Geometry of the Universe Can the Universe be finite in size? If so, what is ``outside'' the Universe? The answer to both these questions involves a discussion of the intrinsic geometry of the Universe. At this point it is important to remember the distinction between the curvature of space (negative, positive or flat) and the toplogy of the Universe (what is its shape = how is it connected). It is possible to different curvatures in different shapes. For example, a torus (donut) has a negative curvature on the inside edge even though it is a finite toplogy. There are basically three possible shapes to the Universe; a flat Universe (Euclidean or zero curvature), a spherical or closed Universe (positive curvature) or a hyperbolic or open Universe (negative curvature). All three geometries are classes of what is called Riemannian geometry, based on three possible states for parallel lines The conformal space-time diagram is a good tool use for describing the meaning of CMB anisotropy observations.
This 78-page book on physics is selling more copies than 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Apparently, Italians find physics more sexy than S&M – at least for reading material. Since it was published last September, Carlo Rovelli's book Seven Brief Lessons on Physics has sold more copies in Rovelli's native country, Italy, than E.L. James' smash hit Fifty Shades of Grey, The Spectator reported. And the translated English copy has quickly risen to become Penguin's fastest-selling science debut in the publishing company's history. After all, it's not like physics is a topic that people flock toward. Well, for starters, Rovelli is an expert on the topic. Rovelli is also an avid writer of popular science, so he has a knack for transforming complex ideas into clear, simple concepts. "Rovelli has a rare knack for conveying the top line of scientific theories in clear and compelling terms without succumbing to the lure of elaborate footnotes," Nicola Davis, the commissioning editor of Tech Monthly, reported in The Guardian.
Topics Covered | The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast We’ve done a lot of episodes now, and even we lose track of where we’ve been. We aim (among other things) to present the equivalent of an introductory course in all the major areas of philosophy. Here’s where I’ll periodically comment on our progress. Feel free to weigh in on our direction suggest additional topics as comments to this page. Jump to a Category:EthicsPolitical PhilosophyEpistemologyMetaphysicsPhilosophy of ArtPhilosophy of ReligionOther Topics Ethics We’re doing pretty well here, with the three main types covered: -Consequentialism (episode 9 on Bentham and Mill), which starts ethics by determining what’s the optimal state of affairs. With those basics out of the way, the next step is meta-ethics: how can moral commands exist in a natural universe? Related to this is moral psychology: how do we smooth-skinned animals come to think about moral considerations? What else is ahead?
Top 20 Logical Fallacies - The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe Introduction to Argument Structure of a Logical Argument Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, our arguments all follow a certain basic structure. Premise1: If A = B, Premise2: and B = C Logical connection: Then (apply principle of equivalence) Conclusion: A = C In order for an argument to be considered valid the logical form of the argument must work – must be valid. Also it is important to note that an argument may use wrong information, or faulty logic to reach a conclusion that happens to be true. Breaking down an argument into its components is a very useful exercise, for it enables us to examine both our own arguments and those of others and critically analyze them for validity. Examine your Premises As stated above, in order for an argument to be sound all of its premises must be true. There are several types of potential problems with premises. Premises may also be true, as far as they go, but are incomplete. Let’s go back to the transitional fossil example again.
The Absurdity of Infinity: Astrophysicist Janna Levin Explains Whether the Universe Is Infinite or Finite in Letters to Her Mother – Brain Pickings By Maria Popova In 1998, while on the cusp of becoming one of the most significant theoretical cosmologists of our time, mathematician-turned-astrophysicist Janna Levin left her post at Berkeley and moved across the Atlantic for a prestigious position at Cambridge University. During the year and a half there, she had the time and space to contemplate the question that would eventually become the epicenter of her career — whether the universe is infinite or finite. What began as a series of letters to her mother, Sandy, eventually became an unusual diary of Levin’s “social exile as a roaming scientist,” and was finally published as How the Universe Got Its Spots: Diary of a Finite Time in a Finite Space (public library) — a most unusual and absorbing account of the paradoxes of finitude. In an entry from September 3, 1998, Levin fleshes out her ideas on infinity and writes with exquisite Saganesque sensitivity to the poetics of science: No infinity has ever been observed in nature.
