1

New Theories / Re: The N-field

« on: 27/02/2018 22:25:45 »

I cannot think of any experiment that does show electrons are composed of multipoints, however that being said...

Is it possible for electrons to by composed of multiple points?  If so, how would that be either tested, or expounded upon?

I am not a particle physicist, by any stretch.  However, could the "points" be subatomic particles that are the result of an electron - electron collision?

I'm trying to think outside the box, no pun intended.

2

New Theories / Re: The N-field

« on: 27/02/2018 22:17:33 »

After a cursory read of this thread I do see where some promising concepts can be developed.  I believe Thebox is having difficulty explaining his premise and supporting information.  Perhaps instead of condemning Thebox's endeavor we, as a collective, could try to help him iron out, or correct, his idea?  Isn't that the higher road to learning?

Kyptid's most recent question...

« on: Today at 05:12:44 pm » Quote (selected)
Quote from: Thebox on Today at 05:11:26 pm
Coulombs law .
Newtons third law.

How do these prove anything about whether subatomic particles have volume or not?

...is spot on.  Good point.

3

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: What is the truth about tachyons, baryonic string theory, and quantum mechanics?

« on: 24/02/2018 18:21:56 »

To detect a tachyon, one would have to look for an event, the cause of which had not yet happened.

The prospect of looking for something that may be travelling at infinite speed, may be undetectable and, in any case, has not been formed yet, does seem to be quite a daunting task.

And perhaps something best left to the creativity of science fiction.  However, like much fiction, science or otherwise, there is almost always an underlying bit of reality.

4

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What is the truth about tachyons, baryonic string theory, and quantum mechanics?

« on: 24/02/2018 12:25:51 »

Lately I have been reading posts from some years ago.  I realize that the information in some of these posts can still be considered "on-point", while other information wouldn't know the point if it stabbed them.  To that end, would someone please bring me up-to-date on the info from the following post...

Re: What are tachyons?
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2009, 05:07:30 pm »

Vern's post:

It is entangled photons that seem to pass information at faster than light speeds. When the polarization of one of a pair of photons is changed, the other of the pair seems to instantly take on that polarization. I suspect that there's another mechanism at work, but don't have a clue about what it might be.

I don't think there's a theory that suggests that tachyons actually exist. There is a body of work that fits them into the Quantum Mechanical realm, but it only suggests that if they existed, they would have certain properties.

I think the closest we can come to observing them is in media such as water when an electron can exceed light speed in that medium.

I will save the multitude of questions I have until later.

Thank you.

5

General Science / Re: Would a study of poetry aid in a better understanding of mathematics?

« on: 21/02/2018 20:43:01 »

As an undergrad I studied Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  It was required reading for completion of my degree.  Why?  Lewis Carroll was/is widely believed to have been a logician, among other things.  Any considered undergrad work in logic, or discrete math, at my university anyway, required we study some of Dodgson's work.

We also studied Abbott's Flatland, in-spite of it being more about Victorian puritanism than mathematics.

6

General Science / Re: Would a study of poetry aid in a better understanding of mathematics?

« on: 21/02/2018 20:12:08 »

I have no idea how that happened.  I was trying to quote alancalverd.  Sorry.

7

General Science / Re: Would a study of poetry aid in a better understanding of mathematics?

« on: 21/02/2018 20:01:39 »

Not the entire world, but a nation whose president thinks 2 + 2 = 5, at least three states have determined the value of π by legislation, and more people have been shot by 5-year-olds than by terrorists. God help America.

Amen to that!!

8

General Science / Would a study of poetry aid in a better understanding of mathematics?

« on: 21/02/2018 14:48:09 »

Some years ago when my god-son was attending Virginia Tech, pursuing an undergraduate degree in mathematics, I presented him with The Collected Works of Robert Frost.  I tried to explain to him that to fully appreciate, and understand, the "muse" of mathematics he should begin with, at the very least, a familiarity of Robert Frost.  I told him that during my undergrad and graduate work in mathematics, Robert Frost occupied a spot of equal importance in my library as did my many mathematical texts.  Later he confessed to me that he never read the tome I presented him with.  I love my god-son, and while he is an excellent "technical" mathematician, he lacks an appreciation for the "art" of mathematics.  We talk, often, about various ideas and concepts, and it is clear that he has difficulty bridging to a clear grasp of the theoretical.  Is that because he didn't read Robert Frost?  No.  However, I feel that his mathematical education suffered for lack of a "classical" education.

I am curious to know what others believe. 

Incidentally, it amazes me that he was able to graduate #1 from his high-school, and then with honors from VaTech - in mathematics - and NEVER took a trigonometry class.  What is this world coming to?

