The Coldest Place in the Universe

     Where's the coldest spot in the universe? Not on the moon, where the temperature plunges to a mere minus 378 Fahrenheit. Not even in deepest outer space, which has an estimated background temperature of about minus 455°F. As far as scientists can tell, the lowest temperatures ever attained were recently observed right here on earth.
   
     The record-breaking lows were among the latest feats of ultracold physics, the laboratory study of matter at temperatures so mind-bogglingly frigid that atoms and even light itself behave in highly unusual ways. Electrical resistance in some elements disappears below about minus 440°F, a phenomenon called superconductivity. At even lower temperatures, some liquefied gases become "superfluids" capable of oozing through walls solid enough to hold any other sort of liquid; they even seem to defy gravity as they creep up, over and out of their containers.
    
     Physicists acknowledge they can never reach the coldest conceivable temperature, known as absolute zero and long ago calculated to be minus 459.67°F. To physicists, temperature is a measure of how fast atoms are moving, a reflection of their energy—and absolute zero is the point at which there is absolutely no heat energy remaining to be extracted from a substance.


Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/phenom-200801.html#ixzz1dmyNsdVR

Graphic: ketchup bottle problems solved

Ever get frustrated with the leftover ketchup stuck in the bottom of the bottle and try to use a knife to get it out???


Well, look no further for a solution to that problem. Plant researchers, inspired by the near frictionless surface of the Pitcher (type of plant), have found a way to have the ketchup not stick to the bottom of the bottle.


Check out this article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8886117/Graphic-ketchup-bottle-problems-solved.html


Can you think of any problems this will cause besides the one mentioned in the article?

Tesla Coil

The Tesla coil is one of Nikola Tesla's most famous inventions. It is essentially a high-frequency air-core transformer. It takes the output from a 120vAC to several kilovolt transformer & driver circuit and steps it up to an extremely high voltage. Voltages can get to be well above 1,000,000 volts and are discharged in the form of electrical arcs. Tesla himself got arcs up to 100,000,000 volts, but I don't think that has been duplicated by anybody else. Tesla coils are unique in the fact that they create extremely powerful electrical fields. Large coils have been known to wirelessly light up florescent lights up to 50 feet away, and because of the fact that it is an electric field that goes directly into the light and doesn't use the electrodes, even burned-out florescent lights will glow.

Physics Jokes Anyone?

Ever wonder if you could tell your friends some funny physics jokes to get them more interested in a topic?

Well, below is a few to make you chuckle. Tell me your favorite one and why it's funny in class for some extra credit.

Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love.

What did the thermometer say to the graduated cylinder? "You may have graduated but I've got many degrees".

Rene Descartes sits down for a meal at a Parisian restaurant. The waiter asks for his order and he orders a hamburger.The waiter asks, "Would you like fries with that?"Descartes says, "I think not," and instantly disappears.

What happens when electrons lose their energy? They get Bohr'ed.

A neutron walks into a bar and orders a beer."How much for the beer?" the neutron asks the bartender."For you?" replies the bartender,"no charge."

Courtesy of: http://www.jokesclean.com/Physics/

Are physicists really crazy?

Can we all agree that most physicists are a little bit crazy?


Well, in Isaac Newton's case, he wiated almost twenty years to publish his results from an experiment where he had formulated and numerically checked the gravitation law. His original conclusion was formulated by 1666, but wasn't published until s1687 in his book Principia for the pure reason that he could not justify his method of numerical calculation in which he considered Earth and the moon as point masses.


So, not only did Newton wait twenty years or so to publish his results, he also invented a type of calculus-based mathematics in order to solve his calculation problem.

Concluding, Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that:
Each mass particle attracts every other particle in the universe with a force that varies directly as the product of the two masses and inversly as the square of the distance between them. In equation form this looks like:

F=-G[(mM)/r^2]e_r.


What other equation have you seen that looks similar to this but applies to point charges?

Yay Hadron Collider!!!

http://chaospet.com/2008/09/12/107-large-hadron-collider/

Calculus Anyone?

How do you feel about using a TI-89 calculator?

Are you aware of all of the functions your calculator has?

Well, follow this link below and take a look. The video more describes calculus than the functionality of your calculator, but it is fantastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-f2DH9jFck&feature=related

What is one thing that you know about calculus? (Not how you feel about it, but the actual content matter in the course.)

Keys to Success in Phys 100

Ever wonder what it takes, I mean what it truly takes to be a successful student?

Well, we all want to get straight A's and be on the President's List every semester through the easiest route possible.

I find that the best thing that works for me is making a schedule and writing down each task that I need to accomplish accompanied by the due date. Doing this, allows me to do my best to make sure that all of my homework gets done on time.

What is something that will help you to be a successful student?

Is this Real?

As all of you know, YouTube.com can be a very addicting web site, can't it? Have you ever browed the videos of kittens? They are hilarious and guarantee to make your day better.

