrodynamics is first, followed next week by Classical Mechanics and the week after with Quantum Mechanics. This past weeks have been really hard. I got a 20 out of 120 in the second homework in CE. Basically I did not worked on the problems enough to say anything about them. I gain some lost ground with the third one, 70/80. I also feel a better understanding of the third chapter's material (I never liked the method of images...) Anyways, the fourth problem set was again handed in poorly worked. This time I worked the problems, but could not solve any by the deadline. Oh well! I went through Jackson's and reworked some of the homework problems with the professor's solutions. I really do not want to fail this class, or ANY for that matter. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
At the same time I feel a bit desperate. A course in Classical Electrodynamics deals with the electromagnetic field (in vacuum and matter), radiation, waves and relativity. Besides for relativity, I find most of this topics a bit boring, I guess they describe tangible, everyday-objects. But I just do not care. My interest lies along quantum theory and strings. I should learn these topics, and get them right for at least once.
I have been feeling really stupid while working with the homework problems of all my classes. It is not about dealing with the math, but the physics is coming out a bit constricted from my mind. I think this are bad signs. Am I becoming a "physically" mindless mathematician? Maybe I need that type of thinking when working with abstract concepts. Still, I believe that physical intuition is important. I hope I do not fail as a physicist!
I do not want to fail.
29 September 2006
Phew...!
I am tired!
This has been a long week! Monday was depressing since I only handed in one problem, out of six, of the Electrodynamics homework. I did not had much time and the little time that I gave to it was spent mostly in staring at the piece of paper. I do not why, but I just felt stupid. The professor handed the solutions and they all see so easy now. Oh well! I already started to work on the next homework, and have two problems solved! I HAVE to do well to get through the class.
Grading has been horrible. I hate it!
The Mars Volta has a new album out, which is just awesome. I have been listening it non-stop, over and over and over.
I also started working on the string theory notes this week. Right now I am typing the part on the bosonic string action. It is cool.
Oh! Yeah... it was a good birthday... I am going to Boston on Saturday. Should be pretty good.
This has been a long week! Monday was depressing since I only handed in one problem, out of six, of the Electrodynamics homework. I did not had much time and the little time that I gave to it was spent mostly in staring at the piece of paper. I do not why, but I just felt stupid. The professor handed the solutions and they all see so easy now. Oh well! I already started to work on the next homework, and have two problems solved! I HAVE to do well to get through the class.
Grading has been horrible. I hate it!
The Mars Volta has a new album out, which is just awesome. I have been listening it non-stop, over and over and over.
I also started working on the string theory notes this week. Right now I am typing the part on the bosonic string action. It is cool.
Oh! Yeah... it was a good birthday... I am going to Boston on Saturday. Should be pretty good.
21 September 2006
Routine
I guess I already have a pretty good picture of how my weekly routine is going to be for this semester. After spending most of Saturday at Dreamland, I went grocery shopping and cooked some "real" dinner that night.
Sunday was dedicated to grade lab reports. Man! I took to much time going through the first few. I hate working under those conditions. You cannot think clearly just wondering about all the homework you have to do for the next day while stuck reading about somebody's speculation on error in a measurement of a pendulum's period. Oh well. I spent all afternoon at my office until before 9:00 PM. I worked on the Electrodynamics problems, but was not able to finish all. I am used to not handing in all problems solved, but this cannot go on far. A third of my grade is being determined from the homework scores. The same thing happen with the Quantum Mechanics problem set, one (of two) problems was handed in blank. I really do not care if the professor thinks I am stupid because I did not handed in my "reasons" for not "solving" the problem. I just think that either you can figure it out, or you do not. I guess some sort of feedback is good so the professor has an idea where I got stuck. It turned out that there was a hint in many books and I did not checked them. I felt very stupid when I realized this. Oh well, now I am checking every book I have.
This week has been pretty rough. I was able to solve every problem of the Mechanics set, so that made me feel better. Electrodynamics is looking pretty nasty, but I already have one in the bag. And Quantum is not going to sneak on me again.
Friday....
Sunday was dedicated to grade lab reports. Man! I took to much time going through the first few. I hate working under those conditions. You cannot think clearly just wondering about all the homework you have to do for the next day while stuck reading about somebody's speculation on error in a measurement of a pendulum's period. Oh well. I spent all afternoon at my office until before 9:00 PM. I worked on the Electrodynamics problems, but was not able to finish all. I am used to not handing in all problems solved, but this cannot go on far. A third of my grade is being determined from the homework scores. The same thing happen with the Quantum Mechanics problem set, one (of two) problems was handed in blank. I really do not care if the professor thinks I am stupid because I did not handed in my "reasons" for not "solving" the problem. I just think that either you can figure it out, or you do not. I guess some sort of feedback is good so the professor has an idea where I got stuck. It turned out that there was a hint in many books and I did not checked them. I felt very stupid when I realized this. Oh well, now I am checking every book I have.
This week has been pretty rough. I was able to solve every problem of the Mechanics set, so that made me feel better. Electrodynamics is looking pretty nasty, but I already have one in the bag. And Quantum is not going to sneak on me again.
Friday....
14 September 2006
Homework, homework, homeworks!!!
A full royal flush of problem sets is on the hand: Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory.
Mechanics problemas are about finding Lagrangians. I have not tried any yet, so I will start with that one first. I think I commented on some of the Electrodynamics problems previously. Right now I have completed two and have three "started". Quantum Mechanics has a simple one (in the sense that I remember a lot of bra-ket notation) that I already completed and the other one is still settlings down. I do not think I will even care about the QFT problems.
But maybe I will get bored grading lab reports tonight...
Mechanics problemas are about finding Lagrangians. I have not tried any yet, so I will start with that one first. I think I commented on some of the Electrodynamics problems previously. Right now I have completed two and have three "started". Quantum Mechanics has a simple one (in the sense that I remember a lot of bra-ket notation) that I already completed and the other one is still settlings down. I do not think I will even care about the QFT problems.
But maybe I will get bored grading lab reports tonight...
13 September 2006
The bosonic string is just a toy...
The String Theory class is just AWESOME!
van Nieuwenhuiezen is lecturing the first part, introducing the bosonic string. I missed Friday's lecture, but on Monday all three professors had a shot at their interests on String Theory.
Peter is interested on Quantum Gravity, not a surprise from one of the persons who developed Supergravity. Martin is more into all the geometries generated from compactifications of extra dimensions. Warren pointed out the status of the theory as a toy for understanding yet-to-be-found models of nature. I lack 99.9999% of all the formalism of Quantum Field Theory and General Relativity, but I read the first part of Zwiebach's introductory book and am able to follow most of the lines of thought. I guess knowing names of things is not enough, after all it is all about the physics! (some which Feynman would had agreed). Anyways, Peter asked for somebody to volunteered to help type corrections to the notes he and Martin had written. I said I could do it. This is the "project". I can get somethings from this.
First, I am helping some guys with their work. That is cool. Second, I am working with notes on String Theory, so I should learn something from it. Third, I am getting paid! And fourth, it will help me know the professors more. It will take lots of time from my already busy schedule. But it will all be worth it. I am thinking of not attending the lectures anymore.
Fun, fun, fun!
van Nieuwenhuiezen is lecturing the first part, introducing the bosonic string. I missed Friday's lecture, but on Monday all three professors had a shot at their interests on String Theory.
Peter is interested on Quantum Gravity, not a surprise from one of the persons who developed Supergravity. Martin is more into all the geometries generated from compactifications of extra dimensions. Warren pointed out the status of the theory as a toy for understanding yet-to-be-found models of nature. I lack 99.9999% of all the formalism of Quantum Field Theory and General Relativity, but I read the first part of Zwiebach's introductory book and am able to follow most of the lines of thought. I guess knowing names of things is not enough, after all it is all about the physics! (some which Feynman would had agreed). Anyways, Peter asked for somebody to volunteered to help type corrections to the notes he and Martin had written. I said I could do it. This is the "project". I can get somethings from this.
First, I am helping some guys with their work. That is cool. Second, I am working with notes on String Theory, so I should learn something from it. Third, I am getting paid! And fourth, it will help me know the professors more. It will take lots of time from my already busy schedule. But it will all be worth it. I am thinking of not attending the lectures anymore.
Fun, fun, fun!
Last weekend's worldline, 1
This past weekend I went to Boston to spent some time with my girlfriend. It was quite a trip from Stony Brook.
On Friday I had a TA meeting at 12:30 PM. It was sad that I missed the String Theory class, but I did not wanted to miss this meeting since they were going to cover lab basics and this week's experiment. Also, it was where the hours were distributed. I ended with a section on Mondays from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM and another on Tuesdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with "office hours" on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. So basically I will be quite busy during the first part of the week. Hopefully some homework can be done on the other part with lab report grading during the weekend. I have to think of some time for the "project".
At 1:45 PM I leaved the TA meeting and quickly rushed to the train station to catch the 2:00 PM train to Port Jefferson. It was fun to run towards the train station with all my bags. I had to cross to the other side to get tickets (which was not checked...) and then to the campus aside again to catch the train.
After 20 minutes I got into Port Jefferson and walked to the ferry port. It was a 20 minute-long-walk. The weather was not that bad, still it had been a long week and I was tired. The ferry was there when I got to the port. The boat departed with 15 minutes of lateness. I settled down and started to work on my brand new Electrodynamics problem set. The 5 problems seem tractable, I was able to work most of the first problem on index notation and vector products. The ferry trip was smooth, I did not felt dizzy which was a good thing.
The ferry started vibrating as it got close to Bridgeport. I hurried (once again) to the (other) train station. Yet once again the ticket machine was at the other side of where I was suppose to catch the train. Run, run, run! I got my tickets and when I came out there was a train at the track. I started running desperately. The train left and I felt really sad. The first thing that I thought was "Damn! My girlfriend is going to kill me!". But I checked on the time and it was 10 minutes before for my train. I was happy! It turned out that MY train was 15 minutes late. Oh well...
The train ride was nice. I continue working with my homework. It is funny the things that you hear around. The person seating behind me was talking on the phone about her house mates dishing her and leaving for a hotel. It was hilarious! She kept asking herself what would have gone wrong and what would have driven her friend away. Then a guy came to comfort her. That was kinda annoying, but I was able to work. Then that guy talked to somebody on the phone about not smoking pot for a while. He bragged about it REALLY loudly so people could listen that he smoked and he "did not cared about the laws". I hate when people talk about this things wanting to be cool. I drink now and them. I do not brag about how much or what I drink. It is stupid. Things do not make people. Oh well.
Meritime started around 8:00 PM! We wander around downtown Boston (after yet another train ride...) and had dinner at a nice Italian place. Man, I had a whole pizza with sausage and ham for myself. Yummy!
Stay tuned for "the return".
On Friday I had a TA meeting at 12:30 PM. It was sad that I missed the String Theory class, but I did not wanted to miss this meeting since they were going to cover lab basics and this week's experiment. Also, it was where the hours were distributed. I ended with a section on Mondays from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM and another on Tuesdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with "office hours" on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. So basically I will be quite busy during the first part of the week. Hopefully some homework can be done on the other part with lab report grading during the weekend. I have to think of some time for the "project".
At 1:45 PM I leaved the TA meeting and quickly rushed to the train station to catch the 2:00 PM train to Port Jefferson. It was fun to run towards the train station with all my bags. I had to cross to the other side to get tickets (which was not checked...) and then to the campus aside again to catch the train.
After 20 minutes I got into Port Jefferson and walked to the ferry port. It was a 20 minute-long-walk. The weather was not that bad, still it had been a long week and I was tired. The ferry was there when I got to the port. The boat departed with 15 minutes of lateness. I settled down and started to work on my brand new Electrodynamics problem set. The 5 problems seem tractable, I was able to work most of the first problem on index notation and vector products. The ferry trip was smooth, I did not felt dizzy which was a good thing.
The ferry started vibrating as it got close to Bridgeport. I hurried (once again) to the (other) train station. Yet once again the ticket machine was at the other side of where I was suppose to catch the train. Run, run, run! I got my tickets and when I came out there was a train at the track. I started running desperately. The train left and I felt really sad. The first thing that I thought was "Damn! My girlfriend is going to kill me!". But I checked on the time and it was 10 minutes before for my train. I was happy! It turned out that MY train was 15 minutes late. Oh well...
The train ride was nice. I continue working with my homework. It is funny the things that you hear around. The person seating behind me was talking on the phone about her house mates dishing her and leaving for a hotel. It was hilarious! She kept asking herself what would have gone wrong and what would have driven her friend away. Then a guy came to comfort her. That was kinda annoying, but I was able to work. Then that guy talked to somebody on the phone about not smoking pot for a while. He bragged about it REALLY loudly so people could listen that he smoked and he "did not cared about the laws". I hate when people talk about this things wanting to be cool. I drink now and them. I do not brag about how much or what I drink. It is stupid. Things do not make people. Oh well.
Meritime started around 8:00 PM! We wander around downtown Boston (after yet another train ride...) and had dinner at a nice Italian place. Man, I had a whole pizza with sausage and ham for myself. Yummy!
Stay tuned for "the return".
07 September 2006
Classes, finally!
Today was my second day of classes.
Yesterday was amazing! First thing in the morning was Classical Mechanics with Prof. Likharev. Now I am not very fond of mechanics, but this course seems to be pretty good. I guess compared I get bored with the "boring" problems of mechanics. The professor started with a simple review of basic notions and definitions, but everything was from a different point of view than the usually taught. He is very lively.
After CM was Classical Electrodynamics. I got a little bored here, because the professor was following Jackson's approach and I had read some pages already. Still, I love electromagnetism and am looking forward to going through Jackson's book. The professor was also very friendly, worried about the date of the final exam (two days before Christmas!).
I took notes during class on a "draft" notebook I use for calculations. It was embarrassing to realize on the morning of the first day of classes that I had not bought any notebooks. After CE I went to the bookstore and was not disappointed by the already-expected long line. I tried the Seawolves Marketplace and got two 5-subject notebooks. Having minutes to spare, I had an apple outside the physics building.
Then it was time for strings! Around 12:50 PM I went to the classroom for the String Theory course. There was more people than I thought. Warren Siegel came early and stood by the door. I went inside of what was really an informal meeting room and tried sitting as far from the action as possible. I am auditing the class, so I want more "serious" persons to be closer to the action. Peter van Nieuwenhuizen came and introduced the class with a derivation of the Nambu-Goto string action. It was majestic! The best thing was that I could follow it because I have read some of this in Zwiebach's. Then it followed Polyakov's string action.
Just awesome!
Yesterday was amazing! First thing in the morning was Classical Mechanics with Prof. Likharev. Now I am not very fond of mechanics, but this course seems to be pretty good. I guess compared I get bored with the "boring" problems of mechanics. The professor started with a simple review of basic notions and definitions, but everything was from a different point of view than the usually taught. He is very lively.
After CM was Classical Electrodynamics. I got a little bored here, because the professor was following Jackson's approach and I had read some pages already. Still, I love electromagnetism and am looking forward to going through Jackson's book. The professor was also very friendly, worried about the date of the final exam (two days before Christmas!).
I took notes during class on a "draft" notebook I use for calculations. It was embarrassing to realize on the morning of the first day of classes that I had not bought any notebooks. After CE I went to the bookstore and was not disappointed by the already-expected long line. I tried the Seawolves Marketplace and got two 5-subject notebooks. Having minutes to spare, I had an apple outside the physics building.
Then it was time for strings! Around 12:50 PM I went to the classroom for the String Theory course. There was more people than I thought. Warren Siegel came early and stood by the door. I went inside of what was really an informal meeting room and tried sitting as far from the action as possible. I am auditing the class, so I want more "serious" persons to be closer to the action. Peter van Nieuwenhuizen came and introduced the class with a derivation of the Nambu-Goto string action. It was majestic! The best thing was that I could follow it because I have read some of this in Zwiebach's. Then it followed Polyakov's string action.
Just awesome!
04 September 2006
The last day of the summer
I am actually happy that classes are starting this Wednesday. Sadly that means that loads of work will come too.
Saturday was basically rain day. I stayed in my room most of the day reading. Sunday was grocery day. I went to the supermarket and got stuff for my favorite beef dish: Carne Guisada. I made it in evening. It was yummy! And a bit salty too...
Monday, Labor Day, was beach day!
Me and my buddies from the apartment walked to West Meadow Beach, close to the university. It was nice but cold to my Caribbean water taste. We saw a HUGE crab. I took my QFT book and read on free field theory.
It was a nice, long walk around the meadow. Now I should rest my feet. My toes are killing me!
Saturday was basically rain day. I stayed in my room most of the day reading. Sunday was grocery day. I went to the supermarket and got stuff for my favorite beef dish: Carne Guisada. I made it in evening. It was yummy! And a bit salty too...
Monday, Labor Day, was beach day!
01 September 2006
More placement...
The week is comes to an end with an emotional bang.
Today I took the SPEAK test. It is about English language proficiency and it is oral. As always, silly questions aimed at inducing a hemorrhage of verbal expressions to test one's ability of pronunciation, fluency, etc. My score placed along the borderline of taking advanced classes (I guess in English...) or just passing. I was really sad to hear that I could be adding another class to my already busy schedule. I am planing on taking three core courses (Classical Mechanics, Classical Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics), one seminar, one colloquium and the teaching assignment (two lab sections). The examiner concluded with the English class recommendation, but suggested a second opinion. I could take the English classes, but...
