I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

One of the guys I worked with some years ago brought in a problem that his 6th grade daughter brought home. I had to go to Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers to solve it! Sixth grade? I don't have the answer but I have a lot of questions on where the administrators are coming up with this "core curriculum".

I think it's either one or more of:

1. it's intentionally lowering american's intelligence (conspiracy theory choice)

2. it's just the educators and administrators are morons and so choose moronic education systems (pragmatic theory based on the existence of administratium).

for those who do not know the administratium element, it was discovered years ago but is not well known, though very relevant:

http://www.mit.edu/people/dmredish/wwwMLRF/links/Humor/Administratium.html

"New chemical Element Discovered

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major U.S. research university. The element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising."

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you could explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

my theory is that the hilt has some kind of gravity generator that bends spacetime, and a laser generator, because light follows the curve of spacetime (that is why light bends around heavy objects that significantly bend spacetime, like stars).

since light is trapped in the limited space, it creates a lightsaber.

the gravity field could also explain why two lightsabers don't simply pass through each other but instead collide like substantial objects, if the gravity is shaped in such a way as to create repulsion between the two fields.

PS: of course the above is rather imaginary and it may not even be physically possible, I'm going off some possible undiscovered physical effect since our knowledge is far from complete

Sooooooooo,

What you're saying is that they're not real?

Bummer.

Cheers

Baaa

I am saying Jedis are morons when it comes to physics and perceiving sith lords under their noses, but in some cases they can be generous, self sacrificing and sometimes even wise

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

One of the guys I worked with some years ago brought in a problem that his 6th grade daughter brought home. I had to go to Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers to solve it! Sixth grade? I don't have the answer but I have a lot of questions on where the administrators are coming up with this "core curriculum".

I think it's either one or more of:

1. it's intentionally lowering american's intelligence (conspiracy theory choice)

2. it's just the educators and administrators are morons and so choose moronic education systems (pragmatic theory based on the existence of administratium).

for those who do not know the administratium element, it was discovered years ago but is not well known, though very relevant:

http://www.mit.edu/people/dmredish/wwwMLRF/links/Humor/Administratium.html

"New chemical Element Discovered

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major U.S. research university. The element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising."

Ok, a real physics question. Has it ever been established how many neutrons can be lumped together, w/o protons, and remain a stable mass? My brain is wired differently than most people's brains and I think of weird questions.

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you could explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

my theory is that the hilt has some kind of gravity generator that bends spacetime, and a laser generator, because light follows the curve of spacetime (that is why light bends around heavy objects that significantly bend spacetime, like stars).

since light is trapped in the limited space, it creates a lightsaber.

the gravity field could also explain why two lightsabers don't simply pass through each other but instead collide like substantial objects, if the gravity is shaped in such a way as to create repulsion between the two fields.

PS: of course the above is rather imaginary and it may not even be physically possible, I'm going off some possible undiscovered physical effect since our knowledge is far from complete

Sooooooooo,

What you're saying is that they're not real?

Bummer.

Cheers

Baaa

I am saying Jedis are morons when it comes to physics and perceiving sith lords under their noses, but in some cases they can be generous, self sacrificing and sometimes even wise

One last question, do you know Brian Cox?

He seems quite cool for a physicist. But the band he was in was total pants. God, I hated music in the '80's.

Cheers

Baaa

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you could explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

my theory is that the hilt has some kind of gravity generator that bends spacetime, and a laser generator, because light follows the curve of spacetime (that is why light bends around heavy objects that significantly bend spacetime, like stars).

since light is trapped in the limited space, it creates a lightsaber.

the gravity field could also explain why two lightsabers don't simply pass through each other but instead collide like substantial objects, if the gravity is shaped in such a way as to create repulsion between the two fields.

PS: of course the above is rather imaginary and it may not even be physically possible, I'm going off some possible undiscovered physical effect since our knowledge is far from complete

Sooooooooo,

What you're saying is that they're not real?

Bummer.

Cheers

Baaa

I am saying Jedis are morons when it comes to physics and perceiving sith lords under their noses, but in some cases they can be generous, self sacrificing and sometimes even wise

One last question, do you know Brian Cox?

He seems quite cool for a physicist. But the band he was in was total pants. God, I hated music in the '80's.

Cheers

Baaa

no, he is at Manchester and I am now in california. The first rule of living in Cambridge is you don't talk about the world outside Cambridge

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

One of the guys I worked with some years ago brought in a problem that his 6th grade daughter brought home. I had to go to Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers to solve it! Sixth grade? I don't have the answer but I have a lot of questions on where the administrators are coming up with this "core curriculum".

