Physics Commons^™

Quantum Mechanics, Non-Locality, And The Space Discreteness Hypothesis, Wilson A. Zuniga-Galindo

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

The space discreteness hypothesis asserts that the nature of space at short distances is radically different from that at large distances. Based on the Bronstein inequality, here, we use a totally disconnected topological space X as a model for the physical space at short distances. However, we consider the time as a real variable. In this framework, the Dirac–von Neumann formalism can be used. This discreteness hypothesis implies that given two different points in space, there is no continuous curve (a world line) joining them. Consequently, this hypothesis is not compatible with the theory of relativity. We propose R×(R×X)3 as …

Differentiating The Impossible: Feynman's Trick In Applications Of Modern Physics, Yaohua Zhao

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

We discuss Feynman’s method of differentiating with respect to a parameter inside an integral and explore its significance on selective topics of modern physics. This powerful technique allows us to integrate functions that may seem impossible. Depending on the underlying parameters, the Feynman method becomes a unifying framework that connects mathematical concepts to many parameter-dependent equations in modern physics. In statistical mechanics, this appears directly in the partition function, where derivatives with respect to temperature-related parameters yield thermodynamic quantities such as internal energy and heat capacity; this demonstrates how parameter dependence gives rise to macroscopic behaviors observable at a larger …

Engineering Path Trajectories With Gravitational Fields, Eliane Dean, Aidan Hart, Isabel Noot, Nathan Browning, Valeria Villazon Fito

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This project explores how vector calculus concepts play a role in aerospace engineering though spacecraft trajectory design. In particular, the notion of vector fields is used to model the gravitational force, whose work done is expressed through line integrals. By taking the curl of the gravitational field and showing it is zero, the field is recognised as conservative, implying that the work done by gravity is path independent. This property is conceptually linked to gravitational potential energy and the principle of energy conservation. The results are then applied to spacecraft motion, where engineers use energy-base methods to determine efficient trajectories …

Visualizing The Invisible: Simulating Electromagnetic Field In 3d Space With Matlab, Aashman Gupta, Eliane Dean, Riley Esperanca, Hailey Grabinski, Jacob Summerhays, Ameya Sute

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Electromagnetic field behaviours in free space are defined by Maxwell’s Equations, which couple the temporal and spatial variations of electric and magnetic fields through partial derivatives. These derivatives quantify the rate of change of each field’s vector component with respect to position and time in a 3D lattice, forming the basis for numerical field analysis. This research will develop a mathematical and computational framework using multivariable calculus to model, simulate, and visualize electromagnetic wave propagation in free space using MATLAB. Gradient, divergence, and curl operations are implemented to compute local field variations and energy transfer. The resulting data are used …

Rockin’ Rover On The Rainbow Road, Michael Kolta, Lawrence Burgee, Ying Yuan

Transformations

This paper presents a progressive series of age-appropriate lesson plans for grades K-12 that all use the same interdisciplinary activity to educate students about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) simultaneously. Technology from Texas Instruments (TI) was employed including a TI Nspire graphing calculator that can run Python programs, a TI Innovator Hub, and a TI Rover. The TI Rover is a small, robotic car that has sensors and is controlled by the calculator via the Hub hardware interface. A Python program was developed that uses the color sensor in the Rover to detect the color on colored paper …

Principal Leadership As A Predictor Of Teacher Performance: Evidence From An Indonesian Elementary School, Irminapinem Pinem, Antonius Remigius Abi, Hamela Sari Sitompul

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Teacher performance is a critical determinant of educational quality and student achievement, making the identification of factors that influence teacher effectiveness an important area of educational research. Among these factors, principal leadership has been recognized as a key organizational variable that shapes teachers’ professional practices and instructional performance. This study aimed to examine the relationship between principal leadership and teacher performance at State Elementary School Raya Kahean, Simalungun Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a quantitative correlational research design involving 52 teachers selected through total sampling. Data were collected using two structured questionnaires measuring principal leadership and teacher performance. The principal …

Comparing The Effects Of Project-Based Learning, Inquiry Learning, And Conventional Instruction On Students' Learning Motivation In Biology, Yeyen Angraini, Irwandi Irwandi, Jayanti Syahfitri

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Learning motivation is an important factor influencing students’ engagement, persistence, and success in Biology learning. However, classroom instruction at the senior high school level is often dominated by teacher-centered approaches, which may limit students’ active participation and motivational development. This study aimed to compare students’ learning motivation across Project-Based Learning (PjBL), Inquiry Learning, and conventional instructional approaches in Biology learning. The study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest approach involving three groups. Participants consisted of 85 Grade XI students from SMA Negeri 1 Talang Padang, South Sumatra, distributed across three classes: PjBL (n = 28), Inquiry (n = …

The Effect Of Project-Based Learning Model On Entrepreneurship (Pjbl-E) With A Deep Learning Approach On Students' Problem-Solving And Cognitive Skills, Ricce Oktasari, Irwandi Irwandi, Siti Darwa Suryani

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aims to examine the effect of the Entrepreneurship-based Project Based Learning (PjBL-E) model integrated with a pedagogical Deep Learning approach on students’ problem-solving skills and cognitive learning outcomes in biology learning. The novelty of this study lies in the integration of entrepreneurship values and pedagogical deep learning principles into Project Based Learning to create contextual and meaningful learning experiences. Entrepreneurship integration encourages students to develop innovative products, identify real-world problems, and apply biological concepts in practical and socio-economic contexts. Meanwhile, the pedagogical Deep Learning approach promotes reflective thinking, conceptual understanding, critical analysis, and the ability to connect theory …

Student Worksheets Based On The Local Wisdom Of Besilek Serawai For Sixth-Grade Elementary Science Learning, Mice Agustin, Tomi Hidayat, Irwandi Irwandi

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aims to develop a Student Worksheet (Lembar Kerja Peserta Didik [LKPD]) based on the local wisdom of Besilek Serawai for sixth-grade elementary science education and to evaluate its validity. The study employed the ADDIE development model, consisting of five stages: Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. The developed LKPD integrates Besilek Serawai, a traditional martial art of the Seluma community, with the concept of the human locomotor system in science instruction. The worksheet was validated by two subject-matter experts and two media experts. Material validation yielded an average score of 4.26, equivalent to a validity percentage of 85.2%, …

The Method Of Periodic Averaging Applied To Reduced Coupled Mode Theory Models For Fiber Laser Amplifiers, Rebecca Nicole Bryant

Dissertations and Theses

Fiber laser amplifier (FLA) models are often implemented without rigorous mathematical justification or thorough numerical validation. Without a proper theoretical basis for assumptions and approximations, or a technical analysis of model performance, there is significant uncertainty about the limitations of any given reduced model and its suitability for an application. This research aims to address the lack of comprehensive assessment of FLA models by directly comparing distinct models and recommending a mathematical alternative to replace heuristic model-reduction techniques. The work in this dissertation is divided into two projects: a comparative study that uses existing FLA models to assess the validity …

Course Portfolio: Elements Of Physics Phys 151, Evan A. Rich

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This course portfolio documents the instructional design, teaching methods, and ongoing assessment efforts for PHYS 151: Elements of Physics, an algebra-based introductory physics course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The course serves a broad undergraduate population, including architecture, construction management, and life science majors. The portfolio describes the teaching framework that integrates pre-lecture video preparation, active in-class engagement through iClicker questions, and collaborative weekly recitation sections, all unified around a structured six-step problem-solving approach. A central concern of the course is building students’ self-efficacy in physics, particularly among those with math anxiety or limited preparation. Two assessments are reported: a …

Generating Live Heatmaps Of Edr Data Through A Spatiotemporal Weighting, Joel T. Williams, C. Sean Bohun, Alberto Fornaci, Michael R. Lindstrom

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper introduces a novel method for generating live heatmaps of eddy dissipation rate (EDR) data through a spatiotemporal weighting designed to enhance turbulence visualization in aviation. As more flight data become available, approaches relying solely on in-flight EDR measurements have the potential to accurately nowcast and visualize turbulence with low computational cost. The proposed method significantly improves the turbulence visualization capabilities of common commercial aircraft. This is particularly valuable for pilot decision-making and trip planning, enhancing flight safety and operational efficiency. This approach also incorporates an innovative uncertainty threshold, which refrains from predicting when there are insufficient data, thereby …

Computational Insights Into Nucleosome Dynamics In Epigenetics Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Rutika Patel

