Law Round the Bend, Says Fined Physicist

Y'know, I kept thinking that it's only going to be a matter of time before something like this happens, and it has (at least it is the first time I've seen reported in the news media). A physicist is challenging his speeding fine that was based on a "speed camera".

Dr Fielden, 41, said: "Speed cameras are designed only to work on a straight line. As a physicist, I know that radars, which the cameras use, travel in straight lines. If you set one up on a curve, it is going to be inaccurate."

I wish the news report had more details on this "speed camera", i.e. how it determines the speed of a vehicle. If all it does is detects either "incoming" or "outgoing" motion, then there's something not quite right with this physicist's argument. Let's say it has a radar-type detection that can only detect how fast something is coming or going away from it. Now, if a vehicle is going at 30 mph but going around a bend, the speed detected will ALWAYS be less than 30 mph. One can see this if one looks at a vehicle moving in a circular motion. Only when it is moving in a tangential path towards where the detector is will it register the actual speed. At other locations along the circular path, the speed that the object is either moving towards or away from the detector will always be less than the actual speed.

So if this physicist was caught with a speed of 36 mph while going around in a bend, then if the scenario that I've argued here is correct, it means that he was actually going FASTER than 36 mph, which wouldn't help his case. But like I have said, it depends on how the speed is detected here. Without knowing anything more, I'm just making speculation on how this is done. Does anyone else know how such a "speed camera" work?

Zz.

How a Catholic Priest Gave Us the Big Bang Theory

This is a rather interesting article on Georges Lemaitre, a Catholic priest who, this article claim, to have been the first who originated the "Big Bang Theory" of cosmology. You might want to read this and judge for yourself if it is accurate.

I have no issues with such claims. However, I do have a problem with the underlying tone of the article. It appears as if the author of the article tries very hard to imply that the Big Bang Theory itself has "religious" origins, simply because the first person who made such a scenario happens to be a catholic priest. That's as absurd as the Nazi during World War II trying to erase Einstein's Theory of Relativity because it had "Jewish" elements. It seems that Lemaitre was being just a good scientist and examined the evidence available at that time to come up with a scientific description, something that Galileo had done a long time ago. Even the article itself described this process:

Returning to Belgium in 1925, where he worked at the Catholic University of Leuven as a part-time lecturer, his big break came two years later in 1927 when he proposed his theory of an expanding Universe to explain the movement of the galaxies, published in the Annals of the Scientific Society of Brussels.

In other words, he came up with the theory to explain the observation, and not based on some pre-conceived religious view of the universe. The fact that he happened to be a catholic priest is incidental and irrelevant, at least from the story. I would bet that the paper that he published never cited any religious sources to justify the impetus for the theory.

Strangely enough, while the author wants christians to "take credit" for the Big Bang theory, he seems to have ignored the incompatibility between the cosmological age of the universe based on the Big Bang Theory, and the biblical age of the universe that various christians sects have stuck to. I mean, 14 billion years old is hugely different than 60,000 years old! Even if one were to fudge a few numbers here and there, and make rough estimates of many things, there's no way one can make those two numbers approach even remotely the same order of magnitude. To me, this also points to the "non-religious" origin of the Big Bang theory in cosmology.

To associate the origin and impetus of a theory simply to the religion of the originator is taking a rather large leap of logic. Unless one can specifically cite the exact impetus that subsequently becomes the theory, then simply using the argument that a theory has catholic origin because so-and-so is catholic is logically faulty.

Zz.

Andrew M. Sessler Posdoctoral Fellowship for Excellence in Accelerator Research

A fellowship for anyone going into Accelerator physics.

The Accelerator and Fusion Research Division (AFRD) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) invites applications for the Andrew M. Sessler Postdoctoral Fellowship for excellence in accelerator research. The research is to be carried out within AFRD's Center for Beam Physics (CBP) and/or the Lasers, Optical Accelerator Systems Integrated Studies (LOASIS) Program, and offers the successful applicant the opportunity to work in a rich scientific environment at the forefront of a broad range of accelerator physics studies. Ongoing research activities include experimental and theoretical work with applications in near-term and future projects, and the successful applicant will be expected to make significant contributions to one or more areas, depending on experience and interests.

The Sessler Fellow will have the opportunity to choose topics of original research in consultation with members of CBP and LOASIS. The Sessler Fellowship is for a two-year term. For more information and to apply, please go to *http://jobs.lbl.gov*, select "Search Jobs," and enter job number *21132* in the keyword search field. Once you have located the position, click "Apply Now" and follow the online instructions. Applications must be received by January 11, 2008. LBNL is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to workplace diversity.

