Category Archives: Particle Physics

Q: Using modern technology, are we any closer to turning lead into gold than alchemists were hundreds of years ago?

The original question was: With the current technology, it is possible now to transmute lead into gold, or whatever element into another? What transmutations should have tried the ancient Alchemist instead of the famous lead-gold one, in order to find … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Particle Physics, Physics | 6 Comments

Q: Since all particles display wave-like characteristics, does that imply that one could use destructive wave interference to destroy or at least drastically change a particle?

Physicist: The wave-like property of particles allows you to do a lot of cute things with particles that would otherwise seem impossible, but making a particle disappear isn’t one of them.  You can use destructive interference to make it very … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Particle Physics, Physics, Quantum Theory | 2 Comments

Q: What are virtual particles?

Physicist: In quantum mechanics every event is the sum of the possible ways in which that event can happen.  Often, events can involve the creation and annihilation of particles.  If there are some ways for a thing to happen that … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Particle Physics, Physics, Quantum Theory | 4 Comments

Q: What is the “False Vacuum” and are we living in it?

Physicist: The False Vacuum is just another item on the long list of things to worry about, that are not worth worrying about, and that nobody can do anything about.  If you have any other worries, worry about those first. … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Particle Physics, Physics | 14 Comments

Q: Is it possible for an artificial black hole to be created, or something that has the same effects? If so, how small could it be made?

Physicist: Not with any current, or remotely feasible technology.  The method in use by the universe today; get several Suns worth of mass into a big pile and wait, is a pretty effective way to create black holes. In theory, … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Particle Physics, Physics | 5 Comments

Q: How is radiometric dating reliable? Why is it that one random thing is unpredictable, but many random things together are predictable?

The original question was: Suppose there is a set of variables whose individual values are probably different, and may be anything larger than zero. Can their sum be predicted? If so, is the margin for error less than infinity? This … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Combinatorics, Math, Particle Physics, Probability | 3 Comments