I think it's either one or more of:

1. it's intentionally lowering american's intelligence (conspiracy theory choice)

2. it's just the educators and administrators are morons and so choose moronic education systems (pragmatic theory based on the existence of administratium).

for those who do not know the administratium element, it was discovered years ago but is not well known, though very relevant:

http://www.mit.edu/people/dmredish/wwwMLRF/links/Humor/Administratium.html

"New chemical Element Discovered

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major U.S. research university. The element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising."

Ok, a real physics question. Has it ever been established how many neutrons can be lumped together, w/o protons, and remain a stable mass? My brain is wired differently than most people's brains and I think of weird questions.

I'm not a particle physicist and I would have to research this question, but generally neutrons staying together without (or almost without) protons occur in a neutron star. neutron stars can be several km in diameter and are almost entirely made of packed together neutrons

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

This is patently false.

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

One of the guys I worked with some years ago brought in a problem that his 6th grade daughter brought home. I had to go to Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers to solve it! Sixth grade? I don't have the answer but I have a lot of questions on where the administrators are coming up with this "core curriculum".

I think it's either one or more of:

1. it's intentionally lowering american's intelligence (conspiracy theory choice)

2. it's just the educators and administrators are morons and so choose moronic education systems (pragmatic theory based on the existence of administratium).

for those who do not know the administratium element, it was discovered years ago but is not well known, though very relevant:

http://www.mit.edu/people/dmredish/wwwMLRF/links/Humor/Administratium.html

"New chemical Element Discovered

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major U.S. research university. The element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising."

Ok, a real physics question. Has it ever been established how many neutrons can be lumped together, w/o protons, and remain a stable mass? My brain is wired differently than most people's brains and I think of weird questions.

I'm not a particle physicist and I would have to research this question, but generally neutrons staying together without (or almost without) protons occur in a neutron star. neutron stars can be several km in diameter and are almost entirely made of packed together neutrons

I was leaning more toward the nucleus of an atom grouping. I know the nucleus of an atom, size wise, is limited. I just wondered if a "lump" of neutrons had some upper limit of size. Uncharged there would be no repulsion but I'm assuming there is a max radii otherwise we'd be finding pea sized, or larger, "neutron balls" laying around.

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

This is patently false.

I like your articulate arguments and supporting evidence you provided. that expensive american education really paid off and proves to be much superior to my free italian-british education

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

This is patently false.

I like your articulate arguments and supporting evidence you provided. that expensive american education really paid off and proves to be much superior to my free italian-british education

'kay.

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

One of the guys I worked with some years ago brought in a problem that his 6th grade daughter brought home. I had to go to Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers to solve it! Sixth grade? I don't have the answer but I have a lot of questions on where the administrators are coming up with this "core curriculum".

I think it's either one or more of:

1. it's intentionally lowering american's intelligence (conspiracy theory choice)

2. it's just the educators and administrators are morons and so choose moronic education systems (pragmatic theory based on the existence of administratium).

for those who do not know the administratium element, it was discovered years ago but is not well known, though very relevant:

http://www.mit.edu/people/dmredish/wwwMLRF/links/Humor/Administratium.html

"New chemical Element Discovered

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major U.S. research university. The element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising."

Ok, a real physics question. Has it ever been established how many neutrons can be lumped together, w/o protons, and remain a stable mass? My brain is wired differently than most people's brains and I think of weird questions.

I'm not a particle physicist and I would have to research this question, but generally neutrons staying together without (or almost without) protons occur in a neutron star. neutron stars can be several km in diameter and are almost entirely made of packed together neutrons

I was leaning more toward the nucleus of an atom grouping. I know the nucleus of an atom, size wise, is limited. I just wondered if a "lump" of neutrons had some upper limit of size. Uncharged there would be no repulsion but I'm assuming there is a max radii otherwise we'd be finding pea sized, or larger, "neutron balls" laying around.

I don't understand what you mean. a neutron star is a big neutron ball, basically. you're asking how big they get, that's how big they can get.

perhaps your question is why we don't see small neutron footballs laying around. the reason is that neutron stars are formed under extreme energetic conditions, when a star goes supernova. in fact, most elements on earth, even those in your body, have formed inside a star at one point or another. we are literally made out of stardust.

only very light elements like hydrogen don't need to be formed inside a star.

as to repulsion, there is repulsion. if I recall my nuclear physics correctly, the nuclear force has a very short radius and is very attractive, stronger than electrostatic forces, however it is repulsive at larger distances. so basically, I think, and I'm just going on memory here, the neutrons don't form into big balls because you need a lot of energy to put them close enough for the attractive force to take place. that can only happen naturally in a nova.