Below, is the link to a unique video that demonstrates a physics phenomena. I want you to take a look at this video and see if it is real. Can you find any trick photography using the skills you may have learned in film class? Is this really possible?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZDONfKJVWY&noredirect=1

A few sidenotes:

-There is no sound to the video, so if you can't here anything then it is the correct one.

-The liquid they pour on top is, I believe, liquid nitrogen.

ARCHIMEDES' PRINCIPLE

ARCHIMEDES' PRINCIPLE

Students of physics are frequently told

Of experiments performed by great physicists of old

Like Boyles and Charles -- but greatest of these

Was the Principle discovered by Archimedes.

The Sicilian King, Archimedes was told,

Ordered a crown from a large lump of gold,

And though the weight of the gold was completely correct,

The goldsmith's eye made the King suspect

That he'd made up the weight with some cheaper metal

And stolen some gold, that his debts he might settle.

His problem was then of outstanding immensity

As he had no idea, whatsoever, of density.

Climbing into a bath he received a surprise

When he noticed the water beginning to rise.

He suddenly snapped, and let out a scream,

As he realised, with joy, his long-wished-for dream.

He found the upthrust, produced on a body's base*,

To be equal in weight to the water displaced,

And soon volumes and weights would make it quite plain

What various metals the crown could contain,

And so he could easily show to his Royalty

The absolute proof of the goldsmith's disloyalty.

Leaping out of the bath at remarkable rate,

He made for the palace by doorway and gate --

But the men in the street were completely confounded

To see a naked man shout "Eureka! I've found it!"

http://jcdverha.home.xs4all.nl/scijokes/2_1.html#subindex

Midterm Cheat Sheet

How are your midterms going?

I'm sure that you are not very excited that as we approach the middle of the semester, midterm is a word we, as college students, learn to despise.

Thus, I would like to offer a bit of a reprieve for you during this time of stress.

Here is a "cheat sheet" to hopefully make you successful.

1. Breath.

2. Sleep.

3. Ask questions.

4. GO in and see your professors to make sure that not only do you have a good grasp on the material, but that they KNOW who you are.

5. Schedule study groups.

6. Eat.

7. Stay sane and don't take out your frustrations on unexpecting/undeserving suspects.

Do you have any advice that helps you to be less stressed during midterms?

Particles Moving Faster Than Light – Pillars of Physics Soon to Fall?

With the recent discovery that one subatomic particle moves faster than light, our century-old understanding about the pillars of physics will soon be falling. The latest discovery done by a team of experimental physicists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, negates Albert Einstein's theory of relativity that clearly certifies light as the fastest mover in the universe. If proved correct, this exotic particle called neutrino that is 60 nanoseconds quicker than light will establish the fact that humans can travel back in time. The calculation was done by Oscillation Project with Emulsion-tRacking Apparatus (OPERA), a 1,300-metric-ton particle detector.

The OPERA Project
For past three years, scientists are working on OPERA. The project was jointly run by particle research center near Geneva and the Gran Sasso Laboratory in central Italy.
Their research clearly shows that when a total of 15,000 beams of neutrinos were fired, the tiny particles traveled the 730-kilometer, 2.43-millisecond trip roughly 60 nanoseconds faster than light, claimed the OPERA researchers.    

 

"It's a straightforward time-of-flight measurement," said Antonio Ereditato, a physicist at the University of Bern and spokesperson for the 160-member OPERA collaboration. "We measure the distance and we measure the time, and we take the ratio to get the velocity, just as you learned to do in high school."

Result that Baffled Scientists Around the World
The finding gathered both positive and negative reaction from scientists worldwide. Eminent cosmologist and astrophysicist Martin Rees said, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and this is an extraordinary claim."

However, Australia-based physicist Dr John Costella described the claim as an "embarrassing gaffe." Prof Stephen Hawking appeared unconvinced when he said, "It is premature to comment on this. Further experiments and clarifications are needed."

Knowing the discovery would be hard to believe, Antonio Ereditato said, "The finding is so startling that, for the moment, everybody should be very prudent."

"We have high confidence in our results. We have checked and rechecked for anything that could have distorted our measurements but we found nothing," Ereditato added. "We now want colleagues to check them independently."

IBTimes , Staff Reporter. "Particles Moving Faster Than Light – Pillars of Physics Soon to Fall? ." International Business Times. IB Times, 25 09 2011. Web. 25 Sep 2011. <http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/219419/20110925/particles-moving-faster-than-light-albert-einstein-subatomic-particle-opera-physics-faster-than-ligh.htm>.

Newton's Laws!!!

Newton has three Laws of Physics.


1. An object in motion stays in motion.


2. F=ma


3. For each action, there is an equal reaction.



In your own words can you describe them?
(For the first and third laws, what are the other components of those laws)

Interview: The Moon

So I was thinking, that since our course is titled "A Trip to the Moon", that we should get to know a little bit about the moon.

