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Physics/Questions Answered by Expert Expert

SubjectDate Asked
superconductivity2/6/2012
  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 ...
quantum mechanics2/2/2012
  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 ...
Wormholes1/31/2012
  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 ...
i guess special relativity1/30/2012
  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 ...
i guess special relativity1/30/2012
  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 ...
Mass energy1/28/2012
  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 ...
matter dying and changing form1/21/2012
  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 ...
General Relativity1/20/2012
  Q: Usually, when I read about general relativity, I found remark that the theory explained what causes ...
  A: > But it seems to me ... that general relativity only shifted the> Am I missing something? You're ...
Time in and near a black hole1/18/2012
  Q: why time is slow near black hole and zero inside it? ANSWER: Einstein derived the fact that a clock ...
  A: The effect is called "gravitational time dilation," and it is a consequence of general relativity. ...
Our Earth as a magnet1/17/2012
  Q: we say that magnet does not work in high temperature,on the other side we say that earth act as a ...
  A: There are two ways to create a magnetic field, but only one is susceptible to heat. In a permanent ...
Time in and near a black hole1/16/2012
  Q: why time is slow near black hole and zero inside it?
  A: Einstein derived the fact that a clock within a gravitational field will run more slowly than an ...
Physics terminology1/15/2012
  Q: what is difference b/w magneto and ac generator and difference b/w e m f and pd
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Physics : Electricity1/14/2012
  Q: I was told by some expert that stones are poor conductors of electricity. If so, why are we getting ...
  A: The 'zap' you feel when your body comes into contact with a voltage -- whether from a build up of ...
testable predictions1/11/2012
  Q: Physicists generally want theories they can test. In reviewing the stuff of "physics 101" I got the ...
  A: The "mistake" that Physics2012 refers to are crude experiments done over 250 years ago. While Emilie ...
Reusing energy for electricity1/9/2012
  Q: I was wondering if thin solar cells had been created and if infrared cells had been invented which ...
  A: > I was wondering if thin solar cells had been created Depending what you mean by "thin." Usable ...
relativity1/7/2012
  Q: Sorry to bother you again. I seem fixated on this issue. This is short. Does every single object ...
  A: In every instance where one object is moving with respect to a frame (and that frame can be our ...
Explosive uncertainty?12/31/2011
  Q: Just for fun, I wrote a program in visual basic to simulate the motion of an array of 100 particles ...
  A: I'm going to conclude that you are asking about the (theoretical) large amounts energy one might see ...
Limit of electrons in the universe12/31/2011
  Q: If the speed of light (C) is a speed limit for electrons and Planck's constant (h) determines the ...
  A: > Planck's constant (h) determines the minimum size of any steps > between energy levels an ...
Are humans magnetic?12/31/2011
  Q: Are humans magnetic?
  A: Fortunately, no. If our bodies generated a magnetic field even one-tenth the strength of our ...
microwave optics12/28/2011
  Q: People may not have money to repair microwave ovens. Wax and paraffin focus microwaves well so that ...
  A: I'm not sure what you mean by "stray microwaves," but there's not a lot of them going around. If ...
Lightning12/26/2011
  Q: I was wondering if it might ever become possible to generate lightning artificially(ie originating ...
  A: > might ever become possible to generate lightning artificially MIGHT it EVER become POSSIBLE? (say ...
Pollination via sound waves12/24/2011
  Q: To whoever can answer my question; I would like to make a small lucerne plant vibrate using sound ...
  A: There are two steps necessary for proper pollination of any flowering plant: (1) pollen from the ...
decay of particle physics12/21/2011
  Q: " A particle cannot spontaneously decay into particles heavier than itself is actually a consequence ...
  A: "Spontaneous" decay means a decay occurring by the particle by itself -- no other particle involved. ...
Buoyancy12/20/2011
  Q: My question is, how the bottom of a submerged object experiences more upward force compared to its ...
  A: NOTE: I'm emphasizing certain prepositions because, over the decades, I have found that people get ...
Buoyancy12/19/2011
  Q: My question is, how the bottom of a submerged object experiences more upward force compared to its ...
  A: Let's rephrase your example EVER so slightly. Let's say, instead of examining a cork with one ...
Buoyancy12/18/2011
  Q: My question is, how the bottom of a submerged object experiences more upward force compared to its ...
  A: A short intro to the buoyant force. Every object at or near the surface of our planet experiences ...
condensation on car windows12/12/2011
  Q: Not sure if this is a physics question but I have observed 2 contrasting things happening recently & ...
  A: You are correct. Condensation occurs much more readily on dirt particles. Indeed, without such dust ...
condensation on car windows12/11/2011
  Q: Not sure if this is a physics question but I have observed 2 contrasting things happening recently & ...
  A: I can only pass on some simple facts about what causes condensation on windows (or on any other ...
Relativity12/9/2011
  Q: Sorry to bother you with this probably silly question. Thank you for your patience. I was just ...
  A: > Sorry to bother you I do this out of love for the spread of scientific understanding -- no ...
relativity12/8/2011
  Q: This may be a very very dumb question. I am taking the liberty of asking it and than you for your ...
  A: Joan! Hope you don't mind me trying to answer this question as well. > Does this mean that time ...
Sound intensity12/6/2011
  Q: sir in what factor does the intensity of sound depends ?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
EM Radiation,12/6/2011
  Q: Welcome back , I hope you had a good vacation. EM radiation "reacts" with different material ...
  A: > but the casing is made of metal? The beaming of microwaves into the oven chamber results in a ...
EM Radiation,12/5/2011
  Q: Welcome back , I hope you had a good vacation. EM radiation "reacts" with different material ...
  A: > I hope you had a good vacation. I did, thank you. > What determines this difference? The main ...
Definition of "light"12/4/2011
  Q: Is the term "light" used to refer to the entire electromagnetic spectrum or does this term only ...
  A: IN GENERAL, the use of the word "light" in physics means that part of the EM spectrum that is ...
Change in the gravitational constant12/3/2011
  Q: sir by any mean can the value of universal gravitational consantant change "G"?
  A: The answer is simple: no. In our present understanding of our Universe, no measurable change in the ...
motion of motorcyclist in death well12/2/2011
  Q: Sir I am confused that why in death well(a person motorcycling on slightly curved vertical walls)the ...
  A: > But friction is always directed opposite to the motion Not quite. There are two types of ...
Radiation11/28/2011
  Q: is it possible to get cancer from other peoples radiation that their body emits?
  A: According to http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/03/radiation-chart.html a person would need to receive ...
RELATIVITY11/28/2011
  Q: Apte, This is a very simple minded question and I know I am taking liberties to ask it. Thank you ...
  A: Although I am not Mr Apte, it appears nobody else has volunteered to answer this question over the ...
Dark Matter and Dark Energy11/22/2011
  Q: I heard that dark matter was a result of seeing all the gazillion kgs of mass in the universe and ...
  A: You seem to be confusing two facts about our Universe, which have nothing to do with each other ...
Contact between materials of different densities11/9/2011
  Q: What happens when very different densities come into contact with each other? Looking for ...
  A: "What happens" depends greatly on which materials of different densities come into contact with ...
polarization11/8/2011
  Q: the animated diagrams were a big help.Can I assume that unpolarized light is the only source of EM ...
  A: > What makes some radiation polarized and others partially polarized? For the most part, the ...
Infinite speed of light11/7/2011
  Q: sir my question is thatif the speed of light were infinite,what would the equation of special ...
  A: The two equations of special relativity involve a ratio of the velocity 'v' of the observer ...
polarization11/6/2011
  Q: the animated diagrams were a big help.Can I assume that unpolarized light is the only source of EM ...
  A: > Can I assume that unpolarized light is the only source of EM radiation? No. Light and EM ...
Moon in orbit11/1/2011
  Q: Why doesn't the moon crash into the earth when the earth is between the moon and the sun ? Two ...
  A: If it seems to have taken a longer time than normal to get an answer, or if I'm repeating an answer ...
Circularly polarized light11/1/2011
  Q: I am reading up on light and came across this statement...If light is composed of two plane waves of ...
  A: This IS a confusing concept. Bear with me as I try to explain it. As you correctly note, ...
Maintaining a standing position10/25/2011
  Q: now picture this if a man is standing on his feet normally then the weight of his body would be ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Gravity and Extra Dimensions10/14/2011
  Q: I'm trying to understand theories about extra dimensions of space. How does the end result of a ...
  A: > if gravitons do exist, is it necessarily the case that they escape to another dimension? No, but ...
Echoes10/7/2011
  Q: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_%28phenomenon%29 1. why echo only in specific places/areas ? - ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Why the speed of light is special10/5/2011
  Q: Why can't we restate the nothing can go faster than light , with nothing can go faster than a ...
  A: > my understanding of light is probably wrong. Not a problem -- the nature of light is VERY ...
Why the speed of light is special10/5/2011
  Q: Why can't we restate the nothing can go faster than light , with nothing can go faster than a ...
  A: > Why can't we restate the nothing can go faster than light, > with nothing can go faster than a ...
Freezing water with dissolved solid in it9/29/2011
  Q: I know salt effects the freezing time of water, but does sugar and baking soda affect it to? If so ...
  A: The fastest way to find out the effect of sugar and baking soda on the freezing time of water is to ...
Megnetic field and its effect on protons9/27/2011
  Q: Sir / Madam please tell me which pole of a magnetic field attracts or repels +ve charge. If +ve ...
  A: I'm not sure I understand the question, but I'll answer what I THINK you're wondering about. In ...
How much can we know about our Universe9/11/2011
  Q: Good day It has been said that most of the universe is dark matter and unseen and that the visible ...
  A: When scientists speak of "the Universe," they usually mean "that part of the Universe that we can ...
Force equals mass times acceleration9/9/2011
  Q: circular motion = acceleration ? A piece of mass falling is defined by (mass x acceleration). Is a ...
  A: The acceleration of the center of mass of the disk is, indeed, equal to the sum of all external ...
Ball spinning down a tube9/4/2011
  Q: I'm over 40, this is not homework. At the science centre there's a vortex that you roll a ball down ...
  A: 1) If the pipe were tapered such that the decrease in the radius (thus causing an increase in the ...
Ball spinning down a tube9/2/2011
  Q: I'm over 40, this is not homework. At the science centre there's a vortex that you roll a ball down ...
  A: Okay, I'm a little confused. I've been proceeding on the assumption that what you saw is similar to ...
Gravity9/2/2011
  Q: I'm over 40, this is not homework. At the science centre there's a vortex that you roll a ball down ...
  A: 1. The ball will maintain its angular momentum (AM) the whole length down the tube. AM is a ...
Neutral wire9/1/2011
  Q: i want to know that why we need neutral wire ?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Stimulated emission8/18/2011
  Q: Suppose an electron is in a higher energy level and a photon comes along with an energy equal to the ...
  A: The electron doesn't "need" a photon coming along to make it go down to a lower energy state. It's ...
Invention of the Wheel - Circular Shape8/10/2011
  Q: Invention of the Wheel ---------------------- There are Two Wheelers, Three Wheelers and Four ...
  A: Try to imagine what a bicycle ride would be like if the tires of you bicycle were oval instead of ...
EMF or gauss8/10/2011
  Q: I live about 300 feet away from hi power lines. I recently bought a gauss meter (dr.gauss name) to ...
  A: Let's make certain we understand what you're looking for, and why. Any time something electric ...
Why we see bands in a rainbow8/3/2011
  Q: rainbow is formed by refraction and total internal reflection of sunlight from many water drops in ...
  A: The light that we end up seeing as a rainbow originates from one source (our Sun), and thus it ...
Battery for boiling water7/28/2011
  Q: What other type of battery can you use to boil water rather than that of a car?
  A: I'm not sure I understand the question you want answered, but I'll answer the one you asked. Any ...
Relativisitic mass7/18/2011
  Q: Sir what happens to the mass of the body when it approaches/greater than the speed of light? Will ...
  A: If an object, with mass m(0) when at rest in a frame, begins to travel at velocity 'v' with respect ...
Dark matter as super-massive black holes7/9/2011
  Q: Is there any real evidence for the existence of dark matter? is it not more likely that all the ...
  A: > Is it possible to disprove this? Yes, very easily. Black holes leave VERY distinct traces of ...
Breaking the sound7/8/2011
  Q: I'm working on a comics script with a "superhero" protagonist. The guy puts on his spandex, and ...
  A: > Do you think a human-sized and shaped object breaking the sound barrier > would produce a boom ...
Breaking the sound "barrier"7/7/2011
  Q: I'm working on a comics script with a "superhero" protagonist. The guy puts on his spandex, and ...
  A: The problem with super-heroes knowing when they achieve Mach 1 is that most of the indications of ...
Effects of plane mirror7/5/2011
  Q: This question may seem rudimentary to you but the answer has always escaped me; firstly does the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
What is a modulated G-wave ?7/5/2011
  Q: Let me ask you a simple question, is there a possibility to transform the gravity potential energy ...
  A: > is there a possibility to transform the gravity potential energy > into electrostatic potentai ...
Recombination (NOT Big Bang) in our Universe6/21/2011
  Q: the microwave radiation which was emitted as an aftershock of big bang is circulating around the ...
  A: About 377,000 years AFTER the Big Bang, the temperature and density of every part of our Universe ...
'He-Ne' Lasers6/21/2011
  Q: In Helium-Neon laser, why is the ratio of He to Ne 4 to 1? (as in why does He need to be supplied ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Smoke6/17/2011
  Q: Why do we get more smoke when we blow out a match? thanks
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Initial angular momentum6/17/2011
  Q: how did earth and other planets in our solar system start to go around the sun?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Evaporation and Water Cooling6/17/2011
  Q: .. We have a small, salt water swimming pool at our home in Mexico. Seasonally, right about now, ...
  A: In order to get maximum cooling, you need to maximum evaporation. Your question seems to be, "Would ...
Boiling water6/16/2011
  Q: when you boil water ,what takes place during the boiling process
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
mass energy equivalence6/8/2011
  Q: when a body moves at a velocity close to that of light,mass of the body increases dramatically for ...
  A: The observer on Earth sees the Earth standing still, and a bomb coming towards it at near-light ...
Schrodinger Equation6/8/2011
  Q: Would you be able to explain in simple words "Solutions to the Schrodinger Equation". And if ...
  A: Depends what you mean by "real life events." Two things to note about SE: 1) the number of ...
Schrodinger Equation6/7/2011
  Q: Would you be able to explain in simple words "Solutions to the Schrodinger Equation". And if ...
  A: Not sure what you're asking for and, obviously, I have strong reason to think this is a request for ...
An object falling from rest6/3/2011
  Q: Imagine you are at the top floor of a skyscraper. I am interested in knowing what happens when you ...
  A: > t2 is the time it takes for you to stop moving downward from the precise moment > when you touch ...
Fourth spatial dimension6/3/2011
  Q: is 4th axis is possible or are there could be 4 dimensions?
  A: I presume you mean a fourth SPATIAL dimension. In other words, might our 3-d Universe be part of a ...
An object falling from rest6/2/2011
  Q: Imagine you are at the top floor of a skyscraper. I am interested in knowing what happens when you ...
  A: Let's get some things straight here. 1) Whenever you are on the surface of our Earth, you are NEVER ...
Atomic resonance6/1/2011
  Q: Atoms emit resonance. Because all objects (e.g. a table) are made of atoms, do they also emit some ...
  A: > atoms do emit (and absorb) vibrating energy? In the sense that electromagnetic energy (ie, light) ...
Atomic resonance5/31/2011
  Q: Atoms emit resonance. Because all objects (e.g. a table) are made of atoms, do they also emit some ...
  A: Atoms do NOT emit a resonance. This statement is a misunderstanding of the fact that the differences ...
Why is gravitational acceleration the same for all masses?5/26/2011
  Q: If you have a golf ball falling to earth the earth pulls on it with force "A". The golf ball pulls ...
  A: > 1. Why are their falling Accelerations the same if their interacting Forces are so different? ...
Relativistic Time Dilation5/24/2011
  Q: my question is on relativity.Let us say two persons,one is standing still and other is moving with ...
  A: > So acceleration is responsible for time dilation? No. Remember the initial setup, where both ...
Relativistic Time Dilation5/23/2011
  Q: my question is on relativity.Let us say two persons,one is standing still and other is moving with ...
  A: > Let us say person B comes back and meets person A after a long time, > and compare their ...
Relativistic Time Dilation5/22/2011
  Q: my question is on relativity.Let us say two persons,one is standing still and other is moving with ...
  A: > one is standing still and other is moving with uniform velocity First thing to know about ...
Innovative idea5/20/2011
  Q: Sir, I am a deputy engineer in an organization, which i don't want to disclose. I just , after ...
  A: I suggest you consult with a patent attorney. Depending on the contract you signed and the amount of ...
"Fumes" from ice blocks5/18/2011
  Q: why fumes found around ice blocks.'Fumes' here I mean, like snow(fog) or like water vapor.
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Electron changes its spin number5/9/2011
  Q: If there is an atom whose last orbital requires one electron to complete it's octet and this orbital ...
  A: > If this is possible then in doing so the electron must go through a state where its has spin zero ...
Bending of light5/7/2011
  Q: It is said that photon has a dual nature and while it propogates it is in wave nature.when the same ...
  A: You are correct to note two things: 1) a photon has no mass. 2) a photon will change its direction ...
Sign convention for electric force5/5/2011
  Q: What is the sign conventions used while writing force between charged particles? negative for ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Electron movement4/23/2011
  Q: In a fluorescent light tube,thr electrons are excited and they jump from one energy level to the ...
  A: When events get to the quantum level, concepts like "movement" and "location" no longer have the ...
Space battles4/22/2011
  Q: Would you please explain how rocket fuel burns in space, where there is no combustible gas? I have ...
  A: You will invariably find that people who create visual depictions of events are more interested in ...
Lorentz Force4/22/2011
  Q: Consider two point charges each moving with velocoty, v, on the same plane along perpendicular ...
  A: > the relativistic field transformations describe how the magnitudes of the E-field > around a ...
Rocket fuel4/22/2011
  Q: Would you please explain how rocket fuel burns in space, where there is no combustible gas? I have ...
  A: To parody an old saying, "This IS rocket science." The problem of how to provide enough oxygen to ...
Lorentz Force4/20/2011
  Q: Consider two point charges each moving with velocoty, v, on the same plane along perpendicular ...
  A: Excellent question! I had to think about for a day or so, and I'm not TOTALLY sure I have the ...
kinetic energy in a specific frame4/19/2011
  Q: My problem is with the formula E_k = 1/2 mv^2 for the kinetic energy. It looks possible to use a ...
  A: > It looks impossible to me that A observes that the rocket uses three times less fuel than what B ...
kinetic energy in a specific frame4/19/2011
  Q: My problem is with the formula E_k = 1/2 mv^2 for the kinetic energy. It looks possible to use a ...
  A: > the amount of fuel the rocket is actually consuming should be invariant in both reference frames. ...
Calculating speed4/19/2011
  Q: I have always been curious as to how fast I am traveling at peak speed while wakeboarding. ...
  A: Your forward speed was 22.5 mph, or 33.1 feet per second. That's the easy part. Taking a quick ...
kinetic energy in a specific frame4/19/2011
  Q: My problem is with the formula E_k = 1/2 mv^2 for the kinetic energy. It looks possible to use a ...
  A: > What do I miss? Actually, nothing. The problem is that, when discussing conservation of any ...
radiation from monitors4/18/2011
  Q: what kind of radiation does a tv and a computer that is not wireless emit? thanks, gia
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Entropy, emergence, and energy4/13/2011
  Q: Expert, Whenever we observe emergence, can we assume that somewhere there is a corresponding ...
  A: Okay, let me rephrase your question to this: "Does the total entropy of any closed, total system ...
Emergence4/13/2011
  Q: Expert, Whenever we observe emergence, can we assume that somewhere there is a corresponding ...
  A: Please define, in your own words, the word "emergence." It seems to have a a specific scientific ...
Newton's Third Force Law4/13/2011
  Q: is 3rd law also follow in cricket???means vn ball came 2batsman and batsman pushses....dn action and ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Units of electricity4/11/2011
  Q: If a Weber is a VoltSecond, and a Weber x an Amp = Electricity. How can an Amp be defined as Charge ...
  A: An old joke warns against bad writing by saying, "Don't change horse metaphors in the middle of ...
physics4/10/2011
  Q: why are buildings not falling down
  A: I presume because they are sufficiently well-built to not do so. I also presume you'll want more ...
Mass with only two dimensions4/9/2011
  Q: Is it possible in our 3D world for a particle of Mass to be only 2 dimensional ? Thanks, Craig ...
  A: The short answer is no. > Is it possible for Mass to be divided by Distance The slightly longer ...
Miles Mathis4/9/2011
  Q: Could this really be true ? http://www.milesmathis.com/angle.html Thanks, John
  A: Any time a person without doctoral level scientific training claims s/he has discovered something ...
Mass with only two dimensions4/9/2011
  Q: Is it possible in our 3D world for a particle of Mass to be only 2 dimensional ? Thanks, Craig
  A: The short answer is no. An object with mass can not have EXACTLY two dimensions. The longer answer ...
Speed of sound4/5/2011
  Q: Does the speed of sound depend on the observer. I know the frequency does, by Dopplers' effect?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
effects of gravity4/4/2011
  Q: the recent earthquake and tsunami in japan leads me to question the influance of gravity ...
  A: > the moon is in its lowest orbit in 17 years and Not quite correct. Our Moon is at its perigee ...
Energy4/2/2011
  Q: Not homework. A heavy lead ball falls for a period of time (Mass x Acceleration x Time) or (Mass x ...
  A: I'm not sure I fully understand the question, so I'll just explain the energy situation. When the ...
magnetism in vacuum3/31/2011
  Q: Does magnetism occur in vacuum?why?
  A: Magnetic lines of force can exist in a vacuum. Indeed, the magnetic fields surrounding the planet ...
Clarification regarding circular motion3/29/2011
  Q: Sir, I have a basic doubt for long in the example of a car moving along a circular motion. After ...
  A: Every where it says that it is the frictional force between the ground and the tire that provides ...
Hockey Stick question3/26/2011
  Q: My apologies for not paying full attention to your description when I asked my question. I now note ...
  A: > My apologies for not paying full attention to your description Your apology is accepted. > what ...
Basic physics definitions3/25/2011
  Q: um I'm in 8th grade and were touching the subject of 'Physics' and I understand it mostly, however ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure that my help is ...
liquid falling out of a straw3/25/2011
  Q: A debate with a friend lead gave me a randomWhen you drink out of a straw, you have a suction force ...
  A: > Am I misunderstanding? No. You are correct, your friend is wrong. Pretty much the entire reason ...
Hole from one equator point to another3/25/2011
  Q: I have been thinking about a thought experiment in which you dig a hole from one point on earth to ...
  A: What you will experience is called the "Coriolis Effect." ...
Anti-Time3/25/2011
  Q: Is there any such idea or concept in physics as anti-time? Meaning something I do now will create an ...
  A: The short answer is, "No." As far as we know, there is no way to do so. Probably the long answer is ...
Gravitational potential3/22/2011
  Q: why gravitation potential is negative and maximum value is zero at infinity?
  A: > maximum value is zero at infinity? The choice of where to set a zero point -- indeed, where to ...
Energy of nuclear fission3/20/2011
  Q: Energy is released in nuclear fission because the average binding energy per nucleon of the fission ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Energy conservation with heat3/19/2011
  Q: I know that energy cannot be created nor destroyed but can only be converted from one form to ...
  A: > wouldn't the atmosphere heat up? That (for the most part) is EXACTLY what happens! Just not by ...
Energy conservation with heat3/19/2011
  Q: I know that energy cannot be created nor destroyed but can only be converted from one form to ...
  A: > what happens to the energy then? > The heat and sound don't go forever... Actually, they do. The ...
Why are "super" moons so rare?3/19/2011
  Q: in the previous Q I meant 27 days and not 24 hrs,the time period for one rev around the earth.sorry ...
  A: Obviously, our Moon reaches its perigee once every 27 days. However, this perigee does not always ...
Induction Magnetometer3/18/2011
  Q: Why does HAARP's INDUCTION MAGNETOMETER in Alaska pick up so much activity in the days leading up to ...
  A: Perhaps a pre-cursor to a major earthquake is slight changes in the Earth's magnetic flux. Whether ...
Movement on a molecular level3/17/2011
  Q: Hey there, As the subject line states, my question relates to the ability to control and move ...
  A: Controlling matter at a molecular or lower level would, I think, give the following abilities: 1) ...
Surface tension3/16/2011
  Q: I have understood that why the surface gets contracted(minimizes its area) under surface tenion, but ...
  A: Although I cannot find these words ANYWHERE in the URL I noted ...
Law of radioactive decay3/14/2011
  Q: I have published this hypothtical paper on scitopics.com and would appreciate if you could solve ...
  A: As with most formulae, the one for radioactive decay is a statistical approximation, good only for ...
Surface tension3/13/2011
  Q: I have understood that why the surface gets contracted(minimizes its area) under surface tenion, but ...
  A: I do not see the phrase "negative potential energy" in the article. Could you quote the EXACT ...
State function, Path function3/13/2011
  Q: Sir,my Q is:How can we say that a function say internal energy is state variables and not a path ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Magnetic force3/5/2011
  Q: could you explain why a conductor with current flowing through it exhibits a magnetic field with ...
  A: > why the force on the same wire [is] instead perpendicular I'm presuming that, ultimately, you're ...
