Author: Isaac Gendler

How quantum mechanics poses problems with reality

How quantum mechanics poses problems with reality

How quantum mechanics poses problems with reality

11/09/16

“What are some of the most counter-intuitive aspects of quantum mechanics?”

 

At the turn of the 20th century, physicists began discovering that the Newtonian mode of the universe was inadequate. In classical mechanics, one is able to predict the entire motion of an object using only a simple set of equations, giving the universe a deterministic structure. However, this simplicity collapses as one enters the quantum scale. Instead, every time objects collide with one another, only a probability of possible trajectories can be given by a mathematical tool known as a wave function. Since this phenomena is so strange, physicists are divided into two discrete worldviews regarding the properties of the wave function; instrumentalists believe that the wave function is only a conceptualization invented by humans, and that there is no absolute way of knowing reality, while naturalists believe that the wave function is in fact a property of nature itself. Whatever it is, a most intriguing aspect of this facet of nature is that all of these semi-random chaotic quantum processes will eventually coalesce to emerge into the materialist universe that we can observe and experience. So everytime you think that everything is dull and boring, just think about the myriad of secluded wondries going on in the smaller scale!

The mathematics of gerrymandering

The mathematics of gerrymandering

The mathematics of gerrymandering

11/08/16

“What is political gerrymandering and how does it work?”

In honor of election here in the United States, I thought that it would be reasonable to do my part and use my scientific skills to explain the mathematics behind a political process known as gerrymandering.

First of all, for those of you unfamiliar with the American political system, the political map of the United States during elections is divided into “districts” of where around 500,000 people will live. People in this area vote for which political party they want, and at the end of the day whoever obtains the largest amount of votes will win the entire district! So in an ideal world, each district will be drawn so that it would fairly represent the population. In this way, political representation would be completely fair. However, individuals who are in power have the power to redraw these districts during times of census, allowing them to manipulate things in to a way that would represent their own interests. For example, let’s imagine a state with 2 million people, half of them voting for one party and half of them voting for another. If all of the districts were drawn to fairly represent this population, then the vote would be split evenly among 4 districts. However, if the districts were redrawn so that three of them would contain even a majority for one party and only one district would contain a majority for another, then the first party will win by a landslide! This issue is more than just a theory, it is a very real thing, and please take action as a citizen and do your part to make sure that the political system can be fair for everyone. And as always, a little bit of knowledge of mat can go a long way.

Adhesive forces

Adhesive forces

Adhesive forces

11/07/16

“What causes liquids to stick to surfaces?”

 

Have you ever wondered why liquids seem to have sticky properties? Well, let’s think about it. We know that molecules of a liquid substances are attracted to each other through the phenomena of intermolecular forces, but since all materials in the universe are made up of molecules, wouldn’t it be logical that molecules of these liquid substances could also be attracted to molecules outside of the substance? This is the fundamental idea behind adhesive forces. Because of adhesive forces, liquids have the ability to “stick” to the containers in which it rests. And most peculiar application of adhesive forces are utilized by the insect known as water striders, who can literally glide upon water.

Cohesive forces

Cohesive forces

Cohesive forces

11/06/16

“What causes liquids to stick together?”

 

Liquids are a most peculiar state of matter. Their shape will change depending on the container that they’re in (just like gases) , but at the same time their volume will remain consistent (just like solids). Why do liquids have this paradoxical combination of features? Well, let’s investigate it. On a microscopic level, the molecules of liquids move around in semi-free state, not being as rigidly bound as a solid but not having the level of separation as a gas. The molecules of a liquid are attracted to one another through a phenomena known as cohesive forces, in which molecules of the same type experience an intermolecular force attracting one another. Now with this fact, we can deduce something very interesting. Volumes of a material are composed of units of molecules. And since molecules in liquid experience cohesive forces that makes them stick together, the amount of molecules in this liquid will not change unless a more powerful force rips away some of the molecules, therefore giving liquids a constant volume! Due to cohesive forces, liquids can be fluid like gases but maintain their volumes when poured into another container or experience mechanical stresses, or exhibit properties such as surface tension.   

Intermolecular forces

Intermolecular forces

Intermolecular forces

11/05/16

“What exactly keeps groups molecules together?”