How big is the moon?

The moon is approximately 2,000 miles across.

How old is the moon?

The moon is the same age as the Earth, 4.5 billion years old.

How hot and cold does the moon get?

The moon gets between -280 and 260 degrees Fahrenheit.

How far is the moon from the Earth?

The moon is about 250,000 miles away from the Earth.

What is the surface on the moon like?

The surface of the moon is covered with about two inches of dust.

So now its your turn! What is a question about the moon that you have that you have always wondered?

You know what I'm saying

Here is a simple question with the answer so close you won't believe it.

What is the unit of power?

Good Luck.

Guest Speaker

Physics Talk on Microwave Photonics

Given by Dr. Richard DeSalvo

Friday Sept. 16 2011, at 12:00PM till 1:00PM

In Nelms 2

 

Free pizza and soda

 

If you are able to join the talk, please write a small summary/critique in one of the comments.

 

Hope to see you there!!!

Feline Physics

I think will help put an interesting spin on what you mentioned you learned this

week and some of what was covered in class today. Enjoy!

FELINE PHYSICS

Law of Cat Inertia

A cat at rest will tend to remain at rest, unless acted upon by

some outside force - such as the opening of cat food, or a nearby

scurrying mouse.

Law of Cat Motion

A cat will move in a straight line, unless there is a really good

reason to change direction.

Law of Cat Magnetism

All blue blazers and black sweaters attract cat hair in direct

proportion to the darkness of the fabric.

Law of Cat Thermodynamics

Heat flows from a warmer to a cooler body, except in the case

of a cat, in which case all heat flows to the cat.

Law of Cat Stretching

A cat will stretch to a distance proportional to the length of

the nap just taken.

Law of Cat Sleeping

All cats must sleep with people whenever possible, in a position

as uncomfortable for the people involved, and as comfortable as

possible for the cat.

Law of Cat Elongation

A cat can make her body long enough to reach just about any

counter top that has anything remotely interesting on it.

Law of Cat Obstruction

A cat must lay on the floor in such a position to obstruct the

maximum amount of human foot traffic.

Law of Cat Acceleration

A cat will accelerate at a constant rate, until he gets good and

ready to stop.

Law of Dinner Table Attendance

Cats must attend all meals when anything good is served.

Law of Rug Configuration

No rug may remain in its naturally flat state for very long.

Law of Obedience Resistance

A cat's resistance varies in proportion to a human's desire for

her to do something.

First Law of Energy Conservation

Cats know that energy can neither be created nor destroyed and

will, therefore, use as little energy as possible.

Second Law of Energy Conservation

Cats also know that energy can only be stored by a lot of napping.

Law of Refrigerator Observation

If a cat watches a refrigerator long enough, someone will come

along and take out something good to eat.

Law of Electric Blanket Attraction

Turn on an electric blanket and a cat will jump into bed at the

speed of light.

Law of Random Comfort Seeking

A cat will always seek, and usually take over, the most

comfortable spot in any given room.

Law of Bag/Box Occupancy

All bags and boxes in a given room must contain a cat within

the earliest possible nanosecond.

Law of Cat Embarrassment

A cat's irritation rises in direct proportion to her embarrassment

times the amount of human laughter.

Law of Milk Consumption

A cat will drink his weight in milk, squared, just to show you he

can.

Law of Furniture Replacement

A cat's desire to scratch furniture is directly proportional to

the cost of the furniture.

Law of Cat Landing

A cat will always land in the softest place possible; often the

mid-section of an unsuspecting, reclining human.

Law of Fluid Displacement

A cat immersed in milk will displace her own volume, minus the

amount of milk consumed.

Law of Cat Disinterest

A cat's interest level will vary in inverse proportion to the

amount of effort a human expends in trying to interest him.

Law of Pill Rejection

Any pill given to a cat has the potential energy to reach escape

velocity.

Law of Cat Composition

A cat is composed of Matter + Anti-Matter + It Doesn't Matter.

http://jcdverha.home.xs4all.nl/scijokes/2_4.html

Significant Figures

As most of us know, the use of significant figures is a scientific mean of basically keeping things organized. There are a few rules that you need to know in order to format your lab reports and homework properly. The goal of this blog is to simplify those rules for you.

1. Leading zeros are NEVER significant digits.

2. Trailing zeros are NEVER significant digits (unless they are measured).

3. Digits other than zero in a measurement are ALWAYS significant digits.

4. In multiplication and division, the number of significant figures is the SMALLEST of the number of significant figures in the inputs.

5. In addition and subtraction, the number of significant digits is the smallest number of decimal places in the input.

I would consider printing this out and taping it in the front cover of your book for easy reference.

So now its' your turn. How many significant digits are there in:

a. 11,000,000.0

b. 1.203190

c. 100.090

d. 0.00980870