What's the difference..........

[LJP07]

I have looked through wikipedia etc and other books but it all seems to be a contradiction between what's the difference between Mathematical Physics and Theoretical Physics.

Anyone have a viable reason?

[GAHD]

Don't you mean Theoretical (unproven) and Applied (has practical use)?

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Prolu2007

what's the difference between Mathematical Physics and Theoretical Physics.

Anyone have a viable reason?

Easy...
Mathematical physics relies on math
Theoretical physics relies on more math


On a serious note, I have never heard of such a distinction being made.

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Easy...
Mathematical physics relies on math
Theoretical physics relies on more math

Clarification: Theoretical physics relies on math that hasn't been invented yet!

Originally Posted by freeztar

On a serious note, I have never heard of such a distinction being made.

Me neither. Where'd this one come from Prolu?

Damn lies, statistics, and physics,
Buffy

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Buffy

Clarification: Theoretical physics relies on math that hasn't been invented yet!

I'll square root your negative and raise you pi!

I'm checkin it out, I've got it figured out
Freezey

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by freeztar

I'll square root your negative and raise you pi!

Or maybe:

Mathematical Physics: Can be solved exactly using definite integrals.
Theoretical Physics: Requires vague 3-D graphics and Feynman Diagrams with lots of hand waving.

Forgot to mention Memphish,
Buffy

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Buffy

Or maybe:

Mathematical Physics: Can be solved exactly using definite integrals.
Theoretical Physics: Requires vague 3-D graphics and Feynman Diagrams with lots of hand waving.

Forgot to mention Memphish,
Buffy

Sounds good to me!!

[LJP07]

Originally Posted by Buffy

Where'd this one come from Prolu?

I'm thinking of which course to study at college, but they are calling Mathematical Physics, Theoretical Physics. Another University says that Mathematical Physics is applied maths whereas another Uni says that there seperate and different. Wikipedia gives different to the Uni's and I'm stuck which course to study?

Haven't found viable reason yet though?

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Prolu2007

I'm thinking of which course to study at college, but they are calling Mathematical Physics, Theoretical Physics. Another University says that Mathematical Physics is applied maths whereas another Uni says that there seperate and different.

Oh, *now* I get it: we're dealing with the *pejorative* definitions of these terms. For a very long time there has been a rift between "theoretical physics" and "applied physics". The latter group uses the term "mathematical physics"--incorrectly as the Wiki article on Mathematical Physics points out the truth that all physics is based on math--to derisively describe what the theoretical folks do as "just math". On the theoretical side, you'll hear the applied physicists referred to as "just engineers".

Its a stupid war and shows signs of going away as the younger crowd recognizes that they're not going anywhere careerwise unless they leverage the work of both.

Testosterone poisoning at work,
Buffy

[LJP07]

Here's a link to the course I'm doing in September:

Mathematics, Experimental Physics, Chemistry, Mathematical Physics in First Year, Exp. Physics and Math. Physics and Chemistry in Second Year. Will chose all Physics from Third Year on and Fourth Year too.

NUI Maynooth > Admissions Office > Courses > Faculty of Arts

and here's where they describe the subjects taught during Mathematical Physics:

http://admissions.nuim.ie/subjects/d...thsPhysics.pdf

Especially read the last one as it shows the subjects taught, would you consider them to be more Theoretical Physics or Mathematical Physics? I'd rather to Theoretical as it seems more interesting and it's not just 100% maths.