... I want to catch up with Strings and Fields! If I am going to become a particle theory student, I have to work on my fluency in string- and quantum field-stuff. The way the graduate program works is that I should start research by the beginning of my third year. I just cannot sit back and expect to take the respective classes on Strings and Quantum Field Theory (not to mention Relativity...). I should take the classes, but if I already have basic knowledge in the field (pun intended!) then I could start choosing a research topic by my second year.
I have been laying back (and blogging and reading other blogs) to much. This cannot continue. I need a major update to my routine. Knowing this does not make things any better (but it will make me feel more sorry...), I need actions. So I am going to start reading my books. I am going to put together the ideas from A First Course in String Theory and Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell. Work out problems. Etc. I was planning on attending the Field and String courses, but it will all depend on my schedule. I need to do well in the courses I'll be taking.
In other news, today was also the second part of the placement exams. This time: Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics. Just like last time, I was only able to tackle a part of a problem from the QM test. It was about neutrino mixing. Given the Hamiltonian operator I was able to find the eigenvalues and I started to find the eigenvectors. But that problem was not going to be enough. I needed more to pass the test, so I decided to flee the scene. I will keep both exam sets and I will try them again at the end of the semester.
Today I took the SPEAK test. It is about English language proficiency and it is oral. As always, silly questions aimed at inducing a hemorrhage of verbal expressions to test one's ability of pronunciation, fluency, etc. My score placed along the borderline of taking advanced classes (I guess in English...) or just passing. I was really sad to hear that I could be adding another class to my already busy schedule. I am planing on taking three core courses (Classical Mechanics, Classical Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics), one seminar, one colloquium and the teaching assignment (two lab sections). The examiner concluded with the English class recommendation, but suggested a second opinion. I could take the English classes, but...
... I want to catch up with Strings and Fields! If I am going to become a particle theory student, I have to work on my fluency in string- and quantum field-stuff. The way the graduate program works is that I should start research by the beginning of my third year. I just cannot sit back and expect to take the respective classes on Strings and Quantum Field Theory (not to mention Relativity...). I should take the classes, but if I already have basic knowledge in the field (pun intended!) then I could start choosing a research topic by my second year.
I have been laying back (and blogging and reading other blogs) to much. This cannot continue. I need a major update to my routine. Knowing this does not make things any better (but it will make me feel more sorry...), I need actions. So I am going to start reading my books. I am going to put together the ideas from A First Course in String Theory and Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell. Work out problems. Etc. I was planning on attending the Field and String courses, but it will all depend on my schedule. I need to do well in the courses I'll be taking.
In other news, today was also the second part of the placement exams. This time: Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics. Just like last time, I was only able to tackle a part of a problem from the QM test. It was about neutrino mixing. Given the Hamiltonian operator I was able to find the eigenvalues and I started to find the eigenvectors. But that problem was not going to be enough. I needed more to pass the test, so I decided to flee the scene. I will keep both exam sets and I will try them again at the end of the semester.
31 August 2006
Placement...
Not going to happen. Well, I did not expected much anyway. Today I had the first two placement exams in the Physics Department. I read and reread all the problems and ended up completing the first part (of three) of the second Classical Mechanics problem (of two). The E&M were about material that I had not seen yet, so I am looking forward to using Jackson. Now I am reading Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell. The cover of this book is where I got the idea for the title of this blog. Path integrals!
29 August 2006
My name on SPIRES!
Physics Orientations 1
Today I finally stepped inside the Physics building! :-)
The graduate orientations are being held during this week, today was the first part of the Physics Department orientations. The director of the graduate program gave us a very warm and nice welcome to the department. We even had breakfast and lunch provided! Basically there were talks on lots of graduate issues including placement exams and teaching assistantships. I met many new students, mainly from China. Anyways, I already have stuff to do...
(Added - Something embarrassing happen during one of the talks: my belly made a really LOUD sound, like a fart. I am afraid this was my first impression on people... Oh well... I should not have had that piece of sandwich...)
The graduate orientations are being held during this week, today was the first part of the Physics Department orientations. The director of the graduate program gave us a very warm and nice welcome to the department. We even had breakfast and lunch provided! Basically there were talks on lots of graduate issues including placement exams and teaching assistantships. I met many new students, mainly from China. Anyways, I already have stuff to do...
(Added - Something embarrassing happen during one of the talks: my belly made a really LOUD sound, like a fart. I am afraid this was my first impression on people... Oh well... I should not have had that piece of sandwich...)
28 August 2006
The dark shower
On Thursday morning, while I was taking my clothes off, the light in the shower room flickered and died. I carried on, opening the door and looking where my soap and shampoo were and dialing a nice temperature for the water. I had no problem showering in the dark. I posted a work-order and it will take a while for it to be fix. Sadly the bulb is not accessible and it is one of those long tubes that nobody knows where to buy, so we cannot fix it on our own.
My other house mates are annoyed, of course. All of them are showering with the door open. Maybe I am to shy, but I have been showering with the door close. Basically I located the soap and shampoo and just make slow movements. Everything works fine. The weird thing is that I have found myself showering with my eyes closed! Somehow it just feels more natural. I guess I have a mental picture of the room, so I have an idea where things are an feel confident about it. I wont say that I have achieved enlightenment or something like that, but it feels different. I guess I'm the only one not looking forward for a new light bulb in the shower room.
My other house mates are annoyed, of course. All of them are showering with the door open. Maybe I am to shy, but I have been showering with the door close. Basically I located the soap and shampoo and just make slow movements. Everything works fine. The weird thing is that I have found myself showering with my eyes closed! Somehow it just feels more natural. I guess I have a mental picture of the room, so I have an idea where things are an feel confident about it. I wont say that I have achieved enlightenment or something like that, but it feels different. I guess I'm the only one not looking forward for a new light bulb in the shower room.
27 August 2006
Crap Sunday
I have enough reasons to write a best selling book on bad days.
Today I woke up and shower like always. Then I made a really yummy set of French toast. After breakfast I decided to go shopping but since I was not sure about the bus times, instead I watched a movie: Donnie Darko. It is a really good movie. Around 1:40 PM I headed to the bus stop.
It was a long wait, just like yesterday but this time under the rain. I had been sneezing occasionally during the morning and at this point the sneezing had become more frequent. At the bus stop there were a couple of new graduate students. One from India asked me if I was also from India. It is funny because yesterday two other persons asked me the same think. This time the guy said that from a certain angle I looked like a friend of his who goes to Stony Brook too. So now I have a Hindu twin...
An hour passed and the bus did not came. More graduate students came, these were Chinese. One of them was a new physics students, who told me he was called *insert name here*, but U (You) was alright. U and his friend took the other bus to the library and I stayed behind waiting for the Mall bus. My sneezing had become frequent and I had lots of blobs coming from my nose.
My girlfriend called at the worst moment. First she did not had signal so I could not hear her. Then she call me back and I was in the process of getting to another bus and learning what happen to the Mall bus. I talked to her but I clearly had to pay attention to where was I being drop off. I tried calling her after the bus dropped me but at the same time she answered another student asked me for "the quad" and the Mall bus showed up, while I was struggling with my umbrella. I really wanted to talk to my girlfriend. Instead, I was in the last row of a hot bus with all my sinuses angry at me.
I got off at the supermarket. I felt light and disoriented, but was able to get all the items in my piece-of-paper-of-a-list. With three bags of groceries in my hands and two in my backpack I headed to the bookstore. Of course, the way to the bookstore was a bit risky having to walk on the street in the middle of a rainy afternoon. But my search on the bookstore was short: I knew what I wanted.
My reward: The Feynman Lectures of Physics. Finally! Some physics in this blog! I have been reading Genius: The life and science of Richard Feynman. It is one of the best stories I ever read, and to think that it tells the life of a real person (who worked at the Manhattan Project and developed interesting diagrams for Quantum Electrodynamics among other things) makes it really amazing. But all the joy of celebrating Feynman almost vanished when the cashier's machine read $195. I bought it anyways, I had a gift card from my girlfriend's parents and the books really are worth the other part.
Another long wait at the bookstore. When the bus finally showed up and I got in driver told me that "there was no bus stop there". Oh well! I humbly apologized, but I really wanted to get back to my apartment and also did not felt like walking under the rain (again) with my new acquisitions. The ride back "home" was alright. I took a nap when I got to my room and then read some of the first volume of the Lectures. I am still feeling tired and congested but some Feynman will cure it...