9

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 15.07.07 - What's the most expensive element on Earth?

« on: 21/02/2018 01:16:24 »

I beg forgiveness.   

10

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 15.07.07 - What's the most expensive element on Earth?

« on: 21/02/2018 01:09:20 »

Stupidity?  I beg your pardon...

"Trinitite, also known as atomsite or Alamogordo glass, is the glassy residue left on the desert floor after the plutonium-based Trinity nuclear bomb test on July 16, 1945, near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The glass is primarily composed of arkosic sand composed of quartz grains and feldspar (both microcline [aand smaller amount of plagioclase with small amount of calcite, hornblende and augite in a matrix of sandy clay) that was melted by the atomic blast. It is usually a light green, although color can vary. It is mildly radioactive but safe to handle." - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


450px-Trinitite-detail2.jpg (37.08 kB . 450x338 - viewed 7186 times)

11

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: Why must c be an absolute "speed limit"?

« on: 20/02/2018 18:46:38 »

(these are the sorts of ridiculous answers that can come up when "why" questions are posed)

My apologies.  I will endeavor to phrase my post questions more succinctly.

12

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Would a Hohmann Transfer be more fuel efficient to attain lunar orbit?

« on: 20/02/2018 17:27:34 »

To achieve lunar orbit would it be more fuel efficient to utilize a Hohmann Transfer, rather than a "direct" approach, as the Apollo program used?

And, for that matter, are HTs used to translate satellites into higher orbits?

13

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 17.10.22 - How long could a human survive without a head?

« on: 20/02/2018 17:22:09 »

I would think that depends upon where and how the head is removed.  If it is removed cleanly, above the medulla oblongata then the body can continue.  How long?  I don't know.

14

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 15.07.07 - What's the most expensive element on Earth?

« on: 20/02/2018 17:16:31 »

Trinitite is currently sells for $34.50/gram.

15

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 15.12.06 - Would polar bears thrive in Antarctica?

« on: 20/02/2018 16:39:56 »

Extinction events happen. If we help them along that is a reflection upon our selfish nature as a species. I very much doubt that we have the capability to stop a mass extinction event. Since we may be actively participating in it.

Is an extinction level event, ELE, that has its cause directly linked to human involvement, truly be an event that just "happens"?  Many species have fallen to the hand of man.   Humans are responsible for the extinction of several species from over harvesting, developmental encroachment, greed, etc.:  The Dodo, Great Auk, Carolina Parakeet, Bush wren, New Zealand quail, Piopio, Chantham fernbird, Chatham bellbird, Haast's eagle, Laughing owl, Mederian owl, Dusky seaside sparrow, Stephens island wren, and last but not least the passenger pigeon.

“Men still live who, in their youth, remember pigeons; trees still live who, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a few decades hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last only the hills will know.” — Aldo Leopold, “On a Monument to the Pigeon,” 1947

With the advances in cloning research, should we resurrect the past?  Do we have the obligation, let alone the right, to undo the ignorance of our ancestors?  I lack the wisdom to even attempt to answer these questions.

16

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 17.10.29 - Is it safe to be in a car during a thunderstorm?

« on: 20/02/2018 16:02:57 »

I have always been led to believe that the grounding properties of a car's rubber composite tires "protect" the occupants.

17

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Why must c be an absolute "speed limit"?

« on: 20/02/2018 13:44:14 »

I have a simple, and yet nagging question...

Why must the speed of light, c, be an absolute "speed limit"?

Why can't something, anything exceed 299,792,458 m/s?  Why can something go 299,792,459 m/s?

18

General Science / Re: Must ∞ monkeys on ∞ typewriters really write everything given ∞ time?

« on: 20/02/2018 13:07:16 »

There is a non zero probability of a monkey pressing the same key an infinite number of times.

What if the monkey dies at the typewriter and his finger falls in death on a key?

Pondering the scale and scope of the infinite is tantamount to pondering the existence of the divine.  You have touched upon a key distinction possibly unique to man.  I once read that the moment we believe we have a pure definition of what/who God is, is the moment God changes.  Or, I suppose, to put it in a rudimentary form:  the moment we declare x = y, y changes. 

All we can be certain of is the essentials of mathematics, for as it is quoted in the film Pacific Rim:  "Numbers do not lie. Politics and poetry, promises, these are lies. Numbers are as close as we get to the handwriting of god."

19

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: If there was only vacuum what fields could be defined?

« on: 19/02/2018 12:41:24 »

Fascinating.  Thank you jefferyH.  I now have something to study this week.

20

That CAN'T be true! / Re: Is the number 0 the real number 1?

« on: 19/02/2018 12:35:03 »

Oh, I get it.  Kinda like "yellow being the new black" sort of thing.