 

Have you ever wondered why even through objects are made of molecules moving around in space, they seem to be able to keep their form? Well, let’s think about it. First of all, let’s view everything from a microscopic standpoint. When molecules are close to one another, they have a tendency to form associations with one another resulting from a phenomena called intermolecular forces. The forces (in increasing order of strength) include london dispersion (in which all molecules experience), dipole-dipole interaction (when two or more electrically charged molecules come in close proximity within one another), and hydrogen bonding (when a hydrogen atom of one molecule comes into close proximity of an oxygen[O], nitrogen[N], or fluorine[F] of another). What I find personally amazing is how billions of these forces over time will manifest into the everyday material objects that we experience everyday!

Vapor Pressure

Vapor Pressure

Vapor Pressure

11/04/16

“What happens to water in a closed container?”

Liquids have many fascinating facets, and one of the fascinating facets about them is when put in a closed container, a gas will gradually form over time. What is this substance and how does it affect the surrounding environment? Well, let’s start by looking at it from a microscopic viewpoint. Well, first of all we know that molecules in a liquid move around in a semi-free fashion but are held together by cohesive forces resulting from intermolecular interaction. But what happens if the energy of one of these moving molecules overcomes such internal forces? As it turns out, this molecule will be freed from the constraints of the liquid substance and be allowed to float around as a gas. And if this liquid is trapped inside a closed container, then the gas molecules will be too. Some of these gas molecules will eventually lose kinetic energy and in turn will be dragged back into the liquid. Eventually, a steady state will be formed with the number of molecules leaving the liquid will equal the number returning to the liquid. As a result, this steady gas will exert a vapor pressure on the liquid beneath it.

Now here is where things become interesting. If one were to increase the temperature of the liquid, then then the kinetic energy of the molecules of the liquid will increase, causing a greater amount of liquid to be released into the gas, therefore increasing the vapor pressure of the gas!

Karl Popper’s theory of falsification

Karl Popper’s theory of falsification

Karl Popper’s theory of falsification

11/03/16

“How can we tell if a theory is scientific?”

 

In the world, you probably hear the word “theory” tossed around alot. And in many cases, these proposed “theories” masquerade themselves as scientific when in reality they are nothing more than mere confabulations. So how can we discern what is and is not a true scientific theory?

Well, thanks to the work of the great philosopher of science Karl Popper, we have a tool known as falsification to assist us. The primal idea behind this idea states that a theory can only be scientific if you can falsify it. In plain terms, this means that if you are unable to construct a tenants or experiment that could disprove one of the tenants of a theory, then the theory is not scientifically valid. To illustrate, let’s take a scientific theory (Einstein’s theory of relativity) and a non-scientific one (Freudian repression) and compare them. Einstein makes a very specific claim that massive objects will cause light to noticeably bend around them. If we were to construct an experiment that would show that this phenomena does not occur under the prescribed conditions, then you would effectively be able to disprove Einstein! However, innumerable experiments have been carried out and none have succeeded in destroying Einstein, therefore showing that Einstein’s theory holds empirical rigor. In contrast, it is impossible to set up an experiment to show that Freud’s theory of repression has any factual strength, therefore becoming unusable. With this tool, we can clean all of the grime of misconceptualization that pollute the machinery of our critical thinking ability. So to summarize, when it comes to scientific theories, if you can’t reject it than you can’t accept it.

Alloys

Alloys

Alloys

11/02/16

“What is special about a mixture of two elements?”

Materials are composed of elements. Some are composed of many. However, what are some special properties of mixtures that involve metal? Well, after much research into the subject, Chemists have defined these materials as alloys. Since different elements have different size, and alloys are made up of different elements, the internal structure of alloys will become fairly irregular, therefore giving alloys a much harder nature. As a result, alloys are regularly applied in industrial applications where durable materials are necessary.

What are frames?

What are frames?

11/01/16

“What are frames, why are they so commonly used, and how can we analyze them?”

 

Frames are some of the most utilized structures in engineering. In Fact, they are so commonly used that they are used in the name Framework. But what exactly are they, why are they so utilized, and how can we analyze them? Well, like I always say, let’s think about it. Frames are fundamentally structures that hold structures together. This allows them to hold multiple disjointed parts together to become continuous, therefore allowing for more complex structures to be built, therefore allowing for complicated urban systems to be developed! Frames can be analyzed by the fact that they provide static resistance to all parts connected to their system, allowing for loads and other members to balance each other out.