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Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Why were dinosaurs huge?
« on: 03/05/2013 23:05:32 »
Why were dinosaurs very large?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Can we see the future?
« on: 03/05/2013 22:50:14 »
I once heard on a podcast that if One was falling into a Black Hole and that person looked 'outwards' they would see the entire future of the Universe! Is this true? And if so, then how can this be?
Thanks
Thanks
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Can we never see the edge of the Universe?
« on: 03/05/2013 22:46:45 »
No matter how powerful we make our telescopes, am I right in stating that we can never see the edge of the Universe because of 'inflation' that occurred near the beginning of the Universe. Am I right? Can anyone elaborate?
Thanks
Thanks
4
Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Is turbulance dangerous in flight?
« on: 19/04/2013 21:16:03 »
I have a fear of flying, primarily because of turbulance. In the news recently it has been mentioned that there will be an increase in turbulance as regards commercial flight. Is turbulance dangerous? could it cause a plane to crash?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What are strings made of?
« on: 19/04/2013 21:12:15 »
The standard model states that particles such as electrons are fundamental. They are not made of any other constituents. String theory states that the electrons are made of strings that vibrate. Has there been any thoughts about what strings could be made of, assuming the theory is acceptable?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / How is beta-plus decay possible?
« on: 09/03/2013 22:28:04 »
The proton has a half-life of about 10 to the power of 30 seconds. Then how is it that a proton decays to form a neutron, positron and an electron-neutrino aka beta-plus decay?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Why does the Moon look large in a camera picture?
« on: 29/12/2012 14:08:20 »
The Moon appears small when viewed high up in the sky. The Moon appears vary large when viewed near the horizon. This is due to an optical illusion.
Our brain may be fooled, but surely a camera should show the actual size of the Moon at all times. Why is the camera being fooled too?
Our brain may be fooled, but surely a camera should show the actual size of the Moon at all times. Why is the camera being fooled too?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Can Solar eclipses occur during sunset or sunrise?
« on: 29/12/2012 14:02:10 »
Can Solar eclipses happen during sunrise and sunset? If so, would the Sun and Moon still appear large (due to optical illusion)?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Why is life not common in our galaxy?
« on: 24/11/2012 20:08:43 »
There are billions of stars in the Milky Way. Surely there should be many planets in the 'goldielocks zone' and so life should be rife.
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Physiology & Medicine / Is life analogous to pacman?
« on: 24/11/2012 19:47:57 »
This was once mentioned to me and a (so it seemed) genuine reason was given to me.
I would just like to know what people think before I elaborate.
I would just like to know what people think before I elaborate.
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Physiology & Medicine / Do hunger strikers drink water?
« on: 27/08/2012 01:16:18 »
I have heard of protesters etc going on hunger strike and not consuming food for over weeks or even months. But, surely they do have to drink water?
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Technology / Is it better to use the engine to decelerate?
« on: 19/04/2012 19:55:16 »
When I am driving my car and approach traffic lights when they are red, I often change down gears and allow the engine to 'do the braking' hence preserving my brakes. However, when changing down gears and subsequently slowing down the RPM (revolutions per minute) increase, though I am not pressing the accelerator. Will this still increase my fuel consumption, eventhough I am slowing down.
Should I avoid doing this practice and just apply the brakes earlier and wear them out sooner?
Should I avoid doing this practice and just apply the brakes earlier and wear them out sooner?
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Physiology & Medicine / Does exercise lead to longevity?
« on: 14/04/2012 20:41:18 »
I heard that on average the human heart beats 3 billion times.
Lets say a person exercises everyday for an hour and the pulse rate increase to 120 beats for the entire hour. This means that the 'allocated' 3 billion beats is been reached quicker, and so the life-span would decrease.
However, exercise is good for you. What have I missed here?
Lets say a person exercises everyday for an hour and the pulse rate increase to 120 beats for the entire hour. This means that the 'allocated' 3 billion beats is been reached quicker, and so the life-span would decrease.
However, exercise is good for you. What have I missed here?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Do the mechanism in clocks really run slow?
« on: 29/03/2012 21:29:46 »
Special theory of relativity states that 'moving clocks run slow'.
I can appreciate this but what I would like to know is, do the mechanism of the clock actually slow down?
If the clock slows down then don't the specification of the components have to be changed.
I can appreciate this but what I would like to know is, do the mechanism of the clock actually slow down?
If the clock slows down then don't the specification of the components have to be changed.
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Are we at the edge of the Universe?
« on: 29/12/2011 21:31:31 »
There is no 'centre of the Universe'. All space began from a singularity. Space is expanding just like a balloon been blown up.
When the Hubble telescope sees far in the distance a galaxy that is say near the edge of the Universe, it is highly redshifted and travelling at nearly the speed of light; then does that also mean that with respect to the galaxy in question, we too are near the edge of the Universe, and that we too are highly redshifted and travelling nearly at the speed of light?
