[Physics FAQ]
[Relativity FAQ] -
[Copyright]
updated 11-January-1997 by PEG
updated 10-APR-1994 by SIC
original by Scott I. Chase
An Introduction to the Physics Newsgroups
The physics groups
The USENET hierarchy contains a number of newsgroups dedicated
to the discussion of physics and physics-related topics. These
include sci.physics, sci.physics.research, sci.physics.cond-matter,
sci.physics.particle and alt.sci.physics.new-theories, to all of which
this general physics FAQ is relevant. Some of the more narrowly
focused physics newsgroups have their own FAQs, which can, of course,
be found in the appropriate newsgroups.
sci.physics
is an unmoderated newsgroup dedicated to the discussion of
physics, news from the physics community, and physics-related social
issues.
sci.physics.research
is a moderated newsgroup designed to
offer an environment with less traffic and more opportunity for
discussion of serious topics in physics among experts and beginners
alike. There is an archive copy of the charter for this group
and also a
regular administrivia posting.
alt.sci.physics.new-theories
is an open forum
for discussion of any topics related to conventional or unconventional
physics. In this context, "unconventional physics" includes any ideas
on physical science, whether or not they are widely accepted by the
mainstream physics community.
sci.physics.particle
is an unmoderated newsgroup dedicated to
the discussion of all aspects of particle physics by people with all
levels of expertise. There is an archive copy of the charter for this group.
sci.physics.accelerators
is an unmoderated newsgroup for
issues relating to particle accelerators and the physics of beams.
There is an archive copy of the charter for this group.
alt.sci.physics.acoustics
is an unmoderated newsgroup for issues relating to sound and acoustics.
There is a FAQ for alt.sci.physics.acoustics
sci.physics.cond-matter
is an unmoderated
newsgroup dedicated to the discussion of the physics of condensed
matter. There is an archive copy of the charter for this group.
sci.physics.computational.fluid-dynamics
is an unmoderated
newsgroup for discussion of computational fluid dynamics.
There is an archive copy of the charter for this group.
sci.physics.electromag
is an unmoderated newsgroup with its own
FAQ dedicated to the discussion of topics pertaining to electromagnetics.
There is an archive copy of the charter for this group, and an early
sci.physics.elctromag FAQ
sci.physics.fusion
is an unmoderated newsgroup with its own FAQ
dedicated to the discussion of nuclear fusion. There is a reconstructed charter for this group.
sci.physics.plasma
is a moderated newsgroup serving the
plasma science and technologies community. There is an archive copy of the charter for this group.
sci.physics.relativity
is an unmoderated newsgroup for discussions about
the theory of relativity. There is an archive copy of the charter for this group.
alt.sci.physics, I
don't know why it exists but it does.
de.sci.physik
is the German language group for physics discussions.
fj.sci.physics
is the Japanese language group for physics discussions.
Posting guidelines
People from a wide variety of non-physics backgrounds, as well
as students and experts in all areas of physics participate in the ongoing
discussions on these newsgroups. Professors, industrial scientists,
graduate students, etc., are all on hand to bring physics expertise to
bear on almost any question. But the only requirement for participation
is interest in physics, so feel free to post -- but before you do, please
do the following:
- Read this FAQ. It contains good answers, contributed by the
readership, to some of the most frequently asked questions.
- Understand "netiquette." If you are not sure what this means,
subscribe to news.announce.newusers and read the excellent
discussion of proper net behaviour that is posted there
periodically.
- Be aware that there is a special newsgroup dedicated to the
discussion of "alternative" physics. It is
alt.sci.physics.new-theories, and is the appropriate forum for
discussion of physics ideas which are not widely accepted by the
physics community. sci.physics is not the group for such
discussions. A quick look at articles posted to both groups should
make the distinction apparent. The charter for
sci.physics.relativity also allows for speculative subjects.
- Be conservative with crossposting. It is almost always best to
post a question in the one group which seems best suited rather
than cross-posting it to several groups.
Check which newsgroups a thread is cross-posted to before posting
follow-ups. If it is inappropriately cross-posted you may wish to
reduce the number of groups listed in the header. Be aware that if
it is cross-posted to sci.physics.research or another moderated
newsgroup, your follow-ups will be vetted by the moderators
before being accepted. Posting the same message to many groups
without cross-posting is even worse than massive cross-posting.
- Read the responses already posted in the thread to which you want
to contribute. If a good answer is already posted, or the point
you wanted to make has already been made, let it be. Old
questions have probably been thoroughly discussed by the time you
get there -- save bandwidth by posting only new information.
Post to as narrow a geographic region as is appropriate. If your
comments are directed at only one person, try E-mail.
- Get the facts right! Opinions may differ, but facts should not.
It is very tempting for new participants to jump in with quick
answers to physics questions posed to the group. But it is very
easy to end up feeling silly when people barrage you with
corrections. So before you give us all a physics lesson you'll
regret -- look it up.
- Don't post textbook problems in the hope that someone will do
your homework for you. Do your own homework; it's good for you.
On the other hand, questions, even about elementary physics, are
always welcome. So if you want to discuss the physics which is
relevant to your homework, feel free to do so. Be warned that
you may still have plenty of work to do, trying to figure out
which of the many answers you get are correct.
- Your postings will be read by thousands of people so it is
worth taking a minute to read it back and check
the spelling, grammar and punctuation before posting, but
please don't waste bandwidth by correcting or criticising
other peoples spelling or grammar unless their errors obscure
what was being said. Pointless spelling corrections almost
always draw responses which correct spelling errors in the correction!
- Do not post picture binaries or other large files in the
sci.physics.* hierarchy of newsgroups. If you want to show
a picture post it in alt.binaries.pictures.misc and tell everyone where to find
it. Better still, put it on a web page and post the URL.
- Be prepared for heated discussion. People have strong opinions
about the issues, and discussions can get a little "loud" at
times. Don't take it personally if someone seems to always jump
all over everything you say. Everyone was jumping all over
everybody long before you got there! You can keep the discussion
at a low boil by trying to stick to the facts. Clearly separate
facts from opinion -- don't let people think you are confusing
your opinions with scientific truth. And keep the focus of
discussion on the ideas, not the people who post them.
- Tolerate everyone. People of many different points of view, and
widely varying educational backgrounds from around the world
participate in this newsgroup. Respect for others will be
returned in kind. Personal criticism is usually not welcome.
Thank you for taking the time to read this page.