Today I woke up and shower like always. Then I made a really yummy set of French toast. After breakfast I decided to go shopping but since I was not sure about the bus times, instead I watched a movie: Donnie Darko. It is a really good movie. Around 1:40 PM I headed to the bus stop.
It was a long wait, just like yesterday but this time under the rain. I had been sneezing occasionally during the morning and at this point the sneezing had become more frequent. At the bus stop there were a couple of new graduate students. One from India asked me if I was also from India. It is funny because yesterday two other persons asked me the same think. This time the guy said that from a certain angle I looked like a friend of his who goes to Stony Brook too. So now I have a Hindu twin...
An hour passed and the bus did not came. More graduate students came, these were Chinese. One of them was a new physics students, who told me he was called *insert name here*, but U (You) was alright. U and his friend took the other bus to the library and I stayed behind waiting for the Mall bus. My sneezing had become frequent and I had lots of blobs coming from my nose.
My girlfriend called at the worst moment. First she did not had signal so I could not hear her. Then she call me back and I was in the process of getting to another bus and learning what happen to the Mall bus. I talked to her but I clearly had to pay attention to where was I being drop off. I tried calling her after the bus dropped me but at the same time she answered another student asked me for "the quad" and the Mall bus showed up, while I was struggling with my umbrella. I really wanted to talk to my girlfriend. Instead, I was in the last row of a hot bus with all my sinuses angry at me.
I got off at the supermarket. I felt light and disoriented, but was able to get all the items in my piece-of-paper-of-a-list. With three bags of groceries in my hands and two in my backpack I headed to the bookstore. Of course, the way to the bookstore was a bit risky having to walk on the street in the middle of a rainy afternoon. But my search on the bookstore was short: I knew what I wanted.
My reward: The Feynman Lectures of Physics. Finally! Some physics in this blog! I have been reading Genius: The life and science of Richard Feynman. It is one of the best stories I ever read, and to think that it tells the life of a real person (who worked at the Manhattan Project and developed interesting diagrams for Quantum Electrodynamics among other things) makes it really amazing. But all the joy of celebrating Feynman almost vanished when the cashier's machine read $195. I bought it anyways, I had a gift card from my girlfriend's parents and the books really are worth the other part.
Another long wait at the bookstore. When the bus finally showed up and I got in driver told me that "there was no bus stop there". Oh well! I humbly apologized, but I really wanted to get back to my apartment and also did not felt like walking under the rain (again) with my new acquisitions. The ride back "home" was alright. I took a nap when I got to my room and then read some of the first volume of the Lectures. I am still feeling tired and congested but some Feynman will cure it...
26 August 2006
Attack of the Grocery Shoppers
Today I tried grocery shopping again... I decided to walk to the bus stop around 11:20 AM and the bus ended up arriving after 12:15 PM. It was packed! I was the last person to get, and I rode standing just before the steps and the front door. The bus driver was nice and introduced me to a fellow driver who was riding along to learn the route. They spoke Spanish and we had a nice long chat about Puerto Rico and the town I used to live, Lajas. It turned out his wife was from Lajas. Friendly Spanish was a nice smelly breeze inside the sweat smelling bus. It was PACKED!
I got off at Path-way or something, a super-market. Prices were OK, although I ended up paying more than $80 again. But this time I got the baking pan, a real frying pan and a measuring cup. I also got brownie mix, which I had craved during the week. After I finished shopping I waited the bus for another hour and met other graduate students. Sadly none were physics students but that is alright, I should not be an elitists. From the store up to getting to my apartment I met students from (gasp for air) Turkey, India, Israel and Poland (thinks there were not that many places... but continues typing). The bus was surprisingly empty when it came, but it got PACKED again on the next stop. We ended up waiting like five minutes until everybody settle down. It was nice to be back in my apartment.
Not much physics is going on now, but I am reading Feynman's paper on the path integral. Feynman was (and still is) just awesome.
I got off at Path-way or something, a super-market. Prices were OK, although I ended up paying more than $80 again. But this time I got the baking pan, a real frying pan and a measuring cup. I also got brownie mix, which I had craved during the week. After I finished shopping I waited the bus for another hour and met other graduate students. Sadly none were physics students but that is alright, I should not be an elitists. From the store up to getting to my apartment I met students from (gasp for air) Turkey, India, Israel and Poland (thinks there were not that many places... but continues typing). The bus was surprisingly empty when it came, but it got PACKED again on the next stop. We ended up waiting like five minutes until everybody settle down. It was nice to be back in my apartment.
Not much physics is going on now, but I am reading Feynman's paper on the path integral. Feynman was (and still is) just awesome.
25 August 2006
First trip!
The rain finally cleared by 3:00 PM. At that time Justin and I decided to take the bus down to the mall to see if I could get my phone working and to get Justin a phone. We were 10 minutes early at the bus stop and of course took the wrong bus.
So we got off in Port Jefferson, to the north-east of Stony Brook. Heck, it was a nice opportunity to explore around and the bus driver charged us the student price (50 cents less). I got an iced tea at a nearby bakery in order to get change for the bus. Port Jefferson looks nice. Lots of restaurants; seafood and pizza mainly. I think I also found the Ferry port.
Without a watch or clock we headed to the nearest bus station and waited for the bus again. It came soon, but this time we had to pay the full price ($1.50) :-(.
Alas, we got to Smith Haven Mall! Sadly we got off the bus to early and had to walk to the "real" mall. At this point I really needed to return the iced tea I had earlier to the place that saw it grow. Walking inside the Smith Haven Mall a mid-east-looking guy in a kiosk asked Justin "if he knew about the war in Israel". Apparently Justin has a hard time being rude to people so he agreed on trying a hand lotion.
We walked in the direction of the restrooms but those were out of reach because of construction. Finally I got to relief myself in the Food Court, that is, in the bathroom close to it.
We got to the Sprint store and each of us got what we were looking for. So everything was worth it.
Today I learned which bus stop takes you to Port Jefferson and which one takes you to the Smith Haven Mall. Tomorrow, groceries again...
So we got off in Port Jefferson, to the north-east of Stony Brook. Heck, it was a nice opportunity to explore around and the bus driver charged us the student price (50 cents less). I got an iced tea at a nearby bakery in order to get change for the bus. Port Jefferson looks nice. Lots of restaurants; seafood and pizza mainly. I think I also found the Ferry port.
Without a watch or clock we headed to the nearest bus station and waited for the bus again. It came soon, but this time we had to pay the full price ($1.50) :-(.
Alas, we got to Smith Haven Mall! Sadly we got off the bus to early and had to walk to the "real" mall. At this point I really needed to return the iced tea I had earlier to the place that saw it grow. Walking inside the Smith Haven Mall a mid-east-looking guy in a kiosk asked Justin "if he knew about the war in Israel". Apparently Justin has a hard time being rude to people so he agreed on trying a hand lotion.
We walked in the direction of the restrooms but those were out of reach because of construction. Finally I got to relief myself in the Food Court, that is, in the bathroom close to it.
We got to the Sprint store and each of us got what we were looking for. So everything was worth it.
Today I learned which bus stop takes you to Port Jefferson and which one takes you to the Smith Haven Mall. Tomorrow, groceries again...
Rain
It has been raining all morning. Now it looks like finally it has cleared up a bit so maybe I will take the bus to the mall and try to fix my cellphone.
24 August 2006
Laundry
Yet another day here at Stony Brook University. My cell phone finally decided too die. It does not charge it's battery and claims that it is charged. But when you disconnect the phone from the jack, it powers off. So sad. And annoying...
I got some laundry done today. Well all of what I had, even the blanket that was left on the couch by the previous students of the apartment. Washers and dryers were $1.50. I had lots of change, but most of it was not in quarters. The stupid idea to use the soft drink machine nearby as a mean to get quarters actually worked. I even was able to convert $1.00 into four quarters! It is annoying that laundry machines do not accept dimes or nickels. Oh well, now I used all my change and I do not have any for the bus tomorrow.
I am eager for classes to start.
I got some laundry done today. Well all of what I had, even the blanket that was left on the couch by the previous students of the apartment. Washers and dryers were $1.50. I had lots of change, but most of it was not in quarters. The stupid idea to use the soft drink machine nearby as a mean to get quarters actually worked. I even was able to convert $1.00 into four quarters! It is annoying that laundry machines do not accept dimes or nickels. Oh well, now I used all my change and I do not have any for the bus tomorrow.
I am eager for classes to start.
50 cents
Yesterday I went to the campus post office and sent my SLAC roommate his badge. The SLAC badge has a dosimeter, and that is the only thing the laboratory keeps after you finished. I guess without a dosimeter you cannot get into the radiation hazard areas. So my roommate gave me his to return because he was leaving early. At the post office I had to fill a US Customs form estating the value of what was inside the envelope.
An ID badge from one of the most famous and important laboratories in the nation: priceless. I quickly jotted down $0.50.