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Nucleosome core particles (NCP) are the building blocks that form a highly organized and compact chromatin structure. Nucleosomes package DNA in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. The NCP consists of about 147 base pairs of DNA wrapped around the histone octamer, with 1.65 superhelical turns in a left-handed manner. The histone octamer is composed of two copies of H3, H4, H2A, and H2B. Together with histone H1 and linker DNA, they further assemble into a higher-order chromatin structure. The nucleosome complex is stabilized by electrostatic interactions between positively charged histone residues and the negatively charged DNA backbone. To effectively access …

Momentum Space Algorithm For Electronic Structure Of Double-Incommensurate Trilayer Graphene, Kenneth Silver Beard

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Numerical algorithms for computing the electronic structure of incommensurate 2D-materials using ab initio models are critical for predicting material properties and guiding experiments. For bilayers, momentum space and continuum models have been introduced to approximate observables of ab initio tight-binding models using a momentum description, despite the lack of periodicity in the tight-binding model required for Bloch theory. A similar structure has been introduced for double-incommensurate trilayers using a continuum model, where the three lattices are mutually incommensurate. However, this description leads to a four-dimensional lattice space, and numerical convergence of the density of states has been observed to be …

Volume 17, Christian O’Neill, Kyara Greene, Savva Sidorov, Laura Bisaillon, Luke Clemmer, Hannah Gordon, Kitt Benson, Taylor Blount, Rachel Danzitz, Nicholas Duellman, Chase Gionis, Hima Fernando, Seth Franzyshen, Onyx Gonzalez, Bryan Lin, Samantha Start, Ysabel Wells, Maggie Duncan

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Cover Artist’s Statement Maggie Duncan

On Mentoring Dr. Yulia Uryadova

Ukrainian Resistance in the Face of Russification: Nestor Makhno and Anarchism

by Christian O’Neill

Life Vest by Kyara Greene

Isolation and 16S rRNA Identification of Bacteria from Fire Department Connection Pipe by Savva Sidorov

The Effectiveness of Planned Exercise in Reducing ADHD Symptoms in Children by Laura Bisaillon & Luke Clemmer

Linguistic Analysis on Confidence and Communication Strategies with Disparities Between Sign Fluency and Hearing Impairment by Hannah Gordon

Freedmen in Indian Territory by Kitt …

Fourier Analysis Of Electronic Synthesizer Waveforms, Jiayan Ling, Jack W. Maseberg

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

We compute Fourier series coefficients for some standard electronic synthesizer waveforms and provide plots of our results.

Literature Review Of Local Culture-Based Mathematics E-Module With Islamic Values In Probability, Maya Puspita Sari, Surya Sari Faradiba

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study is grounded in the need to address the limitations of probability learning that is often procedural, decontextualized, and disconnected from students’ cultural and religious values. It aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of how local cultural contexts and Islamic values can be systematically integrated into mathematics e-modules, particularly for probability learning, and to formulate structured design principles and quality indicators for their development. This paper adopts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach by analyzing empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025, using a structured selection process involving identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion stages. A total of 11 high-quality …

The Effect Of Virtual Laboratories On Students Interest And Learning Outcomes In Spermatophyta At Sma Negeri 1 Sojol, Ismawati Ismawati, Sutrisnawati Sutrisnawati, Manap Trianto, Masrianih Masrianih, Abd Rauf, Musdalifah Nurdin

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Limited access to physical laboratory facilities and the abstract nature of Spermatophyta material reduce students’ learning interest and outcomes, necessitating the use of innovative digital learning media such as virtual laboratories. This study aims to analyze the effect of Virtual Laboratory (V-Lab) implementation on students’ learning interest and cognitive learning outcomes in Spermatophyta material at the senior high school level. A quantitative quasi-experimental design with a posttest-only control group was employed involving 66 eleventh-grade students divided into experimental and control classes; data were collected using a learning interest questionnaire and a multiple-choice test, and analyzed using independent samples t-test after …

Non-Redundant Rovibrational Hamiltonians By Molien Generating Functions And Gröbner-Basis Reduction, Leandro Ajo

