Physics news

Xjmt · Post by **Xjmt** » Thu May 04, 2006 11:38 am

Henry J wrote:Awright, who let Daffy on this thread?

You applied, didn't you?

Henry J · Post by **Henry J** » Fri May 05, 2006 7:38 am

Measurements May Help Show If Constants Are Changing

Physicists at JILA have performed the first-ever precision measurements using ultracold molecules, in work that may help solve a long-standing scientific mystery—whether so-called constants of nature have changed since the dawn of the universe.

Rstegman · Post by **Rstegman** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:19 am

The truth of science:

Constants arn't

and

variables won't

Henry J · Post by **Henry J** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:13 am

Physics in Universe's Youth

Using a quasar located 12.3 billion light-years away as a beacon, a team of astronomers detected the presence of molecular hydrogen in the farthest system ever, an otherwise invisible galaxy that we observe when the Universe was less than 1.5 billion years old, that is, about 10% of its present age. The astronomers find that there is about one hydrogen molecule for 250 hydrogen atoms. A similar set of observations for two other quasars, together with the most precise laboratory measurements, allows scientists to infer that the ratio of the proton to electron masses may have changed with time. If confirmed, this would have important consequences on our understanding of physics.

Hmmm - what was that Roger was saying about constants and variables?

Henry

Xjmt · Post by **Xjmt** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:12 pm

Shut up and eat your variables or you're not gonna get dessert!!

lswot · Post by **lswot** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:12 am

A similar set of observations for two other quasars, together with the most precise laboratory measurements, allows scientists to infer that the ratio of the proton to electron masses may have changed with time. If confirmed, this would have important consequences on our understanding of physics.

".......but ye canna change the laws of Physics!"

Henry J · Post by **Henry J** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:19 am

Re "".......but ye canna change the laws of Physics!""

Yeah? Watcha think that guy Einstein did early last century?

Henry

Henry J · Post by **Henry J** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:57 am

Light's Most Exotic Trick Yet: So Fast it Goes ... Backwards?

In the past few years, scientists have found ways to make light go both faster and slower than its usual speed limit, but now researchers at the University of Rochester have published a paper today in Science on how they've gone one step further: pushing light into reverse. As if to defy common sense, the backward-moving pulse of light travels faster than light.

Confused? You're not alone.

(I'm not alone? Goody!)

lswot · Post by **lswot** » Fri May 12, 2006 10:36 am

....and why would you want light to go backwards?

'cause if it's going backwards.....how do you know where your going?

Website · Post by **brian** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:08 am

From the animation link within the article, it almost looks more like a reflection, rather than actually traveling backwards.

The light leaving the fiber before it actually enters is

though.

Xjmt · Post by **Xjmt** » Fri May 12, 2006 12:57 pm

The light leaving the fiber before it actually enters is though

Oh, I don't know. Just think through the generations how many husbands left the bar loooooooong before their wives called.

Website · Post by **brian** » Fri May 12, 2006 1:55 pm

And the check is always in the mail before it's written.

Henry J · Post by **Henry J** » Fri May 12, 2006 3:29 pm

Re "And the check is always in the mail before it's written."

Temporal mechanics at work...

lswot · Post by **lswot** » Sat May 13, 2006 12:48 pm

Henry J wrote:Re "And the check is always in the mail before it's written."

Temporal mechanics at work...

My head! My head!

Henry J · Post by **Henry J** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:15 pm

Re "My head! My head!"

Well, two "My heads" are better than one, I guess.

Henry