/sci/ - Science & Math

What is light?

I ask you to go away

>>2809246
I think that depends on the theory you're modeling it with.
If you take Quantum Electrodynamics, a part of the Standard Model of particle physics, then you'd describe light as quanta (particles) of a quantum field. The states (particles) would be photons and the corresponding field would be the photon field. A representation of the local invariance group of relativity (Lorentz group), namely one with spin=1. These are "vector bosons".

>>2809263
That makes no fucking sense. I wanted a goddamn simple answer.

>>2809263
As I can clearly see you are in idiot in regards to this topic:

Plz explain the standard model of particle physics. What are all these things? If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to understand what articles about CERN are talking about

I think in genereal relativity, light is some manifestation of the electromagnetic field. A free propagating bulp of energy, if you will. It's similar to the one above in that it can be described is a spin 1 vector field, but there are not "quants", i.e. no photons.

>>2809232

I put my cat in a box with some radioactive shit, then closed it and my cat didn't turn into a zombie. It was supposed to be alive AND dead at the same time, you know, a zombie. All that happened was I killed my cat. So I guess, what did I do wrong, how do I get a zombie cat? I mean its in textbooks, it has to have something behind it right?

>>2809271
I think you have heard all the simple answers already somewhere.
But okay "light is a wave and what is 'moving' is the electromagnetic field. Energy flying around."

>>2809272
>Plz explain the standard model of particle physics.
I think that's like saying "explain the stock market".
One can't possible explain everything in 30 minutes, only try to answer specific questions.

>>2809281
I don't understand the question, but I like Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead. We can talk about that if you like.

>>2809291
What makes quarks? What makes gluons?

>>2809314
Maybe they are all some vibrating string?
Nobody knows.
In our current theory they are of course considered to be elementary excitations of their corresponding fields.

Explain the Unruh effect.

(lulzy mode: without looking it up)

>>2809376
Is this a quiz or do you have a question?
If it's something you can look up, then do so.

Please explain the nature of negative energy particles.

>>2809409
I don't know about negative energy particles, maybe someone else does.
How did you came across them?

What is a current problem that needs solving in theoretical physics? What should I be thinking about, that doesn't have an answer?

I know there are more than one, IYO, which is most pertinent?

>>2809385

What the fuck is this, Jeopardy? Ok fine then.

Can you please explain the Unruh effect?

You said you know nothing about theoretical physics, so in a sense, I am quizzing you for the lulz factor. I thought thats what this whole thread was about. thats-the-joke.jpg

>>2809424
My first answer would be
"What is dark matter/energy"
which is very much related to
"How can we quantize the gravitational field/the spacetime metric."

many problems are here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problems_in_physics

>>2809423
I believe they're fundamentally required if one is to build a space propulsion that will do superluminal velocities.

That, and a badass power source.

>>2809440
the essence is that the states of matter (any particles in any configuration) turn out to be (mathematically) different viewed from different accelerated frames of references.
Since in general relatitity gravitation is described as curved spacetime (and you therefore sometimes can't even sit in a nonaccelerated frame) what it means for some state to contain certain information (like the number of particles) is relative.
Specifically, if you accelerate (i.e. choose an accelerated frame) you "produce" particles. Therefore, if you try not to fall into a black hole (accelerate away from the black hole/the natural geodesic) the black hole will appear to radiate.