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

I'm sorry to say, they are cheap therefore they sell a lot because somebody who wants to just watch the news or a baseball game, they don't care about quality of the picture when talking TV for example

Therefore they think 500 bucks for a 50' is a good deal, which h it is when you don't have 2000 or more go drop on a TV which many don't because someone grandfather just wants to watch. He doesn't know anything when it comes to processing power and Ms when talking TV.

Top gear did an episode a few years back on the worst cars. Hundia for, kia Rio were 2 that I remember and they were horrible

There was a promotion a few years back here where I live where if you bought a suv they gave you a free Rio.

Imo a car is pretty bad if it's buy one get one free

Then not to mention the numerous patent suits from Apple, sharp and other electronics for patent infringement etc that Samsung and other Korean products have made.

Imo Japanese and Korea products are apple and oranges.

On a budget, or need something cheap buy Korean, want something good quality buy Japanese.

(even with that said Japanese products over the years are not what they use to, and probably in part of the cheap parts in which h they buy from Korea)

As for the education. Your spot on.

In Canada It's garbage.

Every second week teachers are having a pd day.

Not to mention was an article on our cbc news few weeks back about the decline in scores over the years, and it's because the way teachers teach

My friends' little one was having a hard time in math.

His father showed him how he did it, and was 2 steps less, and when the Teacher found out she told him not to teach him that way.

Well if a child doesn't understand the way your doing it, maybe there something wrong

The system here in Canada is just terrible.

North America should learn from other countries.

I believe in Europe there are countries where University is free. FREE!!!!

Imagine not having to graduate with 100k student loan.

Companies are hiring more foreigners because our own citizens are not education enough.

Many can't afford massive student loans while trying to pay the bills and go to school full time.

Japan again is another country where they make our kids look stupid.

I'm terrible at math, but watching a 5 min video on using an acubus made it real simple. Which they still do in Japan

If you can picture the acubus in your head you can do 15438x20473 faster than a calculator (of coarse it does require practice)

Sorry for the rant been long day, I'm cranky,and actually Im quite sick of the bs in my area, which is why I'm moving away to another country

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you couby ld explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

Sorry can't post link, but a Google search of scientists explain how lightsaber works well find you your answer

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

Korea products are not that great

I'm sorry to say, they are cheap therefore they sell a lot because somebody who wants to just watch the news or a baseball game, they don't care about quality of the picture when talking TV for example

Therefore they think 500 bucks for a 50' is a good deal, which h it is when you don't have 2000 or more go drop on a TV which many don't because someone grandfather just wants to watch. He doesn't know anything when it comes to processing power and Ms when talking TV.

Top gear did an episode a few years back on the worst cars. Hundia for, kia Rio were 2 that I remember and they were horrible

There was a promotion a few years back here where I live where if you bought a suv they gave you a free Rio.

Imo a car is pretty bad if it's buy one get one free

Then not to mention the numerous patent suits from Apple, sharp and other electronics for patent infringement etc that Samsung and other Korean products have made.

Imo Japanese and Korea products are apple and oranges.

On a budget, or need something cheap buy Korean, want something good quality buy Japanese.

(even with that said Japanese products over the years are not what they use to, and probably in part of the cheap parts in which h they buy from Korea)

As for the education. Your spot on.

In Canada It's garbage.

Every second week teachers are having a pd day.

Not to mention was an article on our cbc news few weeks back about the decline in scores over the years, and it's because the way teachers teach

My friends' little one was having a hard time in math.

His father showed him how he did it, and was 2 steps less, and when the Teacher found out she told him not to teach him that way.

Well if a child doesn't understand the way your doing it, maybe there something wrong

The system here in Canada is just terrible.

North America should learn from other countries.

I believe in Europe there are countries where University is free. FREE!!!!

Imagine not having to graduate with 100k student loan.

Companies are hiring more foreigners because our own citizens are not education enough.

Many can't afford massive student loans while trying to pay the bills and go to school full time.

Japan again is another country where they make our kids look stupid.

I'm terrible at math, but watching a 5 min video on using an acubus made it real simple. Which they still do in Japan

If you can picture the acubus in your head you can do 15438x20473 faster than a calculator (of coarse it does require practice)

Sorry for the rant been long day, I'm cranky,and actually Im quite sick of the bs in my area, which is why I'm moving away to another country

I agree with several things you said, but just a small correction: generally speaking, Samsung and LG make good electronics (of course, not everything they make is good, some are quite bad) and they are korean. the patent war was purely legal and it was not on anything electronic but abstract ideas. technologically they didn't copy anything (those patents were ridiculous and should not have been granted anyway).

