Category Archives: Physics

Binary Stars

Posted on March 20, 2021 by ben141414

A binary star is a star system of two stars that orbit around the central point, called the barycenter. In conversation, binary stars are sometimes casually referred to as double stars. Binary star systems or multiple star systems (3+ stars in orbit in the same system) are actually way more common than you might think.Continue reading “Binary Stars” Continue reading →

Posted in Light, Physics, Stars | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Binary Stars

Evolution of Spectroscopy

Posted on February 28, 2021 by miichellewang

Spectroscopy describes the study of the interaction between matter and the wavelength of the light it produces, although this definition has been updated to include anything measured as a function of frequency or wavelength. Isaac Newton was one of the first people to demonstrate that light from the Sun could be scattered into a spectrumContinue reading “Evolution of Spectroscopy” Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Historical, Physics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Evolution of Spectroscopy

Newton and His Laws

Posted on February 27, 2021 by allyworthington

Isaac Newton is a household name for his invention of calculus, laws of motion, and realization that gravity exists in the heavens (contrary to Aristotle’s beliefs!). College students that have studied introductory physics or math may have been exposed to Newton’s three laws of motion, but how exactly are they relevant in the context of … Continue reading Newton and His Laws → Continue reading →

Posted in Physics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Newton and His Laws

Tidal Friction: a 5 hour long day to a month long day

Posted on February 27, 2021 by brandonlipper

Due to the Universal law of gravitation, we know that objects of equal mass have a larger gravitation force between them when they are closer together. Because the near side of the Earth is closer to the Moon than the far side of the Earth, the force between the Moon and the near side ofContinue reading “Tidal Friction: a 5 hour long day to a month long day” Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Moons, Physics, SolarSystem | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tidal Friction: a 5 hour long day to a month long day

Tides

Posted on February 26, 2021 by lauryn28

In 1687 Sir Issac Newton discovered that the tides of the ocean on Earth are primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon. This idea was supported by his universal law of gravity that asserts that any piece of matter in the universe will attract any other with a force varying directly asContinue reading “Tides” Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Physics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Tides

Muons and Time Dilation

Posted on February 6, 2021 by rightascensionanddeclinolan

In my opinion, one of the coolest parts of astronomy is relativity, the theory describing the warping of spacetime.  If you’ve ever seen Interstellar, you’ve been exposed to one part of the theory: time dilation.  In short, time dilation is a phenomenon that causes time to pass more slowly in one place than another (relativeContinue reading “Muons and Time Dilation” Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Physics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Muons and Time Dilation

The Discovery of the Speed of Light

Posted on February 6, 2021 by allyworthington

While Aristotle believed that light could travel instantaneously, the first experimental attempt to measure the speed of light came from Galileo Galilei in 1667. He placed two people with covered lights on the top of hills that were about a mile apart. The first person was instructed to uncover his light, and when the second … Continue reading The Discovery of the Speed of Light → Continue reading →

Posted in Historical, Light, Observables, Physics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Discovery of the Speed of Light

Nuclear Fusion

Posted on March 15, 2020 by coreyxcas

Nuclear fusion is when two atoms combine into another atom. This is the opposite of nuclear fission, which is when an atom is split into smaller atoms. Nuclear fission is how we generate nuclear energy on earth, and is highly efficient. Nuclear fusion, however, would be even more efficient. Instead of using uranium for fission, […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Physics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Nuclear Fusion

Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Worlds

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Reece Boggs

The difference in surface conditions of the first four terrestrial planets can be explained almost solely by their atmospheres rather than their proximity to the Sun. Mercury has very little atmosphere to where it does not really play a factor in this, but the stark differences between Venus, Earth and Mars can be explained throughContinue reading “Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Worlds” Continue reading →

Posted in Physics, Terrestrials | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Worlds

Breaking “c” and the Warping of Space-time

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Phillip Yoon

The speed of light, often denoted by the constant “c,” is faster than anything that we know. Although there have been attempts to get certain particles to travel faster than the speed of light, like when scientists at the CERN laboratory in Switzerland tried to get a hold of neutrinos, no one has successfully brokenContinue reading “Breaking “c” and the Warping of Space-time” Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Light, Physics, Science, Space Travel | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Breaking “c” and the Warping of Space-time