Lecture 3 Basics.pdf

Physics 596

BASICS OF SCIENTIFIC WRITING II

Dr. Herbst

E. REFERENCES

In scientific papers, the “footnotes” and the bibliography are normally combined into a

reference section, which appears at the end of the manuscript. Although each journal has its own

style, there are two major approaches:

(1) numerical system used in physics and chemistry . Here each reference is given a number

such that the first reference encountered in the text is 1, etc.

(2) alphabetical system used in astronomy . Here each reference is mentioned by the last

names of the authors and the year it was published; e.g., Herbst (1985) or Phelps

& Phelps (1975) or Herbst et al. (1999)

Physical System

IN TEXT: The data were originally collected by Phelps and Phelps. 1 (or [1])

These authors later showed their earlier results to be wrong. 2 (or [2])

IN REFERENCE SECTION AT END:

1 A. Phelps and E. Phelps, J. Chem. Phys. 42 , 316 (1975)

2 A Phelps and E. Phelps Theory of Everything (Academic Press, New York, 1985), p.

342

Astronomical System

IN TEXT: Phelps and Phelps (1975) collected the original data. These data were later

shown to be incorrect (Phelps & Phelps 1985).

Notice that the references are slightly different depending upon whether they are used in an active or passive

sense.

IN REFERENCE SECTION AT END (chronological):

Phelps, A. and Phelps, E. 1975, J. Chem. Phys., 42, 316

Phelps, A. and Phelps, E. 1985, Theory of Everything , Academic Press, New York, p.

342

Variations in the above examples include the title of the journal article, and the first and last

pages of the article.

URL REFERENCES

In the physical system, just use a number in the text, and mention the URL along with the

Example:

5 http:///www.uwp….. is the web site of the Department of Physics, Univ.

In the astronomical system, if there is no author, just put the reference into the text .

Example: The Ohio State code ( http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~eric/ ) was used to

solve the problem.

F. NUMBERS

1. 0-10 Rule. Write out any number with absolute value between zero

and ten. For larger numbers use the numerical digits. Contrast three

days with 32 cats. Some exceptions/qualifications:

(a) Start of a sentence must be a written word. Examples: The 32

cats….. Thirty-two cats…..

(b) Use digits for mathematical expressions such as “3 orders of

magnitude” or “raised to the 4 th power.”

“sample 3.”

2. Exponential Notation

Try to use expressions like 3 x 10 6 or 3 x 10(6) rather than 3(6) 3E(6),

3. Decimals vs Fractions

In general, decimals are preferred.

4. Operators

Use a space. For example, 3 + 2 = 5, rather than 3+2=5.

5. Units

Omit period and plural in abbreviation. 12.6 hr 5.3 x 10 4 s

authors, if they are known, or the organization responsible, in the reference section .

of Washington.

3x10^6, 3*10**6

300 yr 10 cm -1

INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL

Initial sentence:

Try to make is splashy but avoid too wide or too narrow a field

EXAMPLES:

Ever since the dawn of humanity, people have been interested in

The source of turbulent mixing during star formation is thought to

Have you ever heard the siren of an ambulance change its pitch

These initial sentences illustrate one purpose of the introduction: to place the topic in

context. In addition to an opening sentence on the topic itself, you can discuss the work of

previous authors and mention the history of the subject.

EXAMPLE:

First proposed by Doppler in 1842, the hypothesis was tested

There are three other functions of an introduction. They are:

(1) an explanation of the topic. State it as clearly as possible and state

what special portion you may be considering.

EXAMPLE:

change in frequency and wavelength of a wave as perceived by an

observer moving relative to the source of the waves .

(2) the definition of any new terms and concepts

EXAMPLE:

for a system that is exponentially sensitive to initial conditions.

(3) to provide some sense of the rest of the paper (THESIS STATEMENT)

EXAMPLES:

In the rest of the paper, we will consider the relativistic treatment of

The Doppler Effect, as treated in elementary text books, does not

take into account the special theory of relativity, the importance

of which cannot be emphasized too strongly. (gives the sense that

this topic will be emphasized but not exclusively)

of vision.

the Doppler effect. (too broad)

Be instability of density wave fluctuations. 1 (too narrow)

as it drove by you?

for sound waves in 1845.

Named after Christian Doppler, the Doppler effect relates the

Turbulence occurs when a liquid flow becomes chaotic, a term

The Doppler Effect for the case of light waves. (rather pedantic)

OUTLINE EXAMPLE: SCHROEDINGER AND THE BIRTH OF QUANTUM

MECHANICS

I. INTRODUCTION

(A) Physics at the turn of the twentieth century ( the context)

(B) Successes of classical physics (explanation)

spectra ( explanation, definition)

(D) Need for quantum mechanics (thesis statement)

II. THE OLD QUANTUM THEORY (1900-1925)

(A) Work of Planck and Einstein

(B) The Bohr atomic model

(D) Heisenberg and matrix mechanics

III. THE SCHROEDINGER EQUATION

(A) Motivation

(B) Equation and definition of symbols

IV. CURRENT ROLE IN PHYSICS

V. THE FUTURE – DO WE KNOW EVERYTHING?

OUTLINE EXAMPLE: STAR FORMATION

I. INTRODUCTION

(A) What is a star, and where are they located? (explanation) .

(B) Stars are formed by collapse of portions of interstellar clouds (context)

(1) clouds of gas and dust

(2) nature of gas and how studied

(3) nature of dust and how studied

(4) heterogeneity of giant clouds

(D) Formation of stars by collapse of dense cold portions of clouds (thesis)

II. STAGES OF SINGLE STAR FORMATION

(A) Cold starless cores

(B) Pre-stellar cores (central isothermal collapse)

(D) Hot cores of organic molecules

(E) Protoplanetary disks (low-mass case)

(F) Photon-dominated regions (high-mass case)

(G) Formation of planets in disks

III. HOW DO MULTIPLE STAR SYSTEMSS FORM?

IV. THE FUTURE AND WHAT REMAINS TO BE EXPLORED?

(A) New telescopes and high spatial resolution

(B) Detection of terrestrial exo-planets

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: