Physics Buzz has a nice article about Paul Erdos and the Erdos Number Project (mine is 6), which ends with a good question: I for one, am wondering: who would be the Paul ErdÅs of the physics world? It’s a tough question, complicated further by the existence of really gigantic collaborations in experimental high-energy physics,… Continue reading Who Is the Erdos of Physics?
Category: Physics
Dorky Poll: Aristocratic Elements
“…Can you name the six noble gases?” As this could be no poser for an economic geographer, I rattled them off in their proper aristocratic order. “Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, and -er- Radon. They were raised to the peerage in the eleventh year of England’s George Fifth, and Neon was awarded the Order of… Continue reading Dorky Poll: Aristocratic Elements
Historical Quantum Smackdown Explained
This was delayed a day by yesterday’s ranting, but I wanted to explain the significance of the people in Monday’s lesser-known quantum mechanic smackdown. I’m happy to see that, as of this morning, three candidates have rallied past the “unique flower” option. In reverse order of popularity:
Historical Physicist Smackdown: Minor Quantum Edition
SteelyKid’s day care is closed today, meaning that I will be spending the day chasing her in circles in a variety of different places. this doesn’t allow a lot of blogging time, so you get a poll to pass the time. We’ll go back to the historical physics thing for this one. The following poll… Continue reading Historical Physicist Smackdown: Minor Quantum Edition
Academic Poll: What Do Faculty Owe Former Students?
The Female Science Professor is thinking about what advisors owe their students: When I got my PhD and went out into the great big academic world, I felt that I had the respect of my adviser, but I knew not to expect anything more from him in the way of support in my career other… Continue reading Academic Poll: What Do Faculty Owe Former Students?
Dorky Poll: Quantum Pictures
I’m feeling slightly better, but still a little wobbly, so here’s what may be the dorkiest Dorky Poll yet: How do you like your quantum mechanics?(trends)
Furloughs and Shutdowns
Janet is currently exploring the implications of the California university furloughs. If you haven’t been paying attention, California is so grossly dysfunctional that the state government has had to order all employees– including university faculty– to take 9% of their work time off as unpaid “furlough” days, in order to cut costs enough to have… Continue reading Furloughs and Shutdowns
Changing Standards of Mass
NPR last week had a story about the changing kilogram: More than a century ago, a small metal cylinder was forged in London and sent to a leafy suburb of Paris. The cylinder was about the size of a salt shaker and made of an alloy of platinum and iridium, an advanced material at the… Continue reading Changing Standards of Mass
Quantum Mechanics Is Not Magic, No Matter What Google Ads Says
So, I was checking to see that last night’s Baby Blogging post had posted properly, when I noticed something unpleasant in the right column: I recognize that this is the price we pay for being ad-supported, here at ScienceBlogs. It’s unreasonable to expect every ad company on the Internet to perfectly screen all their content… Continue reading Quantum Mechanics Is Not Magic, No Matter What Google Ads Says
Dorky Poll: Newton’s Laws
I have a bunch of errand-running to do today, so I will leave you with a Dorky Poll question for entertainment, this time regarding the work of the great Sir Isaac Newton: Which of Isaac Newton’s Laws is your favorite?(trends) We’re still dealing with classical physics, here, so superpositions of results are not allowed. Pick… Continue reading Dorky Poll: Newton’s Laws