When the Hubble telescope sees far in the distance a galaxy that is say near the edge of the Universe, it is highly redshifted and travelling at nearly the speed of light; then does that also mean that with respect to the galaxy in question, we too are near the edge of the Universe, and that we too are highly redshifted and travelling nearly at the speed of light?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Could we have received signals from Kepler-20?
« on: 26/12/2011 12:52:06 »
Hi.
Recently two Earth-like planets were discovered, which did once lie in the 'habitable-zone', but now are too hot.
My question is lets say that there was intelligent life on one of these planets once, and that they were sending radio waves in all directions, including our direction. It would take about a 1000 years for the signals to arrive to Earth. Would these signals still be arriving even if the life-forms died out millions of years ago.
I could be thinking Monolith (as in Space Odyssey 2001)
Recently two Earth-like planets were discovered, which did once lie in the 'habitable-zone', but now are too hot.
My question is lets say that there was intelligent life on one of these planets once, and that they were sending radio waves in all directions, including our direction. It would take about a 1000 years for the signals to arrive to Earth. Would these signals still be arriving even if the life-forms died out millions of years ago.
I could be thinking Monolith (as in Space Odyssey 2001)
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Where does the beta particle come from?
« on: 30/04/2010 20:56:54 »
Hi.
I know that beta-minus decay involves a neutron converting to an electron (beta) and an anti-electron-neutrino; in fact a down quark becomes an up quark and the W‾ boson provides momentum/energy to the beta and the anti-neutrino, but, how does the electron and anti-neutrino originate?; they were not inside the neutron.
Thanks
I know that beta-minus decay involves a neutron converting to an electron (beta) and an anti-electron-neutrino; in fact a down quark becomes an up quark and the W‾ boson provides momentum/energy to the beta and the anti-neutrino, but, how does the electron and anti-neutrino originate?; they were not inside the neutron.
Thanks
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Is the cat dead or alive?
« on: 21/01/2010 21:23:38 »
Imagine i am standing outside a Black Hole and my cat falls in.
The cat would find itself fall into the black hole and be killed (dead).
I on the other hand would see the cat falling in but never reach the
centre of the Black Hole (or the singularity). So, according to me the
cat is not dead (alive).
How can this be; is the cat dead or alive?
The cat would find itself fall into the black hole and be killed (dead).
I on the other hand would see the cat falling in but never reach the
centre of the Black Hole (or the singularity). So, according to me the
cat is not dead (alive).
How can this be; is the cat dead or alive?
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Physiology & Medicine / How does the fetus not drown?
« on: 10/01/2010 14:25:08 »
I know that the amniotic fluid in the womb protects the fetus from nock/bumps, but why is it that if the fetus opens it's mouth then the fluid will not fill the lungs causing it to drown.
Thanks
Thanks
20
Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / How do radio waves penetrate brick walls?
« on: 09/01/2010 19:54:59 »
Gamma rays are very short wavelength EM waves that are very energetic (since E= hf).
Thay are able to penetrate concrete upto a metre in depth.
Radio waves are long wavelength are far less energetic. My question is how do they penetrate brick walls. E.g. I can listen to the radio in a room with no windows, but just solid walls.
Thay are able to penetrate concrete upto a metre in depth.
Radio waves are long wavelength are far less energetic. My question is how do they penetrate brick walls. E.g. I can listen to the radio in a room with no windows, but just solid walls.
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / why can't gamma rays penetrate the atmosphere?
« on: 08/11/2009 00:01:50 »
I have heard that gamma rays that originate from the Sun or other stars does not penetrate the atmosphere. Why is this?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Why do the inner planets lack moons?
« on: 23/10/2009 17:43:00 »
All the planets have Moons in the Solar System except Mercury and Venus (nearest planets to the Sun.
Is there a reason for this or is it just a coincidance?
Thanks
[MOD EDIT - PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU PHRASE YOUR THREAD TITLES AS QUESTIONS, IN LINE WITH FORUM POLICY; THANKS, CHRIS]
Is there a reason for this or is it just a coincidance?
Thanks
[MOD EDIT - PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU PHRASE YOUR THREAD TITLES AS QUESTIONS, IN LINE WITH FORUM POLICY; THANKS, CHRIS]
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / why is the Moon tidally locked with the Earth?
« on: 22/08/2009 10:47:19 »
I know we only see one side of the Moon because the time it takes to orbit the Earth once is the same as the time it takes to rotate once. But why is this the case?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Did they think the Earth was flat?
« on: 12/07/2009 21:26:48 »
In the past if people thought the Earth was flat; then what did they think was the circular shadow appearing on the Moon during a lunar eclipse?
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