Zz.

Stephen Hawking Joins Attack on Science Cuts

Is it just a mere awful coincidence or was it planned that both the UK and the US suddenly decided to make a severe slash of physics funding almost at the same time?

With the UK slashing major parts of its high energy and astrophysics/astronomy projects, it has practically ended its participation in the International Linear Collider project. Physicists in the UK have denounced this cutbacks and have started an online petition. Stephen Hawking is the last one to join this list.

Zz.

NOvA Project on Hold in Wake of Budget Cuts

More fallout of the recent Omnibus spending bill that has just been signed by President Bush. The NOvA neutrino project is now on hold after it was, get this, flat-lined in the budget. It means that it got NO MONEY whatsoever. The project now is currently on hold, when it should be starting construction this coming year.

The sad thing about this is that this is just nothing more than nickle-and-diming. It is a drop in the bucket when compared to the whole budget, and yet, it has such a huge ramification in terms of the US involvement in high energy physics.

They probably thought they are "saving money" from a project that isn't important, without realizing the damage they are doing.

Zz.

American Scientists 2008 Stamps

The US Post Office has announced a slew of new stamps for 2008. The series on American Scientists this coming year will include John Bardeen and Edwin Hubble.

American Scientists

Some of the most impressive scientific achievements of the 20th century will be recognized in April when the American Scientists stamps are issued. The series honors four scientists:

-- Theoretical physicist John Bardeen (1908-1991) co-invented the transistor, arguably the most important invention of the 20th century. Bardeen also collaborated on the first fundamental explanation of superconductivity at low temperatures, a theory which has had a profound impact on many fields of physics.

-- Biochemist Gerty Cori (1896-1957), in collaboration with her husband Carl, made important discoveries that later became the basis for our knowledge of how cells use food and convert it into energy. Among her discoveries was a new derivative of glucose, a finding that elucidated the steps of carbohydrate metabolism. Their work also contributed to the understanding and treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

-- Astronomer Edwin Hubble (1889-1953) played a pivotal role in deciphering the vast and complex nature of the universe. His meticulous studies of spiral nebulae proved the existence of galaxies other than our own Milky Way, paving the way for a revolutionary new understanding that the cosmos contains myriad separate galaxies, or "island universes."

-- Structural chemist Linus Pauling (1901-1994) determined the nature of the chemical bond linking atoms into molecules. He routinely crossed disciplinary boundaries throughout his career and made significant contributions in several diverse fields. His pioneering work on protein structure was critical in establishing the field of molecular biology and his studies of hemoglobin led to many findings, including the
classification of sickle cell anemia as a molecular disease.

For each stamp, artist Victor Stabin of Jim Thorpe, PA, with the assistance of art director Carl Herrman of Carlsbad, CA, created a collage featuring a painted portrait of each scientist combined with diagrams or photographic representations associated with their major contributions.

I'm glad to see that John Bardeen is being recognized, considering that many still are not familiar with his name.

Zz.

More Bad Physics

OK, Christmas is over. So no more peace and goodwill towards others. It's time we get back to exposing bad physics!

:)

First of all, I know this is just nitpicking, but I'm in the mood to do one, so here goes a nitpicking.

This blog article in a newspaper describes what the author believe to be the difference in perception of other drivers depending on what car one is driving. He's comparing how he sees other drivers around him react if he's driving a big old Mercury Grand Marquis versus a small car. One of the reason he gave for such differences is this:

First, the size of the car. The bigger the car, the more damage it can do in an accident at any given speed. That is simple physics of energy equals mass times velocity. Not that I think most people are really aware of that.

Well, I'd say not a lot of physicists are aware of that either. "mass times velocity" is MOMENTUM, not "energy".

Like I said, this is nitpicking. However, this is BASIC, simple physics that any high-schoolers would have learned. One should not get something this simple, or this obvious, wrong.

Zz.

Hospitals Chase a Nuclear Tool to Fight Cancer

This is a New York Times article on the rush of a number of hospitals to build a proton therapy center to treat a number of diseases. I'm not so sure if one can call these things a "nuclear" facility rather than a particle physics facility. Whatever it is, the physics of these facilities are what is done in the field of Accelerator Physics, not nuclear or particle physics. So I thought I should point out another application of accelerator physics that was never mentioned in the article.

