Search results for "Physics::Popular Physics"
showing 10 items of 32 documents
One pendulum to run them all
2013
The analytical solution for the three-dimensional linear pendulum in a rotating frame of reference is obtained, including Coriolis and centrifugal accelerations, and expressed in terms of initial conditions. This result offers the possibility of treating Foucault and Bravais pendula as trajectories of the same system of equations, each of them with particular initial conditions. We compare them with the common two-dimensional approximations in textbooks. A previously unnoticed pattern in the three-dimensional Foucault pendulum attractor is presented.
Can OPERA help in constraining neutrino non-standard interactions?
2008
We study how much the unique ability of the OPERA experiment to directly detect \nu_\tau can help in probing new, non-standard contact interactions of the third family of neutrinos. We perform a combined analysis of future, high-statistics MINOS and OPERA data. For the case of non-standard interactions in \nu_\mu to \nu_e transitions we also include the impact of possible DoubleCHOOZ data. In all cases we find that the \nu_\tau sample of OPERA is too small to be statistically significant, even if one doubles the nominal exposure of OPERA to 4.5E20 pot. OPERA's real benefit for this measurement lies in its very high neutrino energy and hence very different L/E compared to MINOS.
Periodic Motion for an Imperfect Solar Sail Near an Asteroid
2014
In this paper we consider the Hill 3-body problem with the extra effect of the solar radiation pressure as a model for the motion of a solar sail close to an asteroid. To model the sail’s acceleration, we include both reflectivity and absorption of the sail’s material. We describe the most relevant dynamical properties of the system for different reflectivity and absorption coefficients as well as different fixed sail orientations. We show families of periodic orbits, describe how they relate to the parameters of the sail and discuss their stability.
Limits on diffuse fluxes of high energy extraterrestrial neutrinos with the AMANDA-B10 detector
2003
Data from the AMANDA-B10 detector taken during the austral winter of 1997 have been searched for a diffuse flux of high energy extraterrestrial muon-neutrinos, as predicted from, e.g., the sum of all active galaxies in the universe. This search yielded no excess events above those expected from the background atmospheric neutrinos, leading to upper limits on the extraterrestrial neutrino flux. For an assumed E^-2 spectrum, a 90% classical confidence level upper limit has been placed at a level E^2 Phi(E) = 8.4 x 10^-7 GeV cm^-2 s^-1 sr^-1 (for a predominant neutrino energy range 6-1000 TeV) which is the most restrictive bound placed by any neutrino detector. When specific predicted spectral…
Quantum Mechanics of Point Particles
2013
In developing quantum mechanics of pointlike particles one is faced with a curious, almost paradoxical situation: One seeks a more general theory which takes proper account of Planck’s quantum of action \(h\) and which encompasses classical mechanics, in the limit \(h\rightarrow 0\), but for which initially one has no more than the formal framework of canonical mechanics. This is to say, slightly exaggerating, that one tries to guess a theory for the hydrogen atom and for scattering of electrons by extrapolation from the laws of celestial mechanics. That this adventure eventually is successful rests on both phenomenological and on theoretical grounds.
Stationary and Pulsating Dissipative Optical Bullets
2006
We demonstrate the existence of stable optical light bullets in nonlinear dissipative media. Beyond the domain where stable bullets are found, unstable bullets show unusual behaviors, like "optical rockets", pulsating solutions or pattern formation.
Optical bullets and double bullet complexes in dissipative systems
2006
We show that optical light bullets can coexist with double bullet complexes in nonlinear dissipative systems. Coexistence occurs for a relatively large range of the system parameters, and is associated with either marginal stability or bistable existence of the two dissipative soliton species. In the case of marginal stability, spontaneous transformations of single bullets into double bullet complexes are observed. Among the bistable cases, we show how both clockwise and anticlockwise rotating double bullet complexes can be formed out of the phase-controlled interaction of two single bullets. The internal dynamics of pulsating double bullet complexes, with oscillations in both the spatial s…
THE ROLE OF CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM THEORY IN THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION
2001
A recent development in the understanding of conceptual foundations of quantum theory is discussed, giving particular attention to the analysis of the so called Schroedinger’s cat paradox. The solution of this problem in the frameworks of Everett-Wheeler many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics is considered, as well as the philosophical and theological consequences following from this interpretation. The recommendations are given, concerning the use of questions related with conceptual foundations of quantum theory in the education when introducing students and senior class pupils in problems of the dialogue between science and religion. KEY WORDS: science, religion, dialogue, found…
Evaluation of the temperature effect on the fractional linear viscoelastic model for an epoxy resin
2016
The paper deals with the evolution of the parameters of a fractional model for different values of temperature. An experimental campaign has been performed on epoxy resin at different levels of temperature. It is shown that epoxy resin is very sensitive to the temperature.
Color Image Segmentation: The Hypergraph Framework
2006
International audience; Color Image Segmentation: The Hypergraph Framework