Tag

Experimental Physics

All articles tagged with #experimental physics

science24 days ago

Scientists develop device harnessing Earth's rotation for electricity

Scientists in the US have developed a device that can generate tiny amounts of electricity by harnessing Earth's rotation and magnetic field, suggesting a potential, though currently impractical, new energy source if scaled up. The experiment involved a specially shaped ferrite shell that avoids the usual cancellation of voltage caused by electromagnetic forces, producing measurable microvolts as Earth spins. While promising, the technology is in early stages, and further independent testing is needed to verify and explore its scalability.

physics1 year ago

Uncovering the Decay of Tantalum-180m: Nature's Rarest Isotope

Physicists are conducting experiments to measure the radioactive decay of the excited state in Tantalum-180m, an isotope with an expected lifetime approximately 1 million times longer than the age of the universe. This unprecedented opportunity challenges existing theories and models of nuclear structure and decay, with initial data establishing the longest limits ever achieved in nuclear isomer studies. The experiment, conducted at the MAJORANA ultra-low background facility, has significantly enhanced existing limits by one to two orders of magnitude, allowing researchers to dismiss certain parameter ranges associated with potential dark matter particles.

science1 year ago

"Teen's Science Project Suggests Archimedes' Invention Was Plausible"

Brenden Sener, a 13-year-old from London, Ontario, recreated a miniature version of Archimedes' supposed "death ray" for a science project, using concave mirrors to focus light energy. His experiment showed a notable increase in temperature with each additional mirror, suggesting that the concept was plausible. While the practicality of the death ray is limited by factors such as weather and ship motion, Sener's project has garnered praise from scientists and could spark discussions among students.

science1 year ago

Unveiling the Dark Mirror Universe: A New Theory on Dark Matter

Scientists have proposed the dark dimension scenario, which suggests that dark matter could be explained by an as-yet-unseen dimension within the framework of string theory. This scenario offers a specific recipe for dark matter and proposes an intimate connection between dark matter and dark energy. While there is no evidence yet for the dark dimension, the scenario makes testable predictions for both cosmological observations and tabletop physics, providing opportunities for empirical scrutiny. If supported by upcoming tests, the dark dimension hypothesis has the potential to bring us closer to understanding dark matter, dark energy, and the weakness of gravity compared to other forces.

physics1 year ago

"Quantum Scale Gravity Measurement Breakthrough Unites Physics Theories"

Physicists have successfully measured the smallest gravitational pull ever recorded on a particle, using a superconducting magnetic trap to levitate a 0.43-gram particle and measure a gravitational force of just 30 attonewtons, on the verge of the quantum realm. This achievement brings scientists one step closer to understanding how gravity and quantum mechanics interact, potentially solving mysteries of the universe such as the origin of the universe and the behavior of black holes.

physics1 year ago

"The Endless Debate: Unraveling the Particle Mystery"

Physicists continue to debate the Cheshire cat paradox, which suggests that quantum properties of a subatomic particle can be separated from the particle itself. A new preprint paper proposes that a particle's momentum can also be separated from its mass, while some argue that the paradox is a result of the way data is captured in "weak measurements." The ongoing debate challenges traditional quantum mechanics and suggests that the paradox may be more than just a theoretical curiosity.

science-and-technology1 year ago

"Experimental Evidence Reveals a Novel Form of Magnetism in Fundamental Physics"

Experiments at the Swiss Light Source SLS have led to the discovery of a new type of magnetism called altermagnetism, which combines the characteristics of both ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. This breakthrough in fundamental physics has significant implications for spintronics and offers potential for next-generation magnetic memory technology. The experimental validation of altermagnetism opens up new research opportunities and could have a broad impact across various areas of technology and condensed-matter physics.