In comments to the post on computer display colors, Will Slaton notes that Mac displays emit polarized light. And, indeed, this is an inherent part of the backlit LCD technology– the individual pixels are bits of liquid crystal between two polarizers, and an applied voltage causes the liquid crystal molecules to flip between a state… Continue reading Computers and Shades
Long Overdue Snow Physics Post
Ages and ages ago, I posted the picture that’s the “featured image” above, and asked people to submit physics comments about it. Then I got distracted by a series of shiny things, and never did anything with the handful of responses I got. Because I’m a Terrible Person. Anyway, it’s long overdue, but here are… Continue reading Long Overdue Snow Physics Post
Uncertain Dots, Episode 5
In which Rhett and I talk about color vision, undergraduate research projects, blog networks, outreach activities, and how thermodynamics is a lie. Things mentioned in the discussion: The Flame Challenge My post about looking at computer monitors with a spectrometer Physics Quest I’m inadvertently doing a bit of product placement here– the T-shirt I’m wearing… Continue reading Uncertain Dots, Episode 5
Uncertain Questions?
About three hours from now, Rhett Allain and I are doing another “Uncertain Dots” Google hangout. We don’t have a real clear topic, so if you have any questions about physics, academia, blogs, etc. that you’d like to hear us answer, this would be a great time to ask them, via comments here, email, or… Continue reading Uncertain Questions?
On Computer Color
This year’s “Flame Challenge” is to explain color in terms an 11-year-old can follow. I have opinions on this subject, a background in AMO physics, and access to scientific equipment, so I’m putting something together. In the course of this, though, it occurred to me to wonder how my different portable computing devices process color.… Continue reading On Computer Color
On the Steering of Sleds
In the previous post about luge, I mentioned that there was one thing that came up when Rhett and I were talking about this, namely why there are differences in times between racers. The toy physics model I set up last time suggests that the difference between riders is only a matter of aerodynamics– two… Continue reading On the Steering of Sleds
On Irony and Ivory Towers
The outrage of the moment in academic circles is this Nick Kristof column on how academics need to be more engaged with a broader public. And it’s really impressive how he manages to take an idea that I basically agree with– I regularly give talks on the need for scientists to do more outreach via… Continue reading On Irony and Ivory Towers
The Physics of Crazy Sleds
In the Uncertain Dots hangout the other day, Rhett and I went off on a tangent about the physics of the Olympics, specifically the luge. If you’re not familiar with this, it’s basically psycho sledding: people riding tiny little sleds down a curved track at 80mph. The “featured image” above shows Erin Hamlin of the… Continue reading The Physics of Crazy Sleds
Snow Plow Projectile Physics
We got over a foot of snow yesterday and today, so schools are closed. Except Union is a residential college, so we never close, which means I have to dig my car out all the same. Which I did, clearing a path to the unplowed street, then took Emmy for her morning walk. During which,… Continue reading Snow Plow Projectile Physics
Uncertain Dots, Episode 4
I didn’t advertise it heavily this time, but Rhett and I did another G+ hangout yesterday, and the video is online now: We talked for a while about the wonders and importance of VPython coding (including some “Oh, I should totally do that…” moments), where we get post ideas (including a discussion of luge physics),… Continue reading Uncertain Dots, Episode 4