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 will 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 part would fall at precisely the identical fee. If you happen to let go of a hammer and a feather
from the identical top
on the similar time on the Moon, they’d hit the bottom concurrently.
9: Gyroscopic precession
It doesn’t matter how a lot you already know about physics; gyroscopes are bizarre. The way in which they appear to defy gravity makes you rethink every part you already know 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 prefer to assume that we will work together with many 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 for those who weren’t even there. The truth that 65 billion neutrinos move 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 will possibly intervene and have a frequency, however it will possibly solely take and provides vitality in discrete portions. It behaves like nothing else in our macroscopic world, and will be very troublesome to think about.
6: Electrons are waves
We’ve established how photons act like waves and particles, however certainly huge particles act usually. Nope! Even electrons have wave-like properties. In reality, every part 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 just 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 otherwise for various observers. If you happen to 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 will be created from nothing, so long as it goes proper again to being nothing shortly. In seemingly empty house, particles pop out and in of existence on a regular basis on account of the uncertainty precept. To not point out, house is inflating at an accelerated fee 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 may 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 for those who 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 useless and alive
How may it not be this? The character of quantum mechanics permits for objects to tackle two seemingly contradictory states in a ‘superposition’. An electron will be in two locations directly, or in a extra excessive instance, a cat will be each useless and alive. In fact, this bizarre property goes away as soon as somebody makes an remark. It’s as if there are tiny physics trolls messing with nature at any time when we’re not trying.
In fact, there’s loads extra unsettling physics information, just like the space-bending nature of normal 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 assume I’ve missed, although!
