Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Su(3) X Su(2) X U(1)Su(3): The Residual Symmetry Of Conformal Gravity, James Thomas Wheeler

All Physics Faculty Publications

SUe 4) x SU(2) is shown to characterize the possible choices of spacetime metric constructible from the gauge fields of the conformal group. When this symmetry is broken by the choice of metric, exactly the SU(3) x SU(2) x U(l) symmetry of the standard model remains. The conformal group consists of Lorentz transformations, translations, inverse translations and dilations. Treated in the standard way, conformal symmetry fails as a unifying gauge group: dilations make the mass spectrum continuous, and the inverse translational gauge field is auxiliary. The theory reduces back to the Poincare group.

Fragmentation Of Percolation Clusters At The Percolation Threshold, M. F. Gyure, Boyd F. Edwards

All Physics Faculty Publications

A scaling theory and simulation results are presented for fragmentation of percolation clusters by random bond dilution. At the percolation threshold, scaling forms describe the average number of fragmenting bonds and the distribution of cluster masses produced by fragmentation. A relationship between the scaling exponents and standard percolation exponents is verified in one dimension, on the Bethe lattice, and for Monte Carlo simulations on a square lattice. These results further describe the structure of percolation clusters and provide kernels relevant to rate equations for fragmentation.

Second-Order Parametrized-Post-Newtonian Lagrangian, Matthew J. Benacquista

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

A many-body Lagrangian to second post-Newtonian order using an extension of the parametrized-post-Newtonian (PPN) formalism is introduced and the properties of new parameters are explored. A parametrized gauge transformation is developed to permit comparison with theories of gravity in a variety of different coordinate systems. A procedure to impose Lorentz invariance on a general second-order post-Newtonian Lagrangian is developed. The Lagrangian is then constrained to possess Lorentz invariance and a "Lorentz-invariant" gauge is introduced. The constrained Lagrangian is found to be described by ten new second-order PPN parameters. When the Lagrangian is further constrained to describe theories of gravity for …

Chiral Invariance And Electroweak Interactions Of Pions And Kaons, Br Holstein

Barry R Holstein

Electroweak interactions of pions and kaons are studied in the context of chiral perturbation theory. We demonstrate that the effective Lagrangian framework allows a consistent and predictive picture of such processes as well as a succinct way in which to represent the many previous studies of these reactions which have been performed using chiral models.

Displacement, Velocity, And Frames Of Reference: Phenomenographic Studies Of Students’ Understanding And Some Implications For Teaching And Assessment, John Bowden, Gloria Dall'alba, Elaine Martin, D Laurillard, Ference Marton, Geoff Masters, Paul Ramsden, Andrew Stephanou, E Walsh

Prof Geoff Masters AO

Student understanding of fundamental concepts in kinematics has been explored using the phenomenographic research method. University and high schoolphysics students were interviewed and their understandings of displacement, velocity, and frames of reference have been analyzed in particular problem contexts. Descriptions of the different ways students understand the concepts have been developed and relations between the different levels of understanding have been identified. The data highlight the contextual nature of learning and the need for teachers to focus on the nature of student understanding in specific contexts using questions that require qualitative explanation by students. In particular, it is demonstrated that …

Optical Transformations In Three-Space: Simulations With A Pc, Raymond G. Wilson, Sean M. Mccreary, Jeffrey L. Thompson

Raymond Wilson

Nuclear Emp Hardening Approach As The Basis For Unified Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Protection, George H. Baker Iii

George H Baker

Operation DESERT STORM demonstrated the clear military advantage that was provided by our sophisticated electronic C4I and weapons systems. High tech means so dominate the battlefield that the outcome of future conflicts could be decided by electronics attrition rather than human casualties. However, the electromagnetic threat landscape is highly complex. The already formidable list of environments (EMI, lighting, ESD, EMP, HERO, TEMPEST, EW, etc.) is lengthened by emerging threats from high power microwave (HPM) and ultra-wide band (UWB) electromagnetic weapons. Many of these environments overlap in the frequency and amplitude of the electrical stresses they create.

The large number of …

Sliding-Mode Observers Based On Equivalent Control Method, Sergey V. Drakunov

Sergey V. Drakunov

No abstract provided.

Multi-Ball Collisions, Terry L. Smith, Jay S. Huebner

Jay S Huebner

Explanation to use the "double-ball" demonstration as a model for the supernova core bounce.