Tag: nuclear physics
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Where Does All the Light Go When you Switch Off the light Switch ?
It seems simple enough - you flip a switch, and in the blink of an eye the room has gone completely dark. But where exactly did all of the light go ? What actually makes the room dark?
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Does anyone know what atoms and molecules actually look like?
That matter is composed of atoms we take for granted … but can we hope to unravel what they actually look like ?
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Why do things burn?
Burning, technically known as combustion, is a chemical reaction where a substance combines with oxygen and releases energy in the form of heat and light, which we see as flames. The substance starts off in a higher energy state, and by combining with oxygen ends up in a lower energy state.
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Who ‘discovered’ the Atom ?
The simplest of experiences can hatch eureka moments. Legend has it that despite all his inherited wealth and global travels, the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus hit upon one of the most fundamental of ideas in physics while sitting in the comfort of his own home.
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What Causes the Pull of Gravity ?
One of the most common and baffling science questions is “how does gravity work?”. If you too find yourself confused then rest assured you’re in good company … even Sir Isaac Newton admitted he was baffled by gravity. In this article we look at Einsteins solution to this conundrum.
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The Clock inside the Rock – How do they date ancient rock ?
Geologist often trot out some incredible facts without a second thought – “This rock is 4.4 billion years old…” said geologist Simon Wilde in 2001 as he introduced the oldest known piece of the Earth, but how did he know?
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Seeing Neutrinos
What would you say if we said that you were able to see Neutrinos – small sub-atomic particles – with the naked eye.I don’t think you’d believe us. So it will come as a surprise that one of the smallest and lightest of particles can be observed by anyone with a pair of eyes.
Read MoreAn Uncertain Future – Predicting Movements of Objects
We like to think that science has all the answers and that the more we learn the more we’ll be able to predict and control our environment. But what if there was a limit after which there’s too much uncertainty.
Read MoreAre We Capable of Understanding the Universe ?
The pursuit of science is based on the belief that the explanations we seek are comprehensible to the human brain. But supposing they’re not? What if no human brain is well enough equipped to understand the universe. What if we are fooling ourselves?
Read MoreWe are Stardust …
We are Stardust … the chemical elements that make up our bodies, originated, with one exception, in the turbulent body of a star
Read MoreFusion Reactors – The Holy Grail of Green Power
Nuclear fusion is the energy source of the future. It promises to be a safe, clean and supply virtually limitless energy source. But how will it likely work?
Read MoreHow does an Atomic Clock Work ?
The most accurate time piece today is an Atomic Clock. But how does it work & what’s the theory behind it ?
Read MoreWhat’s stopping us falling through the floor?
Why is it that we don’t fall through the floor? What’s stopping us ? A stupid question, surely ? … not really when you consider what an atom is made up of.
Read MoreHow does a Nuclear Bomb work ?
Ever wondered how a nuclear bomb works? Here we look at the physics behind two types of these horrific devices: The Atom (or Fission) bomb and the Hydrogen (or Fusion) bomb.
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