Category Archives: Physics

Table of Nuclides

John F. Lindner December 1, 2019 8:22 PM

As of 2019, we have identified or synthesized 118 distinct elements with Z protons, but about 2900 distinct nuclides with N neutrons (where atom is to element as nucleus is to nuclide). The start of my version of the table … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics | Leave a comment

Wooster Epicycles

John F. Lindner June 30, 2019 8:26 PM

A vector is the sum of its components, a mechanical vibration is a combination of its normal mode motions, a quantum state is a superposition of its eigenstates, and any “nice” function is a Fourier sum of real or complex sinusoids, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mathematics, Physics | Leave a comment

Redefining SI

John F. Lindner May 20, 2019 6:49 AM

Today the SI (Système international d’unités) base units are redefined. The following are now exact. Memorize these numbers! Cs-133 transition frequency constant  defines the second. Then light speed constant  defines the meter. Then Planck’s constant  defines the kilogram. Then electron charge constant  defines … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics | Leave a comment

Black Hole Radii

John F. Lindner April 10, 2019 9:42 PM

I set the alarm for 8:55 AM. Brutal, but I wanted to watch live the National Science Foundation Event Horizon Telescope news conference. I was expecting the first image of a black hole, and the EHT team did not disappoint. … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Physics, Space Exploration | Leave a comment

March Meeting — Guest Blog by Carlos Owusu-Ansah ’21

Susan Lehman March 11, 2019 11:06 AM

I thought the March APS meeting was fantastic. It felt great to present our research findings to people who cared about what Dr. Lindner and I were working on at the College. I attended fun talks about astronomical phenomena and … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics, Students, Travel | Leave a comment

March Meeting — Guest Blog by Katie Shideler ’21

Susan Lehman March 8, 2019 5:17 PM

Having never been to a physics conference, or even to the city of Boston, attending the annual American Physical Society’s March Meeting was all around a new and incredible experience. Being able to present my research to physicists from across … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Fun, Physics, Students, Travel | Leave a comment

March Meeting 2019 Boston

Susan Lehman March 7, 2019 8:06 AM

I’m currently in Boston for the 2019 March Meeting, which is as exciting, overwhelming, and exhausting as usual! You may remember last March Meeting, we were in LA, which was naturally nice and warm.  Boston welcomed the March Meeting with … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics, Travel, Wooster | Leave a comment

Relativistic Colors

John F. Lindner February 23, 2019 3:04 PM

Metallium, Inc. is attempting to manufacture coins made from as many different metals (and elements) as possible, typically 99 to 99.9% pure. My Metallium coin collection currently includes aluminum, titanium, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, tin, and gold coins. Most … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics | Leave a comment

720° untangles 360° tangles

John F. Lindner January 27, 2019 11:46 AM

Despite growing up in three dimensions, as a kid I did not recognize one of 3D’s deep and subtle properties: full rotations tangle, but double rotations untangle! Following physicist Paul Dirac, twist a belt one full turn about its length. … Continue reading →

Posted in Mathematics, Physics | 1 Comment

1+2+3+… = -1/12?

John F. Lindner December 21, 2018 5:52 PM

In quantum electrodynamics, the bare charge of an electron is infinite, but the renormalized dressed charge is finite. The bare electron shields itself by polarizing the virtual electron-positron pairs of the nearby quantum vacuum to reduce its coupling at large distances to in natural … Continue reading →

Posted in Mathematics, Physics | Leave a comment