Watch the synchronisation of 32 metronomes (with an explanation behind it) - The Feed Blog (CBS News) A little over a year ago I posted a video on The Feed that showed a physics principle on display in the form of five metronomes that synched to each other with time and the right conditions. And it was very cool to watch we all learned something from it. So how about a quick refresher course, this time with 32 metronomes. Watch physics unfold in the video above. The science-in-action clip was posted by YouTube user IkeguchiLab , and for the explanation behind it, we refer back to the poster of the prior video, abahraminasab , who writes: Here you go: metronomes (or "pendula") when on table, oscillate with random phases, since that is how they started and they are "uncoupled" (no energy/information flows from one to other so they do not "know" each other.) So while not as obvious as in the prior video, it seems the table the 32 metronomes are on allows for enough movement to let this process take effect and lead to them synching with one another.
40 websites that will make you cleverer right now The indexed web contains an incredible 14 billion pages. But only a tiny fraction help you improve your brain power. Here are 40 of the best. whizzpast.com – Learn about our awe inspiring past all in one wonderful place. khanacademy.org – Watch thousands of micro-lectures on topics ranging from history and medicine to chemistry and computer science. freerice.com – Help end world hunger by correctly answering multiple-choice quizzes on a wide variety of subjects. artofmanliness.com – Blog/site dedicated to all things manly, great for learning life skills and good insights. unplugthetv.com – Randomly selects an educational video for you to watch. coursera.org – An educational site that works with universities to get their courses on the Internet, free for you to use. mentalfloss.com – Interesting articles guaranteed to make you smile and get you thinking. feelgoodwardrobe.com – Find out how the world of fashion really works and what you can do to combat it. lifehacker.com – Learn to hack life!
List of common misconceptions From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This incomplete list is not intended to be exhaustive. This list corrects erroneous beliefs that are currently widely held about notable topics. Each misconception and the corresponding facts have been discussed in published literature. Arts and culture Food and cooking Roll-style Western sushi. Searing meat does not "seal in" moisture, and in fact may actually cause meat to lose moisture. Legislation and crime Literature The Harry Potter books, though they have broken children's book publishing records, have not led to an increase in reading among children or adults, nor slowed the ongoing overall decline in book purchases by Americans, and children who did read the Harry Potter books were not more likely to go on to read more outside of the fantasy and mystery genres. Music Religion Hebrew Bible The forbidden fruit mentioned in the Book of Genesis is commonly assumed to be an apple, and is widely depicted as such in Western art. Islam
Un trou noir supermassif libère des explosions de gaz dans une galaxie voisine Deux émissions massives de gaz provenant d'un trou noir ont été enregistrées par le télescope spatial Chandra. Selon les astronomes, ce phénomène s’apparente à une sorte de "rot" après que le trou noir se soit nourri d’étoiles. Les astronomes ont identifié deux émissions massives de gaz provenant d'un trou noir supermassif situé dans le centre d'une galaxie voisine. Les images du phénomène semblable à deux arcs et assimilé à une "régurgitation", ont été reprises par le télescope spatial à rayons X Chandra de la NASA. "A titre de comparaison, les astronomes se réfèrent souvent aux trous noirs comme des "mangeurs" d’étoiles et de gaz. Un trou noir relativement proche de la Terre Le trou noir dont il est question est l’un des plus proches de la Terre à être soumis une activité aussi violente. Selon Eric Schlegel, cette observation est très importante. Un phénomène qui influence l’évolution des galaxies Le second aurait lui mis trois à six millions d'années. Vous êtes déjà abonné ?
Stunning images of snowflakes under a (frozen) microscope [20 pictures] Researchers at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center have gathered samples of snow from around the country and are studying them under a microscope. To keep the flakes in their original shape, they’re viewed on a surface that has been chilled to -170 Celsius, or -224 Fahrenheit. (The microscope they use is understatedly labeled “low-temperature.”) Here are some of the amazing images coming from their research… On an interesting side note, man-made snow doesn’t vary in shape like natural snow does, and, in fact, doesn’t even look like natural snow at all when magnified. (via The Daily Mail)