Sectional density of the human body3/2/2011
  Q: Once a human leaves the ground and propels himself at another human example a football player ...
  A: > Do they turn into a projectile? If you want to refer to a person in that way, I can't stop you. ...
Einstein using trains to explain relativity3/2/2011
  Q: I am seeking confirmation and direction to the best known concepts in physics that were/are ...
  A: My internet search for the terms relativity einstein train yielded almost 88,000 hits. Amongst the ...
fundamental quantity3/1/2011
  Q: i have a really basic question what does world made of?is it made from time,length,mass,q,or from ...
  A: At its most basic level, as best we can tell, our Universe consists of quarks, leptons, and bosons. ...
Calculating forces3/1/2011
  Q: Find the coefficient of kinetic friction between a 3.85-kg block and the horizontal surface on which ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Weight and airflow2/28/2011
  Q: what is lighter helium or air and witch one has a better airflow when coming out of a balloon.
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
boiling water a second time2/28/2011
  Q: If water has been boiled in a teakettle, then cooled, will it be as hot if brought to a boil again?
  A: I'll rephrase thedoes water that has been boiled have a different boiling point than water that has ...
Relativity2/26/2011
  Q: suppose that a man is moving in its car with the speed of light then what will happen? does the ...
  A: I'm going to change the question to "someone is moving in a car at a constant velocity NEAR the ...
Sending water into space2/23/2011
  Q: I have a number of scenarios i've thought about over the years. I have drawn a simple diagram to ...
  A: Your question is very interesting, mainly because the scenario you suggest -- taking water out of ...
Potential energy of a system2/23/2011
  Q: There are two dust particles of equal mass and equal positive charge. They are separated by a ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Electric field within a uniformly charge sphere2/22/2011
  Q: Consider a sphere of radius R=7.5 m where a charge Q=9.0 microcoulombs is uniformly distributed ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
rotation2/22/2011
  Q: I want to ask about a comman observation which has an unanswered question. i want to know why the ...
  A: > I want to ask about a comman observation which has an unanswered question Actually, this common ...
Need more info to help2/21/2011
  Q: Could you please explain to me (preferably as simply as possible) the physics behind the microwave ...
  A: I am unable to answer this question unless I know how complicated an explanation is "too ...
angular momentum2/21/2011
  Q: Can you assist me with this? An 8 k8 shot makes 7 complete revolutions during it 2.5 sec flight. If ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Transmission of radio and TV2/20/2011
  Q: sir why cable Tv is preffedred? Also tell how transmission of radio waves can be heard in hilly ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Force and power defined2/18/2011
  Q: When trying to understand the basic relationships between force, power and energy by applying the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Energy in an electric field2/18/2011
  Q: I am not able to find solution for homework question A uniform electric field E = 3400 V/m exists ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Acceleration and force2/17/2011
  Q: A ball falling is Force (Mass x Acceleration) When the ball comes to rest on the earth, it still ...
  A: Apparently you did not read my initial sentence in this response. Or, if you did, you either ignored ...
Work, Electric Potential2/16/2011
  Q: WHAT WORK IS REQUIRED TO BRING A CHARGE OF 2 X 10^-7 Coulomb FROM A POINT IN VACUUM 30cm FROM A ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Acceleration and force2/15/2011
  Q: A ball falling is Force (Mass x Acceleration) When the ball comes to rest on the earth, it still ...
  A: > A ball falling is Force (Mass x Acceleration) You reveal a misunderstanding right at the start. ...
Change of energy2/14/2011
  Q: A sports car accelerates rapidly from a stop and "burns rubber" A. What energy transformations ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Velocity and acceleration2/13/2011
  Q: At the beginning of a 3.00 h plane trip, you are traveling due north at 192 km/h. At the end, you ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Units of mass and weight2/10/2011
  Q: It seems as if, in common usage of units of weight, kilogram is used as the equivalent to pounds in ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Dent in Mass2/9/2011
  Q: A dent that occurs in a piece of Mass (being formed in the Mass). How is that occurance defined via ...
  A: As far as I know, "dent" has no mathematical definition. It's just an indentation in an object ...
Orbit of our Moon2/9/2011
  Q: What is the ratio of the accelerations, velocities and positions (with respect to the center of ...
  A: As it's now been over a month since this homework question was asked, it will give no unfair ...
Spring, force, and momentum conservation2/4/2011
  Q: Two blocks, one if mass m1= 10kg and the other of mass m2= 50 kg are attached to a rope. Between ...
  A: As this homework question was asked over a month ago, it will give no unfair advantage to the ...
Physics of roller coasters2/3/2011
  Q: When it comes to Physics… What is the excitement about amusement park rides, roller coasters in ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Magnetic Fields and electrons2/3/2011
  Q: Why do magnetic fields interacting create electricity How do we know irons electrons go in 4s
  A: > Why do magnetic fields interacting create electricity I presume the question is, "Why does a ...
Effect of g-force2/3/2011
  Q: Can you help with this? Fighter pilots, astronauts, and roller coaster riders are exposed to a ...
  A: It being a month since this question was asked, whether or not it was a homework assignment is now ...
Publishing experimental results2/1/2011
  Q: Yes, and if you please...Can you tell me or give me my best chance to get my work noticed/published ...
  A: Your best bet would be to submit a paper to a scientific journal like Physics Review Letters ...
Moving objects hitting human1/31/2011
  Q: If a baseball is to travel at 300 mph would it be able to penetrate through a human body
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Mechanics1/28/2011
  Q: A moving object on the surface of the earth stops due to friction & air resistance. Is it right? ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Scientific Method1/20/2011
  Q: What is the correct definition of a hypothesis in experimental science? I understand that it (or a ...
  A: > I'm asking because I'm curious about the threshold of rigor required to do "good science"; > at ...
Waves1/16/2011
  Q: How the physics experts knows something are waves?
  A: I hesitate to use the wording that things "are" waves. Instead, I will note that many entities (what ...
Plane Of Polarization Of EM waves1/15/2011
  Q: This statement comes from my textbook : The plane of polarization of an EM wave is the plane in ...
  A: > what does plane of polarization mean? Strangely enough, your textbook answers your question. > ...
Forms of energy1/15/2011
  Q: Homemaker wrote: Heat is a joule or a kilogram-meter2/sec2 -- exactly the same unit as any other ...
  A: > Electricity (ENERGY !) enters your stove and you think that "Heat" is the only result ? Never ...
You responded EXACTLY as I predicted1/14/2011
  Q: Hey nonExpert, Are you all about semantics or what ? If a man (Planck) presents an equation ...
  A: Just like I predicted, you failed to even TRY to state where Max Planck said what Mr. Zeeper said ...
magnetic fields in the atom1/14/2011
  Q: There are magnetic fields in an atom that make it feel solid and the spin of the atoms makes a ...
  A: > There are magnetic fields in an atom that make it feel solid Actually, it's the E-field of the ...
B-field from DC wire1/14/2011
  Q: There is a steady magnetic field around a wire with a direct current flowing..where is the north ...
  A: For a good understanding of the magnetic field (also called the 'B-field') around a long wire ...
Energy stored in magnetic field1/14/2011
  Q: Do magnets store energy..they can attract other metal objects and we know that to move an object ...
  A: There is an energy density in any magnetic field. ...
High speed objects1/14/2011
  Q: is it possible for an object to pierce / break through another object, of greater hardness, with ...
  A: I suppose that, if a softer object (copper pellet) struck a THIN layer of a harder material (like ...
Planck's statements1/14/2011
  Q: Hey buddy, (term used extremely "loosely") Who do you think you are ? ? ? And since when is the ...
  A: As I have stated already, if anyone can show me, in a book or a paper written by Max Planck, that he ...
Parallel circuits1/13/2011
  Q: why is it voltage in a parallel circuit is equal? wondering..thanks ANSWER: Changes in voltage (or ...
  A: Take a look at a parallel circuit: http://www.gcsescience.com/pe19.htm ...
Drop in voltage1/13/2011
  Q: why is it voltage in a parallel circuit is equal? wondering..thanks
  A: Changes in voltage (or "potential difference" or just "potential") in a circuit occur only when a ...
Ionizing Radiation1/13/2011
  Q: "Maybe you can help? I found this on the web do you think it's credible? The following excerpt was ...
  A: > smoke detector manufacture after 1980 contains 0.9 microcuries (µCi) of Americium-241 This would ...
uranus planet1/12/2011
  Q: why orbital velocity of Uranus differ than calculated velocity according to classical mechanics
  A: I'll need a link to a URL that discusses the discrepancy you mention -- a quick look at URLs ...
EM waves1/11/2011
  Q: Wow..thanks for that very clear answer ! As a follow up question, EM radiation/wave have an E ...
  A: > do some materials eg metal respond more to the B field and less to the E field? No. Almost all ...
EM waves1/10/2011
  Q: Waves of long wave lenghts can bend around objects like radiowaves bending around a wall but shorter ...
  A: As you correctly note, all of these phenomena -- radio waves, microwaves, and X-rays -- are ...
Double slit experiment with one detector1/10/2011
  Q: Richard, I have a query that no books seem to answer! In the classic electron double slit ...
  A: When dealing with quantum measurement, you have to rid yourself of certain classical concepts. ...
Double slit experiment with one detector1/9/2011
  Q: Richard, I have a query that no books seem to answer! In the classic electron double slit ...
  A: Although I am not 100% certain I have the right answer, permit me to give my best opinion. What ...
Great Minds1/4/2011
  Q: I was wondering if you could tell me which of these three made the most significant contribution: ...
  A: Before I can answer about "the most significant contribution," you'll have to define "significant." ...
Photon mass as zero12/30/2010
  Q: why do we take mass of photon as zero?. i know because it travels with velocity 'c' and in mass ...
  A: > why do we take mass of photon as zero? Two reasons: 1) Relativity requires zero mass for ...
vacuum temperature12/19/2010
  Q: If all space is pervaded by the CMBR, which has approx. 4K temperature, is that the temperature of ...
  A: Quantum vacuum energy is the energy that would exist in a volume of space if there were ABSOLUTELY ...
Energy12/18/2010
  Q: Most text books show EM waves oscillating at 90 deg.and of the same amplitidude must the E field be ...
  A: Richard Feynman said in his textbook that energy conservation is often a good place to start when ...
Spectral line splitting in B-field12/12/2010
  Q: could you please explain splitting of spectral lines in presence of magnetic field taking electron ...
  A: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeeman_effect Spectral lines arise because electrons are changing from ...
When to use quantum physics12/1/2010
  Q: I wanted to know, how to decide in which situations classical physics are sufficient and in which ...
  A: To get more mathematical, a general rule is that quantum effects can generally be neglected if the ...
When to use quantum physics11/30/2010
  Q: I wanted to know, how to decide in which situations classical physics are sufficient and in which ...
  A: > Is there any general way to decide I wouldn't say there's a "rule" about when to use one approach ...
Image and reality11/25/2010
  Q: In the physics text book, it is mentioned that an image is formed at the intersection of reflected ...
  A: > 1) How is actually an image formed in reality as ray diagram > is just a geomatric (space), not ...
EM radiation11/24/2010
  Q: Sir, Thanks you for replying so quickly and in such a clear and succint way. You mentioned ...
  A: As I noted earlier, there are several ways for EM radiation can result. I'll just mention three of ...
Electron flow during current11/23/2010
  Q: When an electric field is applied across a metal this causes the "free" electrons to flow and this ...
  A: > What is the difference between this drifting from one end > of the wire to the other end and ...
angular displacement11/20/2010
  Q: A fan rotating at 2.1 radian/s slows down with a constant acceleration and comes to a stop in a ...
  A: Since it's been almost a month since this homework question was asked, answering it now will not be ...
Skateboarding and Momentum11/19/2010
  Q: How do I get momentum in skate boarding? If you know please tell me thank you.
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Why matter feels solid11/17/2010
  Q: Why do solids appear solid when there is mainly empty space in atoms making up those solids. ...
  A: Bizarre as it sounds, this ALSO gets to the question over what happens when we "feel" something. ...
WAVES in quantum mechanics11/17/2010
  Q: Are sound waves a part of the study of quantum mechanics? ANSWER: In general, no. ---------- ...
  A: Wave mechanics are most definitely a part of the study of QM. Indeed, one cannot understand the ...
Why matter appears solid11/17/2010
  Q: Why do solids appear solid when there is mainly empty space in atoms making up those solids.
  A: You correctly note two things: 1) about 99.99% of what we call "matter" (not just solids) is empty ...
Baseball and truck11/15/2010
  Q: My friend and were driving on the freeway and he asked me, "Since we're going 65 mph what would ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Units for energy and power11/14/2010
  Q: A Joule divided by a Second = a Watt kgm2/s2 divided by a Second = kgm/s3 = a Watt When you ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Force of object11/13/2010
  Q: Well, you really did not get it, did you? I am not a student, because if I were one, I would ask my ...
  A: Not sure why you changed your name from "Leo" to "Len" to "BBKing," but I'll abide by your request: ...
Force of impact10/30/2010
  Q: You are such a pathetic dumb-ass. You are not answering "school" questions, you are not answering ...
  A: As to questions that I am willing to answer, what I say may come as a shock to you. Some people ...
Wave propagation10/28/2010
  Q: 1) In physics, a wave is defined as a disturbance. Is disturbance a physical quantify? In my ...
  A: > a wave is defined as a disturbance. > Is disturbance a physical quantify? No, a "disturbance" ...
Physics10/27/2010
  Q: When do a combination of two quantities have a physical meaning?
  A: Before I can give a meaningful answer, I would need to know exactly what you mean by "combination," ...
centripetal force, centrifugal force10/26/2010
  Q: Why the height of racing car is kept small? what would happen if earth stops rotating around sun?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Could a high pressure air jet cut objects?10/25/2010
  Q: Water jets are sometimes used for cutting metal, and I was wondering if the same thing could be done ...
  A: The use of air jets for cutting metal is a technology already in place. As you correctly note, it's ...
momentum10/25/2010
  Q: I am taking a Radiologic Physics course online and unfortunately it's offered only online and my ...
  A: Since it's been almost a month since the question has been asked, I'll answer it to assist others ...
Radioactivity10/23/2010
  Q: do element emit all radiations means alpha, beta and gamma at same time or only one type of emission ...
  A: > uranium always emit all three radiation > or it depends on some factors? > what are these ...
calculation of arrow momentum ?10/23/2010
  Q: Good morning I do bow hunting and it is important to know what the momentum of my arrow will be to ...
  A: Very well. Apparently, in the totally outdated and almost completely un-usable system of ...
Radioactivity10/22/2010
  Q: do element emit all radiations means alpha, beta and gamma at same time or only one type of emission ...
  A: Some isotopes of some elements decay by emitting an alpha particle. Other isotopes of other elements ...
calculation of arrow momentum ?10/22/2010
  Q: Good morning I do bow hunting and it is important to know what the momentum of my arrow will be to ...
  A: You will make this calculation a LOT easier if you did all of your calculations in metric units. ...
Resonance10/20/2010
  Q: I was wondering, if you have a pipe (open air column) that's able to resonate at 440hz. I know that ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Improper depth perception in water10/16/2010
  Q: I cannot fathom out why fishes and objects in the water could be seen much 'shallower' than in ...
  A: Your question seems to be, "Why do our eyes view the depth of objects in water incorrectly?" If ...
thermodynamics10/15/2010
  Q: why when a gas is expanded its temperature decreases?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Time travel problems10/13/2010
  Q: Time Travel. Is it true that the physical location of the earth in the universe has never been the ...
  A: First thing to know: human time travel is not possible by any means we now know about. The only way ...
Photons10/11/2010
  Q: Sir, why is the rest mass of a photon said to be zero?does it mean it's absolute mass when there is ...
  A: > why is the rest mass of a photon said to be zero First of all, the photon does NOT have a rest ...
Bubble formation in poured fluids10/9/2010
  Q: first of all,I'm not a native English speaker,so if I make a grammar mistake of some sort,pardon me. ...
  A: I did an internet search for the terms bubble formation pouring water and found this URL ...
Buoyancy10/5/2010
  Q: Why isit that a metal ball would take a longer time to reach the seabed in the ocean when it gets ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Approaching a mirage.10/3/2010
  Q: Some people say that we can never reach the mirage and it will seem like the mirage is moving away ...
  A: > as she approach the mirage by getting closer to point B, > the light rays can't bend into her eyes ...
Approaching a mirage.10/2/2010
  Q: Some people say that we can never reach the mirage and it will seem like the mirage is moving away ...
  A: Take a look again at Figure 4 in the URL I posted. This figure (correctly) shows that someone ...
Fly on a train.10/1/2010
  Q: I understand that if I was standing on a moving train and I jump I would not move back as the ...
  A: First thing to know about the "velocity" of an object is that you MUST define what the velocity is ...
Approaching a mirage.9/27/2010
  Q: Some people say that we can never reach the mirage and it will seem like the mirage is moving away ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Fission process9/25/2010
  Q: Fission process is uncontrollable without graphite rods,as we know that one hydrogen atom releases ...
  A: > Fission process is uncontrollable without graphite rods Actually, the fission process is VERY ...
Voltage and resistance in light bulbs9/25/2010
  Q: my question is that, more resistance means more opposition to electricity,then in high power bulbs ...
  A: First of all, read this URL ...
bouyancy9/19/2010
  Q: What is the depth an average person becomes bouyant. We are installing an inground pool and want to ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Atom VS the Solar System:too similar?9/15/2010
  Q: What is the difference between the atoms of hydrogen & helium?I understand that they are the ...
  A: > What is the difference between the atoms of hydrogen & helium? > Is it that helium has another ...
Buoyancy9/11/2010
  Q: A previous question asked theIf a brick were dropped into an infinitely deep ocean, would it ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Physics: discovery or imposition?9/7/2010
  Q: I have had this discussion with someone who asserts the following: we impose systems of ...
  A: *MY* thoughts? For what they're worth (and I don't claim that mine are any more valuable than yours, ...
Learning physics8/30/2010
  Q: It's not really a question regarding physics, but more about your approach when you reach ...
  A: > you find yourself reaching these points where > you just cannot wrap your head around certain ...
Magnetic field8/30/2010
  Q: 1) I have seen two terms ( i.e. " field line" and " lines of force") are used in the context of ...
  A: For an electric field, the "field line" and the "line of force" are ALMOST the same thing, with one ...
Acceleration of baseball/bullet8/29/2010
  Q: We were watching a baseball game on TV the other night, which got me to thinking: doe the maximum ...
  A: I fear you are confusing "speed" with "acceleration." The SPEED of the ball is maximum when it ...
Inductance8/29/2010
  Q: when we connect a D.C source acroos a inductor it works as a short circuit means as a wire while ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Speed of baseball/bullet8/29/2010
  Q: We were watching a baseball game on TV the other night, which got me to thinking: doe the maximum ...
  A: > if the ball is accelerating as it leaves the hand > (as it seems it would be This is where you ...
Inductance8/28/2010
  Q: when we connect a D.C source acroos a inductor it works as a short circuit means as a wire while ...
  A: The very purpose of an inductor is to prevent any CHANGE in the current (or voltage, if you prefer) ...
Ink in Ball Point Pen8/28/2010
  Q: Sir, I observed something odd this evening. When I inverted my ball point pen, there was no change ...
  A: What I presume you observed were these two events: 1) the ink in your ball point pen did not come ...
AC generators8/28/2010
  Q: SIr few questions on AC generator and altrnating current. 1) In all textbooks i have seen it is ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Mirror images8/20/2010
  Q: This is a hard question to articulate in writing so please bear with me if I say the same thing in ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Electron movement and energy transmission8/20/2010
  Q: We are taught about the electrical "charge". But we are not clear what "the charge" actually is. Is ...
  A: You take note of a seeming contradiction -- that an electron, in a copper wire with electricity ...
When, exactly, does something "occur"?8/19/2010
  Q: The recent announcement about R136 got us talking in the office. Given its distance from the Earth, ...
  A: Ah, if only it were 1904 instead of 2010, I could answer this question in a few seconds. In ...
What is charge?8/19/2010
  Q: We are taught about the electrical "charge". But we are not clear what "the charge" actually is. Is ...
  A: Permit me to clarify. When I say that charge is "a property," I mean it is something that a particle ...
What is charge?8/18/2010
  Q: We are taught about the electrical "charge". But we are not clear what "the charge" actually is. Is ...
  A: > we are not clear what "the charge" actually is. > Is it a mass or is it an energy? "Charge" is ...
regarding the balancing of the bicycle8/10/2010
  Q: I checked the answer given by you for the balancing of bicycle. but i could not able to get with ...
  A: I presume you are talking about this answer ...
Your INSTRUCTIOINS8/1/2010
  Q: The first line under your "Instructions" reads I am not a psychic. It should read "I am not a ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
gravitational potential energy7/27/2010
  Q: regarding to the previous question asked about potential energy, but if i have a ball of mass 2 ...
  A: Let me re-iterate: the potential energy of an object is between whatever two points you specify. As ...
Electromagnetism7/27/2010
  Q: Isn't it true that a magnetic field must exist in the presence of moving charges?Then, how come ...
  A: > Is it because of the moving electrons. > If so, why not electrons of other material? First thing ...
quantum foam and dark matter7/26/2010
  Q: could you give me a simplified explanation of quantum foam and dark matter
  A: I can TRY to do so. Dark matter is the still unknown matter that is out there, that interacts with ...
Graviton in Relativistic Physics7/24/2010
  Q: I was just wandering if the General Theory of Relativity supports the existence of a graviton. From ...
  A: > if the General Theory of Relativity supports the existence of a graviton Actually, quite the ...
Calculating potential energy7/22/2010
  Q: when we talk about potential energy, do we just calculate it to the place it would fall to or ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
evaporation7/21/2010
  Q: can diffusion take place on 2 states? for example can liquid diffuse with gas? is evaporation caused ...
  A: "Diffusion" is when molecules of one type move, in a random manner, from areas of higher ...
Particle diffusion7/21/2010
  Q: particles diffuses, but why isit that oil dont diffuse with water?
  A: Two reasons: 1) Water molecules are heavily ionic (ie, one side is positive and the other ...
Quantum Mechanics7/20/2010
  Q: I have a question about the double slit experiment: In order to collapse the wave function of ...
  A: Any time you locate a particle -- be it an electron or a photon -- where it is or where it is not, ...
light speed7/10/2010
  Q: I love physics and the science that goes along with it especially when it comes to outer space. ...
  A: The basic answer is that we would not notice the difference, other than times when we actually tried ...
Source of energy for electrical charge6/17/2010
  Q: What is the source of energy to power the electric charge field of the electron?
  A: It is apparent that you are sufficiently well-informed to know that-- 1) all electrons have charge. ...
vacuum technology6/14/2010
  Q: I was hoping you could help my brother and I with an argument we have regarding vacuum technology. ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
hole in the ozone layer6/10/2010
  Q: Just curious but what evidence is there that cfc gases are the cause of the hole in the ozone layer? ...
  A: This URL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_layer_depletion should answer your questions to a far ...
Cavitation of seawater6/10/2010
  Q: I was wondering if cavitation of seawater produced mixed gases (air) or a flammable gas (oxygen)? ...
  A: > cavitation of seawater produced mixed gases (air) or a flammable gas (oxygen)? Neither. As this ...
Acceleration while falling6/2/2010
  Q: How can we say that the acceleration of any object does not depend on the mass of the object during ...
  A: > So can we say that two objects > (one with a small mass and the other with a slightly less mass ...
Acceleration while falling6/1/2010
  Q: How can we say that the acceleration of any object does not depend on the mass of the object during ...
  A: > How can we say that the acceleration of any object does not depend > on the mass of the object ...
Acceleration/Deceleration, and very probably momentum and inertia.6/1/2010
  Q: As I approach (say) some traffic lights in my car I gently apply the brakes. The car decelerates ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Nuclear fusion5/31/2010
  Q: When hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium where do the neutrons (in the helium nucleus) come from? ...
  A: > The Hydrogen cannot supply them having only a proton in the nucleus. Ahh, that's SIMPLE hydrogen. ...
Electrolysis5/23/2010
  Q: when water reaches its boiling point, the gas that is released: is it pure hydrogen or pure oxygen? ...
  A: The best way to get info on this chemical reaction is to do an Internet search for water ...
physics5/23/2010
  Q: when water reaches its boiling point, the gas that is released: is it pure hydrogen or pure oxygen? ...
  A: > when water reaches its boiling point, the gas that is released > is it pure hydrogen or pure ...
Lightning5/20/2010
  Q: Is it safer to stay inside a car during lightnings.I mean it's metal so won't the lightning bolt ...
  A: Check out answer #3 in this URL; www.mos.org/sln/toe/safety.php as well as the last part of this ...
Newton's third law on hitting a pillow5/18/2010
  Q: this is regarding Newton's third law. That for every action, there is an equal and opposite ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Creating a system5/18/2010
  Q: What does the following article mean? The phase velocity of the wave is half the velocity of an ...
  A: > But if we can really create this kind of system, what will it happen? I'm not sure what you mean ...
Meaning of "phase velocity"5/17/2010
  Q: What does the following article mean? The phase velocity of the wave is half the velocity of an ...
  A: In classical physics -- the type we think of as "normal" -- an electron moves like a small ball with ...
Oil and water5/16/2010
  Q: air particles bounce and coes it to be all around. and diffusion too, it would spread. but why oil ...
