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Astrophysics/forces of nature

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Expert: - 8/10/2007


Question
Is there a relationship between the forces of nature that exist on an
astronomical level and those that exist on the atomic and subatomic level?

Answer
Hello,

The only force we know of that exists on the "astronomical scale" is gravitation. Currently, there is intense and ongoing work to determine the extent to which quantum fields and forces can be integrated with gravity. The answer is not yet resolved to any physicists satisfaction but there are some promising "leads".

This comes under the general header of "quantum gravity".

You can find some excellent materials on this, to provde further insight, at the following sites:

http://www.weburbia.com/pg/qugrav.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity

http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/gr/public/qg_home.html

http://www.maths.nott.ac.uk/personal/jwb/qg.html  

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Volunteer

Philip A. Stahl

Expertise

I specialize in stellar and solar astrophysics. Can answer any questions pertaining to these areas, the spectroscopic analysis of stars – as well as the magneto-hydrodynamics of sunspots and solar flares. Sorry – No homework problems done or research projects! I will provide hints on solutions.

Experience

Have published papers on the relationship between sunspot morphology and solar flares; discovery of SID flares related to this, constructed computerized stellar models; MHD research.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar physics and Dynamical astronomy divisions), American Geophysical Union, American Mathematical Society, Intertel.

Publications
Solar Physics, Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Journal of the Barbados Astronomical Society, Meudon Solar Flare Proceedings (Meudon, France). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. degree in Astronomy; M.Phil. degree in Physics - specializing in solar physics.

Awards and Honors
Postgraduate research award- Barbados government; Studentship Award in Solar Physics - American Astronomical Society

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