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you couby ld explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

Actually I saw a great video about this the other day.

Sorry can't post link, but a Google search of scientists explain how lightsaber works well find you your answer

I looked for it but couldn't find any. somebody thought it could be plasma but the explanation didn't make a lot of sense. for one, a hot plasma would be...hot. and bright. workers wear dark glass masks to work with welding torches. the lightsabers seem cool and not too bright. if it's cool and not bright, then it probably has less energy.

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you couby ld explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

Actually I saw a great video about this the other day.

Sorry can't post link, but a Google search of scientists explain how lightsaber works well find you your answer

I preferred this explanation -

A typical saber hilt is roughly 12 inches (30 centimeters) long, about the size of a large flashlight. Yours may be a little longer or even a hair shorter, but don't let that concern you. The full length of the weapon won't be obvious until it's turned on -- and even then, it's all about how you use it.

It appealed to my lack of maturity.

Cheers

Baaa

Neutronium (packing a bunch of neutrons together into a 'solid' mass), a form of degenerate matter, can only exist in a collapsed stellar remnant following a supernova of a massive star. The gravity of the star has overcome the pressure of the atoms to repulse each other and the electrons and protons have collapsed into neutrons.

Anyway, common core curriculum is one of the banes of the American education system. Speaking as the husband of a school psychologist I can attest to the silliness of common core math and it's teaching techniques. Even addition is taught with many redundant steps that anyone educated a generation ago would be very confused by.

Neutronium (packing a bunch of neutrons together into a 'solid' mass), a form of degenerate matter, can only exist in a collapsed stellar remnant following a supernova of a massive star. The gravity of the star has overcome the pressure of the atoms to repulse each other and the electrons and protons have collapsed into neutrons.

Anyway, common core curriculum is one of the banes of the American education system. Speaking as the husband of a school psychologist I can attest to the silliness of common core math and it's teaching techniques. Even addition is taught with many redundant steps that anyone educated a generation ago would be very confused by.

what amazes me most in america is not so much the idiotic things I meet, but the amount of americans who defend the idiotic things and utterly ignore or deride anything that is not american, like saying europeans are communists for having free education and health care, and that america is best in everything, and the core system is great.

so thank you, and all americans who don't immediately defend something because it's american.

USA is one of the best countries in the world, lets keep improving it also by learning the better things from other countries

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you couby ld explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

Actually I saw a great video about this the other day.

Sorry can't post link, but a Google search of scientists explain how lightsaber works well find you your answer

I looked for it but couldn't find any. somebody thought it could be plasma but the explanation didn't make a lot of sense. for one, a hot plasma would be...hot. and bright. workers wear dark glass masks to work with welding torches. the lightsabers seem cool and not too bright. if it's cool and not bright, then it probably has less energy.

Also thousands of years ago when they made the first lightsaber they had to wear a battery pack on their back in order to have enough power to make the lightsaber work

From the article I read that is one of the problems.

Plasma cutters for example require a large amount of energy to operate, and a Lightsaber would require a huge amount of power.

http://www.space.com/31361-building-a-real-lightsaber.html

This was interesting as well

http://io9.gizmodo.com/13-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-lightsabers-1567641737

... I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge...

Any chance you couby ld explain (in a language that most of us will understand) exactly how a Lightsaber works?

Cheers

Baaa

Actually I saw a great video about this the other day.

Sorry can't post link, but a Google search of scientists explain how lightsaber works well find you your answer

I looked for it but couldn't find any. somebody thought it could be plasma but the explanation didn't make a lot of sense. for one, a hot plasma would be...hot. and bright. workers wear dark glass masks to work with welding torches. the lightsabers seem cool and not too bright. if it's cool and not bright, then it probably has less energy.

Forget where I read it, but apparently sabers are made from plasma according to star wars lore

Also thousands of years ago when they made the first lightsaber they had to wear a battery pack on their back in order to have enough power to make the lightsaber work

From the article I read that is one of the problems.

Plasma cutters for example require a large amount of energy to operate, and a Lightsaber would require a huge amount of power.

http://www.space.com/31361-building-a-real-lightsaber.html

yes but if you read that article in the end it basically says that the above explanation doesn't work

I have given this more thought. And made in America is even LESS important than I thought.