  A: Liquids are a different state of matter from gases. For liquids to diffuse amongst each other, they ...
diffusion5/4/2010
  Q: can i say that diffusion occur as particles bounce against one another, resulting in some of the ...
  A: I'm not able to figure out EXACTLY what you are asking, but I will note that diffusion of a gas into ...
Mass with gravity AND acceleration5/1/2010
  Q: Since the gravitational attraction between two objects varies with their mass at given distance per ...
  A: You are completely correct to note that the gravitational force on an object with larger mass is ...
Gaseous mixture4/30/2010
  Q: okay, i wondered about this. air is a mixture consisting of hydrogen, oxygen and more. but if oxgen ...
  A: > wont all the hydrogen float up above all the gases and is found only at the top part? Note QUITE. ...
stability4/25/2010
  Q: how do you determine an object stability? can i say that an object that has a higher centre of ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
car4/15/2010
  Q: i know that when i push a block up a hill is more difficult as compared to i push a block on a ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Dispersion of light into a spectrum4/14/2010
  Q: I wonder what happens when a beam of light is passed through a drop of water hanging from a straw. ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Theory vs Experiment4/12/2010
  Q: Sir,I have a few very common Qs, 1)Why is Gravitational force always attractive? 2)Why doesn't the ...
  A: 1) Why is gravity always an attractive force? Ultimately, the answer to this question is easy, but ...
Time travel films site4/10/2010
  Q: I know this is probably a long shot, but about five years ago, I used to visit this web site ...
  A: All I can do is list some sites THAT might have been what you were looking for: ...
Usefulness of science4/10/2010
  Q: I find the following article "So, do we really respond to a thing? Don't we respond' only the ...
  A: > Do you mean that if science experiment cannot prove whether our perception itself is true or ...
Bubbles4/9/2010
  Q: Why are bubbles spherical? Does it have to do with surface area?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
pulling and pushing4/9/2010
  Q: I'm thinking of this for some time. what cost more energy pulling or pushing something.
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Is science self contradictory?4/9/2010
  Q: I find the following article "So, do we really respond to a thing? Don't we respond' only the ...
  A: > so can I say that science can't prove that whether a event or a thing is REAL or NOT REAL? At the ...
Is science self contradictory?4/9/2010
  Q: I find the following article "So, do we really respond to a thing? Don't we respond' only the ...
  A: > Is science part of reality or reality is part of science? Neither. Science is a method whereby we ...
Is science self contradictory?4/8/2010
  Q: I find the following article "So, do we really respond to a thing? Don't we respond' only the ...
  A: > 1) What is science? Science is an approach to what we perceive, with a basic goal of ...
physics4/8/2010
  Q: the gyroscope is so nice. but i am not sure about this, as the middle of the gyroscope is spinning, ...
  A: > as the middle of the gyroscope is spinning, > is the top and bottom of the gyroscope spinning ...
Angular momentum4/6/2010
  Q: i wondered about the coin. why is it possible? why isit when i roll a coin down a slope, it will not ...
  A: A coin does not fall to its side as it is spinning for the same reason a bicycle does not fall to ...
Physics4/6/2010
  Q: remember me? it have been long since i wrote to you. i am now back to school and came across this. ...
  A: > is there a limit to the speed? In Newtonian mechanics, there is no limit to the THEORETICAL ...
Resistance versus temperature4/6/2010
  Q: why the resistance of conductor increase with temperature
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Acceleration, gravity, and expanding Universe3/31/2010
  Q: I've seen many demonstations showing how the acceleration of a moving body can duplicate the effects ...
  A: > Is the a relationship between the accelerating expansion of the universe and gravity? I'm going ...
Cleopatra making ice3/29/2010
  Q: how did Cleopatra kept herself cool in desert and how does she made ice ?
  A: > how did Cleopatra kept herself cool in desert First of all, if this is some kind of a joke, have ...
physics3/27/2010
  Q: On youtube.com there are a few realistic examples of people using telekineses. Do you think those ...
  A: > Do you think those are real No. > or it is a real possibility? Until telekinesis can be ...
Ionization3/27/2010
  Q: Atoms get ionized when radiation quanta knock off their electrons. Is the ionization mechanism the ...
  A: When an atom gets "ionized," it means one of its electrons gets knocked away from the attraction of ...
Death by falling object3/25/2010
  Q: if you dropped a stainless steel piece of cutlery like a fork or a knife (not like a super shard ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
temprature3/22/2010
  Q: can we difine the temperature of vacuum?the temperature of single molecule? & is it true that the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
What does it mean if the world is a hologram?3/21/2010
  Q: I read from a online article, that our world may be a Hologram, I got some question about it ...
  A: 4) What does "information" mean to a physicist? Permit me to answer this one first. This URL shows ...
Space-time3/19/2010
  Q: I read from a online article, that our world may be a Hologram, I got some question about it ...
  A: > what is the space-time here referring to? > Does it mean "empty space"? For the purposes of this ...
What does it mean if the world is a hologram?3/16/2010
  Q: I read from a online article, that our world may be a Hologram, I got some question about it ...
  A: > How do we know the information come from the surface? First of all, please understand that ...
What does it mean if the world is a hologram?3/14/2010
  Q: I read from a online article, that our world may be a Hologram, I got some question about it ...
  A: First of all, there is something you MUST understand. Often, when scientists use a word that is also ...
Loud speakers3/12/2010
  Q: I was just wondering if you could explain to me how speakers are able to reproduce the full spectrum ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
HUYGENS Principal3/5/2010
  Q: what is hygiene principle? explain refraction and reflection on its basis?
  A: If you do an internet search for Huygens principle you'll find, in a matter of seconds, URLs that ...
Loss of magnetic field3/2/2010
  Q: Sir, I am aware that historically the earth's magnetic poles have changed polarity in the past. ...
  A: Here's my response to this question (and the original question itself) from about ten weeks ago.I've ...
dp/dt2/28/2010
  Q: respected sir, The left -hand side of this equation for holes is dp/dt what is the physical ...
  A: I don't know which equation you are referring to, as holes in solid state physics have many ...
General Physics2/26/2010
  Q: These are not homework questions....I got these doubts while revising my portion..I am in 12th 1) ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Stability of systems2/24/2010
  Q: respected sir , why are metastable states more stable than excited states
  A: Systems in our Universe -- whether they are bridges, crystalline structures, or a collection of ...
understanding m-theory2/24/2010
  Q: I have four questions that are somewhat related. First, would you help me understand in an ...
  A: > what particles do the vibrating strings make? All of them -- that's why people find this paradigm ...
understanding m-theory2/23/2010
  Q: I have four questions that are somewhat related. First, would you help me understand in an ...
  A: > how long the rolled up 2d membranes in m-theory According to ...
Is expansion the result of spinning?2/23/2010
  Q: If after inflation, normal physics took hold could not the expansion of the universe simply be the ...
  A: No, because our Universe is NOT spinning around some center. Contrary to popular descriptions of the ...
Higgs Boson2/13/2010
  Q: How Is it philosophically justifiable to say that there are fundamental particles in the universe ...
  A: > Higg's boson is supposedly that which gives mass Unfortunately, this statement is a bit of an ...
Do elementary particles really exist?2/12/2010
  Q: How Is it philosophically justifiable to say that there are fundamental particles in the universe ...
  A: > How Is it philosophically justifiable to say that there are fundamental particles > in the ...
Sound curing diseases1/30/2010
  Q: sir i would like to no how sound when of certain types can help to cure diseases....is there a ...
  A: If you could provide a link to a SCIENTIFIC study (and not just anecdotal, although that's how a lot ...
"Purpose" of knowing momentum1/28/2010
  Q: What is the purpose of knowing momentum, like, what does it tell us? Say a car has a momentum of ...
  A: I'm not totally sure I understand what you mean by the "purpose" of knowing what momentum is. Like ...
Electromagnetic waves1/26/2010
  Q: When we switch on or switch off an electrical contact, it gives sparking at the contact which ...
  A: The release of EM energy by a heated object is called (for historical reasons) "blackbody radiation ...
magnetic motor1/25/2010
  Q: if over-unity is truly not possible explain to me how a bumblebee flies, how electrons continue to ...
  A: > how a bumblebee flies It flaps its wings. How it manages to do so AND remain in stable flight is ...
inertia and centrifugal force1/21/2010
  Q: Force= mass *acceleration for uniform acceleration in circular motion we have centrifugal force.But ...
  A: > since acceleration is uniform force must be zero This is where you go wrong. If VELOCITY is ...
Why right hand rule for magnetic field1/21/2010
  Q: As per electromagnetic principle, when electron (electric current) flows in a conductor a magnetic ...
  A: > the explanations in the book are more on the maths rather than concept Unfortunately, the ...
Why right hand rule for magnetic field1/20/2010
  Q: As per electromagnetic principle, when electron (electric current) flows in a conductor a magnetic ...
  A: We use the "right hand rule" for one simple reason, and ONLY for one reason: it works. We could ...
G-force1/17/2010
  Q: i have read some writings about unmanned aerial veichles which mention G-force effect.then i made a ...
  A: We experience "g-force" whenever we are in a vehicle that is CHANGING its velocity -- either by a ...
skateboarding physics1/15/2010
  Q: can you show me a link for a good site for the physics of skateboarding
  A: I've never studied the topic, and I have no way of knowing which URL will meet your needs. But an ...
Falling objects of unequal weight1/1/2010
  Q: I read in a book about WWII aerial bombing that American bombardiers were ordered to drop bomb loads ...
  A: > the bombs would fall at the same rate > the aircrews' worst fears were realized and the unequally ...
Photons passing though glass12/28/2009
  Q: I just got interested in that matter as to how (on molecular level) photons pass though glass. And I ...
  A: > Is this really so? That is one of many things that can happen when light interacts with any kind ...
Photons passing though glass12/27/2009
  Q: I just got interested in that matter as to how (on molecular level) photons pass though glass. And I ...
  A: When light interacts in ANY manner, it can be described either as an electromagnetic wave vibrating ...
Effect of gravity12/26/2009
  Q: According to the laws of gravitation every body in the universe attracts every other body with ...
  A: > why doesn't the whole universe collapse on itself into a lump of dense matter? There exists in ...
Concept of the12/22/2009
  Q: I am not a student. I like to know for my knowledge improvement. The query is as followed: While ...
  A: > the "field" is an entity that is predicted for sake of understanding certain natural phenomena ...
reply to answer12/22/2009
  Q: if you were in as close to "zero" gravity as possible with a metal bat and hit an ordinary thin ...
  A: Friction is irrelevent to this question. The glass has a force on it, the glass can not hold ...
Concept of the "Field"12/21/2009
  Q: I am not a student. I like to know for my knowledge improvement. The query is as followed: While ...
  A: When trying to understand and explain our Universe, in a manner that allows us to make useful ...
What is the underlying 'force'12/18/2009
  Q: I am greatly please to see a website such as this. I am a wine maker and today noted that my ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
"zero" gravity/ "zero" resistance12/16/2009
  Q: if you were in as close to "zero" gravity as possible with a metal bat and hit an ordinary thin ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Banking of roads12/16/2009
  Q: Sir I've been trying to figure out a situation in banking of roads i.e. the first case in this link ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Loss of magnetic field12/13/2009
  Q: I've heard that over the eons the polarity of our globe has reversed a few times. When this happens ...
  A: When our Earth's magnetic field vanishes for a (geologically) short time (as it will eventually) at ...
How many electrons?12/12/2009
  Q: electrostatics hello please tell me, during the accumulation of a surface electrostatic charge do ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
"Seeing" photons in a crystal structure12/12/2009
  Q: Why is glass transparent? I am a fairly intelligent 52 yr old techno geek, so you can give me a ...
  A: First of all, you can't see photons, and for a simple reason. To "see" an object means that light ...
How was mass of Earth determined?12/10/2009
  Q: We all know that the mass of earth is 6 E 24 kg. But I want to know did scientists determine the ...
  A: This is easier than one would suppose. Recall that the size of the gravitational force F(g) for two ...
Force on falling object12/10/2009
  Q: My question today has to do with the force associated with an object in motion hitting something. ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Transparent materials12/9/2009
  Q: Why is glass transparent? I am a fairly intelligent 52 yr old techno geek, so you can give me a ...
  A: First, a definition. "Transparent" (in physics) means electromagnetic (EM) radiation (ie, "light," ...
Ice and wood friction12/8/2009
  Q: Which would go faster? A piece of ice sliding across a wood floor or a piece of wood sliding across ...
  A: You know, I really have no idea -- I've never given it any thought. However, it would make a ...
Strong nuclear force12/8/2009
  Q: Nucleus in an atom consists of protons and neutrons. And like charges repel each other.So why don't ...
  A: There exists four fundamental forces in our Universe, with gravity and the electromagnetic force ...
Terminal velocity without friction12/6/2009
  Q: After well over a half century out of physics classes, the formula escapes me but seems to have some ...
  A: > We may elect to ignore the friction factor > but that does not mean it does not exist Actually, ...
Terminal velocity without friction12/5/2009
  Q: After well over a half century out of physics classes, the formula escapes me but seems to have some ...
  A: > You've told me nothing I didn't already know Since it's been "over half a century" since you had ...
Weightlifting & Physics12/5/2009
  Q: I recently got into a disagreement with a friend over a weight room issue that has to do with ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Terminal velocity of dis-similar objects falling12/4/2009
  Q: After well over a half century out of physics classes, the formula escapes me but seems to have some ...
  A: Your memory is good, but not QUITE right. 33 feet per second per second is the acceleration by the ...
Determining South Pole on a magnet12/2/2009
  Q: how do I find the south pole on a stick magnet? I have to have the south pole sticking out of a ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Air Visibility11/25/2009
  Q: I do not know if I am asking the right person or subject, but here it goes. Can air be seen? If so. ...
  A: > Can air be seen? Our atmosphere -- our "air" -- consists of many gases, mostly nitrogen and ...
If the Earth were flat, what would happen at the South Pole?11/24/2009
  Q: in the past people did not know that the earth is round, they thought if they were to continue going ...
  A: I can't be certain exactly WHAT people thought would happen if you went "beyond" the edge of the ...
Time dilation11/23/2009
  Q: i watched a documentary and it states that if we have two clock one in space and one on earth, the ...
  A: > will the person in space count faster then the one on earth? The short answer is "Yes." EVERY ...
Scientific method11/23/2009
  Q: according to the rules of the quantum, when we observe (interact) with a particle, we change it, but ...
  A: > how we can much such as assumption? Such a leap. Recall how science works. Step 1) Create a ...
Light and mass are both FORMS of energy11/22/2009
  Q: light has no mass, but it has energy and can be converted into other forms using solar panels. ...
  A: > does light has energy? The short answer is "Yes." There are many FORMS of energy -- light (an ...
Time Dilation11/17/2009
  Q: What is the equation for time dilation and can you explain what each variable stands for? For ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Heat produced as "we" go closer to a planet's core11/16/2009
  Q: i watched a documentary show and it states that if we are on another planet, to avoid the cold, we ...
  A: As you go deeper into a planet -- whether that planet is solid or gaseous -- the weight of the ...
outer space11/14/2009
  Q: i have read the link that you have given me. but i dont understand why vacuum is cold in space. wont ...
  A: > wont the sun be able to heat us up like how it heats the planets up? The main reason our Sun ...
space11/14/2009
  Q: is space reali vacuum? i ask this question because i watched a documentary show and it says that the ...
  A: > is space reali vacuum? Not sure how you would define "really" a vacuum. Even the area between ...
Sky at day and night11/13/2009
  Q: why in the day, the sky is blue even without clouds? i thought it should be dark like space. we are ...
  A: When the light from our Sun hits directly upon the atmosphere of our Earth, some of it is scattered ...
GR based on the person IN the chest11/12/2009
  Q: Einstein states that if a person is in an enclosed spacious chest suspended in a uniform ...
  A: > we first look at the chest and the two rockets from the perspective > of someone in an inertial ...
Changing state of matter11/12/2009
  Q: i heared that we are able to compress water to become solid. but can we sort of do the opposite ...
  A: > can we sort of do the opposite which is like pull the water to become gas? If liquid water is ...
Quantum interaction11/12/2009
  Q: according to the rules of the quantum, when we observe (interact) with a particle, we change it, but ...
  A: What quantum physics assumes is that a system (let's say an electron) does not HAVE a specific state ...
Dispersion of white light11/11/2009
  Q: when light travels through a prism, red light will be at the top when it exits and violet would be ...
  A: > am i right to say that red light is travelling at a faster speed then violet light? > am i right ...
Why are planets round?11/11/2009
  Q: why is the earth round? even othe planets and moon is round, even the sun. is this a coincedence? ...
  A: You have wisely noted a pattern -- large objects tend to be round -- but have arrived at an ...
white light11/10/2009
  Q: Hey, why does white light can be split into its different wavelengths by a prism?
  A: When a thin beam light goes from air to a thick solid (like glass) at an angle, it bends. When it ...
Regards back to you11/10/2009
  Q: i hope you can understand, i hope that what i ask will not be a waste of time if you think that what ...
  A: Obviously your questions are not wasting my time -- I've given more time to them than to just about ...
The problem with Earth's moon11/10/2009
  Q: firstly, i dont have an instructor and it is the holidays now therefore i do not go to school. i ...
  A: Okay, Cat/Burger, I will continue to answer your questions as best I can. Please understand that it ...
vacuum11/9/2009
  Q: how do people make a room or a termal flask vacuum? when i want to remove air from a plastic bag, ...
  A: Cat/Burger, may I ask why you are asking so many questions, on so many unrelated topics? It would ...
Writing on ice11/9/2009
  Q: is ice just special? ice is like other matter it is solid like metal or plastic but why cant i write ...
  A: In a sense, ice IS special. Remember what it IS -- solid water, and water can quite easily turn into ...
Formation of our Moon11/9/2009
  Q: i heard that the moon was created by a huge comet that hit earth very long ago, causing the rock to ...
  A: > is this true? At this point in our understanding of our Earth and our Moon, this is the only ...
Why is the core of the Earth so hot11/9/2009
  Q: why is it that after so long the core of the earth is so hot? i heard that jupiter is a gas planet, ...
  A: One of the greatest physicists of the 1800's, Lord Rayleigh, calculated that our Earth would have ...
ozone depletion11/9/2009
  Q: we are now facing global warming, causing ozone depletion. theres just something i dont understand, ...
  A: > we are now facing global warming, causing ozone depletion You're confusing two atmospheric ...
Reflecting light into a planet11/9/2009
  Q: i heared that the Sun gives out heat via the rays of light it emits, it is not possible to transfer ...
  A: Think about it -- the amount of sunlight that we could reflect onto a planet could never be larger ...
Comets hitting the Earth11/8/2009
  Q: is the earth mass reali increasing? but why when comets strike they leave a crater, doesnt that mean ...
  A: > when comets strike they leave a crater, > doesnt that mean the land on earth is lost leaving a ...
infrared telescopes11/8/2009
  Q: infrared can determind the temperature of something like if someone has fever or not. but can we ...
  A: Even if infrared (IR) telescopes had the resolving power of a telescope using visible light (which ...
Hydrogen balloon in space11/8/2009
  Q: i am cat i want to ask this.in space,it is vacuum, means it has lower density then hydrogen, meaning ...
  A: > space,it is vacuum, means it has lower density then hydrogen That is correct > meaning if i put ...
At the center of the Earth11/8/2009
  Q: when we stand on the north pole we would be standing upright and the same for the south pole but if ...
  A: This question has two possible answers: 1) it is irrelevent because, contrary to what Jules Verne ...
sound11/7/2009
  Q: sound has mass, is sound solid,liquid or gas state?
  A: Once again, Burger, just like in your question about lightning, your first three words are false. ...
Air Friction Force11/7/2009
  Q: This is not a homework question. I am trying to understand how the Air Friction Force affects a ...
  A: Your persistence in asking this question has convinced that, even if it WERE connected to academics ...
time11/7/2009
  Q: is time a matter? does it have mass? when blackholes bring you back or front of time, will the ...
  A: Time, like heat or sound or charge or strangeness, is NOT an entity with or without mass. When I ...
Time Dilation with acceleration11/6/2009
  Q: I'm not an expert, but am hoping for a bit of a reality check as to where I have gone wrong in ...
  A: Permit me to adjust the experiment EVER so slightly Clock A stays on the Earth. Clock B and Clock ...
Time Dilation with acceleration11/6/2009
  Q: I'm not an expert, but am hoping for a bit of a reality check as to where I have gone wrong in ...
  A: What you described above is essentially correct. HOWEVER, you left something out: namely, ...
Sound uses molecules11/6/2009
  Q: sound has no mass right? why cant it travel the same speed as light?
  A: Sound consists of organized vibrations of molecules -- ie, particles with mass. These vibrations ...
Speed of light11/6/2009
  Q: light can travel slower in different medium but why not faster?
  A: The limit of light speed is its own speed in a vacuum. When it is different media (air, glass, ...
What is energy11/5/2009
  Q: Everyday we talk about energy. The whole universe may be running by energy. However, we are not ...
  A: Trying to define "energy" is like trying to define "money." For an example of the problem, let's try ...
Can we speed up light?11/5/2009
  Q: can light travel faster if we can push it or something?
  A: The short answer is "No." The long answer is, "No, because nothing we can do will make light go ...
Asteroid hitting our Earth11/4/2009
  Q: there is no friction in space, and for example if we jump high on the moon, we would continue moving ...
  A: Actually, our Earth DOES move when it is hit by an asteroid -- just not very much. The reason is ...
Hearing dinosaurs11/4/2009
  Q: if we go to to a faraway place maybe to another galaxy at the speed of light, i know that sound ...
  A: Three problems with this idea: 1) Sound can not travel without an atmosphere (or some other ...
Locating an electron11/3/2009
  Q: Sir,i'm the student of Grade 11....! I've read that to locate an electron in a shell or in an atom, ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Quickest way to find an answer11/3/2009
  Q: If you take 1 kg of fresh water and add 35 g of salt (average for the oceans)will the volume ...
  A: Either you or I will have to do the following: 1) do an Internet search for density "sea water" ...
Radiometric or radio isotope dating11/2/2009
  Q: I am trying to fathom out rock dating. No one seems to specify clearly what they mean by "1 - 2% ...
  A: Any time one specifies that a measured value of something is "X plus or minus y per cent," the "y%" ...
speed11/1/2009
  Q: is it possible for us to travel faster than light?
  A: The simple answer is "No." The more complicated answer is also "No." Since we have mass, there is ...
Can our eyes see Pluto?11/1/2009
  Q: facing pluto and we are able to zoom our eyes, can we see pluto?
  A: > can we see pluto? Even if we had the most powerful optical telescope in the world, zoomed its ...
multiverse11/1/2009
  Q: I'm not sure this question went through, but I just finished reading Brian Green's book where he ...
  A: > where is the proof? There is none -- indeed, there's not even EVIDENCE. That's why it's called a ...
"Change" in loudness10/30/2009
  Q: i want to ask this, when we hear a music from a mp3 player or something, with a earpiece pluged in, ...
  A: When your ear and brain work together to detect a sound, they detect what is above the background ...
Pixels10/30/2009
  Q: does this means that when i use this camera to capture an image and from that image, i use the same ...
  A: This is more of an electronic engineering question than a physics question, but I'll answer it as ...
Measuring the Steam Point10/19/2009
  Q: Why don't we put the thermometer inside the boiling water to check the steam point instead of ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Planck Black-body radiation10/14/2009
  Q: I have a friend with a masters degree in philosophy who keeps trying to get me to "explain" quantum ...
  A: > Namely, we now know for a fact that only questions that have "yes"/"no" answers are really > ...
explaining post classical physics10/14/2009
  Q: I have a friend with a masters degree in philosophy who keeps trying to get me to "explain" quantum ...
  A: First, let me explain the two world views -- then let's make certain we agree what these two world ...
Paradigms of our Universe10/13/2009
  Q: Does quantum theory give a picture of separate pieces to nature or something else? Regarding ...
  A: I don't fully the questions, so forgive me if I don't answer exactly what you're asking. Quantum ...
Car Sound systems10/11/2009
  Q: Hey! I have just purchased a new car, and want to put a new sound system into it, i have been ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Cost of photo-voltaic energy10/9/2009
  Q: I read an answer given on the efficiency of the Hydrolysis of water to produce energy by burning ...
  A: > the solar panels would provide free limitless electricity This is the BIG flaw in your thesis. ...
Drying clothes efficiently10/5/2009
  Q: This may or may not be your type of question, but I don't know any other field to submit it to. ...
  A: As best as I can tell after numerous searches, it won't make much difference either way. FAR more ...
Magnetic strip having lost its words9/29/2009
  Q: I have a card at my school-much like a credit card-that I can use in my school store. The magnetic ...
  A: I find it incredible that you are not able to have a readable card re-issued, even if you are ...
pulleys9/26/2009
  Q: does a massless pulley mean a pulley with 0 mass(which is impossible)?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Lux at separate distances9/26/2009
  Q: I don't know if this falls under your expertise, but I'll give it a shot anyway. My problem is: ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
can an anti particle be trapped for ever?9/24/2009
  Q: it seems that you don't even have a name on your profile, which is interesting. i would just like to ...
  A: > it seems that you don't even have a name on your profile, which is interesting I'm not certain ...
Why doesn't water in clouds freeze?9/24/2009
  Q: when we are on a plane at a high point, the outisde temperature is below 0 degree celcius, but why ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Detecting alpha particles9/23/2009
  Q: I understand that photodiodes can be used to evaluate radon levels and are used in some monitors. ...
