By Christopher Moore
Can you imagine a world without tangents?
According to Dr. Norman Wildberger the traditional way we “do” trigonometry is outdated. He’s on a mission to replace the conventional trigonometric toolkit that consists of sines and cosines.
In this article, Dr. Wildberger explains:
Generations of students have struggled with classical trigonometry because the framework is wrong …
Rational trigonometry replaces sines, cosines, tangents and a host of other trigonometric functions with elementary arithmetic.
For the past two thousand years we have relied on the false assumptions that distance is the best way to measure the separation of two points, and that angle is the best way to measure the separation of two lines.
So teachers have resigned themselves to teaching students about circles and pi and complicated trigonometric functions that relate circular arc lengths to x and y projections – all in order to analyse triangles. No wonder students are left scratching their heads
Physics students often struggle with the task of resolving vectors into x and y components. So how would Dr. Wildberger’s “new” trigonometry help alleviate that pain?
Traditional ideas of angles are replaced by new concepts called “spread” and “quadrance”. To learn more, check out Dr. Wildberger’s site here.
By Christopher Moore
Solid state physicists are contributing to the battle against terrorism. And unfortunately for pseudoscientist “new paradigm” theory hawkers, quantum physics has another application.
In this article, PhysOrg.com discusses newly developed Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) and their application in the war on bio-terror.
Once optimized, these sensitive detectors could be combined with the ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs) already pioneered by the Center for Quantum Devices to create an inexpensive detection system capable of identifying the unique spectral fingerprints of a biological agent attack.
The APD technology may see further use in the deployment of systems for secure battlefield communication. Wavelengths around 280 nanometers are referred to as the solar-blind region; in this region, the UV light is filtered out by the ozone layer providing for a naturally low background signal. Solar-blind APDs are intrinsically able to take advantage of this low background level, while PMTs must use external filters to become solar-blind. This makes secure battlefield communication possible utilizing a combination of compact, inexpensive UV LEDs and UV APDs both developed at the Center for Quantum Devices.
You can learn more about how APDs work here.
Solar blind APDs rely on the wide band-gap AlGaN semiconductor. Unfortunately, current AlGaN growth techniques lead to a large number of crystalline defects. But the Center for Quantum Devices reports AlGaN crystals exhibiting solar blind avalanche gain.
My research group has worked on GaN defect reduction. A recent paper on these efforts can be found here.
By Christopher Moore
Gas prices have soared bolstering arguments for alternative energy sources. But are these alternatives any better? Any cheaper? Let’s see.
The recent price spike in the U.S. is not due to a global shortage of oil. Hurricane Katrina disrupted several major oil refineries and has hindered distribution to the 48 states, causing a very local shortage. Experts expect the price to settle back to pre-hurricane levels within a few months. Of course, this doesn’t address the larger issue: are we running out?
Most geologists consider fossil fuels to be “non-renewable,” meaning that one day we will run out. There is a small minority though that are not convinced this is the case. Some evidence is given in this article as well as this one by George Crispin.
There are a couple of theories about how fossil fuels are created. The most popular is that oil is biogenic and comes from plant and animal matter such as bone (hence “fossil” fuels). Of course, we add new bone to the Earth daily, meaning we should be adding to the oil supply daily, correct? Not exactly. What geologists mean by “non-renewable” is that we can’t make any new oil within a human time frame. It will take millions of years for my bones to turn into usable oil, and we are using oil faster than Mother Nature can create more.
The second theory of oil creation is that it is abiogenic, meaning all of the oil we have was formed with the Earth over 4.5 billion years ago. Dr. Thomas Gold has proposed a model based on this assumption that shows oil potential far greater than what many believe is currently available.
Right now, I will have to side with the conventional biogenic theory because I am no geologist. I trust the cadre of competent scientists who are pretty sure they are right. I’m no pessimist, though. I believe we have a while until oil production cannot keep up with demand. But if we are to run out, what are the alternatives?
The U.S. Government is gearing up to spend $1.7 billion to make hydrogen fuel cell cars a reality. Read this article to learn how they work.
Here’s the problem, though. Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it is not cheap to come by in its elemental our gaseous state. If you pull the oxygen off of H2O, then you have hydrogen. But it takes energy to do this. It takes more energy to create hydrogen gas than we can get out of its use. Oil we just pluck from the ground and light. That’s it.
Also, the reaction that powers a hydrogen fuel cell requires platinum as a catalyst. Platinum is expensive because it is VERY RARE. So in a hydrogen economy, you may see long-haired protesters waiving signs reading “No Blood for Platinum.”
So we are faced with many problems. Other alternatives have similar problems. The solutions are not obvious. We use oil because oil is cheap, plain and simple. When it fails to be cheap we’ll find something else to move our economy. Or we’ll find something cheaper. Either way I have faith in human ingenuity to solve what may be a problem sometime in the future.
Here’s a quote from the former oil minister to Saudi Arabia, Sheik Yamani: “The stone age ended, but not because of any lack of stones. Undoubtedly the oil age will end the same way.”
By Christopher Moore
I’m working on programming a problem solution generator.
This will be one of the new features we will be unveiling soon. The generator will allow you to choose from over 100 common problems in physics, plug in your own numbers, and the complete, thoroughly explained solution will pop out with the right numerical answer.
I should have all the problems associated with 1D motion rolled out within a week or so.
Click here to see a simple demonstration.
By Christopher Moore
You probably thought the first real application of nano-scale structures would be for computing, didn’t you?
It appears researchers are studying ways to use nanospheres to fill the tiny holes we all have in our teeth. The result: stronger, less sensitive choppers.
ScienceBlog reports:
Preliminary research presented today at the Institute of Physics conference EMAG-NANO 2005 shows that creating tiny spheres of a ceramic material called hydroxyapatite could be a long term solution or cure for sensitive teeth.
Hydroxyapatite is a ceramic material, and apparently plays well with tooth and bone, which is why it is currently widely used afor bone grafts and dental coatings.
The problem? The research team has not been able to synthesize hydroxyapatite into nano-spheres. Preliminary studies have been carried out using silica nanospheres (SiO2).
