what are the physics problems with the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy?
484521
one is the frictionless ship. being entirely frictionless is physically impossible, at least on earth. another would be the improbability drive. you cannot travel thru space on pure improbability. another scientific problen is the fact that almost every planet is inhabited by an alien species, and that most are humanoids. a formula developed by a scientist named frank drake. it is an equation for the probability of alien civilizations in this galaxy with intelligences like or above ours. N = N* fp ne fl fi fc fL. each variable is explained thus:The equation can really be looked at as a number of questions:\n\nN* represents the number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy \nQuestion: How many stars are in the Milky Way Galaxy? \nAnswer: Current estimates are 100 billion. \nfp is the fraction of stars that have planets around them \nQuestion: What percentage of stars have planetary systems? \nAnswer: Current estimates range from 20% to 50%. \nne is the number of planets per star that are capable of sustaining life \nQuestion: For each star that does have a planetary system, how many planets are capable of sustaining life? \nAnswer: Current estimates range from 1 to 5. \nfl is the fraction of planets in ne where life evolves \nQuestion: On what percentage of the planets that are capable of sustaining life does life actually evolve? \nAnswer: Current estimates range from 100% (where life can evolve it will) down to close to 0%. \nfi is the fraction of fl where intelligent life evolves \nQuestion: On the planets where life does evolve, what percentage evolves intelligent life? \nAnswer: Estimates range from 100% (intelligence is such a survival advantage that it will certainly evolve) down to near 0%. \nfc is the fraction of fi that communicate \nQuestion: What percentage of intelligent races have the means and the desire to communicate? \nAnswer: 10% to 20% \nfL is fraction of the planet's life during which the communicating civilizations live \nQuestion: For each civilization that does communicate, for what fraction of the planet's life does the civilization survive? \nAnswer: This is the toughest of the questions. If we take Earth as an example, the expected lifetime of our Sun and the Earth is roughly 10 billion years. So far we've been communicating with radio waves for less than 100 years. How long will our civilization survive? Will we destroy ourselves in a few years like some predict or will we overcome our problems and survive for millennia? If we were destroyed tomorrow the answer to this question would be 1/100,000,000th. If we survive for 10,000 years the answer will be 1/1,000,000th. \nWhen all of these variables are multiplied together when come up with: \nN, the number of communicating civilizations in the galaxy. \n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nThe real value of the Drake Equation is not in the answer itself, but the questions that are prompted when attempting to come up with an answer. Obviously there is a tremendous amount of guess work involved when filling in the variables. As we learn more from astronomy, biology, and other sciences, we'll be able to better estimate the answers to the above questions. Many of these questions will be addressed in depth in future issues of Enigma.
859402
The correct answer is 42 (see Douglas Adams).  In the future, read _The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy_ more often.
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Problems like?\n\nI got a problem to solve\n \nWhat is made up of the universe.
685243
Either the object is not immovable or the force is not irresistible.  Both things can not be true at the same time.
195240
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Modern_Physics:Waves_in_one_Dimension:Problems
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Wow, that's a broad area of a problem. What exactly are you having trouble with?\n\nMy guess would be that you're not confident in your ability to do maths, because that underlies most science. You need to "get" algebra, in particular, to solve most Physics problems, and some people just have trouble getting thir head round the idea that a letter can stand for a number you don't know (or even one you do).\n\nI'd suggest you try to get some remedial algebra help and see if that makes things easier.\n\n=======\n\nIf it's not the maths, then I guess you are having trouble concentrating because you don't find it interesting, and don't see how it relates to your life.\n\nPartly that's down to poor teaching, but you can't let that ruin your education. You could read some popular science books, or New Scientist magazine (your school probably has it in the library). I don't know if schools still run electronics clubs like they did in my day, but that's one way to get into a certain area of Physics. Astronomy is great to read about, or again join a local club.\n\nBut yeah, some of it is hard and boring. Thermodynamics springs to mind :-)
793955
improving in physics or math doesn't only rely on good books, you also have to work really diligently and discipline yourself. to solve a problem efficiently, list out the given informations. then, write all the formulas you can think of that applies to the problem, and evaluate which equations are most applicable to the situation. to really improve, i suggest that you do the exercises in whatever book you might have. (i recommend conceptual physics by hewitt, since it's easy to understand), and actually answer at least 40% of all the problems for a particluar chapter. if you got a wrong answer, always analyze what went wrong in your euations, so you won't make the same mistake. read, read, read. also, it's helpful to understand the basic concepts which underly the equations you use. don't try to do the challenging stuff first, until you master the simpler ones, and until you really understand the theory behind the math. it's tough work, but you can really improve if you try hard.
773887
It relates to the Rayleigh-Jeans prediction and black body radiation that demonstrated the failure of classical physics. Just visit wikipedia for more info and how Planck's postulate solved the dilemma. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_catastrophe
325774
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics
632008
Gravity, its weight, friction\nThat's about it.
30733
If you were traveling at the speed of light, whether or not your lights work would probably be the least of your concerns.\n\nIn reality, the laws of physics prevent any object from traveling faster than the speed of light.\n\nSomething that is perhaps just as interesting, however, is what happens as your vehicle APPROACHES the speed of light.  Take a look at some of the work done by Einstein to get a general idea on that.
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Didn't got the question do you want the solution for all the problems of goodman's Introduction to Fourier optics book? Well I do not think I have them any more if you want a specific problem I can help you. I can even try to get a chapter solution for you. Just tell me each one, I can try to get it for you, I do not garantee but I think I may have a way to got them just send me an email (I have a yahoo email). If you have the solutions and you don't understand tell me each problem I can do it in more detail probably, not garantee at 100% but at a good 90% .
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i think the problem is when you try to apply general relativity - or gravity - to interaction betwen subatomic particles - especially when trying to understand how these forces worked during the first instant after the big bang. you wind up with nonsencial results - like zero equals one.
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there are some solved physics problems on \nhttp://www.dctech.com/physics/help/\nbut I don't know if it will help you out.
1098232
42- hitchhiker guide to the galaxy
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For recent physics and maths preprints, try here\n\nhttp://lanl.arxiv.org/\n\nor one of it's mirror sites
74552
these are data from end fixing of the structure you should introduce to solve the system of equations, otherwise you would get infinite solutions or (rigide body motion)-Good Luck