  A: > I remember reading somewhere that when the geiger counter was first produced, > it was able to ...
Detecting alpha particles9/22/2009
  Q: I understand that photodiodes can be used to evaluate radon levels and are used in some monitors. ...
  A: > I'm interested in understanding the wavelength of the 'light' emitted from the alpha decay There ...
Interference patterns9/19/2009
  Q: a diffraction pattern is obtained by interference of waves from the secondary wavelets of incident ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Does our Universe require "locality"?9/14/2009
  Q: its not a homework question, I graduated college a long time ago, I am however reading a book on ...
  A: > lets say the size of a shoe box, then ok, > one electron is effecting the other somehow and we ...
WHY does observation change things?9/12/2009
  Q: its not a homework question, I graduated college a long time ago, I am however reading a book on ...
  A: > Why would obervation or interaction, change a particle's behavoir? You pick up on a very ...
Being blasted into atoms, yet remaining a person9/7/2009
  Q: I’m betting this may be one of the weirder questions you’ll get today. There is, however, method to ...
  A: The wierdest questions aren't the ones like yours -- they're the ones whose question I can't even ...
Copenhagen Interpretation9/7/2009
  Q: I'm reading a book by Paul Davies and just want to clear something. I understand the rules of ...
  A: > until we open the box and look, the wave is in both chambers Bizarre as it may sound, that IS the ...
Falling cats and AM9/4/2009
  Q: Cats have nine lives Folks claim that “cats have nine lives” because when they are thrown at a ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Tachyons MIGHT exist9/3/2009
  Q: I asked a question about massless particles. I have just one more question to clear this up for me. ...
  A: > why does anyone think that tachyons exist? You see why tachyons can not carry information. ...
Particles going faster than SoL8/28/2009
  Q: I asked a question about massless particles. I have just one more question to clear this up for me. ...
  A: > Why wouldn't a massless particle, or a message, be able to exceed the speed of light? The problem ...
Faster than light photon8/28/2009
  Q: are there particles that contain no mass (have we proven that or is it just theory). I'm asking ...
  A: > Could a photon, if it has no mass, therefore exceed the speed of light? > Would there be a ...
Within the nucleus8/27/2009
  Q: Is there space between the protons and neutrons in the nucleolus? If so,and hypothetically if we ...
  A: > Is there space between the protons and neutrons in the nucleolus? First a definition: protons and ...
How a battery works8/27/2009
  Q: I hope my inter-related questions will be interesting enough to justify their length. If, say, a ...
  A: I'm not certain I follow what objection you are raising, but let me just repeat an explanation of ...
Particles with no mass8/27/2009
  Q: are there particles that contain no mass (have we proven that or is it just theory). I'm asking ...
  A: > are there particles that contain no mass > have we proven that or is it just theory Photons -- ...
Why you can't get to the speed of light8/20/2009
  Q: Hey there! I have searched the internet about my question and all the answers seem to be the same... ...
  A: > Doesn't light have mass too? No. The mass of a photon (the smallest "chunk" of light) is zero. At ...
Going CLOSE to the SoL8/19/2009
  Q: Hey there! I have searched the internet about my question and all the answers seem to be the same... ...
  A: First of all, you are an observor with mass. Thus, it is absolutely impossible for you to travel AT ...
Breathing at terminal velocity8/11/2009
  Q: A human free fallilng can reach terminal velocity in excess of 130mph.How do they breathe wil air ...
  A: Air rushing past someone at that speed would indeed be at such a low pressure that it would be ...
You'll have to rephrase your question8/8/2009
  Q: Do any light or sound or other wavelength have density? A compressed air stream does and I was ...
  A: > Do any light or sound or other wavelength have density? The word "density" means "amount of ...
Temperature required for fusion8/7/2009
  Q: Why must the temperature be higher to fuse two Helium nuclei than to fuse two Hydrogen nuclei ?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Size of gravitational force8/7/2009
  Q: Why is the gravitational force of attraction between the two bodies of ordinary masses not ...
  A: Two ways you can figure this out 1) Do a calculation of the size of the gravitational force between ...
Multiple sounds in the same space.8/7/2009
  Q: I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around how multiple distinct sounds (pressure waves might be a ...
  A: If you want a better example than a person in a room with three conversations, imagine a concert ...
uncertainty and light8/4/2009
  Q: We know that by the De broglie's theorem, the momentum of a light photon traveling at the speed of ...
  A: > Since we know the exact momentum of a photon This is the flaw. We DON'T know a photon's exact ...
Einstein's Postulates8/3/2009
  Q: I saw a few shows on tv and is now puzzled by the time warping proposed by Einstein's theory of ...
  A: You ask a good question. I regret that my answer (1) will require a little bit of introduction and ...
Total energy of our Earth8/1/2009
  Q: It is known that energy cannot be created or destroyed but converted from one form to another. Thus, ...
  A: The Earth has been receiving light (ie, electromagnetic) energy from our Sun for a few billion ...
Energy balance in chemical bonds7/30/2009
  Q: when an electron add in an atom , energy is released......this energy is released because when the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Einstein's education7/19/2009
  Q: Did Albert Einstein graduate from elementary school (or the equivalent)? Did he graduate from high ...
  A: According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein#Early_life_and_education Einstein had a ...
Conversion of units of power7/17/2009
  Q: Our firm is marketing Micro Gasification Systems utilizing Wood Bio Mass in the United States and I ...
  A: > Can you translate I presume you want a coversion factor between kilocalories per hour and some ...
Effects of helium on sound7/17/2009
  Q: A coworker and I have been discussing helium and its effect on the sound of the human voice, and he ...
  A: What I thought would be a pretty straitforward explanation turned out to be much more complicated. ...
Energy and Sound7/16/2009
  Q: I'm curious if there is a simple explanation for or against an idea that I've been thinking about. ...
  A: > Is all matter fundamentally energy? Matter is a FORM of energy. In that sense it is equivalent to ...
Here's how I imagine it6/24/2009
  Q: Polarized oscillates in one direction..I can picture that in my mind.Unpolarized light oscillates in ...
  A: If this image doesn't help you, then I can offer no further help -- it's the best I can do. Anyway, ...
Bicycle and angular momentum6/21/2009
  Q: Why a bicycle or a motorbike won't fall off when riding? While the bicycle in rest, it falls down. ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Increase of mass from asteroid of 65 million years ago6/19/2009
  Q: There is a new TV show that deals with a piece of neutron star that hits the moon and doubles its ...
  A: The mass of that asteroid was an estimated 6 x 10^14 kg, www.icr.org/article/453 which sound like a ...
Einstein as told by TV6/18/2009
  Q: I recently saw a program describing the eclipse of the sun that allowed scientists to prove that the ...
  A: > If the sun were not there, > would the bending light have traveled in a different direction? I ...
Doubling the mass of our Moon without destroying it6/17/2009
  Q: There is a new TV show that deals with a piece of neutron star that hits the moon and doubles its ...
  A: Any object that, when hitting our Moon, would double its mass would have to be the same mass of our ...
Average size6/16/2009
  Q: What is the average penis size?
  A: Not sure why you're asking this on a physics forum. However, these scientific studies should be a ...
Follow-up6/16/2009
  Q: When it is said that all falling bodies fall at the same acceleration to the earth, does that hold ...
  A: > the earth is pulled towards those different mass objects at different rates That is correct. ...
Why is acceleration on Earth's surface the same6/16/2009
  Q: When it is said that all falling bodies fall at the same acceleration to the earth, does that hold ...
  A: > does that hold true only because compared to the size of the earth, > all falling bodies have the ...
Quantum physics in a simple manner6/10/2009
  Q: What is quantam physics...how can we make a lay man understand the concept in a simple manner.
  A: > how can we make a lay man understand the concept in a simple manner? The answer is pretty ...
electric magnet fields6/3/2009
  Q: I was wondering if matter close to absolute zero slows down atomic decay and neutrinos lose ...
  A: > matter close to absolute zero slows down atomic decay As far as we know, nothing alters the rate ...
Obtaining optical equipment5/31/2009
  Q: Do you know of a device that will take a laser beam from a laser pointer and either divide it into ...
  A: A quick internet search for "beam splitter" found this company selling optical equipment that may or ...
Atomic structure5/31/2009
  Q: Sir,,i am a new to atomic physics and have many queries in my mind.......i was recently studying ...
  A: 1) I presume your question is "Can a substance be made to emit line spectra just by heating it, or ...
electric current and electric field5/31/2009
  Q: the voltage drop is equal to integration of electric field into dr. if the electric field is the ...
  A: I believe you are confusing two concepts: electric current and electric field (aka 'E-field'). The ...
I'll tell you what I'll know5/31/2009
  Q: I came across the following in a physics forum---is it true? I'm paraphrasing a little from the ...
  A: Here's what I *do* know. Imagine three observors of a star '*', all the same distance from that ...
Angular size while travelling at near-light speed5/30/2009
  Q: I came across the following in a physics forum---is it true? I'm paraphrasing a little from the ...
  A: Before I check the accuracy of what this person is saying, I'd have to see his complete statement. ...
You CONTINUE to confuse time dilation with simultaneity5/29/2009
  Q: In the train-and-platform thought experiment ...
  A: Let me state this as clearly as I can. When two observors are moving in constant velocity relative ...
"The" successful experiment calculating light speed5/28/2009
  Q: i have a question that who did the successful experiment of calculating the speed of the light? i ...
  A: > who did the successful experiment of calculating > the speed of the light? Not sure what you ...
Don't confuse time dilation with simultaneity5/28/2009
  Q: In the train-and-platform thought experiment ...
  A: > an observer on the station will see a clock at the back of the train > moving faster than a clock ...
Capacitor in DC circuit5/27/2009
  Q: when a capacitor is connected with battery why each plate recieve charge of equal magnitude and is ...
  A: I'm not sure I understand your question, but I'll repeat what I've already said: 1) there is no ...
Oscillating EM-field or oscillating space5/27/2009
  Q: I am reading a book by Isaac Asimov on Maxwells Eqns."It is possible to view the oscillating field ...
  A: I wish I could say, "It's all very simple." But the fact is, it isn't. Indeed, without Asimov's book ...
Capacitor in DC circuit5/26/2009
  Q: when a capacitor is connected with battery why each plate recieve charge of equal magnitude and is ...
  A: With a DC circuit, there is no electromotive force (ie, no voltage) outside of the circuit. This ...
How lasers work5/22/2009
  Q: I am interested in designing a low frequency radio wave device that can produce a coherent beam of ...
  A: Every laser ever designed and built works on the same principle: get more atoms in a specific high ...
Measuring speed anywhere5/21/2009
  Q: Measuring the speed of an object is fairly straightforward on or near Earth. We know a spaceship is ...
  A: Your question seems to be, "How can I measure an object's uniform speed when I have nothing to ...
Capacitor in DC circuit5/21/2009
  Q: when a capacitor is connected with battery why each plate recieve charge of equal magnitude and is ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Movement of Air5/20/2009
  Q: Does the air inside of a tire spin at the same speed as the tire itself?? When the tire stops does ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
A possible cause of your problem with PN junctions5/18/2009
  Q: It would be most helpful if you could explain to me how a PN junction diode really works. I already ...
  A: > which seems quite unreasonable because, > as we know it is the negative charge that moves, > not ...
Solidifying liquid water through pressure5/18/2009
  Q: I am not a physics expert or a physics major but I would like to ask you these questions. Ice is ...
  A: > Can water turn to ice if it is placed in a compression chamber Although I'm not 100% certain, I ...
Size of our Universe5/16/2009
  Q: I have seen recently scientists claim they have seen objects (using hubble) 13 billion lightyears ...
  A: > where am i going wrong? Most likely in your assumption that our entire Universe is finite, and ...
Expanding Universe, with expansion actually expanding5/16/2009
  Q: My understanding is that current knowledge leads us to believe the universe is expanding at an ...
  A: Let's go back to the meaning of cosmic expansion. I'll explain it again as similar to a balloon ...
Expanding Universe, with expansion actually expanding5/16/2009
  Q: My understanding is that current knowledge leads us to believe the universe is expanding at an ...
  A: I'm quite impressed. You surmised the reason for the red-shift of distant light sources, a phenomena ...
TOTAL weight of tub, water, and person5/7/2009
  Q: My friends and I are arguing this at work...If a hot tub is sitting on a scale with water in it, and ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Lever forces5/7/2009
  Q: I am having an argument with a puzzle publisher....please look at this picture. ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Quantum physics5/4/2009
  Q: I'm I'm 13 years old in seventh grade. I'm very intersected in the law of attraction, and i was told ...
  A: Before I can even attempt an answer to your question, I need to know two things: 1) What exactly is ...
A common question -- and a good one!4/28/2009
  Q: My son asked me this: If the speed of light can not be surpassed then if you were travelling on a ...
  A: Permit me to rephrase it. Say you are on a space ship going 90% of the speed of light (ie, .9c) ...
Mass into energy4/22/2009
  Q: please explain under what conditons mass is converted into Energy?
  A: The most common instance is during nuclear reactions. For instance, when a U-235 nucleus has a ...
Air resistance4/10/2009
  Q: What does it mean by air resistance? Does it slow objects moving through air? Please give me the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
What a computer stores4/6/2009
  Q: I know i am asking a stupid question but it has stuck my mind so i am asking to you that When i ...
  A: Each computer has a small amount of information about itself (time, preferred disks, what to do at ...
Calculating refractive index4/1/2009
  Q: If velocity of light=frequency * wavelength then the light coming from sunlight is made of ...
  A: I regret that I do not fully understand the question. There are innumerable ways to measure the ...
Cosmic background radiation3/31/2009
  Q: I have heard that some of the static/whitenoise heard on a radio receiver is in fact remnant from ...
  A: First of all, a MINOR correction. Cosmic background radiation, also known as the cosmic microwave ...
Wavelength, frequency, and speed3/29/2009
  Q: If velocity of light=frequency * wavelength then the light coming from sunlight is made of ...
  A: The speed of light (indeed, of all electromagnetic radiation) is the same. Thus, if you multiply the ...
Calculating a B-field3/29/2009
  Q: Ampere's law and Biot-Savart law of induction ueses a steady (no variation with time)constant ...
  A: Both Ampere's Law and the Biot-Savart Law presume that the current from which we are calculating the ...
Pull on one end of a cable3/18/2009
  Q: If there was a straight taught cable, string, or wire that was 5 light-years long (not that it is ...
  A: The signal from one end of the wire -- the signal saying, "I'm being pulled -- follow along with ...
How fast before we lose ability to see it?3/16/2009
  Q: I think that the velocity at which a small object such as a bullet travels is too fast for a human ...
  A: You've asked a very good question, one that I (1) think should be analyzed better than what I have ...
Questions I answer3/15/2009
  Q: what kinds to physics questions do you answer if not school based physics
  A: Believe it or not, some people maintain an interest in physics -- along with interest in learning in ...
Resistance3/14/2009
  Q: Respected sir please let me out of this problem: Do bends in wire effect electrisal risitance? If ...
  A: :^) I don't know how "respected" I am, but I will answer your question. However, please forgive the ...
Dopper Shift3/12/2009
  Q: An observer who is passed by a rapidly-moving cart equipped with a blaring tone generator will hear ...
  A: Let me (1) explain the doppler shift and (2) ensure that I understand your question. Imagine an ...
Dopper Shift3/7/2009
  Q: An observer who is passed by a rapidly-moving cart equipped with a blaring tone generator will hear ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
head on collision3/7/2009
  Q: i would like to know where i could find this information. 2 cars head on collision going say 60mph ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Measuring pulse rate2/25/2009
  Q: Cna you measure your pulse rate?
  A: It's pretty straitforward. Just put your finger or hand on a place -- your wrist, your neck, your ...
I'm still confused2/16/2009
  Q: Please can you identify for me some liquids, when frozen, are heavier than water. ANSWER: A "frozen ...
  A: You apparently understand the following: 1) most substances, when they solidify, INCREASE their ...
Solids heavier than water2/16/2009
  Q: Please can you identify for me some liquids, when frozen, are heavier than water.
  A: A "frozen liquid" is just another word for "solid." Just about any solid that will sink in liquid ...
Bubbles form in liquid when adding a solid2/11/2009
  Q: Sometimes when I make hot tea, the water re-boils when I drop in the tea bag. I heat water to a full ...
  A: What happens when bubbles form in a liquid? Basically, the internal gas pressure overwhelms the ...
Induced E-fields2/11/2009
  Q: Once again thank you for the clarifications.I can now understand that a changing B field next to a ...
  A: > if I connect the wire in a closed circuit with an ammeter, > will it register a reading? Yes. ...
LEDs2/11/2009
  Q: If light is produced when electrons move from higher energy orbits to lower energy orbits, when does ...
  A: I must admit that I am confused about what exactly you want to know. Which of the following do you ...
Charged particles2/9/2009
  Q: How do caheged particles lose their charge? Is it possible to place charged particles in a container ...
  A: > How do caheged particles lose their charge? Individual particles never lose their charge. ...
The limitation of incandescent bulbs2/8/2009
  Q: If light is produced when electrons move from higher energy orbits to lower energy orbits, when does ...
  A: The main limitation of an incandescent bulb is that it has a moving part. Feel free to respond, ...
LED"s2/8/2009
  Q: If light is produced when electrons move from higher energy orbits to lower energy orbits, when does ...
  A: Each individual atom emits a photon (ie, a chunk of light) when any of that atom's electrons goes ...
Some of the "basic" laws of physics2/8/2009
  Q: i was wondering if you could perhaps tell me what the mian "laws" of physics or energies are....i ...
  A: Your question IS a bit vague, but I'll try to answer it in this way. What laws of our Universe are ...
Induced Current2/5/2009
  Q: I have a few points that needs further clarification. 1)I learned in school that a battery is a ...
  A: 1) an "induced EMF" is Faraday's description for loops of conductor within a changing B-field ...
Changing B-field near a conductor2/2/2009
  Q: As a follow up question;If instead of a conductor (wire)I now have a conducting surface say a metal ...
  A: Anytime a changing B-field (more precisely, a changing magnetic flux) goes through a conductor -- ...
electric Flux and gaussian surface1/31/2009
  Q: considering a volume charge distribution....if we consider the Gaussian surface such that it does ...
  A: Although I don't completely understand what you are asking, I'll try to answer it. I've not used the ...
Temperature measured by a thermometer1/30/2009
  Q: Would it be true to say that a thermometer measures its own temperature, and not that which it is ...
  A: Any useful thermometer quickly reaches temperature equilibrium with the environment into which it is ...
Why we continue to "see" things1/30/2009
  Q: I am not sure if my last questions were sent, so here they are again. 1. Why do we see the wheels ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
AC current placed near current carrying loop1/29/2009
  Q: Let me rephrase the question thus:There is a DC current flowing in a wire,therefore there is a B ...
  A: Let's assume the wire carrying the constant current is part of a loop of conductor. That loop of ...
The atom1/28/2009
  Q: Newtons law on motion states that "To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" Let us ...
  A: > I understand that an atom is the smallest part of an object Not QUITE correct. The atom is the ...
Self-powered cart on treadmill that tilts1/28/2009
  Q: If I walk I use energy to do work. If I climb stairs, I gain height and so use energy to lift my ...
  A: The diagram helped quite considerably. I'll answer the question x is the amount of energy needed ...
Collisions1/27/2009
  Q: Newtons law on motion states that "To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" Let us ...
  A: Newton's Third Law applies in collisions only to this extent: the force exerted by the cue ball on ...
Speed/Velocity1/27/2009
  Q: A dictionary explains that speed and velocity mean "Distance traveled per unit time". Is it not true ...
  A: > Is it not true that velocity has to include direction That is correct. > Also is it at the point ...
Treadmill with motor with negligible losses1/27/2009
  Q: If I walk I use energy to do work. If I climb stairs, I gain height and so use energy to lift my ...
  A: Okay, let's take the motor of your treadmill, drawing current (and thus energy) as it keeps the ...
Electro-magnetism1/25/2009
  Q: .it cleared up a lot for me. Can you help me understand this sentance..The field inside a conductor ...
  A: > The field inside a conductor stays inside > and outside fields stays outside I'm afraid I can't ...
Definition of "work" in physics1/23/2009
  Q: I am doing chin ups.I lift myself uo till my chin is above the bar,thus work was done to raise my ...
  A: The problem arises when scientists use a word like "work" -- that has innumerable meanings in ...
Relationship between B-fields and currents1/21/2009
  Q: A DC current is flowing in a wire,a steady,time invariant magnetic field surrounds/circles it..right ...
  A: You correctly note the following: 1) a non-changing current through a wire creates a non-changing ...
Pipes freezing, hot and cold pipes1/18/2009
  Q: if i shoot a rifle(sks,7.62bullet)perfectly straight up in the air will the bullet come back in the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Reduced temperature upon opening a bottle1/17/2009
  Q: why does a chilled bottle of tea freeze when opened
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Measuring the loss of heat over time1/15/2009
  Q: I live in a senior housing complex. My ground floor apt heaters are 10-15 years old. How can any ...
  A: Not sure exactly what you're looking for, but the only thing I can think of is to place a few ...
The effect of an impossible event1/12/2009
  Q: sir what will happen when earth stops its rotation? ANSWER: If you check out these two URLs ...
  A: Due to its rotation, the surface of our Earth at the equator is moving (relative to our Sun) at over ...
Work done by friction force1/11/2009
  Q: Is any type of work is done by friction?If so,then what type?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Earth's rotation1/10/2009
  Q: sir what will happen when earth stops its rotation?
  A: If you check out these two URLs www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/tides.html ...
What about velocities above c?1/10/2009
  Q: I recently learned about the theory of relativity in my grade twelve class but there were two things ...
  A: > If you square a velocity that is greater or equal to the speed of light Fortunately, that is a ...
Object struck at its focal point1/9/2009
  Q: I've been pondering this for a long time. If you strike an object at it's focal point will it not ...
  A: Not sure what you mean by "focal point" of an object, as that term is usually applied to optics. ...
Number of miles in a light-year1/9/2009
  Q: if i shoot a rifle(sks,7.62bullet)perfectly straight up in the air will the bullet come back in the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Theory of Relativity Extremes1/8/2009
  Q: I recently learned about the theory of relativity in my grade twelve class but there were two things ...
  A: > if the faster you travel the shorter you become > what happens when you meet or go less then ...
How do piezo crystals work1/5/2009
  Q: Sir could you please explain how a piezoelectric crystal work. I mean what mechanism leads to the ...
  A: This PowerPoint file is the best explanation I could find: www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources ...
Induced voltage by changing B-field1/1/2009
  Q: Faraday showed that current is induced in a coil by a moving magnet.What causes this effect? Thanks
  A: More precisely, Faraday showed that a voltage was induced within a loop in which the B-field was ...
speed and velocity12/21/2008
  Q: What is the difference between speed and velocity ??
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Inversion during EM wave reflection12/21/2008
  Q: ) When a wave,(light) moves from a less dense medium (air) and reflects off a more dense ...
  A: I was not able to find a simple way to explain this phase shift of the E-field upon reflection, ...
single molecule data12/18/2008
  Q: What is the minimum number of molecules required in a given sample space/volume in order to make ...
  A: Let's make certain we agree on definitions: Phase -- how molecules interact with each other. ...
Why don't spinning objects fall down?12/16/2008
  Q: Bodies that are rotating (like a top) or the ones that are moving (like a bicycle) are easily ...
  A: In our Universe there is a quantity called "angular momentum," which is very similar to linear ...
Where does potential energy go?12/15/2008
  Q: I have a problem and I can not solve it. We have a simple spring.We compress it and fix the current ...
  A: > This is wrong, because this must be also caused when we put > a non-compressed spring in the acid ...
When someone is "coasting"12/13/2008
  Q: Can you explain how accelerating an object can 'break' time as compared to what I somewhat ...
  A: Your term "coasting" is acceptable, but permit me to use it as shorthand for the words "travelling ...
Where does excess charge go?12/13/2008
  Q: I have a follow up question,if the electrons from the metal flow to neutralise the positive charges ...
  A: Good question. Note that it doesn't take a lot of charge BUILDUP to make a nasty spark. When you ...
Buoyancy12/11/2008
  Q: The following is not a homework question. It is 50 years since I did physics and I was trying to ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
To calculate the gravitation acceleration on ANY object12/9/2008
  Q: I am wondering what the exact gravitational acceleration on the moon is. I was taught that it is 1.6 ...
  A: If you are measuring the gravitational acceleration a(Gr) on the surface of any spherical object, ...
Gravity and other forces12/9/2008
  Q: My name is Rob. I am not a student but I was hoping you could help improve my understanding of the ...
  A: > In what ways is it different? Several ways: 1) There is no repulsive gravitational force. 2) ...
The nature of electrostatic "ground"12/8/2008
  Q: I was pushing a baggage trolly in the airport(aircon)and i was wearing rubber shoes,i pushed on the ...
  A: In the parlance of electricians, there are two meanings of the word ground: "local" and "true." The ...
Gravitational Force12/8/2008
  Q: My name is Rob. I am not a student but I was hoping you could help improve my understanding of the ...
  A: There IS a gravitational attraction between the orange and the bowling ball in outer space. Indeed, ...
Voltage detector12/5/2008
  Q: How does a voltage detector test pen work? I put on thick rubber soles and use a test pen to see if ...
  A: I presume you're asking about something like this ...
double slit experiment12/4/2008
  Q: a)I checked out a site recommended for the double slit experiment..its very good!If an obsrevation ...
  A: A) In the experiment you mention, electrons are sent, one at a time, through one of two slits, and ...
Iron filings in a magnetic field11/28/2008
  Q: suppose there is bar magnet kept on a cardboardand it has a magnetic field around it... suppose we ...
  A: If any object made of a ferro-magnetic material (such as iron) is within any type of magnetic field, ...
distributive weight11/26/2008
  Q: If you have two objects that can each support 500lbs of weight, does that necessarily mean that they ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
How can one cell become two?11/26/2008
  Q: We know 2+2 is 4, but can physics present a working model as to how a cell upon cenception becomes ...
  A: > can physics present a working model as to how a cell upon cenception becomes two > how can matter ...
Do I answer questions onTheoretical Physics?11/24/2008
  Q: I would like to know if you answer theoretical physic questions? Best regards, Julian
  A: I'm willing to try. If it's related to academic or professional work, don't waste your time (as I ...
Solids and liquids11/23/2008
  Q: I wanted to ask that why we are able to penetrate(go into) water or any other fluid. When we stand ...
  A: The reason we (solids) can go into fluids (like water) but not into other solids has to do with how ...
Why Cheerios(R) attract (just a guess)11/21/2008
  Q: I have observed an odd behavior of the breakfast cereal Cheerios when there are only a handful (say ...
  A: Disclaimer -- the following is ONLY a guess, and it is the only guess I can think of at this time. ...
Light bulb resistance when voltage polarity changes11/21/2008
  Q: I have been trying to know if the resistance of a light bulb changes when the polarity of the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Nature of voltage and current11/18/2008
  Q: I am a bit confused about the relation b/w power, voltage and current as we know ...
  A: > Electric potential at a point is the amount of work needed > to be done to bring a unit charge ...
Nature of voltage and current11/17/2008
  Q: I am a bit confused about the relation b/w power, voltage and current as we know ...
  A: PART I > when we increase the voltage, the current should also increase That would be true ONLY if ...
newton's third law of motion11/17/2008
  Q: i am always confused about this law((action====reaction)) Is there any situation in which when the ...
  A: When talking about a force, you MUST carefully specify two things: 1) BY WHAT is the force coming ...
The "why" of magnetism11/12/2008
  Q: i have just studied electromagnetism(X standard), but i exactly do not know why certain (or rather ...
  A: > what causes magnetism?? what is it? First of all, understand that we live in a universe in which ...
fish in tank of water11/12/2008
  Q: if i shoot a rifle(sks,7.62bullet)perfectly straight up in the air will the bullet come back in the ...
  A: Think of the situation this way. You have two buckets, one with water, one with fish only (they are ...
You are not an idiot11/9/2008
  Q: Physic is my favorite subject.But the problem is that no matter how hard I study, my grade still ...
  A: > Am I an idiot? No. Physics is quite a difficult subject, particularly when the only way to fully ...
Change in melting point due to impurities11/8/2008
  Q: in my book it is written that the addition of impurities lowers the melting point of a substance..i ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Twin Paradox and Common Sense10/28/2008
  Q: I understand that someone traveling at close to the speed of light in a spaceship would in a sense ...
  A: > my question rather was about (not from a mathematical formula > but from common sense) why such a ...
Again, KEEP TRACK of what's exerting what force on what10/27/2008
  Q: QUES--suppose a box is lying on ground with mass m so it will exert a force of mg on earth and the ...
  A: > when the box and the earth are in contact, > does earth exert a force of mg on box(gravitational) ...
Twin Paradox10/27/2008
  Q: I understand that someone traveling at close to the speed of light in a spaceship would in a sense ...
  A: > what reasoning did einstein use to determine [this] Remember my opening disclaimer? I'll do my ...
Why does the curvature seem so pronounced10/26/2008
  Q: http://tiny.cc/5FCPZ is this photo telling me the truth about the curvature of the earth? or is it ...
  A: First and foremost, I don't know where the picture was taken or with what lens. So I'm just guessing ...
Twin Paradox10/26/2008
  Q: I understand that someone traveling at close to the speed of light in a spaceship would in a sense ...
  A: > please explain in laymen words An apocryphal story has Einstein being asked to explain relativity ...
Is this telling the "truth" about the Earth's curvature10/25/2008
  Q: http://tiny.cc/5FCPZ is this photo telling me the truth about the curvature of the earth? or is it ...
  A: Not certain what truth you think this photo is (or is not) showing. The Earth's surface is curved. I ...
Keep track of all forces -- BY what and ON what10/23/2008
  Q: suppose a box is lying on ground with mass m so it will exert a force of mg on earth and the earth ...
  A: I admit, this gets a bit confusing. It's like two people who agree to split every expense 50-50, and ...
Why I won't answer questions about eggs10/21/2008
  Q: Why do you hate the word "egg"? Are you allergic to it!.
  A: most questioners over the last five years either don't bother to do so or don't understand what I am ...
Why is it colder at higher temperatures10/20/2008
  Q: i was just wondering if heat rises why is it cold at the top of a mountain
  A: Imagine, if you will, asphalt that's been out in the sun for a few hours. Hold your hand a couple of ...
Light and sound10/14/2008
  Q: How does light and sound travel through gases?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Importance of Electric Field10/7/2008
  Q: What is the importance/relevance to know the electric field distribution of a electrical apparatus? ...
  A: The electric field around any apparatus tells us how charges will react if near that apparatus. Too ...
Photons are NOT observors10/6/2008
  Q: According to Special Relativity, the lenght of and object outside of my frame contracts in the ...
  A: In our universe "distance" only has meaning as a measurement between two measuring devices. Again, ...
Bending of kite lines10/5/2008
  Q: We have all flown kites in our childhoods. I wonder why when the kite reaches a good altitude, its ...
  A: The lines bend down because they have weight. They are pulled in two directions -- downward because ...
Effects of relativistic speed10/4/2008
  Q: Is the mass increase and length contraction due to relativistic speed permanent once the body ...
  A: Your questions are sufficiently god that I can't give both a short answer AND a correct one. So ...
Helium balloons in an accelerated frame10/4/2008
  Q: Just curious about the Helium balloons in free air. I saw in 'Nat Geo - What would happen if ?'some ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Why doesn't space shrink10/3/2008
  Q: According to Special Relativity, the lenght of and object outside of my frame contracts in the ...
  A: > why wouldn't its length 'go to' zero as its speed > (ignoring how it got to that speed) ...
Pizza cutting with a wheel10/2/2008
  Q: I am wondering why pizza wheels are used in pizza shops instead of knives. I am guessing that this ...
  A: This URL answers this question -- which I've never really thought about till you asked it -- better ...
Will the rod rotate?10/2/2008
  Q: I have an invention that I’m putting on hold till I can figure out the physics of the concept will ...
  A: > will this allow the cube/block to rotate > because of the magnets repel and attraction magnetic ...
What happens when velocity equals 'c'9/30/2008
  Q: According to Special Relativity, the lenght of and object outside of my frame contracts in the ...
  A: > So would or would not any distance I cross become zero > at the limit of c Your question is a ...
Remember Newton's Third Law9/29/2008
  Q: why is the normal force equal to the force of gravity?
  A: Recall that, if Object A (like something with mass) exerts a force on Object B (like a floor), then ...
What light hits our eye when we see grey?9/26/2008
  Q: I think I am right in thinking that the colour we perceive an object to be is determined by the fact ...
  A: > grey is effectively a weaker concentration of white light? The precise wording would be "lower ...
What light hits our eye when we see grey?9/25/2008
  Q: I think I am right in thinking that the colour we perceive an object to be is determined by the fact ...
  A: Permit me to re-state what happens when we see an object as a particular color: 1) light of many ...
Melting point9/25/2008
  Q: what do we mean by the melting point of the substances which contract on melting decreases by the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Falling objects9/19/2008
  Q: I was wondering if one person weighting 170 lbs was falling and another one weighting 100 lbs was ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Which is denser - liquid or solid9/17/2008
  Q: When does a substance has more density - in solid state or liquid state?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
You'll have to split the bet -- you're both wrong9/2/2008
  Q: In theory: if you were driving a car in space at the speed of light, and turned on the headlights ...
  A: > if you were driving a car in space at the speed of light You can't drive a car at the speed of ...
I'm not at all familar with sterling coinage9/1/2008
  Q: why when i spin a pound coin can i see straight away which side it will land on ANSWER: Do you mean ...
  A: > i can see it straight away > only with a pound coin I have absolutely no idea why this would be ...
I'll keep trying to answer your philosophy questions9/1/2008
  Q: 1.When we look at a apple? do we really "SEE" the apple with our eye? ...
  A: > Do human see the real thing? Depends what you mean by the "real thing." Our eyes are not uniform ...
I'll need more info9/1/2008
  Q: why when i spin a pound coin can i see straight away which side it will land on
  A: Do you mean you can quickly detect that the coin is not spinning around a vertical axis, and thus ...
For a general question, temps don't matter much8/31/2008
  Q: HOw do peole vent cold gases out of a place?Because for a hot gas chimney creates a stack effect by ...
  A: Forgive my delay in responding, but there WAS a reason why I was MUCH slower than normal. 1) after ...
Some general info8/30/2008
  Q: HOw do peole vent cold gases out of a place?Because for a hot gas chimney creates a stack effect by ...
  A: There's one more piece of the puzzle I'll need -- the temeperature difference between the gas in the ...
Why the sky looks blue8/29/2008
  Q: we know that the wave lenght of violate colour of suns light is the lowest.so the scattering of the ...
  A: I going to PRESUME what you're asking is, "If violet light scatters more than blue light, why is the ...
Removing cold gases from a building8/29/2008
  Q: HOw do peole vent cold gases out of a place?Because for a hot gas chimney creates a stack effect by ...
  A: You note correctly that it is the nature of hotter gasses to rise above colder gasses. Thus, as you ...
I'll try to answer your philosophy questions8/27/2008
  Q: 1.When we look at a apple? do we really "SEE" the apple with our eye? ...
  A: All three of these questions are more related to philosophy, the discipline asking, "How do we know ...
Shattering crystal and ice8/19/2008
  Q: We know it's possible to break a wine glass with a high frequency pitch, could it do the same for ...
  A: Crystal can be made to shatter if and ONLY if the sound sent onto to is EXACTLY the resonance ...
Evaporation vs boiling8/3/2008
  Q: I understand that alcohol evaporates at a lower temperature than water. As such, if a bottle of wine ...
  A: > alcohol evaporates at a lower temperature than water Not quite. Alcohol and water will BOTH ...
Human differences in color perception8/1/2008
  Q: Sorry I don't mean to ask the same question again, but I have been told our cones and rod vary, ...
  A: I'm going to presume you are asking about this statement from that post: > we cannot be sure that ...
Human differences in color perception8/1/2008
  Q: Sorry I don't mean to ask the same question again, but I have been told our cones and rod vary, ...
  A: > I have been told our cones and rod vary > Why the info I get here is different from rest of the ...
Using expansion of ice to generate power7/30/2008
  Q: You recently commented on the pressure created when water cools and freezes. I was always intrigued ...
  A: Could you use the expansion of ice as it freezes to generate power? Probably. Would this power ...
What we perceive7/29/2008
  Q: I want ask why do human seem seem to be able to agree on following phenomenon? -Is it true that ...
  A: > size? Texture? Distance? Human look? All of these can be measured in a quantitative manner. A ...
Nature of color7/29/2008
  Q: I want ask why do human seem seem to be able to agree on following phenomenon? -Is it true that ...
  A: That the light we see as "red" is different from the light we see as "blue" is NOT a qualitative ...
Fluid on outside of styrofoam cup7/23/2008
  Q: my friend left a styrofoam cup from schlotzsky's in the cupholder of his car for about a day. when ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
Mass of Earth vs mass of universe7/18/2008
  Q: How much of the universe is actually made of anything. I.E. if all the space was compressed so that ...
  A: First of all, I just realized I made a horribly stupid, GRADE SCHOOL error in my answer. Each time ...
How big is all the universe's fermionic matter?7/17/2008
  Q: How much of the universe is actually made of anything. I.E. if all the space was compressed so that ...
  A: This is not an easy question to answer, for more than one reason. Just so you know, the type of ...
The fly is in the car again7/16/2008
  Q: Ok so if the fly is fluttering about in the car, as earlier understood, what if you slam on your ...
  A: Always recall this rule -- in order to specify a velocity, you MUST specify what it is relative. So ...
Fly within a car7/14/2008
  Q: When driving at a speed of 65mph does gravity effect a fly that is caught in a car? Why doesn't it ...
  A: When a fly flies within a car, it doesn't matter whether or not the car is standing still or moving ...
Twin "paradox"7/14/2008
  Q: How come sometimes i read that if you are on a spaceship traveling an 0.99 C, when you come back to ...
  A: This gets a little complicated, so bear with me. Consider how you might measure the speed of a car ...
WHERE DOES THE BULLET GO?7/13/2008
  Q: When you shoot a bullet up into the sky from either a rifle or pistol of .22 caliber or bigger, ...
  A: Like all other objects that go upwards, a bullet will fall back down to the Earth. This is a simple ...
The use of certain rules7/12/2008
  Q: At the "Featival of Britain" (1952 !)they had this motor: Above a vertical bar magnet, N pole ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding. Your question is sufficiently involved that I knew I had to ...
Faraday's Motor7/11/2008
  Q: At the "Featival of Britain" (1952 !)they had this motor: Above a vertical bar magnet, N pole ...
  A: Although I've not see _Festival of Britain_, I'm going to guess this motor is what you're referring ...
What is reality?7/11/2008
  Q: I have read article from some website...and I have some issue concerning the existence of science ...
  A: Your questions involve more philosophy than physics, but I will try to answer them. The fact is ...
Gyroscope in an auto7/11/2008
  Q: I'm not really sure what category this fits into but here's my question(s). I am remembering when ...
  A: Check out this URL, that explains angular momentum ('L', and its conservation) much better than I ...
Center of the Universe7/8/2008
  Q: Do scientists know where the center of the universe is; i.e., where the Big Bang occured? If so, ...
  A: Your question is so similar to one I answered just yesterday, that I will cut and paste what I wrote ...
Your questions are well-thought out7/8/2008
  Q: WHAT WOULD THE TEMPERATURE OF THE UNIVERSE BE WITHOUT MATTER? AS I UDERSTAND IT, ABSOLUTE ZERO IS ...
  A: > WHAT WOULD THE TEMPERATURE OF THE UNIVERSE BE WITHOUT MATTER? Since "temperature" is defined as ...
Using buoyancy to reach the upper atmosphere7/6/2008
  Q: Is it possible in theory to build a tube so tall that it reaches from the ground to the upper ...
  A: It seems your idea is as follows: 1) build a tube from the Earth's surface to the upper atmosphere ...
Nature of "force"7/6/2008
  Q: well i'd like to understand how force works, does it lose it's effeciency by time, and is force a ...
  A: Not sure I fully understand the questions, so I'll try to describe the nature of a "force." A force ...
Energy in time warp6/12/2008
  Q: Since light-speed travel theoretically means things stop aging relative to the rest of the universe, ...
  A: > Since light-speed travel theoretically means things > stop aging relative to the rest of the ...
Doesn't matter if it's homework or not6/9/2008
  Q: Sorry, but I don't answer homework questions.. It isnt a homework question and I wasnt asking you ...
  A: Your question obviously involve academic matters. In case you missed the statement I post on the ...
The nature of the electrostatic field6/3/2008
  Q: The electromagnetic field comprises of photons that move at the speed of light and transfer energy. ...
  A: > Is this force caused by exchange photons > there is some other explanation? The simple answer is ...
ball lightning6/2/2008
  Q: Recently, Max Planck Institute says it has produced something like ball lightning in the lab. They ...
  A: > It’s generally accepted that earth has ball lightning in the atmosphere. An excellent ...
Buoyant force at greater water depth5/7/2008
  Q: I know that a body wholly or partially submersed in water experiences an upward force equal to the ...
  A: > the buoyancy at the surface will not increase no matter how much the depth under increases > but ...
Any current research on Keely's ideas5/5/2008
  Q: If all atoms oscilate/vibrate at a specific frequency for their specific atomic weight and periodic ...
  A: > is there any current research into the works of John Keeley Not that I am aware of, although an ...
Buoyant force at greater water depth5/3/2008
  Q: I know that a body wholly or partially submersed in water experiences an upward force equal to the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I do not assist ...
Where did the Big Bang come from?5/1/2008
  Q: If the "Big Bang" made the universe, where did the material needed for the "Big Bang" come from? If ...
  A: I'm not certain what point I'm supposed to ponder, but the questions you ask are similar to the ...
Why is there an anti-node in an open cylinder?4/24/2008
  Q: we know if we flow air through an end coloumn, node of the wavelength forms at the end of the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
What would happen if sub-atomic particles stopped moving4/21/2008
  Q: hypothetically what would happen to an object if all the atoms in it suddenly stopped moving?
  A: In our universe, sub-atomic particles (like electrons) can NOT stop moving. It is the inherent ...
How do stars burn4/21/2008
  Q: how do stars burn if there is no oxygen in space
  A: Good question. Stars, like our Sun, are NOT like a match, with their energy coming the oxidizing ...
The meaning of acceleration4/3/2008
  Q: Here's something I've never quite understood. Force equals mass X acceleration. But what is the ...
  A: Acceleration means the CHANGE in velocity. When you are going a constant ten miles per hour, you do ...
Two kinds of "nuclear" weapons4/3/2008
  Q: my friends think there is 2 kinds of bombs nuclear and atomic I say is the same thing can you ...
  A: This question is as much semantics as physics. So I'll just deal with the physics. There are two ...
It depends what you mean by "matter"4/2/2008
  Q: I know that Yoda says that mass and size doesn't matter, but what is the law that says that it does? ...
  A: I'm going to presume that this isn't an April Fool's joke, and that you're not simply making a pun. ...
Average molecular velocity of liquids4/2/2008
  Q: The other day my daughter was complaining about how hard it is to get sugar to dissolve in cold tea, ...
  A: If you had used the following search terms in Google{R} "molecular velocity" liquid you would have ...
Can sound make objects move3/29/2008
  Q: Can sound vibrations move an object. For instance if I put a feather on a table, then banged a ...
  A: Sound is simply vibrations through a medium, which can be air, water, or even a solid (put your ear ...
Clear ice cubes3/24/2008
  Q: This is mywhy is in the middle of ice, white ? (have you noticed ?) I guess the reason must be ...
  A: I found these URLs by doing a search for the term "ice cubes" clear ...
Matter and energy3/6/2008
  Q: i want to know ,rather upgrade myself on whether mass can be converted into energy ,what r the ...
  A: What happens in a collision of a particle and an anti-particle, say, an electron and a positron? ...
Using EMF to warp space3/4/2008
  Q: I have a question, does the electromagnetic field generate space-time curvature like the ...
  A: First, let's get our terminology correct. Gravitational fields do NOT generate space-time curvature ...
Depletion zones. Reverse bias.3/2/2008
  Q: i cant understand how a depletion zone is formed and why does it repel holes and electrons? how ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I do not assist ...
I don't think it has anything to do with quantum physics2/29/2008
  Q: somebody said, " you can´t never ask the question that you don´t know already the answer to " does ...
  A: I'm going to presume the statement is, "You can never ask a question that you don't already know the ...
Throwing objects of same size but different masses2/26/2008
  Q: I have asked you a question before, but you said you don't answer homework questions, even though it ...
  A: Very well, allow me to go to "Plan B" -- where I simply delay an answer to ensure what I say won't ...
Using rare earth metals for electromagnets2/23/2008
  Q: My name is Matt, and I'm an Australian middle school student. I was wondering if i would be possible ...
  A: > possible to create a powerful electromagnet using rare earth magnets Unfortunately not. ...
Air friction on an air hocky table2/20/2008
  Q: i have a question.....whats the friction of air on an air hockey table? Thank you for helping me ...
  A: The friction experienced by a puck on an air hockey table -- -- depends on the speed of the puck. ...
Effect of moon's gravity2/19/2008
  Q: hope you may be able to help. I have a question about gravity, specifically the moon. I know that ...
  A: It is true that the moon's gravity is causing the movement of millions of tons of water. But think ...
Different evaporation rates2/17/2008
  Q: why does different types of liquids example wine verses honey evaporate at room tempeture at a much ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Freezing water within an unbreakable container2/16/2008
  Q: If you had a theoretical unbreakable sealed container and had it full of water and cooled it well ...
  A: Because you insisted that the container be unbreakable (and, I presume, won't expand either), I ...
What exactly are "flames"?2/16/2008
  Q: What exactly are "flames"? From what I've read about, it's where atoms are rearranging, with a net ...
  A: First of all, let it be known that fire, although known by us humans for tens of thousands of years, ...
Where does this rain water come from?2/11/2008
  Q: There is some dirt on the side of my house, caused by rainwater hitting the adjacent sidewalk and ...
  A: I suppose you could put some dye into your gutter prior to a rain, and then watch the side to see ...
What is a cathode2/11/2008
  Q: okay, let me see if i understand a cathode correctly. a cathode is an electrode. the way that this ...
  A: Unfortunately, you have it backwards. For a cathode, positive current flows out. This URL explains ...
Energy never lost2/7/2008
  Q: Im having this doubt from 10th grade and none yet could give me a proper answer or I havn't tried ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I don't assist ...
Jet plane hitting wall2/6/2008
  Q: I recently watched a video showing a jet airplane hitting a wall of a nuclear power plant at 500 ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure that I am not ...
Why does force equal mass times acceleration?2/2/2008
  Q: i would like to start this question off by saying this isn't a homework question. so my question has ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I don't assist ...
What is pressure1/26/2008
  Q: what is pressure?
  A: If you ask for a definition at www.Dictionary.Com you'll find 2. Physics. force per unit area and ...
Using RF to trigger an earthquake1/23/2008
  Q: Could radio frequency energy be focused along a minor tectonic fault line to trigger an earthquake?
  A: If the energy released in a typical earthquake were instead focused into an RF generator, it would ...
hydrodynamics and conservation of energy1/15/2008
  Q: There is a fire on the tenth floor of a building. The firemen can only reach the eighth floor with ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding. It is the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not helping ...
Low energy light bulbs1/15/2008
  Q: If I use a low energy light bulb in a thermostatically controlled room will the saving in ...
  A: Please forgive the delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
The Universe and the Neurons1/12/2008
  Q: I am a researcher looking into science and religion and during my studies I have found out that ...
  A: > Could this pattern be a mirror effect to our neurons? Could be. But more likely it's another ...
Why does multiplying mass by accel give force?1/9/2008
  Q: In my physics class we are learning about forces and i'm curious to know why you can figure out your ...
  A: > why any force can be calculated by multiplying > the mass by acceleration I almost never help ...
Does Superman{R} violate any physics laws?1/9/2008
  Q: what are things in the movie which superman does but is not in the field of physics
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Properties of inert gases1/6/2008
  Q: what is the properties of inert gases?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not helping ...
Phonons outside of solids12/19/2007
  Q: In solids, the quantum of sound is the "phonon". What is the quantum of sound outside solids? ...
  A: Within a crystal lattice, it is useful to describe the transmission of vibrations as a set of ...
Drag due to spoilers12/9/2007
  Q: I want to know if the spoiler on a car effects drag and how to determine the drag of a car.
  A: When I did an Internet search for spoiler drag I found these two URLs to be useful: ...
Sound reflection. Also doppler effect12/9/2007
  Q: in sonar technique the reflected sound may not be perpendicular i mean to say when the sound waves ...
  A: Sound waves are not like bullets. When a sound wave emanates from a source -- whether due to a ...
Can a sphere spin simultaneously around three axes?12/8/2007
  Q: I have a question that has left me perplexed for some time but I don't have the knowledge to be able ...
  A: I have understood your question from minute one. My conclusion, incorrect though it may be, is that ...
On the inside of a large spinning sphere12/7/2007
  Q: I have a question that has left me perplexed for some time but I don't have the knowledge to be able ...
  A: > does this direction create equal centrifugal force > across the whole inner surface? Imagine our ...
Spinning sphere12/7/2007
  Q: I have a question that has left me perplexed for some time but I don't have the knowledge to be able ...
  A: One thing to know about spin, or, more precisely, angular momentum: it's like linear momentum. In ...
How does a battery work?12/5/2007
  Q: i've studied physics but have always had a little difficulty with understanding electricity at a ...
  A: The creation of an EMF within a battery is achieved by placing, in close proximity (but not ...
Infinitely small as well as infinitely large12/3/2007
  Q: As Physics has tried and succeeded in understanding and explaining the natural world around us, ...
  A: The best place to start for an understanding of lengths in our universe is ...
Electricity without steam turbines11/29/2007
  Q: Is it physically-possible to design and build a 400 nm laser that is directly-"pumped" by aneutronic ...
  A: > Is there any hope of generating electric power > without needing steam or turbines? > Any scheme ...
Bremsstrahlung radiation11/28/2007
  Q: Is it physically-possible to design and build a 400 nm laser that is directly-"pumped" by aneutronic ...
  A: Bremsstrahlung radiation (Br) is best described in this URL: ...
friction,impulse11/28/2007
  Q: sir why rolling friction is less than sliding friction?also tell is friction dependent on area of ...
  A: > why rolling friction is less than sliding friction? Don't know. > is friction dependent on area ...
400 nm laser pumped by aneutronic fusion -- possible?11/28/2007
  Q: Is it physically-possible to design and build a 400 nm laser that is directly-"pumped" by aneutronic ...
  A: To make a laser of 400 nm requires two things: 1) a substance with atomic energy states separated ...
Baseball travels farther in what type of weather?11/24/2007
  Q: which type of a day would a baseball travel faster, on a sunny day or a rainy day?
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not help ...
Using a motor as a generator11/22/2007
  Q: If you have a motor which is running on... say a 6v DC supply, and spins at 200rpm ...
  A: First of all, please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I ...
Ice Expansion Force11/12/2007
  Q: How much force can freezing water exert? Is it measured in Lbs, PSI. In my eyes its power seems ...
  A: Scientists prefer to discuss the "pressure" exerted by freezing water, because the "force" would ...
Metal Marble11/11/2007
  Q: If i have a marble ball made of metal, and i rub it with a feather for years and years will it ...
  A: The statement is essentially correct -- rubbing metal with a feather does remove some of the metal. ...
Friction as a function of speed11/11/2007
  Q: I'm out of college and studying for the MCAT and I am reviewing some physics for the test. ...
  A: The coefficient of friction between two surfaces doesn't vary with speed -- UP TO A POINT! At low ...
equilibrium ,electricity11/4/2007
  Q: if we are standing at corner of a table then how can we avoid us from falling at the edge of table? ...
  A: > if we are standing at corner of a table then how can we avoid falling Not sure I understand this ...
Sonic vibrations -- same or different?11/3/2007
  Q: I have been looking at sound waves and was thinking if you could get sound waves of a certain ...
  A: Sonic vibrations are just another name for "sound." These are repeated changes in the density of ...
Coefficient of Friction10/31/2007
  Q: Does the Coefficient of Friction ever exceed 1, if so why?
  A: Please excuse the delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not helping ...
Arrow Flight10/30/2007
  Q: Applying a force to a free body causes it to rotate around the Center of Mass (CM). Everything I've ...
  A: Having looked at Mr Tarpley's URL, I must respectfully disagree with his physics. Although I have ...
Arrow Flight10/29/2007
  Q: Applying a force to a free body causes it to rotate around the Center of Mass (CM). Everything I've ...
  A: Unfortunately, I am unfamilar with the dynamics of arrow flights, and could not find an URL that ...
Throughput and output of a water jet10/28/2007
  Q: how much water goes through a water jet and is there a relationship between imput of water and ...
  A: First of all, do you mean what I would call a jet ski? Secondly, any time you input any substance ...
E-beams "count" as particle theory of light?10/28/2007
  Q: I can't quite understand this.. can you help? Would you say that "energy of accelerated e- beams" ...
  A: I regret that I totally cannot figure out what you are asking. I assume by "accelerated e-beams" you ...
Stereo Microscope10/19/2007
  Q: i have also been curious how a microscope actually works. Having already researdched this question ...
  A: This URL should explain the basics http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/anatomy/stereohome.html ...
Dominoes falling, one after another10/18/2007
  Q: What factors affect domino phnomena, In other words, What are the justifcations for the following ...
  A: Not sure what you mean by "justifications," but I'll explain what happens. Like any object, when the ...
Uranium 238 Decay Chain10/18/2007
  Q: General alpha decay of a nuclei follows the rule that the atomic number decreases by 2 and mass ...
  A: > When Uranium-238 decays to Lead-206, > why are there 8 alpha particles emitted? There aren't. ...
The settings for Fahrenheit10/11/2007
  Q: Why has Mr. Fahrenheit adopt the number 32 among hundreds of numbers available for the tempreture in ...
  A: > Why [did] Mr. Fahrenheit adopt the number 32 > for the tempreture in which water freezes? This ...
"Translational" Forces, as well as Roller Coasters10/5/2007
  Q: Do all translational forces have to be parallel? ANSWER: I regret that I am uncertain exactly what ...
  A: > forces on a object are translational when they are equal to zero. > So must the separate forces ...
Meaning of 'nm'10/5/2007
  Q: What does th symbol nm stand for? I know it has something to do with UV and sunlight but still ...
  A: The quickest way to learn what a word or abbreviation means is to go to Dictionary.Com and enter ...
Gaseous ions in an enclosed area10/4/2007
  Q: What would happen if you put a high concentration of both positive and negative charged ions in a ...
  A: I'm going to presume you mean gaseous ions. Both the postive ions and the negative ions would drift ...
What is extradimensional gauge freedom?10/2/2007
  Q: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders_of_magnitude_(temperature) According to the above link, the ...
  A: Unfortunately, I have never heard of this term, and a Google{R} search for it found nothing. This ...
Frictional forces10/2/2007
  Q: I don't get what the force of friction has to do with the normal. Friction goes against the ...
  A: Actually, the friction DOES depend on the surface area. And the materials sliding against each ...
Photons and EM waves9/27/2007
  Q: How is it that a neutral photon creates an electromagnetic wave?
  A: > How is it that a neutral photon > creates an electromagnetic wave? It doesn't. It *IS* an ...
Canterbury Ring Laser9/17/2007
  Q: Is it possible to detect tangential rotation speed of the Earth, using interferometer (of any kind - ...
  A: Now that I have the URL you are curious about, I can answer your question. Our Earth is spinning on ...
Change in Earth's magnetic field9/17/2007
  Q: I had 3 Questions, 1) May I know what are all disadvantages that we are going face when ...
  A: Please excuse my delay in responding: it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not assisting ...
Spinning magnet on a string9/8/2007
  Q: If we shield a magnet against magnetic field of the Earth (close him in a ferromagnetic box, for ...
  A: Please excuse my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not ...
Circuit never fully completed, but rapidly changed9/4/2007
  Q: I was wondering if electrical conduction would occur at any point given the following scenario... ...
  A: My view of your setup looks like something this, where 'B' is the battery, 'N' is its negative pole, ...
Using order of magnitude8/31/2007
  Q: I just have a really quick question about estimation in physics by using order of magnitudes. Is ...
  A: The purpose of order of magnitude is to prove something without resorting to involved calculations. ...
So small a component as to almost not matter8/24/2007
  Q: I hope this doesn't seem whimsical. But I get heat stroke, so it's important to me. On a sunny day, ...
  A: As someone who's hiked in the summer -- in Phoenix -- in the middle of the afternoon -- at temps ...
Frames of reference8/18/2007
  Q: If im driving at 100km/h on the highway, and theres a fly sitting on the seat next to me, and it ...
  A: All measurements of velocity must be specified relative to a specific "frame," which is defined as ...
Free gluons on Earth8/14/2007
  Q: Theoretical situation: It is 12:00 AM on a dark moonless, cloudless night in the desert. I am here ...
  A: This URL explains gluons quite well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluon Please note the statement ...
Electron capture or positron emission8/8/2007
  Q: In charts of nuclear decay processes, I often see the process of a proton decaying to a neutron as ...
  A: First of all, protons do not decay (or, at the very least, their half-life is over 10^33 seconds). ...
physics of baseball after leaving pitcher's hand8/1/2007
  Q: When a pitcher throws a ball after the ball leaves his hand is there a force still acting on the ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding. It is the only way I can think of, to ensure I am not ...
Not a law of physics BUT7/27/2007
  Q: Is there a theory or law about opposites occupying the same space?? I cant find anything in online ...
  A: What's your asking about is more of a "law" of logic. If you define a certain entity (let's say ...
Opposites occupying same space7/20/2007
  Q: Is there a theory or law about opposites occupying the same space?? I cant find anything in online ...
  A: I hate to sound evasive, but I'm not certain what you mean by "opposites" and the "same" space. The ...
Train vs Tree7/18/2007
  Q: I'm not sure if I'm asking the right sort of expert but I thought I'd give it a try! Obviously I ...
  A: Do an Internet search for the mass of a 1) locomotive 2) train car 3) tree You may find it easier ...
Javelin Force7/16/2007
  Q: Bit of a random one - but any help you could provide would be much appreciated. This isn't for a ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding, but it's the only way I can think of, to ensure I don't give ...
sound7/11/2007
  Q: sir i know that this may not really be related to your field, its related to resonance of sound, but ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding, it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not aiding ...
relativity7/6/2007
  Q: Is the entire crux of the theory of relativity based on the finiteness of the speed of light AND its ...
  A: > Is the entire crux of the theory of relativity based on > the finiteness of the speed of light AND ...
Fields7/3/2007
  Q: I was wondering, what exactly in physics is meant by a "field"? I have done a little research on it, ...
  A: First of all, some VERY basic background. When we humans attempt to develop a system to comprehend ...
Acceleration and terminal velocity6/18/2007
  Q: My knowledge in physics does not extend much past secondary education level so I may be missing ...
  A: I think what's happening is that you're misunderstanding the purpose of the equation F = ma When ...
optical depth6/5/2007
  Q: .. I was wondering if you could possibly help me to understand optical depth. I know its a measure ...
  A: I regret that I don't understand the specific question. If you want to understand Optical Depth, the ...
uncertainty principle6/3/2007
  Q: I'm having trouble getting to grips with Heisenberg's Uncertainty principle and the thought ...
  A: > Wikipedia says that this is erroneous I've looked at the Wikipedia article on "Uncertainty ...
Freezing: water vs Gatorade{R}6/3/2007
  Q: How does Gatorade freeze or does it freeze like water?
  A: The carbohydrates in Gatorade{R} brand sports drink will cause it to freeze less quickly than plain ...
angular momentum5/24/2007
  Q: if a solid sphere is executing rolling with slipping motion on a rough horizontal plane then is the ...
  A: Please pardon my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of, to ensure that I am not ...
Electrical appliances enclosed in conducting material5/20/2007
  Q: why electrical appliances such as tv is enclosed in a conducting material?
  A: Any electrical appliance, by its very nature, will emit radio waves as it operates. These radio ...
Balances, Water Whirled in a Bucket5/7/2007
  Q: what is the difference between a chemical balance and physical balance? when a bucket full of water ...
  A: Please forgive my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not helping ...
First use of fire4/30/2007
  Q: how man was obtained fire first time?
  A: Here's some info that may be of interest to you: http://www.wwp-info.com/history-of-technology.htm ...
Time Travel concept4/26/2007
  Q: I am curious about Time Travel. I have read and seen material on the topic. Most tend to sway to the ...
  A: There are three ways to do time travel -- 1) in agreement with what we presently know about our ...
Time Travel concept4/26/2007
  Q: I am curious about Time Travel. I have read and seen material on the topic. Most tend to sway to the ...
  A: > I know the government is most likely WAY ahead of me on this. In a sense, they are indeed. The ...
microwave safe substances4/21/2007
  Q: What makes a cup microwave safe and contrary what makes a cup not microwave safe? What substances ...
  A: Please pardon my delay in answering -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not assisting ...
The Fly and the Car4/21/2007
  Q: My question is as follows: While in a car the other day with the window open, I was wondering what ...
  A: The physics of this question is almost moot. A fly can rapidly adjust its path based on changes in ...
Inefficientcy of Incandescent Bulbs4/16/2007
  Q: I was just wondering why incandescent bulbs are so inefficient (in terms of physics) compared with ...
  A: > it because the energy goes through > more stages in an incandescent bulb? Actually, there is ...
GRAVITY vs. THE LEVERLAW4/14/2007
  Q: dedanoe to NASA/ESA: GRAVITY vs. THE LEVERLAW (in attempt to move the world with a single coin) you ...
  A: This is a classic comparision of apples and oranges, if not apples to horses. The universe we live ...
Friction4/10/2007
  Q: frictional force acts to oppose one surface from sliding relative to the other with which it is in ...
  A: Please pardon my delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to avoid giving academic ...
Generating electricity with rotational motion4/10/2007
  Q: Sir,I want to know can we generate electricity in vacuum? ANSWER: Since 1) electricity (as I think ...
  A: > can we use the rotational motion Of what? > in vacuum to generate electricity When you say ...
Electricity4/9/2007
  Q: Sir,I want to know can we generate electricity in vacuum?
  A: Since 1) electricity (as I think you mean it) involves the flow of charge, and 2) charged particles ...
The speed of light4/9/2007
  Q: to find this by Internet: The speed of the light surpassed by Javier Shepherd: 6 Tuesdays March ...
  A: Your last few sentences answer your question. Einstein never maintained that "nothing" can travel ...
Workings of jet powered personal watercraft (pwc)4/5/2007
  Q: This is a question about water jet powered water craft like jetskis'. Does the water jet exit from ...
  A: Please pardon the delay in response -- it's the only way I can think to ensure that I'm not ...
What lasers can blast through4/2/2007
  Q: I don't know much about lasers ,so this ques is kind of amatuerish. Anyway, i have often seen ...
  A: This is a good question, and the answer is neither simple nor straitforward. So I'll give you a ...
Frequency reponse as weage3/28/2007
  Q: I was wondering does the frequency response in human decrease as you get older, if so y?
  A: It has been found that, as we age, our ability to hear higher frequency sounds decreases. As I have ...
newton's law of cooling3/27/2007
  Q: Taking newton's law of cooling into consideration, (basically objects cool/heat faster when the ...
  A: What will happen is that the temperature of cooled chocolate will (initially, anyway) more rapidly ...
Beta decay3/27/2007
  Q: When beta particles are produced by e.g. Po --> At and it's mass increases by 1, a beta particle is ...
  A: All neutral atoms have the same number of protons and electrons. This article explains what ...
Magnetic and Electric Fields3/26/2007
  Q: what is the difference between a magnetic and an electric fields??
  A: An electric field exerts a force on a charged particle, in the direction of the field and whether ...
Work = force overcome X distance3/17/2007
  Q: Suppose a man pushes a block on a rough floor horizontally with a constant force.The work done BY ...
  A: Alright, let's start over. We have water. It is expanding against air. The air fights back with a ...
Receivers3/17/2007
  Q: What do the terms homodyne receiver, heterodyne receiver, intradyne receiver stand for? (please ...
  A: This PDF file explains it as well as any URL I could find: ...
Work = force overcome X distance3/15/2007
  Q: Suppose a man pushes a block on a rough floor horizontally with a constant force.The work done BY ...
  A: > The work done BY THE MAN is ONLY dependent on the force HE EXERTS > it is COMPLETELY ...
Work done by expanding water3/14/2007
  Q: When water exposed to atmosphere is boiled ,why is the work done BY THE WATER taken as (atmospheric ...
  A: When a liquid expands against an atmosphere, the force it must overcome to do so is the atmospheric ...
Air Resistance in air hockey3/13/2007
  Q: How does air hockey lack air resistance?
  A: I'm not sure I understand the question. The puck in air hockey (which I presume you are talking ...
Photoelectric effect-work function3/12/2007
  Q: What is the CAUSE of the work function of a metal? What determines its value?
  A: This URL explains it better than I could: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_function Basically, ...
neutrino/antineutrino3/10/2007
  Q: Is neutrino the anti particle of itself.Or their some difference between a neutrino and what is ...
  A: > Is [the] neutrino the anti-particle of itself? The answer is "no," based on our PRESENT ...
Time dilation at relativistic speeds3/1/2007
  Q: I'm having difficulty with time dilation and the following paradox. Assume two rockets. One ...
  A: There's no paradox, because you're jumping across something that you shouldn't -- even though it's ...
Temperature to ignite atmosphere2/27/2007
  Q: I heard this in a movie ("The Fantastic Four") and got curious. With a high enough temperature, is ...
  A: Although chemistry is not my specialty, I'll say no. The atmosphere itself will not ignite no ...
Types of energy2/25/2007
  Q: Is thermal energy of a system merely the sum of the KINETIC ENERGY of all the microscopic particles ...
  A: > Is thermal energy of a system merely the sum of the KINETIC ENERGY > of all the microscopic ...
One foot or two on a scale2/22/2007
  Q: Sir, I realize that, but the scale we have in the office gives multiple readings when one uses two ...
  A: > the scale we have ... gives multiple readings when one uses two feet When one does scientific ...
Open U-tube with water on left and mercury on right2/21/2007
  Q: The crux of your answer,as i understand it, is that BECAUSE mercury is far denser than water, even a ...
  A: > When M' is 1 MILLIMETER OR LESS BELOW THE MERCURY SURFACE > and the water above M', is say ...
Open U-tube with water on left and mercury on right2/20/2007
  Q: I am afraid there is still something i dont understand.I did mention it ,but either you missed it , ...
  A: > The forces here are the weight (or pressure let's say) of the air DOWNWARDS; > AND the Weight of ...
Measuring height difference between mercury and water2/19/2007
  Q: The ques i ask is actually based on a very standard numerical present in almost all physics books. ...
  A: You may be confusing two things. At the interface, the force from the water and the force from the ...
Pseudo-forces in a rotating frame2/8/2007
  Q: I am an 18 year old sceience student and have a fairly sound understanding of pseudo forces in ...
  A: Let's do another thought experiment. Imagine two masses of equal size, spaced four meters apart, and ...
Why don't you fall on a moving bicycle2/7/2007
  Q: I have always wondered how a two wheeler like bicycle, motorcycle gets balances itself while moving ...
  A: I admit it took me a while, but starting with a Google{R} search for bicycle "why don't you fall" ...
Solid object floating between two fluids2/3/2007
  Q: Your answer explains a lot,Thanks. The ques. i ask now is based on the 2nd part of my original ...
  A: > this is no homework question. No need to deny something that doesn't matter. If you are seeking ...
Why only rotate around center of mass (CoM)?2/3/2007
  Q: I can understand why an object accelerates in the direction of the force when subjected to it , and ...
  A: > THIS IS NOT A HOMEWORK QUESTION No need to deny something that doesn't matter. If you are seeking ...
"Origin" of the buoyant force1/31/2007
  Q: What is the origin of the buoyant force? WHERE on the object submerjed in the liquid does this ...
  A: Please pardon my delay in answering -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not helping ...
Effect of force on object free to rotate1/30/2007
  Q: Would a body ,Free to move in every way, (say, in interstellar space) when subjected to an impulsive ...
  A: Please pardon my delay in answering -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not helping ...
Brachistochrone1/29/2007
  Q: How would you explain in plain words (I mean, not the proof) why the straight slope is not the ...
  A: On a straight slope, an object will not accelerate as rapidly as it would on a nearly vertical ...
Ice blade sticking up from cup of frozen water1/29/2007
  Q: I left a styrofoam cup half full of water in my automobile overnight when the temperature dropped to ...
  A: The following are only guesses; I have no real certainty. If the cup had a top on it while the ...
Electric potential1/25/2007
  Q: please someone explain me what exactly is meant by electric potential and potential difference. why ...
  A: The "electric potential" of a point -- also known as its "voltage" -- is a mathematical term helping ...
Special relativity1/19/2007
  Q: Lenght contraction and time dilation in Special Relativity is puzzling me greatly. This is what I ...
  A: I regret the delay in answering. I tried to think exactly how to answer this, but couldn't derive a ...
Poof and foop (my guess)1/10/2007
  Q: It's just a question we're talking about among friends from some book. This link might help prove ...
  A: My best guess is that the can will move to the right. The can is exerting a "force" on the air, ...
EM radiation in optically denser medium1/8/2007
  Q: WHY does the speed of light decrease when it enters a optically denser medium? Using the particle ...
  A: Before we begin, we have to understand something about photons, and about how they are used. In ...
Air resistance while running1/7/2007
  Q: We are a group of runners trying to figure out how to optimise our running performance. so we were ...
  A: Please pardon the delay in responding -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I am not ...
Vibrational frequency of planet and human1/3/2007
  Q: Do you know what the vibrational frequency of the plaent is? Do you know what the vibrational ...
  A: > Do you know what the vibrational frequency of the plaent is? When a question similar to this was ...
Change in electric force1/1/2007
  Q: Since you gave 2 possible explanations for the reduction in force I presume that the CAUSE of the ...
  A: > The dielectric is ... exerting a force on the charges, right? > why in your answer did you put the ...
Change in electric force12/31/2006
  Q: I know that a gravitational sheild is not possible.Which essentially means that the GRAVITATIONAL ...
  A: One can argue whether the change in the electric force between two charged objects, when there is a ...
Changing frames with colliding objects12/25/2006
  Q: As i understand your solution it seems a lot of what you say is based on 1 and 2 NOT moving in the ...
  A: > So now what? The approach works no matter what happens after collision. Calculate the KE in any ...
Changing frames with colliding objects12/22/2006
  Q: Consider two particles m and M moving TOWARDS EACH OTHER with speeds v and V respectively MEASURED ...
  A: Okay, I believe you when you say this is not a homework question. And I admit I had to give it a lot ...
"Advantages" of String Theory12/20/2006
  Q: what are the advantages of the string theory?
  A: I'm going to presume your question is, "Why should people choose String Theory as an overall ...
What does current measure?12/16/2006
  Q: And I had anotherThe electric current in a wire is the rate at which charge moves in the wire. Does ...
  A: When there is a current flowing in a conductor, the electrons are the objects that are actually ...
Falling objects in a medium (like air)12/15/2006
  Q: If a hammer and a feather on the moon( or in a vacuum), when dropped, fall at the same rate and hit ...
  A: Please excuse my delay in answering -- it's the only way I can think of to ensure I don't give help ...
How do objects become charged12/13/2006
  Q: I have some questions and would be grateful if you could answer them. 1) "Why" does an object ...
  A: 1) Some of the electrons are actually moved around by the rubbing, and, because the substance is not ...
Adding velocities12/11/2006
  Q: This is probably a vey old question, I apologise in advance. It has become an argument out of all ...
  A: I don't mind answering a good question no matter how many times it is asked. And this is NOT a dunce ...
Why are magenetic poles negative and positive?12/11/2006
  Q: Why are the poles of a magnet negative and positive?
  A: First of all, they're not. They're north and south. But they do have a negative and repulsive factor ...
Relativity basics12/10/2006
  Q: I need clarification on the past, present, and future coexisting, all at once? I read Einstein ...
  A: > I need clarification on the past, present, and future > coexisting, all at once? As you request, ...
Why don't nuclei collapse?12/7/2006
  Q: In a Deuterium nucleus if an attractive nuclear force is the only force between the proton and ...
  A: The fact is that two baryons (protons and neutrons are baryons) cannot occupy the same physical ...
Temperature of a single molecule12/6/2006
  Q: Dose a single molecule has Temperature(the average kinetic energy)?
  A: Please pardon my delay in responding -- it's the only way I know to ensure I'm not helping with ...
Difference between friction and air resistance12/6/2006
  Q: What is difference in their action?What is difference between Frictional Force and Air Risistance? ...
  A: If your original question had been "What is the difference between a truck and an 18-wheeler?", I ...
What determines current in a chemical battery12/5/2006
  Q: i made a lemon battery by connection about 24 lemons in series and get a voltage of about 20 volts. ...
  A: The amount of current that can be generated by a battery (or any kind of generator) is limited by ...
valence and conduction bands12/4/2006
  Q: I learnt that in a material tehre is a valence band and a conduction band. In a metal the valence ...
  A: I'm not sure if "bands" if the best explanation for this. Just think in terms of electricty as the ...
"Mass" has two different effects12/4/2006
  Q: I understand that when an object falls to the earth, the mass of that object causes gravity to exert ...
  A: You are confusing two aspects of "mass." Permit me to unconfuse you. Any two objects with mass ...
Solar Cells11/26/2006
  Q: I want to know about Solar Cells.I should make a car that is work with solar energy.Could you help ...
  A: > Could you help me to find some general information about Solar Cell? If you do an Internet ...
What is the "Earth Frequency"11/25/2006
  Q: Author Ray Kurzweil, on page 187 of his book Fantastic Voyage states that "Over the course of ...
  A: In my Google{R} search for "earth frequency" "8 hz" I found no scientific discussion of such a ...
Using an air tank to store power from a wind turbine11/2/2006
  Q: I am not a student doing homework. I am investigating the feasibility of a new type of wind ...
  A: The basic problem I see is this: you cannot store more energy in your air tank than you have created ...
Why exploding a bomb won't cause the core to rotate11/2/2006
  Q: I recently watched the movie "The Core". In this movie, the core of the earth has stopped spinning, ...
  A: Since I've never seen the movie, I don't know how correct (or incorrect) is the physics of ...
Traveling at the speed of light10/31/2006
  Q: I am not sure if all my facts are right but from what I hear the closer an object gets to the speed ...
  A: What you heard is partly correct -- as viewed from a frame in which an object is in motion with ...
Weight in water VS weight on land10/31/2006
  Q: This question has come about because I have snapped my fishing rod, lifting a 1 kilo weight out of ...
  A: Please pardon my delay in replying -- it's the only way I know to ensure against homework questions. ...
Effect of life on the Earth / Moon orbit10/30/2006
  Q: millions of years ago the earth was a baron rock with a moon. the earth and the moon had a set mass ...
  A: > taking one material and making another has no or very little > differance on the weight of what ...
Types of EM radiation10/17/2006
  Q: what is the type of electromagnetic radiation used in a microwave oven,satellite TV, toaser and TV ...
  A: I apologize for my delay in responding; I've found that is the best way to ensure I am not helping ...
I'm a little confused10/15/2006
  Q: Can you tell me what would happen to the atmoic number and mass number of a nucleus when it emits a ...
  A: I'm not familar with any nuclear reaction that would result in a nucleus emitting an electron, a ...
Falling objects when air resistance is neglected10/13/2006
  Q: what happens to the distance between two balls falling from a 20th floor window if there is no air ...
  A: I apologize for the week's delay in replying. I've found that an intentional delay is the only way ...
Objects within a falling barrel10/13/2006
  Q: What will happen if a person and an apple are in a barrel going over Niagra falls. I think if a ...
  A: I apologize for taking a week to answer -- I've found that intentionally delaying an answer is the ...
Printable periodic table, with symbols and names10/6/2006
  Q: I am not a student. i am an adult seeking info for my own personal use. Do you know where I can get ...
  A: I'm surprised you had so much trouble. When I did a Google{R} search for "periodic table" printable ...
Earth gravity10/6/2006
  Q: 1.what is gravitational force of attraction at the centre of the earth? 2.what is the centre of the ...
  A: I'm not certain I understand these questions. I'll tale some guesses on what you're asking, but even ...
What is fire exactly?10/1/2006
  Q: Recently, on the space shuttle, an experiment showed balls of flame (ignited hydrogen) floating ...
  A: Here's two good articles on what exactly a "fire" is. ...
What would we see at the speed of light?9/30/2006
  Q: My question is about travelling at the speed of light. If I could travel exact at the speed of ...
  A: The question of what humans would see if they traveld at light speed is an interesting one. So ...
Electrical nature of fire -- not certain I understand9/30/2006
  Q: Does fire have an electrical nature and if so could you explain it? Thanks - Doug.
  A: I'm not sure what you mean by an "electrical nature." The effect we call "fire" is the result of ...
Using radar to scan humans9/28/2006
  Q: Why isn't it possible to use satellite-based ground penetrating radar to scan the human body? I ...
  A: > Why isn't it possible to use satellite-based > ground penetrating radar to scan the human body? ...
Not sure why you're asking me this9/26/2006
  Q: how can physics be applied in our everyday life every if we keep doing sums and questions?
  A: Allow me to make some guesses on why you are posting this question to me. 1) Are you using me as a ...
The end of sound waves9/25/2006
  Q: Do sound waves ever end?
  A: Vibrations we call "sound" are simply vibrations that are well organized (for instance, they ...
Love your heading, but9/21/2006
  Q: The way I understand it is this, membranes have area to them, to which strings are connected. Is a ...
  A: You seem to misunderstand string theory in many ways. A "brane" is the limit to what we humans in ...
Some info on optics9/16/2006
  Q: This is not homework. I realize that color is related to the electro magnetic frequency. If someone ...
  A: > Did the frequency of the electromagnetic waves > change with the color of the light? No. EM ...
I hope you'll trust my answer9/15/2006
  Q: The web site that I just visited says that work = force over distance. I learned in school that it ...
  A: The amount of work necessary to move an object against a force is equal to the force times the ...
Motion of satellites9/6/2006
  Q: why satellites dont fall down over earth service?..which making it spin around?..i know u may answer ...
  A: Disclaimer: if I am unable to explain it to your satisfaction, an Internet search will very rapdily ...
Because9/5/2006
  Q: why entropy of universe is increasing
  A: The entropy of a system is basically a measure of the number of its allowed states. We happen to ...
The speed of the fly9/2/2006
  Q: I want to ask- If I'm sitting in a running train & a fly or bee is flying in front of my nose trying ...
  A: The fly's speed can only be measured in reference to a "frame of reference." This is whatever you ...
I hate to say this but8/29/2006
  Q: what forces act on acceleration and velocity, i think its either intertia or gravity but im not ...
  A: I conclude you are confused at a very basic level. Forces do not act on either acceleration or ...
I'm going to make some assumptions8/29/2006
  Q: my question is why when i drop the ball bearing did it not just drop down and hit the paper were ...
  A: You are holding a ball bearing over a target, you attempt to line up the bearing directly over that ...
What experiments?8/27/2006
  Q: What experiments could I do about special relativity?
  A: Can you yourself do about special relativity? None, unless you can accelerate something to least ...
What's wrong?8/8/2006
  Q: I am trying to design a device that will auto siphon but it seems to easy to work and I've never ...
  A: Think conservation of energy (a good place to start when evaluating the feasibility of perpetual ...
Not sure I can help you8/6/2006
  Q: I'm a Mechanical Engineering student who's very interested in the game Roulette. Lately, I've ...
  A: If you want to prove to you that this system is phony, I can't do that -- he simply says the same ...
Think of the results, think about gravity's power7/21/2006
  Q: This is actually sort of a two-parter: Simply can what we see happening in the Two Slit Experiment ...
  A: > I was wondering if it was possible that the actual gravitational pull > of the observing device ...
One thing I don't understand7/21/2006
  Q: I believe this would involve physics, though possibly not as much as I think, anyway, here's the ...
  A: Any time you define a speed, you have to define what fixed object the speed is relative to. I ...
Let's take a simpler example7/19/2006
  Q: so let say you get a very very long tube, and you plug one end and then put it in the ocean with the ...
  A: Take a body of water the size of Lake Erie, within about forty kilometers of another body of water ...
Let me make certain I understand your thought7/18/2006
  Q: My idea isn't so develpoed as to have a specific course on the reactions, but as far as I can tell ...
  A: As best I can discern, you're asking if there exists a field (whose property is presently pure ...
Some things you need to know -- some things I need to know7/17/2006
  Q: I've had this Idea for a long time, but figure it has no basis since it comes from my imagination. ...
  A: Some things you need to know: 1) physical systems are NOT like the stock market. In the latter, you ...
Two parts of what is sent out7/9/2006
  Q: This is something that has baffled me since I was doing physics at school. If, say, a radio wave has ...
  A: In any broadcast through the air, there are two parts of what is sent out. 1) The carrier signal. ...
Certain laws can not be repealed7/9/2006
  Q: How can an electric motor consume so much energy (electricity) when all the power source connected ...
  A: I regret to admit a feeling of dismay bordering on discouragement that I have not been able to ...
Allow me to rephrase my answer7/8/2006
  Q: Please tell me if I have water from NY and water from Florida and I boil both will they still taste ...
  A: Bring together some Florida water and some New York water -- either taking some from one state to ...
Let me suggest this7/7/2006
  Q: Please tell me if I have water from NY and water from Florida and I boil both will they still taste ...
  A: Bring together some Florida water and some New York water -- either taking some from one state to ...
I really have no idea7/6/2006
  Q: What's the formula to calculate the torque needed to move a, say, static 1 ton object to, say, 10 ...
  A: > What's the formula to calculate the torque needed to move a, > say, static 1 ton object to, say, ...
This URL should explain it7/5/2006
  Q: I understand a little bit about the differences between convex and concave lenses. However, I ...
  A: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnification It explains the relationship between focal length and ...
I really have no idea7/4/2006
  Q: I mean, is it possible to use an iron (serve as solenoid so that it can have alternating magnetic ...
  A: Off the top of my head, I don't know if the magnetic density of permanent magnets is stronger or ...
Different problem7/2/2006
  Q: But I need to ask you one more thing to clear my doubts and confusion. Let's talk about cars. We ...
  A: With a gear box (indeed, with most any MECHANICAL device) you have a trade-off of speed versus ...
Gearbox won't help6/29/2006
  Q: Yeah, but I am using the gearbox to slowly increase the generator's speed. At first, the generator ...
  A: Sorry, you can't gain ENERGY by using a gearbox. Do the calculation, and you'll find that a gearbox ...
Motor Spent?6/28/2006
  Q: Why does an electric motor need so much electricity to rotate productively? Which part of the motor ...
  A: > Why can't power companies use electric motors that use enough kW > to turn their massive ...
Don't confuse two things6/22/2006
  Q: Again, lets forget the relativistic corrections, only tretat who is the preferred frame of reference ...
  A: Let's imagine that we have two observors in boxes in space, in motion relative to each other, and ...
You've gotten to the heart of one of Einstein's Postulates6/22/2006
  Q: IN the low velocity case of the ball on the train, we find that to the passenger, the ball has no ...
  A: > Does somone have a preferred refernce frame at constant velocity? The answer is simple: no. You ...
It took a while, but6/22/2006
  Q: How much carbonation can be put into water? or in other words how much co2 can water have in it? ...
  A: The physical property I was looking for is called "solubility," or the concentration of a substance ...
It's more complicated than you think6/22/2006
  Q: I realized that with kinetic energy KE=1/2mv^2, and special relativity says all frames are equal, ...
  A: Let's imagine a ball, standing still in a train that is moving with constant velocity relative to ...
Please realize something6/22/2006
  Q: can an electric turbine (no burning fuel) generate equal thrust compared to a gas turbine that you ...
  A: The turbine on a jet airliner is not generating thrust by taking in it air from its front and then ...
At its most core level6/20/2006
  Q: Can you please tell me the fundamental difference between classical mechanics and Einstein’s theory ...
  A: In classical mechanics, an observor traveling at 90% of the speed of light, moving parallel to a ...
I'm afraid I don't understand the question6/16/2006
  Q: I'm interested to know in how are vectors and other aspects of physics used in weapons technology? ...
  A: Using vectors is a standard mathematical approach for determing the path taken by any object in ...
Very well6/15/2006
  Q: although I am a 46 year old real estate professional. My kids are 11 and 8 years old and this is ...
  A: Any time I see exact numbers in a question, I presume it is a homework assignment; people just ...
Forces of attraction !5/18/2006
  Q: Newton's law states that there is a force of attraction between two masses... (the masses dont ...
  A: You're confused at some level. The attraction between two masses exists irrespective of any presence ...
Theoretical question on relativity5/12/2006
  Q: Consider a train , its proper length = 375000 km , traveling at a speed of 180000 km/sec (0.6 of ...
  A: I'd rather not spend the time figuring out where you went wrong, but this fact is simple: the speed ...
physics5/11/2006
  Q: Okay, I was discussing this with my world geography teacher, I became really confused (He is an ...
  A: I have no problem with "Thought Experiments," wherein you set up a situation that would be ...
physics5/11/2006
  Q: from a scientific investigation, what is bias?
  A: "Bias" is the tendency for an experiment to deliver (or be viewed as delivering) one set of data ...
nuclear force5/1/2006
  Q: How do you explain wek nuclear force to high school physics students (regular and Pre-AP)
  A: I'm not certain I understand the question. Why would explaining the weak force be any more ...
Optics4/23/2006
  Q: If you cound bend light around in a circle using mirrors, and move the light source out of the way ...
  A: In a theoretical sense, yes. EM radiation (ie, light) will continue until it reaches something that ...
colours4/22/2006
  Q: could you please explain to me what happens when light comes in contact with molecules or atoms and ...
  A: It would help me to answer if I had a clearer understanding of your question. Are you asking 1) how ...
Signal virtual reality4/18/2006
  Q: This is a somewhat theoretical question. I was curious if there was a way that one could use a radar ...
  A: A few things to know and consider, some of which may be problematic: 1) radar must have both an ...
Signals and frequencies4/18/2006
  Q: Well to me it doesn't seem out of the question that people in general practice very unhealthy ...
  A: > I'm sure that people have justifably argued that by having to live > under power lines or other ...
Signals and frequencies4/17/2006
  Q: I get the feeling that stuff like inferred remote devices, radio signals, close proximity to ...
  A: > have increased in health problems Your starting point has a MAJOR fallacy. When the effects of ...
Twin Paradox Again4/17/2006
  Q: Twin 'A' remains on Earth. Twin 'B' in a warp-drive ship is moving at a CONSTANT velocity near light ...
  A: Let me respond to BOTH of the issues you raised. 1) If two frames are moving in constant motion ...
nuclear fusion4/10/2006
  Q: Where does the energy come from in fusion? I know that it comes from mass converting into energy, ...
  A: It's not QUITE mass converting into energy, as the number of hadrons before and after the fusion ...
photons3/29/2006
  Q: Followup To Question - A photon is Planck's constant times the frequency of the radiation. How ...
  A: > You cannot change the force or velocity > of a single wave of light can you? This might be where ...
photons3/28/2006
  Q: A photon is Planck's constant times the frequency of the radiation. How would the energy of a ...
  A: Okay, let's say that we humans, instead of defining a second as 1/60 of a minute (which is 1/60 of ...
special relativity twin paradox3/28/2006
  Q: I understand and agree with your explanation of the twin paradox. But I would like to restate my ...
  A: If both clocks maintain the same relative motion one to another, and both happen to meet again ...
special relativity twin paradox3/27/2006
  Q: The twin paradox of special relativity is resolved by the fact that the twin who experiences an ...
  A: Both twins start in the same frame, with no velocity relative to each other. They end in the same ...
quantum mechanics3/27/2006
  Q: These are not homework questions. Level:grade 12th,16 yrs. 1.It was written in my book that "like s ...
  A: In graduate level physics courses, you will be able to solve the mathematical formulae that govern ...
physics3/26/2006
  Q: what sort of device could be used to control the speed of a model electric train?
  A: I need a little more information to adequately answer this question. Model electric train sets I am ...
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU PUT...3/22/2006
  Q: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU PUT SALT ON AN ICY SIDEWALK?
  A: You can get an answer on your own in two ways: 1) Take some salt and put it on half of an icy ...
Wave Propagation3/10/2006
  Q: Suppose you have a transmission line (made with copper) with a rectangular cross section oriented ...
  A: You are most likely confusing two things: 1) power transmission by an AC current down a conductor. ...
simple pendulum3/9/2006
  Q: It is said that for a simple pendulum,t=under root of L by g. While the pendulum is a lift which is ...
  A: In the frame of the free falling elevator, the pendulum will not return to its "mean" position, ...
time3/6/2006
  Q: I've recently been in a debate with someone and basically I said that the big bang couldn't have ...
  A: Before we go ANY further, I want to emphasize that I will NOT be drawn into this philosophical ...
Rainbow halo around a light source3/5/2006
  Q: Around here (Montreal, Canada) we have skiing resorts that stay open until 10:00 pm. The lighting ...
  A: > it seemed to have rings in colors of the rainbow The phenomena you saw is identical to the ...
Magnetic Levitation of Tracked Vehicles?3/3/2006
  Q: Could a tracked vehicle, eg a tank, levitate? Perhaps by using magnets in the tracks and ...
  A: The device fails both on theoretical and practical levels. If the tracks with the permenant magnets ...
Light Polarizor3/2/2006
  Q: I've just been told this: (which doesn't make sense!) "When verically polarized light is reflected, ...
  A: > I always assumed ... [when] light from the sun ... is reflected from a > horizontal surface, only ...
normal force3/1/2006
  Q: I wonder if you could help me with a problem I’m having grasping the concept of the normal force. ...
  A: If you don't understand how one vector can be broken into two parts, then the following (indeed, any ...
aiming2/23/2006
  Q: me and my buddy are trying to figure this out and now we want to see whos right so i wonder if u ...
  A: The fact that you are only having a friendly bet means that two people have an idea about the ...
magnetism2/21/2006
  Q: A permanent magnet raises an iron nail vertically over a distance and work is done. I am trying ...
  A: I will do my best to explain but, ultimately, the answer will be "they do because they do." If that ...
relationship2/20/2006
  Q: can you tell me if there is a future for me and my parnter of five years we have a son but it has ...
  A: > If you claim you are a physic > it seems to me you have not even taken time > and used your powers ...
electric stove burner vs. gas stove burner2/17/2006
  Q: I have a smooth-top electric stove and it heats up incredibly fast. It glows red-orange when on ...
  A: There are several related, but independent questions here. I'll try to answer them all. The color ...
Microwave2/14/2006
  Q: I have read somewhere that in Microwave oven the radio waves vibrate the water molecule and that ...
  A: > it is not the water molecule > but the molecules of the conductive substance vibrate > Am I ...
Global Warming and waste heat1/4/2006
  Q: This is just for my curiousity. I think its pretty obvious we are affecting the planet somewhat. As ...
  A: Fortunately, the waste heat generated by our products is an infinitesmal amount of energy compared ...
Interference1/2/2006
  Q: I have a question concerning interference. If I have a Michelson-Interferometer (that is: light ...
  A: If you do the calculation a little more rigorously (ie, calculating the exact change in the electric ...
gravity12/20/2005
  Q: i need to know the basics of gravity can u help?
  A: Sorry it took me so long to respond. AllExperts.Com was down for the two days prior to my leaving ...
Relativity12/16/2005
  Q: Good day!:D I was just wondering how an expert would explain the theory of relativity in a way that ...
  A: I did a Google{R} search for "special relativity" and got 2,830,000 hits. On the first page of ...
Energy cannot be created or destroyed12/12/2005
  Q: Law of Conservation of Energy states: Energy cannot be created or destroyed. How can this be if a ...
  A: Matter is a form of energy. The energy in the matter destroyed exactly equals the energy released in ...
transverse waves11/6/2005
  Q: why can transverse waves be thought of as two waves a wave in time and a wave in space?
  A: Because their vibrations can only be described as changing in both and space. If the direction of ...
photons and fluorescence11/6/2005
  Q: I am retired, have an Associates in Electronics (1960), and have taken up mineral collecting and ...
  A: > Is the electron bouncing back and forth between orbitals? This is the most correct explanation. ...
intermolecular forces and potential energy11/4/2005
  Q: If the intermolecular forces are attractive, how can it take work to keep them together. The forces ...
  A: My statement stands; namely, that the zero point of potential energy between molecules is when there ...
intermolecular forces and potential energy10/30/2005
  Q: For a sample of some substance, internal energy is defined as the sum of three components: ...
  A: Molecules, when left on their own, will fly apart from each other. It takes work to get them to stay ...
temperature change10/17/2005
  Q: You open the refrigerator in your room and put in a case of room-temperature root beer. After an ...
  A: Since the entire purpose of a refrigerator is to take warmer air from the inside of itself and send ...
Planck's constant10/17/2005
  Q: When you use Planck's constant to do calculations on electromagnetic it shows that high frequency ...
  A: You are correct to note that each individual photon has more energy if it vibrates at a higher ...
Newtonian vs. Relativity10/15/2005
  Q: Hey, My name is Scott and I have physics question. Before I begin I want to thank you for the time ...
  A: Your friend either totally misunderstands the nature of light or you are misunderstanding what he is ...
Travel faster tha light10/14/2005
  Q: It is well known that nothing could travel faster than light (C) and also that motion is relative. ...
  A: Adding velocities by the proper relativistic formulae is not as simple as the one you used above (Vt ...
Job10/9/2005
  Q: Will I get the job at Charlotte Russe?
  A: Note this a site for physics questions, NOT psychic ones. But if you're trying to be funny, note ...
Question about Gravity10/8/2005
  Q: I am age 14. My parents took me to EPCOT at Walt Disney World last weekend. We went on a ride that ...
  A: What they told is flat-out wrong. Gravity did not change by any measurable amount while you were on ...
leaks10/6/2005
  Q: Had some household plumbing that I tested for leaks. When pressurized to 55psig with air it leaked ...
  A: Pressure is the total force (per area) caused by the fluid's molecules hitting the container. As you ...
question10/6/2005
  Q: My question isn't under your speciality, so if you don't want to answer feel free not to. I'd like ...
  A: > I'd like to know why do people say that when you jump > from a very high building you die before ...
Motor burns out10/4/2005
  Q: What happens when a motor or transformer burns out? For example: If you hold the armature of the ...
  A: First of all, do NOT try to find out with an experiment! Motors or transformers burning out are at ...
Tire/friction physics10/4/2005
  Q: A friend of mine, who is a bus driver, told me that in dual-tire situations, if one of the tires is ...
  A: Feel any tire after it's been driven awhile, and you'll feel its heat. That's from the friction of ...
special relativity and adding velocities10/3/2005
  Q: According to the special theory of relativity, the correct way to add velocities is to use the ...
  A: You make a fundamental (but common) mistake right at the start of your question. You assume an ...
Physics & The World of Teen Dramatic Tv9/19/2005
  Q: Okay. So my brother is watching a show. The show is Smallville. Have you seen it? The show is for ...
  A: I've never watched the show, but I am aware of it. And I was reading Superman{R} comics 45 years ...
spinning roundabouts9/15/2005
  Q: why does someone on the edge of a spinning roundabout find it harder to hang on than someone at the ...
  A: Creating analogies between the physical world and humam culture is always a bad idea. As any good ...
Logic Of The Science9/4/2005
  Q: I say , " The meaning of energy is depended on the meaning of mass ? " and I believe it's a ...
  A: I can only say, "Huh?" I have NO clue what thought you are trying to convey. Mass is one form of ...
Realtivity and E&M7/11/2005
  Q: I am a university student who recently switched to physics. I have a decent background in classical ...
  A: > Who is right? Neither. Or both. Or either. Depends on what you define as "right." In your ...
The accelerating universe6/25/2005
  Q: I'm in my 4th and final year of my physics degree, but not much of a relativist. A passenger in an ...
  A: First of all, you are correct in stating that force is required for MATTER to accelerate; ie, change ...
work-energy principle in different reference frames6/21/2005
  Q: Is work_energy principle valid in all inertia reference frames with different speeds? For example, ...
  A: > Why the net work in different inertia reference frames are different? > How should this be ...
boiling water6/20/2005
  Q: Expert, and thank you for answering me! I'll explain my questions. I'd like to understand what ...
  A: > what happens to the water molecules when water is boiled? > Do they release gas of some sort? ...
boiling water6/19/2005
  Q: Don't worry, this is NOT a homework question. I'd like to know, what exactly happens, physically ...
  A: I'm afraid I'm having trouble understanding either of your questions. > what exactly happens, ...
Microscopic Sound Waves?6/13/2005
  Q: I spend most of my days browsing the internet and trying to answer questions that I come up with ...
  A: Sound waves are basically groups of molecules vibrating in sync with each other. Molecules usually ...
Bohm/Casimir6/8/2005
  Q: Question nr.1: This is supposed to be a practical aproach to David Bohm's holographic universe : ...
  A: > Question nr.1: > please tell me, if you can, how to get over this problem ? I have absolutely ...
The direction of time6/3/2005
  Q: I am experienced to high school level in Physics and some electronics at College level. I am also a ...
  A: > Do you know about this theory? Never heard of it. However, your initial description of it shows a ...
hologram6/1/2005
  Q: I hope you can explain to me the actual process of producing a hologram. I read that is an ...
  A: First of all, I assume you realize that there are scores of Internet sites that can explain ...
Astro Physics5/29/2005
  Q: I apologies for over simplifying my question. The only thing that has happened is you reshaped my ...
  A: I'm not certain I understand exactly what it is you are proposing. If you want me to comment on ...
Astro Physics5/28/2005
  Q: Couldn't the universe's accelerated expansion be explained by time space curvature? Could there be a ...
  A: > dark and other matter being forced (and eventually pulled) > to the end expanse the physical ...
Magnetics5/12/2005
  Q: Could you tell me how these 3 units relate to each other: -Magnetic field intensity -magnetomotive ...
  A: I'll try to explain it without using your terminology, because I am not certain my understanding of ...
fluffy5/11/2005
  Q: String theory states that photons are carryers of force. What is the nature of these photons (they ...
  A: > String theory states that photons are carryers of force I presume what you are saying is that, in ...
charge5/9/2005
  Q: I have a simple question. What really IS 'charge'? I know a electron has negative charge and a ...
  A: Charge is the quality of an object that causes it to create a force with other charged objects. In ...
classified5/3/2005
  Q: A couple of days ago, i saw on the Discovery channel a documentary about trains. It was not that ...
  A: This is absolutely PURE speculation, as I did not see the show and can get no information on it. If ...
Dear Sir, I dont care if...5/1/2005
  Q: I dont care if you answer this or not but the question I asked was not a HOMEWORK question. I am an ...
  A: I regret that I have to repeat what I clearly stated on the page where you post your"I do not give ...
LightSaber4/30/2005
  Q: I have been resaerching a real working lightsaber and was wondering if you think its possible....
  A: No. Light, by definition, flies away from its place of origin at the speed of light. Thus there's ...
Water freezing4/29/2005
  Q: I'm sorry if my english isn't that good, but I'll do my best to make myself understood. So, to ...
  A: Although I can't find any URLs to prove it, my GUESS is that water tossed into the air will not ...
which interpretation of QM is the most popular?4/26/2005
  Q: I did not really think about there being more than one copenhagen. Anyways, i mean the copenhagen ...
  A: This URL should answer your question. It explains the matter 100 times better than I could hope to, ...
question4/21/2005
  Q: Correct me if i'm wrong : in a false colour chamber photograph a gamma ray photon dissapears and in ...
  A: You are correct in two things: 1) gamma rays, being a form of EM radiation, travel at the speed of ...
optics4/6/2005
  Q: I really do not understand why does half a wave (light) get lost when hitting a transparent medium. ...
  A: When you do the calculation for a wave (of any kind) going from one medium (like air) to another ...
orbit 24/5/2005
  Q: If it's that simple than it's ok, but... what about the 9 planets orbiting the sun ? They should be ...
  A: > They should be in such a perfect ballance > that even a small meteor would destroy the entire ...
orbit4/5/2005
  Q: Please expain this: is there a certain relation between the mass of an object in orbit and it's ...
  A: An object can only remain in circular motion if there is a centripetal force applied to the object ...
Universe3/30/2005
  Q: Out of curiousity what's the Universe's chemical composition like and will it change 50 billion ...
  A: > what's the Universe's chemical composition ...
Universe3/23/2005
  Q: The questions I last sent you were NOT HOMEWORK QUESTIONS! Was that hard to understand? I need to ...
  A: > Was that hard to understand? Not at all. What must be difficult FOR YOU to understand are my ...
Electromagnetic wave range3/22/2005
  Q: I have read that lower frequency electrromagnetic waves travel further that high frequency waves... ...
  A: > have read that lower frequency electrromagnetic waves > travel further that high frequency waves ...
nuclear fusion3/10/2005
  Q: I would like to know the status of fusion research. Has anyone actually performed the reaction, ...
  A: For questions like this, you'll get answers 1000 times better than I could provide by going to ...
anti-gravity machine3/6/2005
  Q: could a centrifuge short loop, fight the effects of gravity, exspecially using a substance that can ...
  A: I'm not certain what you mean by "fight the effects of gravity" or why you think the nature of the ...
Universe (questions to be on test)2/21/2005
  Q: This is not my homework! These are questions that are going to be on the test and I don't know ...
  A: Since you have not read my opening statement, which is clearly posted before you ask a question, let ...
electrical spark phenomena2/10/2005
  Q: There are several electrical spark phenomena; lightning, electric arc light (also called klieg ...
  A: Whenever you see ANYTHING, it is photons entering your eyes that ultimately cause you to "see." The ...
Universe and the Sun2/5/2005
  Q: My teacher told me that if the sun was twice as hot as it is now the energy that reached the Earth ...
  A: We can get SOMEWHAT of an idea of what would happen if the Earth were getting sixteen times as much ...
subject meterial1/29/2005
  Q: sir I am Rajesh I want meterial on Physics for free downloaders can you suggest that sites . and I ...
  A: > I want meterial on Physics for free download If you do an Internet search, you'll find the ...
static electricity1/26/2005
  Q: - Thanks so much for your very, very clear explanation! I'd like to follow up with one other static ...
  A: Your explanation is not quite correct. You go wrong in Step 4. The excess electrons that your shoe ...
You didn't misled me - I didn't...1/23/2005
  Q: You didn't misled me - I didn't read the answer to the end. I sent this question to the experts in ...
  A: > There is microcameras. How big are the smallests ones? > Where they put / hide them? > Where they ...
Thank you for the full explanation...1/23/2005
  Q: Usually experts answer one or two of all the questions I ask). From school lessons I thought that ...
  A: > From school lessons I thought that heat is infrared light I'm sorry if I misled you: radiated ...
static electricity1/20/2005
  Q: I rub a plastic pen on my shirt to charge it, and can then use it to pick up bits of Kleenex. ...
  A: I don't know off-hand if rubbing a pen creates a negatively or positively charged surface. I'm going ...
What is generally infrared...1/18/2005
  Q: What is generally infrared light? Is it like tv signal? Could it be stopped with a wall?
  A: Bear with me as I give a full explanation. Watch a coal as it comes out of a fire. When it's so hot ...
ultrasound and whales1/14/2005
  Q: I heard that fishermen can use ultrasound as a bait to attract whales, since whales use ultrasound ...
  A: I know nothing about this, and a Google{R} for this topic found nothing remotely like what you ...
Is it OK to use mass of magnets as a controlled variable in an1/5/2005
  Q: I am doing a science fair project with magnets. I have found two different magnets but they have ...
  A: As I made very clear in my notes prior to your asking this question, I don't assist in academic ...
radio carbon dating12/31/2004
  Q: I don't know if this question should be for an anthropologist or a physicist but: Can radio carbon ...
  A: Radio carbon dating can tell you how long a previously living object has been dead. It is not used ...
Charge12/27/2004
  Q: How do some charged objects interact with each other differently from the way a charged object ...
  A: Think about the most basic law of electricity; Coulombs Law. It states that, to get the size of the ...
Dark Energy12/27/2004
  Q: I'm sorry for bothering you so much. But I see your point (and the mystery) now. A car going ...
  A: > Is it just expanding and has no force > or is it expanding because there is a force? Now you're ...
Dark Energy12/27/2004
  Q: What about that: The initial condition is 60 kph (force I). But gravity slows it down to 40 kph ...
  A: > As it expands the effect of gravity gets smaller > speeding the car up to 55 kph If a car went ...
Dark Energy12/27/2004
  Q: What I wanted to say is that I don't find the fact that the rate of expansion is increasing that ...
  A: > If the driving force of the expansion of the universe Now you see the problem. We don't KNOW what ...
Dark Energy12/26/2004
  Q: I recently came across the following article: The results of the WMAP mission and observations of ...
  A: All matter in the universe (actually, the universe itself) is moving away from each other. The ...
Gravity12/25/2004
  Q: HAS GRAVITY IS PULLING DOWN WHERE DOES IT GO.WHAT I MEAN IS AS IT IS PULLING ...
  A: I'm going to presume you're asking something along the lines of "Where does gravity go as it's ...
Gravity12/24/2004
  Q: Why couldnt gravity be the equal reaction of any spere or body in motion.Newtion does say ...
  A: Your spelling and grammar are so bad that I can't determine what exactly it is that you're asking. ...
Black holes12/23/2004
  Q: Does a black hole have two openings.
  A: I'll answer both the question you're asking AND the question I think you meant to ask. Black holes ...
Time travel12/17/2004
  Q: If a spaceship is traveling at the speed of light and time is slowing so say ...
  A: First of all, let's change your question to "spaceship is traveling CLOSE to the speed of light". ...
Breaking glass12/9/2004
  Q: I was wondering what is the decibel level to break glass? Can humans hear the sound or is it on the ...
  A: When you strike a solid object, it might ring with a tonal sound. The frequency of that sound is ...
compressed air12/5/2004
  Q: A 40 cf oxygen tank filled with compressed air lets say 1500 psi with a regulator at 125 psi will ...
  A: > 40/8=5 am I missing something here? Yes. Remember that the regulator is rated at 8 cfm at 125 ...
Half-life11/29/2004
  Q: I would like you to describe to me on the details on the experimental method used by Ernest ...
  A: Strange. When I did a Google{R} search for rutherford soddy half-life I got dozens of links, ...
Interference of sound11/29/2004
  Q: Suppose that sound waves are generated by a loudspeaker in front of a metal plate. The real source ...
  A: > For sound wave, the metal plate should be a less dense medium than air > Hence the reflected ...
Static electricity11/24/2004
  Q: We have problems with static electricity discharges around the office. Touch the the filling cabinet ...
  A: I've never done any experiment on this, but you have a real incentive to do so. Have one person ...
Magnetic and Electric Fields11/22/2004
  Q: I was studying the hand rules of physics. I am wondering, if a magnetic field is circling a current ...
  A: I've gotten out my old physics books and can best describe it with the following diagram: .....< .. ...
potential energy11/22/2004
  Q: I have two questions on potential energy. (And thank you again for your recent asistance.) 1. Is it ...
  A: 1. The potential energy of an object between two points is the amount of work needed to move that ...
theory about active observer11/20/2004
  Q: Please help! Do you know the name of a scientific theory that relates to the principle of when ...
  A: There is no such theory. However, it is a scientific fact that there is a limit to how well you can ...
Snow flake (model gravity11/18/2004
  Q: My question is more of a hypothesis. Can a Snowflake tell us about the process of gravity? A snow ...
  A: I almost put "There is no question here." I am unable to determine what it is you're talking about. ...
physics and poker11/18/2004
  Q: -- ----------------------- Sincere thanks for your quick response. My thought was to have these ...
  A: > Is there anything that would give off a "glow" I can think of two possibilities, NEITHER of which ...
physics and poker11/17/2004
  Q: Though it's defintely not homework, you may want to pass on this. I write mystery suspense novels ...
  A: Different radioactive isotopes have different products as they decay. Some emit alpha particles, ...
electricity11/11/2004
  Q: I sent you a question yesterday which was rejected as a "homework question." I realize now (and I ...
  A: It has been my experience that any question involving the calculation of numbers is a homework ...
Valve10/25/2004
  Q: Ok, know bernoulli's equation 'says' if you reduce the cross sectional area, you will increase the ...
  A: I thought I could answer this question in less than a minute, but while trying to write out an ...
sea waves10/21/2004
  Q: How exactly is electricity generated from energy of sea waves(please say an online refference)
  A: The quickest and best way to get an online reference that best suits your needs is to do an Internet ...
electricity10/20/2004
  Q: if you send different currents through a plant, will anything happen to the plant?
  A: I would have SWORN I had already answered this question, so I apologize for a seeming delay in my ...
HELP ME10/6/2004
  Q: can u tell me some observation that led people of galileo's time to believe that heavier objects ...
  A: > can u tell me some observation that led people of galileo's time > to believe that heavier ...
Piezoelectricity9/29/2004
  Q: this is not the most in-depth question, but here goes. I have to do an article about a new material ...
  A: I have never worked with piezoelectric generators, so I have absolutely no idea how much power they ...
Trying to solve a mystery9/24/2004
  Q: Last night, as my wife and I drove into our carport, we noticed that the clothespin bag hanging from ...
  A: First of all, there's no way I can give an absolute answer without being at the location and using ...
Linear Motion9/20/2004
  Q: Greetings! Let me first thank you for donating your time. Let's consider that a spacecraft ...
  A: The best way to explain the difference between "displacement" and "distance travelled" is to think ...
travel9/16/2004
  Q: You've helped me many times and I've always been very pleased. This subject may not be exactly in ...
  A: Two separate issues here. The first is what constitutes a "straight line." As you correctly note, ...
Motion9/14/2004
  Q: Why is it that if you are inside a train travelling at 60mph and you jump, you will land in (near ...
  A: Try this experiment to find out the difference. While inside a car moving at 100 kph with the ...
Circuits9/10/2004
  Q: My Friend showed me a simple circuit - just two bulbs conected in series to a power supply. When ...
  A: The brightness of a bulb depends (amongst other things) the electrical energy being turned into ...
food science9/8/2004
  Q: Followup To Question -Followup To Question - what cools down faster a solid food in the open or a ...
  A: > I WHOULD REALLY BE THANKFULL IF U COULD FIGUER IT OUT 4 ME I have been trying since the start of ...
food science9/7/2004
  Q: Followup To Question -what cools down faster a solid food in the open or a cup of hot liqu. Answer ...
  A: > ok well mostly i tryed vegtables like potaos waiting to hear from u Allow me to presume that you ...
food science9/5/2004
  Q: Followup To Question - what cools down faster a solid food in the open or a cup of hot liqu. ...
  A: > trying to see if there is one formula to figure it always out There probably isn't one formula ...
food science9/3/2004
  Q: what cools down faster a solid food in the open or a cup of hot liqu. Answer - Why not do an ...
  A: I'm not certain why you are not getting a good result. Why not describe to me EXACTLY the following: ...
help!9/3/2004
  Q: This is not a homework problem, just a practice conceptual question that seems really simple but ...
  A: You are correct in your basic assumption. The velocity of either object (indeed, any object in ...
Gunpowder9/1/2004
  Q: I do not know if you could answer this question but what would happen if you were to dip your tongue ...
  A: Oftentimes when someone asks a question like this I recommend s/he do an actual experiment. THIS IS ...
question8/30/2004
  Q: is it possible to build a train to have similar principal as that of the maglev train but use ...
  A: > is it possible to build a train to have similar principal as that of the maglev train > but use ...
television8/29/2004
  Q: Why is television bad for you? How far should you sit from a TV
  A: > Why is television bad for you? I'm going to assume you're asking ONLY about the biological ...
Transferring Energy8/24/2004
  Q: First of all, Im not asking for help on homework as I have already done the assignment AND it has ...
  A: The energy was transferred to heat. The bubble wrap was indeed compressed as the box hit the ground, ...
ULF and VLF radio waves8/22/2004
  Q: Will ulf and vlf radio waves penetrate anything? Or is there something that will shield them?
  A: This link will probably explain it better than I could ever hope to. ...
electromagnet8/19/2004
  Q: I no that you make an electromagnet by running current though an coil of wire but i was wondering ...
  A: There IS an answer to your question but, unfortunately, it's not one that can be explained easily. ...
What happens if...8/2/2004
  Q: What happens if an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object?
  A: The science of physics recognizes neither unstoppable forces or immovable objects. A force has a ...
absorption coefficient of ground glass8/1/2004
  Q: Can you please tell me the general equation of absorption coefficient of ground glass(or glass slab) ...
  A: A Google{R} search for "absorption coefficient" glass colored resulted in a link to a PDF site ...
spin of objects7/20/2004
  Q: both on the macro and micro size, when object "fall" towards one another, do they -even in a vacum- ...
  A: I'm not sure what you're asking for here. The gravitational attraction between two objects simply ...
phylosophy7/15/2004
  Q: I was told by a friend that you do answer question, so my question goes like this "whatis this ...
  A: > whatis this phylosophy on metal physics all about I am not aware of any special philosophy ...
Physics7/12/2004
  Q: Let's say I had some sort of futuristic super dense material and I constructed a rod out of it that ...
  A: For thought experiments, it's best to do order of magnitude calculations. The distance from the ...
Physics7/11/2004
  Q: I mean.. If you put a air-filled ball deeper into the water, the ball will receive more bouyancy. ...
  A: > A floating subject is pulled down by gravity. and at the same time, > the subject receive ...
Physics7/11/2004
  Q: Suppose that you put an air-filled ball into the water and release it so it break the suface of the ...
  A: > if the bouyancy is bigger, the jumping height is higher? I don't know what you mean by "jumping ...
Physics6/20/2004
  Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the length of your arm for a standard length?
  A: This is not a question I have given any thought to. However, it is obviously something of interest ...
phylosophy6/19/2004
  Q: I was told by a friend that you do answer question, so my question goes like this "whatis this ...
  A: Your question seems to be "What is this philosophy on matel physics all about?" Although I can ...
U235, chain reactions, and radioactive decay6/1/2004
  Q: Is antimatter strictly anti-particles, so that 1 anti particle cancels another, or do these ...
  A: > Is antimatter strictly anti-particles, so that 1 anti particle cancels another, > or do these ...
U235, chain reactions, and radioactive decay5/31/2004
  Q: I see. That web site helped me a lot, Thank you. Can you explain antimatter? I understand that it is ...
  A: > how could energy be given if all that was, becomes nulled? I'm not certain I understand this ...
U235, chain reactions, and radioactive decay5/30/2004
  Q: Excellent. Under which examples does E=mc^2 account? Thank you so much.So you say that the decay of ...
  A: > Under which examples does E=mc^2 account? In any decay process where the number of hadronic ...
U235, chain reactions, and radioactive decay5/30/2004
  Q: So you say that the decay of atoms has a MEASURED result, while we don't know WHY it has that ...
  A: > What must the rules of thumb be in order to know which SHOULD/COULD do In a sense we do have a ...
U235, chain reactions, and radioactive decay5/30/2004
  Q: My first questions is, why does U235 separate into Kr92+Ba141+3*n+x*Gamma when struck with a ...
  A: > I guess I should have just asked how all the decays work That does seem to be your fundamental ...
Mass Quanta5/25/2004
  Q: I know that there is a quanta for length and time (planck's length and planck's time) but is there a ...
  A: I am not aware of any such minimum mass. Physicists have generally found that, when you create a ...
gravity with quantum constants5/7/2004
  Q: Moataz Emam,Physicist/String Theory also replied saying that it all boiled down to classical gravity ...
  A: All three of my original responses still stand: 1) their STILL is no justification for your ...
gravity with quantum constants5/6/2004
  Q: Can you please comment on the below. It arrives at g using quantum constants. Critical feedback is ...
  A: One thing is VERY noticably lacking in this: a complete lack of any justification of the process. ...
orbit insertion5/6/2004
  Q: regarding my question on orbit insertion, altough you did not know the answer, I wanted to ask you ...
  A: Okay, now I get it. In order to send a satellite (actually, any object) to a planet, that object has ...
orbit insertion5/6/2004
  Q: You've helped me before and I was very satisfied with your answers, so here is a question more for ...
  A: Off the top of my head I cannot think of any reason why sending a probe to an inward planet would be ...
energy conversion5/3/2004
  Q: In how many ways can energy be converted? and how is it converted? How does the subject matter go ...
  A: > In how many ways can energy be converted? The number ways energy can be converted from one form ...
rubber band powered car5/1/2004
  Q: Could you tell me a website that has diagrams on how to make a rubber band powered car, or if you ...
  A: I really have no idea which sites exists for this, and would have to run a search to find such URLs. ...
Pulleys4/29/2004
  Q: I am building a pyramid set up out of wood to install a fountain. The heaviest part is anywhere from ...
  A: > best to use and if my design is the right one Whether any system is "the best" or "the right one" ...
Planets4/26/2004
  Q: Why don't the planets ever fall out of orbit? What are some of the books you would reccomend for ...
  A: > Why don't the planets ever fall out of orbit? I'm going to presume you mean the planets of our ...
ammonia and methane in greater gravity planet4/20/2004
  Q: This is for a sci-fi novel I'm writing. A planet, 1.5 times the diameter of earth, with same earth ...
  A: > will such a planet hold more ammonia and methane gases in the atmosphere Actually, the Earth ...
cooling water4/13/2004
  Q: Dose in water cooling by refrigrator,the warm water is colded faster than cold water?why?
  A: I presume your question is which of these -- cold water or warm water -- is chilled more quickly ...
Concave Lens?4/12/2004
  Q: I asked about a lens on ebay before. You advised if it caved in in the middle, it was concave. I'm ...
  A: A lens that bulges outward on one side and bulges inward on the other is neither a convex lens nor a ...
electronics4/11/2004
  Q: I'm building a toy remote control car (about 12"x6")one wheel at a time, one gear at a time. ...
  A: > do you know where I can buy these electronic parts alone > without having to buy the whole car On ...
Physics4/5/2004
  Q: How do electrons not bump into each other in a valence shell surrounding an atom? several electrons ...
  A: > do all the electrons in one shell occupy a single orbit > (sphere around the nucleus)? First of ...
Physics4/5/2004
  Q: How do electrons not bump into each other in a valence shell surrounding an atom? several electrons ...
  A: When you get down to the size of atoms and electrons in our universe, things become different from ...
Plank's Length4/3/2004
  Q: 1.Planck's length is the quanta of distance why isn't the quanta zero in other words my question is ...
  A: My apologies. I wasn't sure what exactly what your question was, so I answered what you asked me. ...
sound4/1/2004
  Q: I am an artist who is looking to create and environment such as a room in which upon entry the ...
  A: In my judgement what you seek is not possible. Once air vibrations of an unknown frequency and ...
Plank's Length4/1/2004
  Q: Why isn't planck's length zero metres?
  A: This is the equivalent of asking "Why doesn't 2 + 2 = 5 ?" The answer is the same in both cases: ...
Moon Missions3/31/2004
  Q: OK My Friend, Let me start this off by apologizing for any pot shots taken at your expertise and ...
  A: Even though you do not want to deal with what I specifically stated is the only question I can ...
Moon Missions3/30/2004
  Q: My Friend, I don't appreciate your taking "shots" at my personality or my view point, just because ...
  A: I have a bad feeling I know where this discussion is heading. You will ask questions I have not ...
thermodynamics of an engine3/30/2004
  Q: I have a question that I would like help understanding. It occurred to me when I was driving to ...
  A: > In other words, why does an engine that is producing mechanical energy, > produce less heat than ...
Moon Missions3/30/2004
  Q: I have seen the badastronomy web site. It is one of the ones that leaves the thinking person with ...
  A: > Have you, yourself, done any research on the topic of the moon landings, > or did you answer ...
Moon Missions3/29/2004
  Q: I have been studying the debate over the Apollo Moon Missions that were flown from 1969 to 1972. ...
  A: I'll answer the only question you asked. > Did Mankind actually land men on the moon and return ...
reference frames3/29/2004
  Q: I am trying to understand what a reference frame is. I have looked through several texts and found ...
  A: > It appears to me that a reference frame is a three-dimensional > set of coordinates (like a set ...
Mass Converted to Energy3/26/2004
  Q: I saw your profile and thought you might be able to answer a question I had on physics: Are mass and ...
  A: The correct statement is that matter is a form of energy. It is not quite correct to state that ...
Weight3/26/2004
  Q: What is the heaviest known substance (element) in the universe; and, in theory, if an amount the ...
  A: It took longer than I would have preferred (about ten minutes), but a Google search for "heaviest ...
glass3/25/2004
  Q: ... My question is with all these billions of atoms that need to be negotiated by the photon, ...
  A: > photon must ... meet head on with the nucleus of an atom, > if that happened the photon would be ...
glass3/25/2004
  Q: Can you please explain to me how light can pass through a solid such as glass, I read recently that ...
  A: You have the right idea about the number, although it's a bit conservative. At a thickness of one ...
nuclear bomb3/22/2004
  Q: what causes the mushroom cloud on a nuclear bomb? is it the hot gases expanding and going upward in ...
  A: Ten seconds after I did a Google search for +"mushroom cloud" +why I got this link, which explains ...
door3/21/2004
  Q: why is it difficult to open the door by applying force near the hinges
  A: To get something to rotate (like a door, or a wheel on an axle), you need to apply torque. Torque is ...
Scientific (maybe) help please.3/19/2004
  Q: My grandson has made a bet with me that I can't find the answer to this question, on the internet. ...
  A: This MIGHT be part of a joke I heard about twenty years ago. After scientists built a computer that ...
About ions3/17/2004
  Q: want to ask something about ions. Oxygen in the air contains ions. My question is where exactly ...
  A: > where exactly do the ions exist? > Does they exist in the atoms of the oxygen? Yes, but also in ...
rollercoaster question3/16/2004
  Q: Subject: Timberland Twister - A Question of Physics? > This is a great question from a friend of ...
  A: Since I'm not 100% certain how the Timberland Twister works, nor what strategy you employ to ...
Which glass cleaner works...3/14/2004
  Q: Which glass cleaner works the best on glass?
  A: I'm uncertain (1) what my choices are, (2) how you define "best," and (3) what the answer would be ...
pics3/10/2004
  Q: This is perhaps more of a space/astronomy question, but you've helped me before and I was really ...
  A: I don't know if it would "leave us speechless," but it would be just as impressive as some of the ...
my 12 year old daughter asked...3/9/2004
  Q: My 12 yaer old daughter (homeschooled) asked why exactly two objects of the same size but differant ...
  A: This is a good question; I hope you can bear with me. In the most basic sense, the "mass" of an ...
physics3/8/2004
  Q: I have a toy car. If the diameter of the tires increase will the car speed also increase? If so, is ...
  A: I'm going to give my best answer: It might work, or it might not. Not the answer I WANT to give, ...
physics3/7/2004
  Q: I have a toy car. If the diameter of the tires increase will the car speed also increase? If so, is ...
  A: I'm uncertain what you mean by 1) what kind of "toy" car you mean. I can imagine a toy car being ...
electricity:watt amplification3/5/2004
  Q: Can one or why can't one amplify watts as voltage can be amplified? Answer - Two questions to think ...
  A: > The worst way to answer a question > is with another question In 35 years of assisting people ...
Physics? or Ghosts?3/5/2004
  Q: my name is Jean and I have a question for you. Now I know that this is the Physics category for a ...
  A: Creaking noises in a house are so common as the house "settles" or is moved by the wind that a ghost ...
Electricity2/27/2004
  Q: My question is from electricity and it is as follows: - # Consider a simple circuit of a battery, ...
  A: > where do these electrons come from? > Is it from the battery? In a sense, yes. Remember that the ...
Sir Isaac Newton2/22/2004
  Q: What would you consider to be a greater accomplishment, creating calculus, or coming up with the 3 ...
  A: Why not explain your opinion, and then we can talk over this topic. Since you are the one who has ...
Conservation of Energy2/17/2004
  Q: Sorry for troubling you I understand that no wave = no energy, but where does the energy of the ...
  A: I'll say it one last time. You keep saying "There are two waves, each containing energy." This is ...
Conservation of Energy2/16/2004
  Q: But if two waves add up to have destructive interference exactly then how does it account for ...
  A: Your own question answers it. > add up resulting in 0 If the TOTAL of the two waves is zero, the ...
Conservation of Energy2/16/2004
  Q: I have two sine waves of opposite polarity (or for that matter any waves or same characteristics but ...
  A: If two waves of opposite polarity exactly cancel each other out, then what do you have? By ...
Second Length2/16/2004
  Q: "Second" is probably the basic unit of time. I have a question. Why the length of a second is "One ...
  A: The history of which units we use to designate measured events is actually quite fascinating. ...
radio2/14/2004
  Q: I watched a DVD called "Life Beyond Earth" and in it the narrator shows how our radio broadcasts are ...
  A: > how can a radio wave possibly travel that far > without degradation The answer is simple -- it ...
physics2/13/2004
  Q: How and why does the weight or length of a pendulum affect the swing?
  A: Here's a simple way to tell. Make a pendulum by tying a key or some other metal object at the end ...
Re: about breaking a glass2/10/2004
  Q: Expert, I hear that you can break glass with your voice by hitting the right note? Is this true? ...
  A: This link should explain it. www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae479.cfm Note that it's not ...
Moving Fast2/9/2004
  Q: I am ten years old and I hope I'm not wasting you time with thisIn the movie "Clockstoppers" the ...
  A: Good question! And I'm going to answer it in a typical way: "It depends." As you are probably ...
ants1/29/2004
  Q: I have wondered this for a long time, but how exactly is it that an ant (or most tiny insects) can ...
  A: There was a film in high school physics class that gave insight into this; I'll do my best to ...

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I can help with understanding physics that does not involve eggs. I will NOT help with academic or professional questions, which are NOT limited only to homework. Please do not waste your time by asking a question that comes out of ANY kind of academic, professional, or business matters.

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Have been fascinated by physical laws ever since I learned, at age seven, that magnets work under water. My study continued through college and has not ceased even after I retired.

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B.A. in Physics (with honors) from University of California at Berkeley.M.A. in Physics (with honors) from University of Texas Austin.

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