All Electrons and Positrons Could Be a Single Entity Fact
The one-electron universe theory postulates that all electrons and positrons are actually a single entity moving back and forth in time.
Theoretical Physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics that uses mathematics and abstractions to to explain and predict natural phenomena, rather than using physical experiments. Unlike experimental physics theoretical physics tends to blur the lines between mathematics, natural science, and philosophy.
Factoids tagged with "Theoretical Physics"
Potentially, Everything is Light Fact
Nikola Tesla was said to have said “everything is light.” That is potentially correct. In theory, the universe could be explained by electromagnetic energy.
There are More than Four States of Matter Fact
The classical states of matter observable in every day life are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma, but there are many other known states of matter.
The More Instances Considered, The More Theoretical and Actual Results Converge Fact
The law of large numbers says, the more instances of a probable event that are considered, the more the theoretical and actual results converge.
All Elementary Particles Exhibit Wave-Particle Duality Fact
All elementary particles exhibit wave-particle duality, acting as both a particle and a wave.
At Its Core, Chemistry is Physics Fact
On a fundamental level, chemistry can be explained by physics. The atoms that make up the periodic table elements are themselves made of quantum particles.
Nature Abhors a Vacuum Fact
Aristotle once postulated “horror vacui” (Nature Abhors a Vacuum). It turns out nature really can’t stand a perfect vacuum.
Einstein Was a Poor Student Myth
Einstein wasn’t a poor student. Despite minor troubles in French and the Humanities, Einstein was a prodigy in math and physics from a young age.
We Might Be in a Virtual Simulation Fact
The simulation argument can be summarized as the idea that reality might be a virtual simulation (we might be “in the Matrix” / “in a video game”).
Sir Isaac Newton Discovered the Laws of Motion Fact
Sir Isaac Newton can be said to have discovered the laws of motion, but more accurately, he refined the work of Aristotle, Galileo, Descartes, and others.
Light is Both a Particle and a Wave Fact
Light is a particle (a photon), that acts like a wave (“both a particle and a wave”), which can be measured as an excited quantized state of the electromagnetic field.
All Particles are Made from Massless Particles Fact
All known particles are either massless energy particles, or are composite particles with mass that are made from massless energy particles.
The Standard Model Shows How Elementary Particles Interact Fact
The standard model of particle physics shows how the elementary particles interact via the four forces to create the physical universe.
Everything Depends on Frame of Reference Fact
Everything we perceive depends on our frame of reference. What we observe is relative to our point of view. In other words, “it is all a matter of perspective”.
Gravitational Waves are Ripples in Spacetime Fact
Gravity is the result of the curvature of spacetime by matter. Non-symmetric acceleration of matter produces gravitational waves that ripple across the universe at light speed.
There are Four Fundamental Forces Fact
There are four fundamental forces (interactions) in the universe: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear.
Physics is Different than Metaphysics Fact
Physics is a branch of physical science rooted in math that asks “how does it work?” Metaphysics is a broad branch of philosophy that asks, “What is its true nature?”
Nothing Can Travel Faster Than the Speed of Light Fact
No “thing” (including particles) can travel faster than light speed, but some “non-things” can. In both ways “nothing travels faster than the speed of light”.
There are Different Ways to Measure Mass Fact
There are different ways to measure mass, but all of them are related to rest-mass (invariant mass) the “true” inertial mass of an object at rest.
E=mc^2 (Mass and Energy are Equivalent) Fact
Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation (E=mc2) shows that mass and energy are equivalent (but not “exactly the same”) properties of a physical system.
Quantization is to Restrict Something to a Set of Values Fact
To quantize is to restrict something to a set of values. In digital music notes can be quantized to beats, in physics energy is quantized energy states.
Observing a Phenomenon Affects Its Outcome Fact
Observing a phenomenon can affect its outcome (observer effect). In science, this refers to particles existing in a state of probability until measured.
The Universe is Mostly Empty Space Myth
The universe and everything in it, including humans, is mostly “empty space.” However, space is not actually “empty,” it’s filled with quantum fields and dark energy.
Energy is Neither Created or Destroyed Fact
Energy can’t be created or destroyed and neither can mass. Although energy can change forms, all energy in a closed system must remain constant.
Things Can Actually Touch Each Other Myth
Things never touch because everything is made of atoms. Atoms contain electrons and electrons repel each other. This is basic physics.
Time is Relative Fact
Time is relative to speed and gravity (time dilation), and so is space (length contraction). Light speed is constant for all observers, so time and space can’t be.
Blog Posts tagged with "Theoretical Physics"
What is Light?
We explain “light,” both as electromagnetic radiation within a visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and as electromagnetic energy carried by photons.
A List of Dualities
Here is a list of the fundamental dualities relating to human nature and the physical and conceptual universe.
Reference Frames Examples (Physics)
Reference frames and relativity in physics explained using math-free examples. We cover: frames of reference, inertial frames, accelerated frames, and relativity.
The Physical Constants Explained
The physical constants are measurable properties of the physical universe that don’t change, everything else is relative to these constants.
The Standard Model (of Particle Physics) Explained
We explain the standard model of particle physics in simple terms for non-experts using videos, facts, and bullet points.