Whereas physics can present us wonderful issues about our universe, it doesn’t at all times agree with how we expect issues ought to work. Typically, physics may be very counter-intuitive, and infrequently 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, every thing would fall at precisely the identical charge. When you let go of a hammer and a feather
from the identical peak
on the identical time on the Moon, they’d hit the bottom concurrently.
9: Gyroscopic precession
It doesn’t matter how a lot you understand about physics; gyroscopes are bizarre. The best way they appear to defy gravity makes you rethink every thing you understand 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 will 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 your physique proper now, as when you weren’t even there. The truth that 65 billion neutrinos move by every sq. centimeter of your physique each second is bizarre sufficient, who is aware of what we’ll study 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 could possibly solely take and provides vitality in discrete portions. It behaves like nothing else in our macroscopic world, and may be very tough to think about.
6: Electrons are waves
We’ve established how photons act like waves and particles, however absolutely large particles act usually. Nope! Even electrons have wave-like properties. In reality, every thing acts like a wave! Besides these waves are available in discrete portions, which we’ll name particles. This received’t get complicated.
5: E=mc^2
Einstein’s most well-known contribution to physics
states that matter is solely one other type of vitality, 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, as a result of potential vitality
saved inside.
4: Time is relative
The core of particular relativity states that point passes in a different way for various observers. When you took a visit to Alpha Centauri at 99% the velocity of sunshine, everybody on Earth would see the journey take 4.4 years, whilst 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 charge on account of “darkish vitality”. To the vacuum, the regulation of conservation of vitality is extra of a suggestion.
2: c is the quickest velocity
One other essential level in particular relativity is that nothing might ever go quicker than mild. This doesn’t sit nicely 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 vitality. Even when you by some means 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 directly, 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 each time we’re not trying.
After all, there’s a lot extra unsettling physics information, just like the space-bending nature of basic 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!
