Monthly Archives: November 2010

Q: What came before the big bang?

Posted on November 11, 2010 by The Physicist

Physicist: Sadly, very few photographs survive from the early universe, and even fewer from before the big bang.  So the best answers to this question are speculation or (if you’re feeling generous) informed speculation. Other Big Bangs: Maybe the universe … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Philosophical, Physics | 18 Comments

Q: How do “Numerology Math Tricks” work? (adding digits and tricks with nines)

Posted on November 5, 2010 by The Physicist

The original question was: Please help me solve this math card trick, I do not understand how it works: If you take a deck of 52 cards and split it into any number of piles (lets say 3) and count … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Brain Teaser, Math, Number Theory | 10 Comments

Q: What is a magnetic field?

Posted on November 3, 2010 by The Physicist

Physicist: Magnetic fields are nothing more than the result of combining an electric field with the effects of relativity. First some background.  Magnetic fields were first defined in such a way that iron filings will point in the direction of … Continue reading →

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Physics, Relativity | 31 Comments