University Libraries Undergraduate Research Award

High-resolution molecular spectroscopy requires an effective Hamiltonian whose operator content is both complete, containing every term allowed by molecular symmetry and nonredundant, free of any algebraically dependent operators that would cause ill-conditioned parameter fits. Traditional derivations based on Van Vleck contact transformations satisfy neither criterion automatically. This paper develops a rigorous, algorithmic pipeline that guarantees both properties simultaneously. Starting from the permutation– inversion (PI) group GPI of a molecule (Longuet-Higgins, 1963), we apply Molien’s theorem (Molien, 1897) to the symplectic normal-coordinate representation to obtain the vibrational generating function Φvib(t); integrate over the Haar measure of SO(3) (Weyl, 1946) to obtain …

Bifurcation Exploration Of Ion Acoustic Solitons Formation Of A Nonlinear Beta Fractional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili Burger Model In Plasma State, Mst. Razia Pervin, Alrazi Abdeljabbar, Fahad Sameer Alshammari, Mst. Shekha Khatun, Harun Or-Roshid

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

This research presents an extensive investigation of Ion acoustic soliton dynamics governed by a Beta-fractional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili-Burgurs (KPB) model. By engaging the planar dynamical system scheme in aggregation with the extended $(\phi, \psi)$ expansion, Kudryashov expansion, and the NMKM analytic schemes, we create a broad class of exact nonlinear pattern wave solutions. The local stability edifice of the fractional plasma model is explored through bifurcation theory, enabling the far-reaching classification of all admissible phase diagrams. Conforming Ion acoustic wave structures allied with every detour alignment are systematically assembled. Owing to the fractional and dissipative appearances of the model, an all-embracing assortment …

On Links Between A Theorem Of Schoenberg, Rohlin Decompositions Of Measures, The Bochner-Minlos Theorem And The Fock Space, Daniel Alpay, Paula Cerejeiras, Palle Jorgensen, Uwe Kaehler

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The main goal of this paper is to gain new results in stochastics by drawing on, and combining, different areas that are normally not considered to be related. Thus, in this paper we extend the previous class of Gaussian-like functions ML which will allow for future generalized stochastic processes in infinite dimensional analysis. We show that an approach similar to the one by the classical Bochner-Minlos theorem for the white-noise case can be achieved by using Gaussian-like functions belonging to a large family -the ML_r classes (0 < r ≤∞). We show how Schoenberg’s theorem for positive definite functions on a Hilbert space allows to go beyond the classical setting of Bochner-Milnos theorem. Furthermore, we show that the application of the Rohlin’s disintegration theorem allows for a decomposition of the associated probability measures , see Theorems 3.2 and 4.3. We end this paper with several important examples of functions in these classes ML_r and provide some interesting counterexamples, e.g. Theorem 7.4, to get a …

Extending The Geometric Phase To Relativistic Spacetime, Sajid Raihan Akash

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Berry phase [3] is traditionally understood as a geometric phase acquired during cyclic adiabatic evolution, often interpreted as the flux of an effective “magnetic field” through a solid angle in parameter space. In this thesis, we investigate situations in which a geometric phase arises even when no spatial solid angle is enclosed, revealing the limitations of the standard purely spatial interpretation. We first review the Berry phase for a spin-½ particle in a slowly varying magnetic field and analyze scenarios in which the system’s eigenstate is changed during the adiabatic evolution. We show that the resulting phase can be …

Empirical Validation Of Einstein’S Coefficient For The Deflection Of Light Due To Gravitational Forces, Alexandra R. Mcdowell

Honors College Theses

Einstein’s formula to calculate the deflection angle of light through space as it interacts with gravity was introduced in his 1916 publication on general relativity. This was not a new idea, but his equation was, and it was correct. Just 3 years after this publication, it was empirically validated by Sir Arthur Eddington and Sir Frank Dyson. Since that experiment in 1919, at least seven others have been performed that also gave definitive answers in support of Einstein’s deflection constant of 1.751 arcseconds. The two most recent ones made groundbreaking contributions to this effort. The 2017 eclipse showed reproducible results …

Memory Effects In Many-Body Systems, Jeffrey Beckstrand

Master's Projects

This thesis investigates memory effects in many-body systems through the MoriZwanzig Formalism for projected dynamics of a Hamiltonian System which yields the Generalized Langevin Equation (GLE). The GLE is a stochastic differential equation (SDE) that studies the dynamics of observables under the effects of many other observables in the system. Although satisfying, the GLE has a term called the Memory Kernel that encodes the past of the system and introduces a computational challenge by introducing a non-Markovian property to the equation. The kernel is often approximated by introducing a delta function, which simplifies the computation, but at the loss of …

