Theoretical Physics Can Be Hella Frustrating
TLDRIn this video, the speaker, who humorously clarifies they are not Andrew but possibly his little sister, shares their recent experience with a challenging task during their theoretical physics internship. They recount spending three hours searching for a missing 'factor of four' in an equation involving integrals, tensors, and Fourier transforms. The frustration stems from the complex nature of the math and the difficulty in pinpointing errors. The speaker discusses the concept of the transition amplitude, an invariant quantity, and the confusion that arises from the notation used in physics literature, which led to their search for the elusive factor. They also touch upon the benefits of being able to switch between coding and mathematical problem-solving within their field of study. The video concludes with a reflection on the commonality of such frustrations across different fields and an invitation for viewers to share their experiences in the comments section.
Takeaways
- ๐งโ๐ฆฑ The speaker is not Andrew, but an impostor, possibly his little sister, as indicated by the absence of a beard.
- ๐ The video is short because it mainly discusses the speaker's experience of spending three hours searching for a mathematical factor.
- ๐ The speaker talks about the challenges faced during an internship in theoretical physics, particularly with the mathematical intuition required for complex equations.
- ๐งฎ Despite being capable in math, the speaker finds it difficult to track all components of an equation involving integrals, tensors, and Fourier transforms.
- ๐ The process of deriving the differential cross-section equation led to a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- ๐ The transition amplitude, an invariant quantity, is central to the discussion and is related to, but not identical to, the lepton tensor and hydronic tensor.
- ๐งฉ The speaker struggled to identify a '4pi cubed' factor in the hydronic tensor, which was a source of frustration.
- ๐ There was a misunderstanding regarding the convention used in the literature, which led to the confusion about the '4pi cubed' factor.
- ๐ก The realization that the tensors referred to matrix elements, not the tensors themselves, helped clarify the convention used.
- ๐ป The speaker enjoys the flexibility of being able to switch between coding and doing math on paper during their theoretical physics internship.
- ๐ The video ends with an invitation for viewers to share their experiences of frustration or enjoyment in their fields, especially in experimental work.
Q & A
What was the main challenge the speaker faced during their internship in theoretical physics?
-The main challenge was dealing with complex mathematical equations involving integrals in both coordinate and momentum space, tensors, and Fourier transforms, which made it difficult to keep track of all the components.
What specific equation did the speaker work on deriving?
-The speaker worked on deriving the differential cross-section in terms of the leptonic tensor and hadronic tensor.
What is the transition amplitude in the context of the speaker's discussion?
-The transition amplitude is an invariant quantity that is usually written in terms similar to the leptonic tensor and hadronic tensor, but it involves summing over all possible states and includes a delta function.
Why was the speaker searching for a factor of 4pi cubed?
-The speaker was looking for the factor of 4pi cubed because it was missing from their equation, and they were trying to understand where it came from in the context of the conventions used in theoretical physics literature.
What does the speaker mean by 'convention' in the context of their work?
-By 'convention,' the speaker refers to the standard or accepted way of representing or calculating something in a field, which can differ from one person or paper to another.
How does the speaker feel about switching between coding and doing math on paper?
-The speaker appreciates the ability to switch between coding and doing math on paper as it provides a break from one activity when they get stuck or frustrated, allowing them to maintain a fresh perspective.
What was the speaker's attitude towards their day of work in the video?
-The speaker expressed frustration for spending a significant amount of time searching for a mathematical factor but also acknowledged the value in the exercise for gaining a deeper understanding of the equation.
Why does the speaker apologize at the end of the video?
-The speaker apologizes because they realize that not everyone may be interested in the mathematical details of their work, but they felt the need to discuss it as part of their daily vlogging routine.
What does the speaker suggest as a positive aspect of doing a theory internship?
-The positive aspect is the flexibility to switch between coding and mathematical problem-solving, which can be a relief when one becomes too challenging or frustrating.
What does the speaker invite the viewers to do in the comments section?
-The speaker invites viewers to share in the comments section what frustrates them about their field of work or what they enjoy doing.
What was the speaker's plan for the rest of the day after recording the video?
-The speaker planned to spend a little more time working on their cone (likely referring to a specific project or problem) and then relax.
Outlines
๐ง Frustration in Theoretical Physics Internship
The speaker shares their experience of spending three hours searching for a factor of four in a complex equation during their theoretical physics internship. They express the difficulty of keeping track of numerous mathematical elements such as integrals, tensors, and Fourier transforms. The video focuses on the derivation of a differential cross-section equation, which involves the transition amplitude, a quantity that is invariant and typically written in terms of the lepton tensor and hydronic tensor. The speaker discusses the challenge of understanding the convention used in literature, which assumes a certain level of familiarity with summing over states and the inclusion of a Delta function. They also mention the frustration of not having an intuitive grasp of the math and the process of identifying conventions that are not immediately clear to a newcomer. Despite the challenges, the speaker finds satisfaction in the deeper understanding gained from the exercise and appreciates the flexibility of being able to switch between coding and theoretical work when one becomes too challenging.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กTheoretical Physics
๐กFactor of Four
๐กTransition Amplitude
๐กLepton Tensor
๐กHadronic Tensor
๐กFourier Transforms
๐กDifferential Cross-Section
๐กCoding
๐กConventions
๐กIntuition
๐กMatrix Elements
Highlights
The speaker spent three hours searching for a factor of four in their theoretical physics work
They discuss the challenges of not having a strong intuition for the complex math involved in theoretical physics
The speaker talks about the frustration of identifying and understanding conventions used in the field that are not conventional to them
They derive the differential cross-section in terms of the lepton tensor and hadronic tensor, leading to a deeper understanding
The transition amplitude is introduced as an invariant quantity, which is written in terms of quantities similar to the lepton and hadronic tensors
The speaker was trying to create a factor of 4ฯ^3 out of thin air, which was missing from their equations
They explain the convention of writing the transition amplitude in terms of matrix elements, which was unfamiliar to them
The speaker mistakenly obtained a ฯ^2 term instead of the full expression, but does not go into detail about the mistake
They express their enjoyment of being able to switch between coding and doing math on paper when one becomes too frustrating
The speaker contrasts the quantifiable nature of theoretical physics with the more ambiguous sources of error in experimental physics
They encourage viewers to share in the comments what frustrates them about their field or what they enjoy doing
The speaker plans to spend the rest of the day working on their cone and then relaxing
The video serves as a candid look at the struggles and thought processes of someone working in theoretical physics
The speaker provides a detailed walkthrough of their work deriving the differential cross-section
They discuss the importance of understanding the conventions and notation used in the field, even if it is not intuitive at first
The video highlights the value of persistence and attention to detail when working through complex theoretical problems
The speaker's candidness about their struggles and mistakes provides a relatable perspective for viewers facing similar challenges in their own work
The video emphasizes the importance of switching between different modes of thinking, such as coding and doing math by hand, to maintain productivity
The speaker's enthusiasm for theoretical physics and their willingness to share their thought process makes the video engaging and informative
Transcripts
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: