Whereas physics can present us superb issues about our universe, it doesn’t all the time agree with how we predict issues ought to work. Typically, physics may be very counter-intuitive, and sometimes unsettling. So, right here’s my record of physics information that may be a bit unnerving.
10: Weight doesn’t matter
If it wasn’t for air resistance, the whole lot would fall at precisely the identical price. In the event you let go of a hammer and a feather
from the identical top
on the identical time on the Moon, they might hit the bottom concurrently.
9: Gyroscopic precession
It doesn’t matter how a lot about physics; gyroscopes are bizarre. The way in which they appear to defy gravity makes you rethink the whole lot about physics, regardless of being pretty easy toys. Nonetheless, it’s all simply Newton’s legal guidelines of movement.
8: Neutrinos and darkish matter
We wish to suppose that we are able to work together with a lot of the world round us, however this couldn’t be farther from the reality. Neutrinos and darkish matter are passing by way of your physique proper now, as in case you weren’t even there. The truth that 65 billion neutrinos go by way of every sq. centimeter of your physique each second is bizarre sufficient, who is aware of what we’ll find out about darkish matter.
7: Photons are particles
Gentle travels like a wave, however can solely work together like a particle. It could intervene and have a frequency, however it will probably solely take and provides power in discrete portions. It behaves like nothing else in our macroscopic world, and may be very troublesome to think about.
6: Electrons are waves
We’ve established how photons act like waves and particles, however certainly large particles act usually. Nope! Even electrons have wave-like properties. The truth is, the whole lot acts like a wave! Besides these waves are available discrete portions, which we’ll name particles. This gained’t get complicated.
5: E=mc^2
Einstein’s most well-known contribution to physics
states that matter is solely one other type of power, which has very
profound penalties. A wound-up Jack-in-a-box would weigh ever so
barely greater than a launched Jack-in-a-box, because of the potential power
saved inside.
4: Time is relative
The core of particular relativity states that point passes in another way for various observers. In the event you took a visit to Alpha Centauri at 99% the velocity of sunshine, everybody on Earth would see the journey take 4.4 years, when you would solely expertise 7.5 months. Time journey is actual!
3: The (not so empty) vacuum
One thing may be created from nothing, so long as it goes proper again to being nothing rapidly. In seemingly empty area, particles pop out and in of existence on a regular basis because of the uncertainty precept. To not point out, area is inflating at an accelerated price as a consequence of “darkish power”. To the vacuum, the legislation of conservation of power is extra of a suggestion.
2: c is the quickest velocity
One other vital level in particular relativity is that nothing might ever go sooner than mild. This doesn’t sit effectively with lots of people, however the math doesn’t lie. To even get one thing with mass to journey at the velocity of sunshine would require infinite power. Even in case you in some way get round this, there are simply too many mathematical issues with superluminal journey. Prefer it or not, the universe has a velocity restrict.
1: The cat is lifeless and alive
How might it not be this? The character of quantum mechanics permits for objects to tackle two seemingly contradictory states in a ‘superposition’. An electron may be in two locations without delay, or in a extra excessive instance, a cat may be each lifeless and alive. After all, this bizarre property goes away as soon as somebody makes an commentary. It’s as if there are tiny physics trolls messing with nature every time we’re not wanting.
After all, there’s lots extra unsettling physics information, just like the space-bending nature of common relativity, or the “spooky motion at a distance” that’s quantum entanglement, however these are my prime 10. I’d like to listen to any unsettling physics information you suppose I’ve missed, although!