Uncertainty Quantification, Propagation & Conjunction Assessment In Orbital Mechanics Using Generalized Polynomial Chaos Expansion & 2-Dimensional Conjunction Plane Analysis Techniques, Monalisa Karim

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

Uncertainties, that are inherent to dynamic models, can be associated with state initial conditions, force modelling errors, navigation and actuation errors. In system modelling stochastic differential equations are used to represent dynamic phenomena with uncertainties, for which the solutions are probability density functions of quantities of interest characterizing the realization of the stochastic processes. In Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE) propagation, these solutions are represented as weighted sums of multivariate spectral polynomials that are functions of the input random variables. Generalized polynomial chaos expansion (gPC) is an extension to the original homogenous PCE which projects the random solution onto a basis …

A Mathematical Frameworks For Singular, Nonlinear Phenomena: Applications To Nematocyst Firing And Inhomogeneous Nls With Coulomb Potential, Abdulrahman Alharbi

Theses and Dissertations

Nematocysts are specialized cellular organelles found in all cnidarians, including corals and jellyfish, as well as in some single-celled protists such as dinoflagellates. These organelles display remarkable diversity in morphology and function, playing roles in prey capture and defense. The firing of a nematocyst is one of the fastest accelerations in nature, yet the underlying physical mechanisms remain not fully understood. In this work, we address key questions: how sufficient force is generated to overcome the fluid boundary layer, whether fluid–structure interaction models can reproduce observed dynamics, and what mechanisms trigger discharge.

Our research investigates models based on osmotic pressure …

The Spacetime Finite Element Method For Investigations Into Physics Ghost Systems And Time Parallel Preconditioning, Jax Wysong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work operates on two fronts, focusing on interesting physical phenomena before turning our attention to an interesting numerical math problem. First, using the spacetime finite element method (FEM), we investigate a PDE system consisting of two Klein Gordon equations, which are coupled nonlinearly through the potential energy. The system contains a ghost (negative kinetic energy term). Systems such as these are generally deemed physically unstable, resulting in infinite energy in finite time. However, recent work has shown that this is not always the case. We investigate multiple scenarios arising from different initial conditions to characterize if/when a ghost system …

Entropic Dynamics Approach To The Classical Limit Of Quantum Mechanics: Decoupling Of The Center Of Mass Motion For A Mesoscopic Particle, Fatimah Judayba

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

In the Entropic Dynamics (ED) approach, quantum mechanics is derived from the principles of entropic inference and information geometry. The ED approach differs from other interpretations by making a clear commitment to distinguishing which variables are ontic (real) and which are epistemic. The classical limit for the center of mass (CM) coordinate is achieved for a large number of particles, M →∞, while Planck’s constant ℏ remains finite. Typically, the emergence of the classical limit requires decoherence through interactions with the external environment. In this work, we investigate whether the classical behavior of the CM coordinate in a mesoscopic system …

On Quantum Processes And The Epistemic Constraints, Varun Immanuel Premkumar Immanuel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This doctoral dissertation on the foundations of quantum theory tells the story of a conceptual protagonist I have called “Epistemic Constraint.” Here, epistemic constraints are the definite, intersubjectively agreeable, ordinary-language conditions under which experiments are described.

The usual formulation of the quantum measurement problem, which I call the Schrodingerian measurement problem, has the structure of an anomaly: if we take quantum theory at face value, we expect no definite values, and yet we see definite values in experiments. The responses to this problem have been either to solve it or to dissolve it. These responses, which have taken the form …

Quantum Mechanics As A Framework For Data Assimilation And Its Application To Atmospheric Parameterization, David Freeman

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Quantum mechanics, as a mathematical system, can be understood as a generalization of classical probability theory. Quantum Mechanical Data Assimilation (QMDA) is a method in which classical dynamical systems are embedded into a quantum mechanical setting, with an associated data assimilation scheme leveraging the operator algebraic setting. In this dissertation, the algebraic structure underlying the operator theoretic formulation of QMDA is discussed. A procedure for closure of dynamical systems based on QMDA, known as Quantum Mechanical Closure (QMCl), is then constructed, and the procedures for constructing the quantum embeddings and implementing QMCl in practice are laid out and implemented for …