Category: Physics

N-body problem

N-body problem

N-body problem           05/22/16

 

Earlier, we have discussed the effects of universal gravitational and how in a classical Newtonian framework a gravitational force acts upon all masses equal to FG=GM1*M2r2. Now, this makes calculations for two isolated interacting objects very simple, but what about more complex systems such as three or more astral objects? The attempt to discern a general equation for such a complexity is known as the N-body problem. Physicists have been trying to solve this conundrum ever since Sir Isaac Newton published the Principia Mathematica. Supposedly, the equations are even more difficult to solve when one factors in Einstein’s theory of relativity!

Computational physics

Computational physics

Computational physics        05/21/16

 

If you read last night’s episode of Isaac’s daily science lecture, you would have learned that Scientists and Engineers often use computational models to simulate complex systems. Tonight we will discuss the application to physics, often called Computational physics. Officially, Computational physics is defined as the study and implementation of numerical models to simulate complex physical problems. Computational physics as emerged as an entire methodology in it’s own right, with applications ranging from the simulation of the Nbody problem.

Isolated system

Isolated system

Isolated system             05/18/16

 

Within physical science and engineering, an Isolated system is a physical system that is so far removed from other systems that it is considered almost closed off from them. This differs from a closed system, in which the latter are isolated through an artificial boundary, while the former is due to causal distance. Isolated systems are useful for dealing with real world phenomena such as atoms and planets in the solar system.

Conservation law

Conservation law

       Conservation law           05/17/16

 

A Conservation law in physics is a property of an isolated system in which it does not change over time but remains static instead. Examples include the conservation of momentum, the conservation of angular momentum, and the conservation of energy.

Electrostatic discharge

Electrostatic discharge

          Electrostatic discharge           05/16/16

 

Have you ever wondered why you get shocked sometimes when you reach for a doorknob? This is due to the effects of electrostatic discharge. Electrostatic discharge is the sudden flow of electricity when two charged objects become contiguous with one another. Often times, an electric spark is created during the occurrence of the phenomena. Electrostatic discharge can have a very harmfull effect on hardware, so extra protection is often necessary to keep everything safe.

Lightning

Lightning

Lightning          05/15/16

 

As a young child, you probably had trepidations about lightning, but did you ever wonder how it worked? To illustrate, let us visualize a cloud. Often time, there is internal movement inside the cloud, which leads to movement of charge inside the cloud. This leads to Polarization of the cloud. This buildup of electrons will have further effects on the ground level, with the negative electrons being pushed away and the positive charge being attracted to the cloud. In fact, all objectives within the vicinity will become polarized. This buildup of opposing charges will create a voltage. If the voltage grows high enough, then a dielectric breakdown will occur through the air, turning it from an insulator to a conductor, and creating a bolt of lightning.

Non- Newtonian fluid

Non- Newtonian fluid

                     Non- Newtonian fluid           05/14/16

 

Non newtonian fluids are fluids in which viscosity changes with applied force. To illustrate, let’s examine how this is differentiated from a Newtonian fluid. In a newtonian fluid, if an object is placed in to a fluid, the fluid will coalesce around the object no matter the force. In a non-newtonian fluid, the fluid will become more viscous in response to the larger force. In fact, the particles of the system behave more like a solid. Some other Non-newtonian fluids have the reverse effect, with a larger force producing a lower viscosity. An example of the most strange effects of a non-newtonian fluid is corn starch. When one pours corn starch, it flows in a very smooth manner. However, if one attempts to hit the Cornstarch with a mallet, it acts almost as it is a solid. You can even jump up and down on the corn starch!!!

Shock waves

Shock waves

         Shock waves           05/10/16

 

When an item goes so fast through a fluid medium than the local speed of sound, a most disruptive phenomena known as a shock wave occurs. This occurs when the object shifts to a supersonic speed because before the object was moving at such a speed, the air molecules producing the sound were going faster than the object, and once the object reaches the speed of sound, the fluid molecules will be left behind the object, resulting in a traffic-jam like situation occurs in which the surrounding fluid molecules pile up and cause an almost inconceivable explosion of energy.  

The picture is a Schlirein photograph of a supersonic body

Wave power

Wave power

Wave power           05/06/16

What if I told you that Engineers have built machines that are able to convert the kinetic energy of waves into usable power? This is the very principle behind Wave energy. By capturing the energy propagated by these waves, we can power up to around 40% of humanity’s energy needs.