NewScientist The Last Word - Tag 'physics' details

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Is a billion still different between U.S. and British scientists?

Dictionary.com says a billion is "a cardinal number represented in the U.S. by 1 followed by 9 zeros, and in Great Britain by 1 followed by 12 zeros." It also seems it indicate that British definition is no longer used, although it's unclear on that.

Does a billion still represent two different numbers among scientists? If not, when did this change? Wouldn't older papers still use the old definition? Has this discrepency caused any practical problems in scientific projects--particularly in relation to astronomy and physics?

Cheers,

John

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Asked by ferncanyon
on 2011-01-27 00:56:10

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Categories: Our universe.

Tags: physics, Mathematics, Astronomy, billion, errors.

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If atoms are mostly empty space, why can't I push my finger into a rock?

I understand the strong nuclear force binds protons/neutrons in the atomic nucleus, but the electrons are in a cloud surrounding the nucleus at a relatively vast distance. Atoms are mostly empty space. On the atomic level, when I push my finger against a solid object (such as a rock), do the atoms making up my finger "mingle" with the atoms making up the rock? Or, do they stay totally separated, and if so, what keeps them apart?

Thanks.

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Asked by DanP24
on 2011-01-24 22:10:15

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Last edited on: 2011-01-24 22:12:00

Categories: Domestic Science.

Tags: physics, chemistry.

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Out of the blue I washed some apples and served them on a hand-carved soapstone platter (see photo). When we began to eat them, we noticed the apples had left blue stains on the plate. What could have caused this? Tony Wills, London, UK
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Asked by Moderator
on 2011-01-19 15:28:51

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Categories: Domestic Science.

Tags: plants, physics, Life, Biology, apple.

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Out of the blue I washed some apples and served them on a hand-carved soapstone platter (see photo). When we began to eat them, we noticed the apples had left blue stains on the plate. What could have caused this? Tony Wills, London, UK
(no votes) There are 2 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer

Asked by Moderator
on 2011-01-19 14:48:39

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Categories: Domestic Science.

Tags: plants, physics, colour, Biology, stain, apple.

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Celsius to Kelvin? Suppose the initial temperature of a substance is 0 degree celsius. The temperature then increases, to 20 degree celsius. So here's the question. What is the temperature difference between the two, in Kelvin?
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Asked by l3irus
on 2011-01-18 14:03:38

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Categories: Unanswered.

Tags: physics, chemistry, temperature, maths, temperatureinversions.

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How do we know that the universe is isotropic and not, for example, fractal in its structure?
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Asked by jramurray
on 2011-01-04 23:11:22

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Categories: Our universe.

Tags: physics, cosmology.

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When cosmologists talk of the early universe, what yardstick do they use to measure time?
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Asked by jramurray
on 2011-01-04 23:07:30

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Categories: Our universe.

Tags: physics, cosmology.

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Does the whole universe have spin?
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Asked by jramurray
on 2011-01-04 23:05:38

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Categories: Our universe.

Tags: physics, cosmology.

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Do all protons (neutrons, electrons) have exactly the same mass and charge, or are there minute differences from one to another?
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Asked by jramurray
on 2011-01-04 23:03:15