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Category Archives: Physics
Table of Nuclides
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
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Wooster Epicycles
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
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Redefining SI
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
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Black Hole Radii
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
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March Meeting — Guest Blog by Carlos Owusu-Ansah ’21
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
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March Meeting — Guest Blog by Katie Shideler ’21
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
March Meeting 2019 Boston
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
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Relativistic Colors
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
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720° untangles 360° tangles
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
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1+2+3+… = -1/12?
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
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