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History and Philosophy of Physics papers — page 105

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Aspects of Gond Astronomy
The Gond community is considered to be one of the most ancient tribes of India with a continuing history of several thousand years. They are also known for their largely isolated history which they…
M N Vahia, Ganesh HalkareJun 11, 2013
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A critique of Sadi Carnot's work and a mathematical theory of the caloric
In this work, Sadi Carnot;s fundamental work is critically examined, and contrasted with modern thermodynamics. A mathematical theory of his work is given on the basis of the observation that in…
N. D. Hari DassJun 8, 2013
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Does the first part of the second law also imply its second part?
Sommerfeld called the first part of the second law to be the entropy axiom, which is about the existence of the state function entropy. It was usually thought that the second part of the second law,…
N. D. Hari DassJun 8, 2013
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A Projective Algebra for Ansatz: Resolving Wigner's Puzzle and the Existence of External Realms
Natural philosophy integrates scientific observation with abstract frameworks, often using a mathematical Ansatz to hypothesise about physical phenomena. Exploring the possibility of other universes,…
Jonathan M. M. HallJun 7, 2013
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Classical Electrodynamics and Absolute Simultaneity
Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz force density are expressed using an alternative simultaneity gauge. As a result, they describe electrodynamics for an observer travelling with a constant…
Benjamin NasmithJun 7, 2013
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Einstein's physical geometry at play: inertial motion, the boostability assumption, the Lorentz transformations, and the so-called conventionality of the one-way speed of light
In this work, Einstein's view of geometry as physical geometry is taken into account in the analysis of diverse issues related to the notions of inertial motion and inertial reference frame.…
Mario Bacelar ValenteJun 6, 2013
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Australian Aboriginal Astronomy: Overview
The traditional cultures of Aboriginal Australians include a significant astronomical component, perpetuated through oral tradition, ceremony, and art. This astronomical component includes a deep…
Ray P. Norris, Duane W. HamacherJun 5, 2013
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Meteors in the Maori Astronomical Traditions of New Zealand
We review the literature for perceptions of meteors in the Maori cultures of New Zealand. We examine representations of meteors in religion, story, and ceremony. We find that meteors are sometimes…
Tui R Britton, Duane W. HamacherJun 4, 2013
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Aboriginal Oral Traditions of Australian Impact Craters
We explore Aboriginal oral traditions that relate to Australian meteorite craters. Using the literature, first-hand ethnographic records, and fieldtrip data, we identify oral traditions and artworks…
Duane W. Hamacher, John GoldsmithJun 3, 2013
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Where the "it from bit" come from?
In his 1989 essay, John Archibald Wheeler has tried to answer the eternal question of existence. He did it by searching for links between information, physics, and quanta. The main concept emerging…
Luigi FoschiniJun 3, 2013
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Instants in physics - point mechanics and general relativity
Theories in physics usually do not address ``the present''or ``the now''. However, they usually have a precise notion of an ``instant'' (or state). I review how this notion…
Domenico GiuliniJun 3, 2013
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Mind and Matter
It is argued that the problem of interpreting quantum mechanics, and the philosophical problem of consciousness, both have their roots in the same set of misguided Cartesian assumptions. The…
D. M. ApplebyMay 31, 2013
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Quantum Objects
In this paper, we suggest an alternative interpretation for the quantum state vector, which, by considering temporal parts for physical objects, aims to give an intelligible account of measurement…
Alireza Mansouri, Mehdi Golshani, Amir Ehsan KarbasizadehMay 29, 2013
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Editorial note to "A Homogeneous Universe of Constant Mass and Increasing Radius accounting for the Radial Velocity of Extra--Galactic Nebulae" by Georges Lemaître (1927)
This is an editorial note to accompany printing as a Golden Oldie in the Journal of General Relativity and Gravitation of the fundamental article by Georges Lemaître first published in French in…
Jean-Pierre LuminetMay 28, 2013
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El Triangulo de Platon y El Factor Gnomonico: Una aplicacion a los oraculos de Herodoto
A modification to the gnomonic factor using the concept of triangle of Plato is presented. With the aid of the platonic gnomonic factor (fgp) as we called it, we find that the oracles mentioned by…
Raul Perez-EnriquezMay 24, 2013
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On the Importance of Conceptual Thinking Outside the Simulation Box
Any ambitious construction project requires architects for its design and engineers who apply the design to the real world. As scientific research shifts towards large groups which focus on the…
Abraham LoebMay 23, 2013
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Lord Kelvin's atmospheric electricity measurements
Lord Kelvin (William Thomson) made important contributions to the study of atmospheric electricity during a brief but productive period from 1859-1861. By 1859 Kelvin had recognised the need for…
K. L. Aplin, R. G. HarrisonMay 23, 2013
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Philosophical perspectives on ad hoc hypotheses and the Higgs mechanism
We examine physicists' charge of ad hocness against the Higgs mechanism in the standard model of elementary particle physics. We argue that even though this charge never rested on a clear-cut and…
Simon Friederich, Robert V. Harlander, Koray KaracaMay 22, 2013
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Newton's Old Bucket Experiment and the Modern Liquid Telescope
In nature there are various pairs of observed phenomena and observing scientific techniques which are elegantly coupled with each other. A very general and well known example is the fact that the…
Aswin SekharMay 21, 2013
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The Twilight of the Scientific Age
This brief article presents the introduction and draft of the fundamental ideas developed at length in the book of the same title, which gives a challenging point of view about science and its…
Martin Lopez-CorredoiraMay 15, 2013
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Infinities as a measure of our ignorance
The quantization of gravity offers a solution to the presence of singularities in cosmology. Infinities are removed because of the existence of finite quanta of spacetime. This is one of the most…
Francesca VidottoMay 10, 2013
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Harold Knox-Shaw and the Helwan Observatory
Harold Knox-Shaw (1885-1970) worked at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt from 1907 to 1924. The Observatory was equipped with a 30-inch (76 cm) reflector that was financed and constructed by the…
Jeremy Shears, Ashraf Ahmed ShakerMay 10, 2013
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'Bose minus Einstein' and other examples of misattribution
Following the paper of J.D. Jackson [arXiv:0708.4249] on a false attribution of discoveries, equations, and methods [Am. J. Phys. 76, 704-719 (2008)] I consider examples, in which some of independent…
Velvel HushwaterMay 7, 2013
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The most powerful particles in the Universe: a cosmic smash
This year we are celebrating 101 years since the discovery of cosmic rays. They are whizzing all around the Universe, and they occur at very different energies, including the highest particle…
Wolfgang BietenholzMay 6, 2013
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Astronomical Orientations of Bora Ceremonial Grounds in Southeast Australia
Ethnographic evidence indicates that bora (initiation) ceremonial sites in southeast Australia, which typically comprise a pair of circles connected by a pathway, are symbolically reflected in the…
Robert S. Fuller, Duane W. Hamacher, Ray P. NorrisMay 4, 2013
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