So next time the US Govt. decides to fund only the Medical/Biological/Health/etc. aspect of science, where do they think the equipment and facilities those scientists benefited from originated?

Zz.

Hurting U.S. Research Labs

A "Letter to the Editor" in the New York Times by Leon Lederman regarding the devastating impact on the recent US Omnibus bill. It ends with something that could be a distinct possibility, and which something the US Govt. needs to decide now.

Before World War II, American scientists had to go to Europe to get their graduate degrees and participate in the revolutionary physics of the atom. Is it our leaders’ wisdom that this epoch should be repeated?

Zz.

The Physics of Christmas

With Santa expecting to arrive tonight, here's a recap of something I posted last year at this time of the year.

The Physics of Santa discusses how the jolly old guy will complete his task tonight. There is also another article that discusses this, so you can compare them. On a newer front, this website on About.com has all the physics you want to know associated with Christmas. And here's another article on the physics of santa, including the aerodynamics question on how he could fly.

Plenty of stuff to read if you are bored with the holidays. :)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Zz.

Illinois Delegation Responds To Fermilab's Predicament

This has been distributed for immediate release:

December 21, 2007

DURBIN, OBAMA, BIGGERT CALL ON BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO INCREASE FUNDING AT FERMILAB

In light of recent funding cuts, Illinois members will meet to discuss strategy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) and Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) today sent the following letter to Jim Nussle, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), calling on him to increase next year’s funding for the High Energy Physics (HEP) program, which supports research at Fermilab in Illinois, and at several other laboratories and universities across the nation that are doing vital, cutting edge research.

Durbin, Obama, and Biggert are in discussions with Congressional appropriations and authorization committees and the Department of Energy to address the current funding situation and avoid potential layoffs during fiscal year 2008. They also plan to call for an Illinois delegation meeting in January with representatives from Illinois labs and organizations to discuss a strategy to avoid potential job loss at Fermilab. The spending bill, approved by Congress this week, provided the HEP program with $88 million less than was requested. This challenges Fermilab's ability to remain one
of the world's preeminent research facilities after it has achieved outstanding success in research on neutrinos, the high energy frontier, and particle astrophysics.

Adequate funding for the labs is critical to ensure that our country maintains its technological edge and that we continue to add to our high-tech manufacturing base. Fermilab is the nation’s premier high-energy physics laboratory. The laboratory leads U.S. research into the fundamental nature of matter and energy, and in 2007, Fermilab’s researchers and facilities achieved results judged by the American Institute of Physics as among the Ten Top Physics Stories from around the world.

-30-

[text of the letter is below]

Dear Director Nussle:

We are writing to you concerning a matter of critical importance to our country, to science in America, and to our global competitiveness. As you continue to develop the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2009, we respectfully request that you increase funding for the High Energy Physics (HEP) program in the Office of Science at the Department of Energy.

As you know, the budget approved this week by Congress dealt a severe blow to HEP, which received $88 million less than requested. This budget rejected funding for the NOvA neutrino experiment at Fermilab, and drastically cut funding for research and development on the International Linear Collider. These cuts could cripple Fermilab's ability to remain one of the world's preeminent research facilities. And this is at a time when Fermilab has achieved outstanding success, with significant results in each of its central areas of research: neutrinos, the high energy frontier, and particle astrophysics.

The facilities at Fermilab are essential for the basic scientific research that nurtures technological and scientific advances, and that fuels American innovation. Fermilab is one of a handful of our nation's premier training sites for scientists, and a centerpiece of the system of DOE National Laboratories. Disruptive funding
shortfalls have ripple effects throughout the American scientific community, displacing today's scientists and discouraging tomorrow's. We must work together to restore funding in basic physics research to maintain America's role as the innovator in technology, to retain our leading scientific institutions and their skilled workforces, and to provide opportunities for future scientists.

While we recognize the formidable challenges you face regarding the demands on the federal budget, we respectfully encourage you to increase the funding request for the Office of Science, particularly for the HEP program, in the President’s FY2009 Budget.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
Richard J. Durbin
Judy Biggert

One hopes that they can do something not just for Fermilab, but for high energy physics funding in general. In the scheme of things, $88 million is merely pittance and does not make or break the US budget, especially in light of the humongous defense spending. We we are nickle-and-diming things here. Yet, that small amount means survival or closure of many HEP research projects. Like I said earlier, if Fermilab survives this, none of the current members of Congress (save for Judy Biggert) deserves to bask in any of Fermilab's future glory, because they tried to kill it.

Zz.

Instead of Celebrating Christmas, Would You Celebrate Newtonmas?

This is a rather amusing article on Wired Blog. While Dec. 25th is more popularly associated with Christmas, it is also the date that Isaac Newton was born. The author puts forth a suggestion that we should take this opportunity to teach the kids some basic physics to celebrate Newton's birthday.

I think it's a great idea!

Zz.

The APS Press Release On The 2008 Omnibus Spending Bill

The American Physical Society put out a press release in response to the disastrous US spending bill.

APS Urges Congress and White House to Revisit Fiscal Year 2008 Science Funding in January

Current legislation is disastrous for U.S. physical sciences and technology enterprise.

(Press release issued 4:45 pm, December 19, 2007)

The American Physical Society, representing more than 46,000 physicists in universities, industry and national laboratories, regards the fiscal year 2008 omnibus spending bill as extraordinarily damaging to the nation's science and technology enterprise. The bill fails to fund appropriately the research and education programs authorized in the bipartisan America COMPETES Act, which President Bush signed into law only four months ago. The consequential layoffs of scientists and engineers throughout the nation will discourage American youth from pursuing these fields, just as the country needs their participation to sustain economic growth and national security.

While other nations are aggressively challenging American leadership in physical sciences and technology, the omnibus bill sets our country on the wrong course. It fails to provide the necessary resources for long- term research in the physical sciences and engineering. It fails to provide the requisite resources for developing new cutting-edge scientific laboratories and even for operating existing national user facilities. It fails to provide adequate funding for university- based research that is so essential for educating the next generation of scientists and engineers. It also fails to provide the appropriate incentives for American industry to innovate at an accelerated pace.

Furthermore, as we as a nation strive to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, mitigate global warming and put a lid on escalating energy costs, the omnibus bill abandons the long- term transformational research that is necessary to achieve all these essential goals. The bill is bad for our energy future and economic future.

Finally, apart from its failings on global competitiveness and energy, the omnibus legislation also places at grave risk committed U.S. participation in two large international scientific collaborations. Just one year ago, the United States made a major commitment to the construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Today, Congress has pulled the plug. In so doing, it critically damages American credibility as a reliable scientific partner throughout the world and compromises the nation's standing as a host of future international scientific facilities. Congress has also cut the lifeline of the International Linear Collider, which represents the future of American high- energy physics. This action sends a strong message to the world: The U.S. is prepared to jettison support for one of our flagship areas of science that probes fundamental laws of the universe.

The APS notes with some dismay that had Congress applied the same discipline to earmarking as it did last year, the damage to the science and technology enterprise could have been avoided.

For these reasons, the American Physical Society strongly urges Congress and the White House to revisit Fiscal Year 2008 science funding after Congress convenes in January with an eye to reflecting better the nation's long term needs and obligations.

... and here are more news coverage on the disaster that will take into effect at Fermilab starting in January. I tell ya, if they survive this, and that there are new discoveries made at Fermilab, none of the current legislator should attend to bask in the glory, because all of them tried to kill not only this laboratory, but also high energy physics.

Zz.

Introduction to the Photon Collider

With the International Linear Collider (ILC) on life-support system due to the pull-out of the United Kingdom and the severe funding slash by the US Congress, maybe it is a bit moot to talk about possible experiments at the ILC. Still, it one can always dream of what could have been. The ILC would certainly be the most logical facility to start considering the possibility of having a photon collider. This article gives a rather thorough "introduction" to the physics we gain out of a photon collider.

Ah, the good old days of optimism.....

Zz.

It Only Takes Two

This is a rather interesting and provocative conclusion. A group of physicists in Brazil have claimed that we only need a minimum of 2 fundamental constants to be able to arrive at all the other constants, thus, to describe our universe. {Link may be open for a limited time}

The two can be chosen, according to taste, from a list of three: the speed of light, the strength of gravity, and Planck’s constant, which relates the energy to the frequency of a particle of light, say George Matsas of the São Paulo State University and his colleagues.

Once two constants have been chosen from that list, they say, those are the only parameters that need have units of measurement ascribed to them. Everything else — for example, the charge or the mass of an electron, or the strength of nuclear forces — can be described in relation to these two 'dimensional' constants.

So far, as far as I know, this work hasn't been published yet, only appearing on the e-print arXiv. So we will have to wait until it does to see the kind of reaction and feedback it will get.