An ID badge from one of the most famous and important laboratories in the nation: priceless. I quickly jotted down $0.50.
Dumb
Agh! I have been going through the first problems of Warren Siegel's Fields and I just feel dumb. Hopefully it will just take a while to regain my rhythm. If not... I am doomed.
(My girlfriend calls me a drama-king for a reason...)
(My girlfriend calls me a drama-king for a reason...)
22 August 2006
First exploration...
Today I decided to finally stop resting and go out to wander around the Stony Brook campus.
My first destination was Stony Brook Union, trying to find the ATM. I approached from the east, so I only had to walk to the entrance. But I did not knew this. So I entered the building through the "top" floor. Classes have not started, so there are not many around. Still, the Union looked so scary! Even the insides. I wander and wander until finally I found the ATM.
Then I headed to the main quad. I found the bookstore, which was not that bad. My Mechanics book was in, but QM had not arrive. It really did not matter because I ordered the online. I continued on my way. The Student Activity Center seemed really nice so I went inside.
The Seawolves Marketplace was salvation! I bought frying pans, a fork-spoons-knife set, a bowl, two dishes, some other kitchen stuff and most importantly: a PILLOW! I am so happy! For the past two nights I have been sleeping without one, and it has not been that bad. But I felt lost and incomplete without a pillow. Not anymore!
I also learned about a bus that goes to the shopping mall, and got train tickets for my first Boston trip. Definitely I accomplished a lot. (A Cumrun Vafa sighting might have taken place, but I am not sure...)
My first destination was Stony Brook Union, trying to find the ATM. I approached from the east, so I only had to walk to the entrance. But I did not knew this. So I entered the building through the "top" floor. Classes have not started, so there are not many around. Still, the Union looked so scary! Even the insides. I wander and wander until finally I found the ATM.
Then I headed to the main quad. I found the bookstore, which was not that bad. My Mechanics book was in, but QM had not arrive. It really did not matter because I ordered the online. I continued on my way. The Student Activity Center seemed really nice so I went inside.
The Seawolves Marketplace was salvation! I bought frying pans, a fork-spoons-knife set, a bowl, two dishes, some other kitchen stuff and most importantly: a PILLOW! I am so happy! For the past two nights I have been sleeping without one, and it has not been that bad. But I felt lost and incomplete without a pillow. Not anymore!
I also learned about a bus that goes to the shopping mall, and got train tickets for my first Boston trip. Definitely I accomplished a lot. (A Cumrun Vafa sighting might have taken place, but I am not sure...)
20 August 2006
First groceries
Today I got to explore around a bit and got some groceries. I met one of my house-mates, Jacob. He is a cool guy, majoring in Political Science. There is Nicholas, but I have not seem him yet.
So around 1:45 PM I decided to go and take the bus, after Jacob's information about the whole shopping thing. The bus came after a few minutes of waiting and the ride to the shopping place was OK. I think I bought to much, having a hard time with the bags and loosing a jar of concord grape jelly. Oh well. Could the use of big paper bags made this easier? Next weekend I should try getting less stuff.
I also need a couple of things besides groceries including a frying pan, a pillow and maybe a wastebasket. Also some notebooks for classes... This week should be interesting.
Stony Brook!
The summer program at SLAC ended. My final report was submitted, my talk was delivered, my checks picked up.
Around 7:30 AM I was already on my way to the San Francisco Airport. Breakfast was fun and yummy. Security checkout was better than I thought. My flight took off around 12:00 M (pacific time) and landed just after 8:00 PM, I think... (eastern time). It was a surprisingly long walk from the terminal I got off to the baggage claim room. Then the bags were delayed a bit, maybe because of the fact that there were other flights at the same time. I think I got to Airtrain around 9:20 PM. It was really confusing and it turned out that I got into the wrong train once. After a quick change in direction (a tad annoying with all my heavy suitcases), I got to Jamaica Station. Kind of annoying that you have to pay ($5) to actually get out of the station and transfer to the other train systems. When I finally got to the train tracks, I got even more confused and desperate about which train to take. It was 9:44 PM and there was a train on track 7 (or 6?). For some reason I thought it was the one I wanted and rushed to it, jumping down the stairs with my own luggage train. I missed the train, for a good reason: It was not. I went up, this time using the automatic staircase, and asked around for the correct train. It was 9:50 PM and the guy at the information office told me that the next train would be at 11:03 PM. I was depressed :-(.
I remembered that to get to Stony Brook one had to transfer in Huntington or Hicksville. The next train that was coming was headed to Huntington so I took it around 10:04 PM. It was quite a long ride. I got to Huntington at 10:45 PM and had to wait until 11:51 PM for the next train to Port Jefferson. While I was there I met a guy called Steve who spent most of the time writing on a piece of papers. He seemed really concentrate, so I figured not to ask. Also, something along the train tracks catch fire. After a couple of minutes it was put down. The train was on time, and Steve helped me find a less empty train car and also helped with my heavy bags. I got to Stony Brook but did not bother to check the time, it was late enough for me, and for such a long day. Steve came to help, but I already had the bags outside the train. He was heading to Port Jefferson. Thank you Steve!
Many got off at the Stony Brook station, but none seemed to head in my direction. I checked a map, compared it to the one I had and decided to start walking. I had a hunch I was heading the wrong way, and gave a second look to the map after a couple of steps. I turned 180 degrees, and started walking toward the Schomburg apartments. Another fellow, I believe he was called Frederick, help me as I got closer to the apartment complex. We went to the quad office, but the person waiting was in the commons. She is really nice. I finally got into my room. After settling down, I took a shower and finally crashed on the bed, without a pillow :-(.
Welcome to gradschool :-).
06 August 2006
Summer at SLAC
I have not posted in ages! Sorry for that. I have not being that busy. I just did not felt like it.
Anyways, the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center is awesome. I am working with a very interesting problem: making water samples. My mentor is interested in the study of the molecular structure of water using x-ray pulses. For a certain type of experiments one needs a thin layer of water, around 500 nm. I came up with a simple setup to make these water samples. So far we have test them down at Stanford's campus and the Advanced Light Source over at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories. Now I have tons of data in my computer and have been procrastinating about analyzing it. Oh well.
Physics (and Science in general) is a bit different at SLAC. I spent the last summer at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD. There I worked building an optical trap to study single molecules. I guess most of my complaints are about the materials. The stockroom at NIST was like a shopping mall. Here at SLAC is more modest. But I guess it is like comparing an orange to a bottle. SLAC is just one big machine, while NIST is like hundreds of small machines. Still, I am very happy of being able to experience research in both of this great facilities.
I am liking my research at SLAC. It is far from my main interest: String Theory and fundamental physics. In about three weeks I'll be flying to JFK International Airport in NY. I am excited about starting graduate school. Let's see how it goes and what I end up doing...
05 July 2006
12 June 2006
Physics as a career, 2
So I have just graduated from UPR-M with a B.S. in Theoretical Physics. What's next, flipping burgers?
I learned about the inner workings of nature. Most important, I learned how to explore this inner workings, and even how to determine if my predictions are correct. A physicist is an observer of nature. He/she puts theories into motion, or thinks about how to use a certain phenomena to make our daily lives easier. Where can I work as a physicist?
First of all, I am not a physicist yet. Right now I am in some weird intermediate state. To understand physical theories better, (I believe) I need a some-what deeper exposure to physics. This exposure can be found in graduate school. I find myself in this step: going to start graduate school in Stony Brook University on fall 2006.
Does everybody have to go to graduate school? I am not sure, but don't think so. Not all tasks requires graduate education. The first thing that comes to my mind is being a "lab technician". My definition of a lab technician would be somebody who carry out instructions on how to assemble experimental setups. He/she follow these instructions from a researcher, the person in charge of research. Other positions can be some kind of consultant to companies or as a teacher in schools.
I want to go to graduate school because I seek a deeper understanding of theoretical physics. What should I expect to do after graduation? I guess the natural choice is the academia or some research institutions (laboratories, etc.). The academia is my favorite option since I enjoy sharing ideas with people, mainly ideas I already know. It is not about not thinking about new ideas, but I find the subject of talking about something you already knew rewarding in the sense that you can still "discover" or understand that something better. I served as a mathematics (and sometimes physics) tutor at UPR-M for 7 terms (2003-06). During my times at tutoring I re-learned many notions that I did not got right in the classroom.
I will not be the only person starting graduate school in physics next fall. Maybe millions worldwide. So there is some challenge to it. Before you become a full time "tenured" professor, one has to go through an evaluation period. This process is sometime not successful to many.
