Physics/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Rail gun mania | 2/9/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: I am seeing a lot of ink on science/technology websites lately about rail guns,and how great they ... A: Much more than twice, actually, and rail guns are reeeally old-hat. They were invented in 1918, ... | ||
| Astronomy | 2/7/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: I am going into 7th grade and want a science fair project about astronomy that would woo the ... A: What about astronomy interests you? What kind of equipment do you have? Astronomy projects that ... | ||
| hockey pucks | 2/7/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: If two hockey pucks are pushed at the same time from the same straight hockey stick, one puck is 4oz ... A: Of course it takes more force to accelerate the larger pucks. In the real world, ice is a funny ... | ||
| superconductivity | 2/6/2012 | Expert |
| Q: Do you believe superconductivity could be done by changing the current in some way not by changing ... A: > electrons can form cooper pairs at normal temperature You are apparently aware that ... | ||
| atoms | 2/6/2012 | Dr. Jeffery Raymond |
| Q: In referring to atoms, isn't the term nucleus used to describe a part of the neutron, as well as in ... A: When you say the "the middle of the neutron or the neutron" is seems like you may be referring to ... | ||
| hockey player questions | 2/6/2012 | James J. Kovalcin |
| Q: If two hockey pucks, one 4oz and the other one 6oz, are pushed on ice with the same force, which one ... A: The hockey puck with the greater mass will undergo the smaller acceleration and will, therefore, ... | ||
| atoms | 2/6/2012 | Dr. Jeffery Raymond |
| Q: In referring to atoms, isn't the term nucleus used to describe a part of the neutron, as well as in ... A: In short terms: No to the first part, Yes to the second. In chemistry and physics, the term nucleus ... | ||
| Balancing of static motorcycle | 2/6/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: It is very difficult to balance a two wheeler when it is non moving unless the leg support is given. ... A: Of course it depends on the angle and the location of the center of mas of the motorcycle. You ... | ||
| expansion of liquids | 2/6/2012 | Steve Johnson |
| Q: would it be possible to make mercury thermometre for measuring temperature if expansion of glass is ... A: Yes, it would be possible. The scale would be backwards from what we now have on a glass mercury ... | ||
| expansion of liquids | 2/6/2012 | James J. Kovalcin |
| Q: would it be possible to make mercury thermometre for measuring temperature if expansion of glass is ... A: Sure you could! But if the thermal expansion of the glass was greater than the thermal expansion of ... | ||
| thermodynamic | 2/6/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: what is the thermodynamic assumption made incase of inlet and outlet velocity of the turbine. A: Not being a turbine expert, per se, I would have to know more about the turbine. In the case of a ... | ||
| Stationary waves | 2/4/2012 | Steve Johnson |
| Q: One of the characteristic of a Stationary wave is that there is no net energy transfer. ... A: When you first studied freefall -- behavior of a dropped object, your analysis ignored the affect of ... | ||
| Electric Field Lines | 2/3/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: I took a test, and there was a question which is still bothering me, and I'm anxious to see if I put ... A: I'm not going to go into specifics, because this really reads like a homework problem, but the ... | ||
| physics | 2/3/2012 | James J. Kovalcin |
| Q: The mass of 1 cubic meter of air at sea level is about 1.3kg. How much does it weight in newtons? ... A: To convert the mass in kilograms to force in Newtons multiply by 9.8 N/kg. Multiply by 8000 to find ... | ||
| Mass energy | 2/3/2012 | James J. Kovalcin |
| Q: Where does the idea come from that energy is "within" mass, when Einstein's equation plainly ... A: That is not what Einstein's equation says! E=m*c^2 says that when you convert mass into energy (as ... | ||
| Electrostatics, Gauss' Law | 2/2/2012 | Steve Johnson |
| Q: What is the electrical field inside a nonconducting charged hollow sphere? My Explanation: In both ... A: The question implies that the charge distribution is non-uniform, but doesn't give any details. It ... | ||
| quantum mechanics | 2/2/2012 | Expert |
| Q: You have been very helpful in the past. I wonder if I can bother you with one further question. ... A: I'm pleasantly amazed at your insightful nature. Usually I have to state that your original ... | ||
| reflected light | 2/1/2012 | James J. Kovalcin |
| Q: Does reflected light say from the moon have an intensity registered in say candelpower? or lumens? A: I do not know the actual brightness of the reflected light from the sun but I do know that it is ... | ||
| physics | 1/31/2012 | Steve Johnson |
| Q: A 47 kg heavy object falls 40cm (on this planet) Report states the resulting g"force" is 1.842 I ... A: An acceleration on impact of 1.842 g could be legitimate. It depends on additional details. That ... | ||
| Wormholes | 1/31/2012 | Expert |
| Q: what are warm holes and what is relation of time with warm holes ? A: Wormholes (which I presume was the word you meant) are theoretical objects which would, IF they ... | ||
| seniors thesis | 1/31/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: my seniors thesis (philosophy) was an attempt at outlining an ontological sub-structure of the ... A: I can see why they rejected it, for one it's not written in the form of any reasonable journal ... | ||
| effect of moon's gravitational pull on cerebral fluid | 1/30/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: When I lie on my back face up, I cannot fall asleep because my brain won't shut off. I keep thinking ... A: Not by physics, no, this is a biology issue. And it's not the Moon's gravitational pull (yes Moon ... | ||
| i guess special relativity | 1/30/2012 | Expert |
