Monthly Archives: October 2009

Q: How do we know if science is right?

Posted on October 21, 2009 by The Physicist

Physicist: Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a “proof” in the physical sciences.  The best you can do is a disproof.  At the end of the day science is more about “what works” than it is about “what’s real”. Worse … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Philosophical | 5 Comments

Q: How plausible is it that the laws of physics may actually function differently in other parts of the universe?

Posted on October 21, 2009 by The Physicist

Mathematician: My two cents are that astronomical evidence (what we can tell about galaxies from here on earth) indicates that the laws of newtonian mechanics and gravitation in space are just the same they are here. I imagine that some … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Mathematician, -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Philosophical, Physics | 16 Comments

Q: Are there an infinite number of prime numbers?

Posted on October 21, 2009 by The Physicist

Physicist: Yes.  Here’s a proof (there are many): 1) Assume there are a finite number of primes. 2) Multiply them all together and add 1. 3) This new number is not divisible by any of the original primes so it … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Math | 8 Comments

Q: How can we prove that 2+2 always equals 4?

Posted on October 21, 2009 by The Physicist

Physicist: In this case there’s no proof. With the exception of 0 and 1, all numbers are defined in terms of simpler numbers. “4” is Defined as “1+1+1+1”. And “2”is Defined as “1+1”.

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Equations, Math, Philosophical | 35 Comments