It is not about giving up, but recently I have been thinking of a worst case scenario: I am able to finish my Ph.D. Now I am over-qualified for many jobs. I am also unable to earn a position in the academia. What should I do now? Do I need to be in the academia to be a physicist? I guess so, otherwise I could be considered a crackpot. Do I care about what other people think? No.
My point is that I could think about physics anywhere. I just need some preparation. An overview. A push. Graduate school. It is not about wasting 5-6 years in a painful environment just to end not working as a physicist. But what is working as a physicist? Well thinking about physics. So I do not need to be in the academia. The benefits of the academia is that it offers colleagues to share ideas and opinions. Updates on how physics is doing today or tomorrow. I am pretty sure there are more "benefits" for doing science in an academic environment.
I always dream about having a restaurant. The type where I only serve breakfast. I love breakfast. Just pancakes, toast, eggs, French toast, oatmeal, juice. Coffee! Melvin would not mind working during the mornings in my breakfast place, then in the afternoons resting and relaxing while during the evening thinking and wondering about physics. It could be done. No bureaucracy, and sadly no students.
In the end, it is still early to think about all this. But the thought of a physicist thinking about physics anywhere is so simple and pretty. Maybe to simple. In any case, now that I will start graduate school, I will just follow along with what I believe makes me happy. Only time will tell where I will be 10 years from now.
I learned about the inner workings of nature. Most important, I learned how to explore this inner workings, and even how to determine if my predictions are correct. A physicist is an observer of nature. He/she puts theories into motion, or thinks about how to use a certain phenomena to make our daily lives easier. Where can I work as a physicist?
First of all, I am not a physicist yet. Right now I am in some weird intermediate state. To understand physical theories better, (I believe) I need a some-what deeper exposure to physics. This exposure can be found in graduate school. I find myself in this step: going to start graduate school in Stony Brook University on fall 2006.
Does everybody have to go to graduate school? I am not sure, but don't think so. Not all tasks requires graduate education. The first thing that comes to my mind is being a "lab technician". My definition of a lab technician would be somebody who carry out instructions on how to assemble experimental setups. He/she follow these instructions from a researcher, the person in charge of research. Other positions can be some kind of consultant to companies or as a teacher in schools.
I want to go to graduate school because I seek a deeper understanding of theoretical physics. What should I expect to do after graduation? I guess the natural choice is the academia or some research institutions (laboratories, etc.). The academia is my favorite option since I enjoy sharing ideas with people, mainly ideas I already know. It is not about not thinking about new ideas, but I find the subject of talking about something you already knew rewarding in the sense that you can still "discover" or understand that something better. I served as a mathematics (and sometimes physics) tutor at UPR-M for 7 terms (2003-06). During my times at tutoring I re-learned many notions that I did not got right in the classroom.
I will not be the only person starting graduate school in physics next fall. Maybe millions worldwide. So there is some challenge to it. Before you become a full time "tenured" professor, one has to go through an evaluation period. This process is sometime not successful to many.
It is not about giving up, but recently I have been thinking of a worst case scenario: I am able to finish my Ph.D. Now I am over-qualified for many jobs. I am also unable to earn a position in the academia. What should I do now? Do I need to be in the academia to be a physicist? I guess so, otherwise I could be considered a crackpot. Do I care about what other people think? No.
My point is that I could think about physics anywhere. I just need some preparation. An overview. A push. Graduate school. It is not about wasting 5-6 years in a painful environment just to end not working as a physicist. But what is working as a physicist? Well thinking about physics. So I do not need to be in the academia. The benefits of the academia is that it offers colleagues to share ideas and opinions. Updates on how physics is doing today or tomorrow. I am pretty sure there are more "benefits" for doing science in an academic environment.
I always dream about having a restaurant. The type where I only serve breakfast. I love breakfast. Just pancakes, toast, eggs, French toast, oatmeal, juice. Coffee! Melvin would not mind working during the mornings in my breakfast place, then in the afternoons resting and relaxing while during the evening thinking and wondering about physics. It could be done. No bureaucracy, and sadly no students.
In the end, it is still early to think about all this. But the thought of a physicist thinking about physics anywhere is so simple and pretty. Maybe to simple. In any case, now that I will start graduate school, I will just follow along with what I believe makes me happy. Only time will tell where I will be 10 years from now.
11 June 2006
Physics as a career, 1
After graduating from UPR - Mayagüez and earning a Bachelor in Science (with concentration on theoretical physics), one of my professor sat down with me and asked me some questions. The only one I will talk about was something like "how would you attract first year students?"”
Puerto Rico want to become engineers. Still, most of these students do not know what engineering is about and fail in their studies. Because of their popularity, all the engineering programs in Mayagüez have the highest requirements. Students that failed to get into an engineering program choose (most of the time) to start in the physics department and then change. The process of changing is something that can be done, but really not well accomplish by most students. Hence the department of physics has a certain amount of students that do not want to be there.
Stony Brook University
Some company wants to know how to determine the content of containers without opening them. Some engineers suggested drilling tiny holes and measuring. The physicist suggested using some form of spectroscopy to learn, with opening, the content of the containers.
So you see the difference in approach.
My view is that a physicist learned the fundamental concepts of nature. They are able to understand the principle behind things, in general, and gain a wider view of problems. On the other hand, an engineer basically is taught applications of all this principles, so one can say that to certain extent an engineer only works with specific problems. This is not completely true, but it serves as a good approximation.
Ok, so how should I attract more students to physics? This is not about painting physics as fun and exciting. Physics IS fun and exciting, but not to everybody. Some people just do not like science. This group of people enjoys some other things, like music, art, philosophy. It is part of diversity. A larger group does not like science because they have had bad experiences and frustrations. This is the kind of person that can be "“attracted"” to the department of physics.
The first thing that comes to my mind is the feeling I get every time I learned something new in the classroom, or some new experiment in the lab. Physics tries to understand how nature works. All the current theories explain some common phenomena, but also take us to realms such as near stars or black holes, and atoms and the elementary particles that make them. When you learn physics (and you search for physics) you gain the "knowledge" or understanding of how nature manifests itself.
That is the joy of physics, to me.
That is my way of attracting students. What about after graduation? Stay tuned.
10 June 2006
Blogging
I have been a tad lazy and had not posted in a while. But I have been thinking. Reading blogs online has made me realize that this medium can also serve as a way to let out your ego. I have always been afraid of my evil-dormant ego inside my little head.
When I started the blog, I saw it as a way to share my experiences (a have record) of learning physics at an upper level (on my way to a Ph.D.). So I intended to write about topics that I learned and ideas that occur to me. I do not want to start ranting about other scientist or theories. Maybe I will do that some other way.
Looking forward to graduate school!
When I started the blog, I saw it as a way to share my experiences (a have record) of learning physics at an upper level (on my way to a Ph.D.). So I intended to write about topics that I learned and ideas that occur to me. I do not want to start ranting about other scientist or theories. Maybe I will do that some other way.
Looking forward to graduate school!
Graduation!
Yesterday was the 92nd graduation ceremony of UPR- Mayagüez. I shared the Enrico Fermi prize with my young friend Luis B. Arroyo. Also I finished my B.S. with a Magna Cum Laude award.
I was happy. Not that excited, but happy. I just know that the best is still to come in
29 May 2006
Blogs
I have not posted much lately. I should have been. Instead I've been reading other physics blogs. Some of this blogs are dudes arguing about theories. They also post news and comments on recent topics.
My personal favorite is the Lubos Motl and Peter Woit duo. They have a nice discussion. Peter Woit is a professor at Columbia University how is famous for his criticism to string theory. Lubos is the opposite of Petes, he is also a professor at Harvard.
Other blogs I have been reading included Cosmic Variance. You can get a pretty good idea of what is going on in theoretical physics right now (or for the past 2-3 years) by checking this blogs.
My personal favorite is the Lubos Motl and Peter Woit duo. They have a nice discussion. Peter Woit is a professor at Columbia University how is famous for his criticism to string theory. Lubos is the opposite of Petes, he is also a professor at Harvard.
Other blogs I have been reading included Cosmic Variance. You can get a pretty good idea of what is going on in theoretical physics right now (or for the past 2-3 years) by checking this blogs.
26 May 2006
Free time...
Now that I am over with classes and moving things from my apartment back to my house, I am enjoying some real free time. Feels kind of weird, but good. I have decided to continue working on an old mission. When my Intro. to Relativity course was over, the professor asked me and other students to type the notes of the class in a nice LaTeX file. So I will be working on that until I fly to Stanford University for a refreshing summer internship at SLAC.
21 May 2006
29 April 2006
The flavor of Special Relativity
At the heart of Special Relativity lies a simple idea: Physical laws are the same in any set of frames of reference that are in relative uniform motion.