It would be interesting to compare this to an earlier manuscript titled "Trialogue on the number of fundamental constants" by M. J. Duff, L. B. Okun, G. Veneziano, where they also argue with each other on the actual number of fundamental constants that is really needed to describe our universe. It certainly would make a very interesting reading if one is getting sick of the upcoming holiday festivities!

:)

Zz.

Fermilab Is In Deep, Deep Trouble

I mentioned earlier about the spending bill that just passed the US House of Representative. This news article from Science's website clearly spells out the doom and gloom picture at Fermilab. While we all know that the Tevatron will shut down after 2009, Fermilab as a facility had hoped to remain as a high-energy physics laboratory via its neutrino experiment, which include the upcoming NOvA.

Now, even its survival as a laboratory is in question after the proposed severe cuts in the budget. But I think what is frustrating is that most people would just wish that those who are in power would just make up their freaking minds! I think this sums up best:

The budget decisions, part of a $550 billion omnibus spending package that Congress approved this week, call into question the U.S.'s commitment to particle physics as a whole, says Fermilab Director Pier Oddone. "There's a policy question for the government and for Congress," he says. "Do we want to stay in particle physics or not?"

They need to decide now because with the LHC looming in the near future, they either should give sufficient funding, or simply declare that the US will no longer be in particle physics and close up shop. This way, they can take the "credit" later on in the history of human civilization as being the group of legislator responsible for killing high energy physics work in the US. Maybe that is something they want to be proud of.

Edit: More related news story on this matter.

Zz.

Ten Top Physics Stories for 2007

The Physics News Update at the AIP has compiled a list of their Top 10 physics stories of 2007.

I think I covered most of them on here this year! :)

Zz.

Ampere Could Be Defined One Electron At A Time

This is another very clever technique and experiment.

The Ampere unit might possibly be defined more accurately using a single-electron transistor.

The current flowing through the device is simply the number of electrons that tunnel per gate cycle multiplied by the charge of the electron and the frequency of the gate voltage. The gate frequency and number of electrons per cycle can be determined and the charge on the electron is fixed – which means that the device is a very precise source of current.

The team believe that the device could form the basis of a "metrological current pump", which could be used to define the ampere from the fact that

Very nice!

Zz.

The Religious and Other Beliefs of Americans

I thought that during this "joyous" time of the year with the holidays approaching, that I throw in a piece of coal into the celebration by bringing some depressing statistics (just call me the Grinch that is trying to ruin Christmas).

This Harris poll was just recently published, and a follow up to its earlier similar poll in 2005. It asked about the beliefs (religious or otherwise) of Americans. Here are some of the interesting results:

* 82 percent of adult Americans believe in God – unchanged since the question was last asked in 2005;
* Large majorities of the public believe in miracles (79%), heaven (75%), angels (74%), that Jesus is God or the son of God (72%), the resurrection of Jesus (70%), the survival of the soul after death (69%), hell (62%), the devil (62%), and the virgin birth (Jesus born of Mary) (60%);
* Roughly equal numbers – both minorities - believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution (42%) and creationism (39%);
* Sizeable minorities believe in ghosts (41%), UFOs (35%), witches (31%), astrology (29%) and reincarnation (21%);
* While many of these numbers for people who hold these beliefs are the same or little changed from 2005, the overall trend is upwards with slightly more people believing in miracles, angels and witches than did so two years ago.

So, compare that with the survey on science literacy of the public that was conducted by the National Academies, and you now have a very clear idea of the kind of public you are dealing with as far as science is concerned. Just something to think about during the festive season.

:)

Zz.

From High Temperature Superconductivity to Quantum Spin Liquid: Progress in Strong Correlation Physics

This is a fascinating review article by Patrick Lee of MIT[1], even if you don't agree with his take on the mechanism of cuprate superconductivity. He covers the outstanding issue in strongly-correlated electron system, which is the main area of study in condensed matter physics since it covers essentially that whole field of study.

What is interesting is that at the end of the article, he has a question-answer section that addresses specific issues and his take on the answer. This is always something I like to read because even if you disagree with him, at least you know clearly where he stands and why he disagrees. In many instances, it can be vague on what exactly people are disagreeing on. Here, it is rather clear.

In any case, I would think anyone in this field of study would want to read this article. At the very least, it'll get you up to speed on the theoretical progress in this area.

Zz.

[1] P.A. Lee, Rep. Prog. Phys. v.71, p.012501 (2008).