If made in America means ...made in California...or made in Maine or made in Kentucky...

Doesn´t ´made in America´ also mean it might have been made in Canada, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Suriname, French Guyana, Honduras, Belize, Panama, El Salvador, etc.?

After all you can´t claim the title of all of the Americas just for one country.... can you....?

Isn't Suriname part of the Netherlands?

I have given this more thought. And made in America is even LESS important than I thought.

If made in America means ...made in California...or made in Maine or made in Kentucky...

Doesn´t ´made in America´ also mean it might have been made in Canada, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Suriname, French Guyana, Honduras, Belize, Panama, El Salvador, etc.?

After all you can´t claim the title of all of the Americas just for one country.... can you....?

Isn't Suriname part of the Netherlands?

let me google that for you

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=suriname

(it was until '75)

I believe one of the reasons Japan and Korea make great electronics is that they have a very study-oriented education system (sometimes to excess).

america's education, apart a few ivy leagues universities, is in a very sad state. I have a PhD in physics from Cambridge and I cannot understand math problems given to kids in america. for example, they use a very strange approach where they teach that 3x5 is different from 5x3, because they think that the commutative property of multiplication is something you have to learn later, so kids who know the commutative property are marked down as giving the wrong answer.

One of the guys I worked with some years ago brought in a problem that his 6th grade daughter brought home. I had to go to Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers to solve it! Sixth grade? I don't have the answer but I have a lot of questions on where the administrators are coming up with this "core curriculum".

I think it's either one or more of:

1. it's intentionally lowering american's intelligence (conspiracy theory choice)

2. it's just the educators and administrators are morons and so choose moronic education systems (pragmatic theory based on the existence of administratium).

for those who do not know the administratium element, it was discovered years ago but is not well known, though very relevant:

http://www.mit.edu/people/dmredish/wwwMLRF/links/Humor/Administratium.html

"New chemical Element Discovered

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major U.S. research university. The element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising."

Ok, a real physics question. Has it ever been established how many neutrons can be lumped together, w/o protons, and remain a stable mass? My brain is wired differently than most people's brains and I think of weird questions.

I'm not a particle physicist and I would have to research this question, but generally neutrons staying together without (or almost without) protons occur in a neutron star. neutron stars can be several km in diameter and are almost entirely made of packed together neutrons

I was leaning more toward the nucleus of an atom grouping. I know the nucleus of an atom, size wise, is limited. I just wondered if a "lump" of neutrons had some upper limit of size. Uncharged there would be no repulsion but I'm assuming there is a max radii otherwise we'd be finding pea sized, or larger, "neutron balls" laying around.

I don't understand what you mean. a neutron star is a big neutron ball, basically. you're asking how big they get, that's how big they can get.

perhaps your question is why we don't see small neutron footballs laying around. the reason is that neutron stars are formed under extreme energetic conditions, when a star goes supernova. in fact, most elements on earth, even those in your body, have formed inside a star at one point or another. we are literally made out of stardust.

only very light elements like hydrogen don't need to be formed inside a star.

as to repulsion, there is repulsion. if I recall my nuclear physics correctly, the nuclear force has a very short radius and is very attractive, stronger than electrostatic forces, however it is repulsive at larger distances. so basically, I think, and I'm just going on memory here, the neutrons don't form into big balls because you need a lot of energy to put them close enough for the attractive force to take place. that can only happen naturally in a nova.

This is what happens when a non-science guy tries to ask a question without knowing the proper vocabulary of science. You have my sympathies if you ever have to teach a physics course for non-science majors. It will be frustrating.

I'm going to rethink on how to ask the question. Language is a wonderful thing upto a point and I think I just reached it. If you don't mind I'll pm you when I can coherently ask the question. Thanks for taking the time.

I like your articulate arguments and supporting evidence you provided. that expensive american education really paid off and proves to be much superior to my free italian-british education

You're the one making ludicrous claims about Common Core guidelines, the onus is on you to support them. Not on us to demonstrate that they're wrong. Which they are, and which you would know after a google search or two.

Common Core does have actual problems, but none of them have been described in this thread thus far. Since you appear to have some affection for elite American universities, go ahead and plug "Harvard" and "Common Core" into google. Plenty of material there to keep you busy, if you're actually interested.

Even if you aren't, hey, maybe a lurker or two will learn something.

USA is one of the best countries in the world, lets keep improving it also by learning the better things from other countries

The United States of America has a long and successful tradition of pilfering the best parts of other countries/cultures and incorporating them into itself.