Category Archives: Physics

Algebra, Energy, Environment, Gravity, History of Science, Mathematics, Physics, Space, Time

Fallen from Outer Space…

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A photograph of Daredevil Felix Baumgartner, as he boldly prepares to jump off his high altitude capsule for the ultimate record-breaking space dive on 14th October 2012.

Record-Breaking Space Dive

14th October 2012.  During his ultimate high-altitude parachute jump, Felix Baumgartner spends approximately 4 minutes and 22 seconds in freefall, at the maximum speed of 1,342 kilometres per hour. 

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Cosmology, Electricity, Magnetism, Physics, Space, Time, Waves

Let There Be Light…

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A photograph showing the sun reflecting over the waters at Loch Kathrine through a curtain of trees. Low sun. Image: NaturPhilosophie
Fiat Lux…

Light.  Most of us take it for granted during the day.  And at night, we have learned to domesticate it.  Light, the natural agent that stimulates our sense of sight and makes things around us visible. 

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Algebra, Geometry, History of Science, Mathematics, Physics

Constant Matters

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Pi_Number
Physical Constants (SI Units)

Avogadro Constant

N_{A} = 6.022 \times 10^{23} mol^{-1}

Bohr Radius

a_0 = 5.29 \times 10^{-11} m

Boltzmann Constant

k = 1.381 \times 10^{-23} JK^{-1}

Charge on an Electron

e = - 1.602 \times 10^{-19} C

Gravitational Constant

G = 6.673 \times 10^{-11} Nm^{2} kg^{-2}

Magnitude of Acceleration due to Gravity

g = 9.81 m s^{-2}

Permeability of Free Space 

\mu_{0} = 4 \pi \times 10^{-7} T m A^{-1}

Permittivity of Free Space 

\epsilon_{0} = 8.854 \times 10^{-12} C^{2} N^{-1} m^{-2}

Speed of Light in a vacuum

c = 2.998 \times 10^{8} m s^{-1}