If you take the constancy of the speed of light as a physical law, then lots of funky effects appear: Time Dilation, Length Contraction, Relative Simultaneity, etc. Light having a constant speed, independent of the frame of reference you measure it, is sometimes called the second postulate of the Special Theory of Relativity.
Frame of references are important and are not introduce for construction. When we talk about motion, we need a reference frame to describe the motion.
Take for example riding a train. When the train is arriving with passengers, from the station you see the train approaching. You are standing still, and you know this fact because you do not feel any other force (except our good old friend gravity). We can say that with respect of the station, the train is moving and changing its position.
Now from one of the passenger's point of view, he/she sees the station approaching. Our passenger is standing still in the train, in rest with respect to it (since the passenger is moving along with the train), and those not feel any force before the train starts to decelerate. This is one of those fancy trains...
Both points of view, whether the train or station were approaching are valid. Besides motion, relativity tells us that physics is the same in every frame of reference.
Speed is a measure of how positions changes along time. Galilean relativity assures us that according to our relative velocity, objects may be seen at rest (relative velocity is zero) or in motion (non-zero relative velocity). Since the speed of light is constant, then it has to be measure the same in every frame of reference relative to light. Hence, space and time have to arrange themselves in a certain way so that in any frame the speed of light is the same constant.
I consider this the thesis of Special Relativity: the study of space-time as a "dynamical" entity.
If you take the constancy of the speed of light as a physical law, then lots of funky effects appear: Time Dilation, Length Contraction, Relative Simultaneity, etc. Light having a constant speed, independent of the frame of reference you measure it, is sometimes called the second postulate of the Special Theory of Relativity.
Frame of references are important and are not introduce for construction. When we talk about motion, we need a reference frame to describe the motion.
Take for example riding a train. When the train is arriving with passengers, from the station you see the train approaching. You are standing still, and you know this fact because you do not feel any other force (except our good old friend gravity). We can say that with respect of the station, the train is moving and changing its position.
Now from one of the passenger's point of view, he/she sees the station approaching. Our passenger is standing still in the train, in rest with respect to it (since the passenger is moving along with the train), and those not feel any force before the train starts to decelerate. This is one of those fancy trains...
Both points of view, whether the train or station were approaching are valid. Besides motion, relativity tells us that physics is the same in every frame of reference.
Speed is a measure of how positions changes along time. Galilean relativity assures us that according to our relative velocity, objects may be seen at rest (relative velocity is zero) or in motion (non-zero relative velocity). Since the speed of light is constant, then it has to be measure the same in every frame of reference relative to light. Hence, space and time have to arrange themselves in a certain way so that in any frame the speed of light is the same constant.
I consider this the thesis of Special Relativity: the study of space-time as a "dynamical" entity.
Time, 2
Of all the many interpretations I've heard of time, the one I remember the most is the story about a famous graffiti that read "Time is God's answer to prevent all events happening simultaneously." This phrase made me think for some time. But I cannot take much from it. It is kind of obvious, but we must also take into consideration the relativity of simultaneity introduce by Special Relativity.
Other views of time I found were in Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. As I recall, Hawking attempts to give time a vector like behavior (direction). He states three ways to measure the "directionality" of time: psychologically (biological), thermodynamically and cosmologically.
The psychological direction of time is the direction we see time pass by. People are born, grow up and get older; not the other way around.
The laws of thermodynamics say that states evolve to higher entropy states. This is viewed when ice cubes melt into water and not the other way around (you have to put water in a cold place to freeze it). Another example is the traditional breaking of an egg. If you let an egg fall to the floor it will break into pieces. You can wait in front of it and will never see the egg coming back together. This is the sense processes take place, and one can associate time to follow along this direction.
The third view of time's direction has to do cosmological observations. If you follow the trajectories of galaxies, you'll find that all of start their trek through space from a single point. The direction of cosmological evolution is then chosen as the chronological order of events in the universe. This analysis may imply the existence of the "origin" of time, a point where time began ticking.
All of this views just assign an orientation to time according to physical observations.
Other views of time I found were in Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. As I recall, Hawking attempts to give time a vector like behavior (direction). He states three ways to measure the "directionality" of time: psychologically (biological), thermodynamically and cosmologically.
The psychological direction of time is the direction we see time pass by. People are born, grow up and get older; not the other way around.
The laws of thermodynamics say that states evolve to higher entropy states. This is viewed when ice cubes melt into water and not the other way around (you have to put water in a cold place to freeze it). Another example is the traditional breaking of an egg. If you let an egg fall to the floor it will break into pieces. You can wait in front of it and will never see the egg coming back together. This is the sense processes take place, and one can associate time to follow along this direction.
The third view of time's direction has to do cosmological observations. If you follow the trajectories of galaxies, you'll find that all of start their trek through space from a single point. The direction of cosmological evolution is then chosen as the chronological order of events in the universe. This analysis may imply the existence of the "origin" of time, a point where time began ticking.
All of this views just assign an orientation to time according to physical observations.
28 April 2006
Time, 1
I got a magazine from Scientific American titled A Matter of Time. It is about time and how it is view in physical theories, the role, the origin of it, the meaning, etc.
I have heard many interpretations of "what" time is? I'll try to discuss them some other time, because I am very tired tonight.
I have heard many interpretations of "what" time is? I'll try to discuss them some other time, because I am very tired tonight.
Back, again...
It has been quite a while since I have posted something. Not that I did not had anything to say, on the contrary...
17 April 2006
Back
Vacations are finally over. Thank God!
Now my last 15 days as an undergraduate students... Yippieee!!
Now my last 15 days as an undergraduate students... Yippieee!!
10 April 2006
BTW
I forgot to mention. I won a physics award in the Department of Physics. To the students by the students. My award was called "Premio Algebrita" which means little algebra. This is a reference to derivations and how algebra makes equation prettier. The award was given to "the person that solves everything".
It is funny cuz I felt very bad getting this award. The other people nominated included two professors and a 16 year old boy who is also graduating this year.
I guess I help a lot. I do it for the love of science. Thank you!
It is funny cuz I felt very bad getting this award. The other people nominated included two professors and a 16 year old boy who is also graduating this year.
I guess I help a lot. I do it for the love of science. Thank you!
Vacation
I guess I have some free time finally. I have been able to sleep and rest. Here in Puerto Rico it is customary to have Holy Week free. The Monday after Easter Sunday will be free too, so that gives a grand total of 10 days of happiness! When I return to school I will have approximately 15 days of class left. Wow, I still can not believe that in less than a month I'll graduate and have a Bachelor Degree in Theoretical Physics. Summer is going to be awesome.
Then Stony Brook...
Then Stony Brook...
02 April 2006
World-Sheet
I have found some free time lately. The best way to relax is to read some String Theory. I have the textbook A First Course in String Theory by Barton Zwiebach. This book is so easy to read. Someone with some background in Lagrangian Dynamics and Relativity can read it and take lots of things out. I am up to chapter 6 on Relativistic Strings.
Basically point particles trace out a curve in spacetime called a world-line. The action of the particle can be written in terms of a line element. Since strings are one dimensional objects, the classical action of a string can be written in terms of the proper area of the surface they trace in spacetime. This surface is called the world-sheet. The classical relativistic string action is called the Nambu-Goto String Action.
It is so cool to learn about this. The only thing that I find scary is a bit of lack of motivation. I guess real motivations will come when one meet QCD and its shortcomings.
Basically point particles trace out a curve in spacetime called a world-line. The action of the particle can be written in terms of a line element. Since strings are one dimensional objects, the classical action of a string can be written in terms of the proper area of the surface they trace in spacetime. This surface is called the world-sheet. The classical relativistic string action is called the Nambu-Goto String Action.
It is so cool to learn about this. The only thing that I find scary is a bit of lack of motivation. I guess real motivations will come when one meet QCD and its shortcomings.
31 March 2006
Hell Week!
Oh man, it was! This past week was very exhausting. On Tuesday and Thursday I presented some demonstrations about Electromagnetism to kids from junior high through high school. It was fun though. I had a great time telling kids about the Electric and Magnetic Field. On Wednesday night we saw the documentary The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. I think it is pretty good, but to some point it sells the ideas of String Theory as something like a new religion or dogma. I want to learn this and know where all those crazy membranes come from. Today, Friday, my fellow SPS members drove to the center of the Puerto Rican island, to a town called Morovis. There we gave lots of demonstrations to high school students.
It is a dirty job, but someone has to do it...
It is a dirty job, but someone has to do it...
25 March 2006
Scientology? Whatever!!!
Lately I have been reading a lot about Scientology. There is a controversy going on now about Scientology and South Park. I find all this Scientology stuff so cool. My friends and I have had such a great time reading all the Wikipedia articles about this religion and its doctrine.
I believe that it can be shown, mathematically, that a scientologist is equivalent to a Star Wars believer.
(Since Scientology is so serious about their stuff, maybe I just became one more of its enemies...)
I believe that it can be shown, mathematically, that a scientologist is equivalent to a Star Wars believer.
(Since Scientology is so serious about their stuff, maybe I just became one more of its enemies...)
Electromagnetic Field Quantization
One of my Quantum Mechanics professor did a really nice derivation last week. He started with the four Maxwell's Equation and applied the Coulomb Gauge. Then he develop this long process aiming at the quantization of the electromagnetic field. It was pretty nice. Sadly, this coming week I may not be able to go to class since I have to work on the preparations for the Physics Week.
(I saw this professor in the beach surfing on Wednesday... They too have lives!)
(I saw this professor in the beach surfing on Wednesday... They too have lives!)
The 2006 Physics Week
Next week (March 27 through 30) the SPS in Mayagüez is celebrating the Physics Week. We are getting lots of school visits on Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesday night we are watching the documentary The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. On Thursday night we have the Physics Awards. I am in charge of some of the preparations and I also have to do some demonstrations to the little kids. Should be pretty good.
23 March 2006
Julio
Julio is my Math of Modern Science II professor.There are everyday humans beings, and there are special persons. Some special persons are good, kind persons that one will always remember for their help and support. There are also jerks and assholes, that one will also remember for their pain and work they brought to one lives. Julio is kinda a neutral medium. Let me explain.
In my opinion Julio cannot be measured by this. His class cannot be understood in any way. He talks and sometimes mumbles. His "handwriting" is very bad. His handouts are poorly prepare. Julio does not have a good, clear way to communicate with students. He lives in a very different and far away world.
He graduated from Stony Brook University. This is the place I will go for my Ph.D. Julio is also one of the few who works with Geometry in my college. And he appears to know a lot about the history of mathematics. Sadly, nowadays he just reads the textbook. Maybe old age has made him forget all that he learned someday, since he just copies, word by word, the textbook on the board. He was lecturing one and got stuck in a problem. He realized the textbook had different notation and decided to stop the class cuz he had to prepare the problem again.
For me it is sad to see Julio. His office is very disorganized. Nobody in his classes pays attention to him (including me...). He also has a lot of health problems, hence he often misses work. Rumor has it that he lives alone. It is sad, because I can sense some enthusiasm in his part to teach mathematics. Is sad that the way he tries to communicate it is not the best. I guess that after all, he tries.
Julio will always be an example and will always be remembered.
21 March 2006
Interaction Picture and S-Matrix
Besides the Schrödinger and Heisenberg pictures, there is a third picture in quantum mechanics. This is a time evolution of states and operators were both objects have time dependence. This time dependence is use for interaction processes and the like. With this time dependence one can find an object that givesinformationo on interactions, and given an initial state that object can give you the possible outcomes and probabilities. This object is called the S-Matrix.
Today I got to talked about this in my class. I felt better prepared than the time I talked about Plane Wave Solutions to the Dirac Equation. It was pretty awesome.
Today I got to talked about this in my class. I felt better prepared than the time I talked about Plane Wave Solutions to the Dirac Equation. It was pretty awesome.
18 March 2006
The ringing
Lately everywhere I go there is a phone ringing. They all ring for a long period of time. My neighbor's, at college, in the street. Maybe I am not noticing something...
12 March 2006
Forever!
My MATLAB programs are taking forever to run! Hope my laptop is ok...
I never thought of solving 100x100 or 200x200 systems. Those crazy experimentalist and their big chunks of data!!!
I never thought of solving 100x100 or 200x200 systems. Those crazy experimentalist and their big chunks of data!!!
09 March 2006
Mathematics vs. Physics
While my presentation of the AQM class, an interesting question came up. My professor claimed that since Mathematics is based on logic, the sole fact that a theory is mathematicaly correct does not imply that it is physicaly correct. Nature is not logic. For example, one can work on Klein-Gordon theory and get all the mathematics correct, but the numbers are wrong.
This made me think about who would be right, the theorist that belive that nature and mathematics have differences because of their incapacity of accurate measurements; or the experimentalist that claim that nature is not logic and some of it aspect cannot be explained by mathematics.
This, for me, is indeed a deep question
This made me think about who would be right, the theorist that belive that nature and mathematics have differences because of their incapacity of accurate measurements; or the experimentalist that claim that nature is not logic and some of it aspect cannot be explained by mathematics.
This, for me, is indeed a deep question
08 March 2006
Plane Wave Solutions of Dirac Equation
Today is my turn to present topics in the Advanced Quantum Mechanics course. I'll be covering Lorentz covariance of the probability current of the Dirac equation and finding plane wave solutions. Yay!
04 March 2006
Forget about Seminar!
My part on undergraduate seminar is over. Yay! Ican forget about it and work on more "relevant" issues (ahem, Dirac Theory, etc.)
SUNY @ Stony Brook!!!!
This past two days have been surreal. I received a call from a guy at Stony Brook who said I was accepted! I am so happy! I am still waiting for official notifications, but still it is very exciting!
01 March 2006
Weekend Warrior 2
I have noticed now that mostly I think of all the stuff to do over the weekend. Already for this weekend I have to:
- Organize notes for the classes I am giving on AQM.
- Get SPS candies.
24 February 2006
To do during the weekend
This is a to do list of things I should try to accomplish during the weekend.
- Work on Seminar slides.
- Buy the SPS's candies.
- Read stuff for AQM.
- Look for pendulum's detail.
- Work on MATLAB problems.
- Read stuff for SPS show.
22 February 2006
It's been a while...
... but have been pretty busy. Those complex phases were the result of an awful mistake. It was the units of my cross section. Now I know what a barn (b) is. Anyways, Coulomb potential in the modified Klein Gordon equation is next...
(Had a really cool idea about curved space and electric charge... More on that later.)
(Had a really cool idea about curved space and electric charge... More on that later.)
20 February 2006
Groove Salad
Wow. I have spent three hours, non-stop, writing up my Quantum Mechanics 2 problems in clean paper. It has been made a short time thanks to SomaFM's Groove Salad. It is an Internet radio station, like they say, "a nicely chilled plate of ambient beats and grooves". So far the only problem that I am doubtful is one about partial wave’s phases. I am getting complex numbers for them. Maybe my approximations are incorrect, or these complex numbers can have some physical interpretation. I guess after I finish with QM 2 I will start writing up the problems for Advanced Quantum Mechanics. These ones are only three. Again, I have a doubt on one of them: What the hell does "Center of Mass Energy" means?
19 February 2006
Gauge Theories
Today I learned a bit about gauge theories. All of a sudden, Electromagnetism seems more beatiful than ever. I like the way theoretical physics is being built. Let's see if my new knowledge helps me with the Advance Quantum Mechanics Problem Sheet...
18 February 2006
QMII
So the problems are not that bad. Two almost done, two to go. I have not started with AQM yet...
Man that class is weird. I guess theoretical courses are like that. The professor has gone through lots of material very quiclky. We are going to finnish all the Klein-Gordon Equation theory now and move on to the Dirac Equation. The idea is pretty simple: Negative energy states come up because of the equation representing the square of energy. Then we associate this states with antiparticles. I guess I should do my homework. I cannot wait to learn about String Theory and Quantum Field Theory.
Man that class is weird. I guess theoretical courses are like that. The professor has gone through lots of material very quiclky. We are going to finnish all the Klein-Gordon Equation theory now and move on to the Dirac Equation. The idea is pretty simple: Negative energy states come up because of the equation representing the square of energy. Then we associate this states with antiparticles. I guess I should do my homework. I cannot wait to learn about String Theory and Quantum Field Theory.
17 February 2006
Breakfast!
The best way to start your day is with a nice breakfast that should include fruits, caffeine, carbs and some General Relativity.
Weekend Warrior
So for this long weekend (yay for Puerto Ricans Holidays!) I have to read Biology stuff, work on my Quantum Mechanics 2 and Advance Quantum Mechanics problem sheets, and think about my MATLAB homework. Quite a handful. Advice for the little kids: do not take more than one class during a semester that includes "quantum" in its name. Fun, fun fun!
The pleasure of finding things out.
Famous words by Richard Feynman. Indeed. I just finnished a problem sheet for Math of Modern Science 2. The problems looked nasty, but everything became clear.
16 February 2006
Graduate School
I am a graduating senior now. I applied to a couple of Graduate Schools in the U.S. this past winter. One of them already declined my application. I felt so sad. I thought that if all fails, I will live like a homeless person. But on purpose. I went into this long daydream once (during Biology class) about me living in a campus just making money tutoring math and physics student. It would be a nice urban legend...
A new attempt....
I want to write stuff. I will try to write here for myself. Thoughts, ideas, opinions. Speak of my mind.
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