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History and Philosophy of Physics papers — page 101

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Aristotle's Physics: a Physicist's Look
I show that Aristotelian physics is a correct and non-intuitive approximation of Newtonian physics in the suitable domain (motion in fluids), in the same technical sense in which Newton theory is an…
Carlo RovelliDec 14, 2013
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Cultural Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy: an Italian Experience
A brief review is given of some recent positive developments regarding the reception of archaeoastronomy by the archaeological institutions in Italy. Discussions and problems that are currently going…
E. AntonelloDec 9, 2013
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Einstein's cosmic model of 1931 revisited: an analysis and translation of a forgotten model of the universe
We present a translation and analysis of a cosmic model published by Einstein in 1931. The paper, which is not widely known, features a model of a universe that undergoes an expansion followed by a…
C. O'Raifeartaigh, B. McCannDec 8, 2013
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Under Augustus sign: the role of Astronomy in the foundation of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum
Augusta Praetoria Salassorum, modern Aosta, was founded around 25 BC to celebrate the victory of Augustus army on the Salassi. Aosta is a city of the founder under many respects; for instance, one of…
Stella Vittoria Bertarione, Giulio MagliNov 28, 2013
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William Sadler Franks and the Brockhurst Observatory
William Sadler Franks (1851-1935) was astronomer-in-charge at F.J. Hanbury's private observatory at Brockhurst, near East Grinstead, Sussex, from 1909 until his death in 1935. This paper reviews…
Jeremy ShearsNov 26, 2013
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Non-standard Models and the Sociology of Cosmology
I review some theoretical ideas in cosmology different from the standard "Big Bang": the quasi-steady state model, the plasma cosmology model, non-cosmological redshifts, alternatives to…
Martin Lopez-CorredoiraNov 22, 2013
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Some lessons for us scientists (too) from the "Sokal affair"
In this little non-technical piece, I argue that some of the lessons that can be learnt from the bold action carried out in 1996 by the physicist Alan Sokal and typically known as the "Sokal…
Pablo Echenique-RobbaNov 22, 2013
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A Short History of Spin
The paper outlines the historical development of spin in physics from about 1920 to the present day. It aims to provide the student with an accurate chronology of important developments, both…
Richard G. MilnerNov 20, 2013
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The quantum mechanics is a non-universal theory. The realistic Schrodinger's and positivistic Born's interpretation of the wave function
Quantum mechanics describes successfully numerous quantum phenomena both microscopic and macroscopic, such as superconductivity. But the controversies about quantum mechanics, in the old days and…
Alexey NikulovNov 18, 2013
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The reception of relativity in the Netherlands
This article reviews the early academic and public reception of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity in the Netherlands, particularly after Arthur Eddington's eclipse experiments of 1919.…
Jip van Besouw, Jeroen van DongenNov 18, 2013
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The Superposition Principle in Quantum Mechanics - did the rock enter the foundation surreptitiously?
The superposition principle forms the very backbone of quantum theory. The resulting linear structure of quantum theory is structurally so rigid that tampering with it may have serious, seemingly…
N. D. Hari DassNov 18, 2013
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Solar-motion correction in early extragalactic astrophysics
Redshift observations of galaxies outside the Local Group are fairly common in extragalactic astrophysics. If redshifts are interpreted as arising from radial velocities, these must be corrected by…
Domingos Soares, Luiz Paulo R. VazNov 13, 2013
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Genesis of a Pythagorean Universe
The full-blown multiverse hypothesis, chaosogenesis, is refuted on the grounds of the large scale and high precision of the already discovered laws of nature. A selection principle is required not…
Alexey Burov, Lev BurovNov 13, 2013
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Einstein's conversion from his static to an expanding universe
In 1917 Einstein initiated modern cosmology by postulating, based on general relativity, a homogeneous, static, spatially curved universe. To counteract gravitational contraction he introduced the…
Harry NussbaumerNov 12, 2013
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The Solar Orientation of the Lion Rock Complex in Sri Lanka
This paper discusses the solar orientation of the archaeological complex of Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, in Sri Lanka. We can see that the axis of this complex is oriented with the sunset of the zenithal…
Amelia Carolina SparavignaNov 11, 2013
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A Mixture of Ancient and Modern Understanding Concerning the Distance and Motion of the Moon
Ptolemy's model of the Moon's motion implied that its distance varies by nearly a factor of two, implying that its angular size should also vary by nearly a factor of two. We present an…
Kevin KrisciunasNov 7, 2013
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Reflections on the direct detection of particle dark matter
The LUX experimental group has just announced the most stringent upper limits so far obtained on the cross section of WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering [1]. This result is a factor of two to five below…
R. H. SandersNov 7, 2013
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Quantization of the Atom plus Attempting to Answer Heilbron & Kuhn
The idea of atoms is old but X-rays provided the first probe into the physical atom. Photographs of X-ray scattering from crystals -Laue spots- were the first visual proof for the physical existence…
Yeuncheol Jeong, Ming Yin, Timir DattaNov 1, 2013
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The Astronomy of the Kamilaroi People and their Neighbours
The Kamilaroi people and their neighbours, the Euahlayi, Ngemba, and Murrawarri, are an Aboriginal cultural grouping located in the northwest and north central of New South Wales. They have a rich…
Robert S. Fuller, Ray P. Norris, Michelle TrudgettNov 1, 2013
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Some Notes on the Rapanui Archaeoastronomy
This paper is dedicated to the research of secrets of Easter Island (Rapa Nui), a remote plot of land in the Pacific; the work includes not only necessary ethnological data, but also some results on…
Sergei RjabchikovOct 31, 2013
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Temporal naturalism
Two people may claim both to be naturalists, but have divergent conceptions of basic elements of the natural world which lead them to mean different things when they talk about laws of nature, or…
Lee SmolinOct 31, 2013
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Il fisico del neutrino
In memory of the famous physicist Bruno Pontecorvo, whereof is just occurred the centenary anniversary of the birth and the twentieth anniversary of the death, this paper traces the scientific and…
Jacopo De TullioOct 29, 2013
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Isaac Newton's sinister heraldry
After Isaac Newton was knighted by Queen Anne in 1705 he adopted an unusual coat of arms: a pair of human tibiae crossed on a black background, like a pirate flag without the skull. After some…
Alejandro JenkinsOct 28, 2013
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James Fergason, a Pioneer in Advancing of Liquid Crystal Technology
James Lee Fergason (1934 - 2008) focused his research on the liquid crystals. His studies correspond to a relevant part of the history of soft matter science and technology of liquid crystals. Here a…
Amelia Carolina SparavignaOct 28, 2013
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Einstein's 1916 derivation of the Field Equations
In his first November 4, 1915 paper Einstein wrote the Lagrangian form of his field equations. In the fourth November 25, 1915 paper, Einstein added a trace term of the energy-momentum tensor on the…
Galina WeinsteinOct 24, 2013
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