| Q: Time at high "altitude" in "gravity hole" moves faster in relation to point A at sea level, or lower ... A: > Is this length contraction at high velocity, > then a length expansion in low gravity? Let's ... | ||
| general relativity | 1/30/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: Does each and every object even a dust mite bend space time? ANSWER: Yes. This site won't let me ... A: What you're poking at is the borderline between relativity and quantum mechanics. No one has been ... | ||
| i guess special relativity | 1/30/2012 | Expert |
| Q: Time at high "altitude" in "gravity hole" moves faster in relation to point A at sea level, or lower ... A: > Time at high "altitude" in "gravity hole" moves faster in relation to point A at sea level, > or ... | ||
| Physics | 1/30/2012 | James J. Kovalcin |
| Q: I have a wire, that carry a current I? Can we apply the Ampere's law from Maxwell's equation to this ... A: You only need to worry about current density if you are looking for,the magnetic field WITHIN the ... | ||
| Mass energy | 1/29/2012 | Steve Johnson |
| Q: Where does the idea come from that energy is "within" mass, when Einstein's equation plainly ... A: If we are still talking about the energy of Einstein's equation, then no, it is not the motion of ... | ||
| relative strength of forces. | 1/29/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: Steve, I heard a number of times that the force of gravity is considered to be massively weaker than ... A: Well, you have the terminoligy slightly wrong. The force it would exert on another body would ... | ||
| Mass energy | 1/28/2012 | Richard J. Raridon |
| Q: Where does the idea come from that energy is "within" mass, when Einstein's equation plainly ... A: Einstein's equation does not say E = (1/2)mv^2 (kinetic energyc. That dates back to Newton. ... | ||
| Mass energy | 1/28/2012 | Expert |
| Q: Where does the idea come from that energy is "within" mass, when Einstein's equation plainly ... A: > Einstein's equation plainly declares that > energy is mass that is "moving" ! (Mass x Velocity ... | ||
| Mass energy | 1/28/2012 | Steve Johnson |
| Q: Where does the idea come from that energy is "within" mass, when Einstein's equation plainly ... A: I'm afraid you have misunderstood Einstein's equation. Yes it says that energy = Mass x Velocity x ... | ||
| speed of light | 1/28/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: I asked this question to Richard J. Raridon He replied it was not his expertise I hope it is in ... A: What do you mean, light with mass? You mean the light source has mass? Because then you have an ... | ||
| relative strength of forces. | 1/28/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: Steve, I heard a number of times that the force of gravity is considered to be massively weaker than ... A: Not at all, the strength of the electromagnetic force and the existence of opposite charges is what ... | ||
| relative strength of forces. | 1/28/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: Steve, I heard a number of times that the force of gravity is considered to be massively weaker than ... A: With your example, you're dealing with a magnetic dipole (north and south ends). With gravity ... | ||
| network of circuits | 1/27/2012 | James J. Kovalcin |
| Q: I want to ask some problems about network in circuits. I am required to find the initial current ... A: Immediately after the switch has been closed no charge has yet accumulated on the plates of the ... | ||
| Investigating Static Electricity Using an Electroscope -- fun stuff. | 1/27/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: We performed a lab where using a neutral electroscope, we rubbed a PVC rod with fur, which made the ... A: Like charges repel, whether positive or negative. Electroscopes are generally based on ... | ||
| Gravitational potential | 1/24/2012 | Steve Johnson |
| Q: sir In all books and internet the gravitational potential is defined as the negative work done by ... A: 1) You need to understand that some mathematical concepts may not make 100% sense logically to most ... | ||
| Snowboard Physics | 1/23/2012 | Steve Nelson |
| Q: i am conducting an experiment in my science class and was wondering if you would be willing to be my ... A: Hey, I'm a snowboarder myself! Amount matters less than texture. The amount matters for how long ... | ||
| Phsyics Exam | 1/22/2012 | Richard J. Raridon |
| Q: I have an assignment that I was absent for and it's on "Waves and Vibrations." I have no idea what ... A: 1. Period T = 1/f 2. It depends upon the medium 3. A. 1.8m, B. 0.675m/s C. 0.375/s D. 2.67s 5. A. ... | ||
| matter dying and changing form | 1/21/2012 | Expert |
| Q: I apologize because I have very little knowledge of science. This is a very important question to ... A: First of all, my condolences on your deeply painful loss. I could never imagine what you are ... | ||
Physics
Answers by Expert:
Steve Nelson
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer most basic physics questions, physics questions about science fiction and everyday observations of physics, etc. I'm also usually good for science fair advice (I'm the regional science fair director). I do not answer homework problems. I will occasionally point out where a homework solution went wrong, though. I'm usually good at explaining odd observations that seem counterintuitive, energy science, nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics, and alternative theories of physics are my specialties.
Experience
I'm a physics professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, research in nuclear technology and nuclear astrophysics. I teach physics, nuclear chemistry, radiation safety, vacuum technology, and answer tons of questions as I tour schools encouraging students to consider careers in science.
Education/Credentials
Ph. D. from Duke University in physics, research in nuclear astrophysics reactions, gamma-ray astronomy technology, and advanced nuclear reactors.
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