What every physicist should know about string theory

Re:What every physicist should know about string theory by orlandpm on Monday February 11, 2019 @10:31PM (#19140773)

I don’t think most PhD physicists know what a diffeomorphism is.

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Re:What every physicist should know about string theory by ajkjk on Tuesday February 12, 2019 @01:52AM (#19141569)

I very much doubt that. I certainly learned it in a physics undergraduate degree.

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Re:What every physicist should know about string theory by whatshisface on Monday February 11, 2019 @10:38PM (#19140815)

Ok, let me guess without looking it up... A diffeomorphism is a smooth map that lets you switch coordinate systems.

(I sure hope that's not wrong.)

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Re:What every physicist should know about string theory by auntienomen on Monday February 11, 2019 @11:07PM (#19140968)

Pretty close. It's a smooth map with smooth inverse. If you've chosen chosen coordinates, it will transform them for you.

I think most physicists probably have a reasonable intuitive idea what a diffeomorphism is, since most have probably learned something about relativity.

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