So, what did they discover? Well, if there is any difference in h it would have to be really tiny. After careful analysis of the data from seven highly stable GPS satellites, Kentosh and Mohageg conclude that h is identical at different locations to an accuracy of seven parts in a thousand. In other words, if h were a one-metre measuring stick, two sticks in different places anywhere in the world do not differ by more than seven millimetres.
At this point, however, we can feel reassured that there is no reason to suspect that this particular aspect of physics shifts between, say, London and Beijing — or indeed, between our galaxy and the next one. If you would like to comment on this video or anything else you have seen on Future, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.
Under the Radar Physics. Can the laws of physics change? Share using Email. By Philip Ball 29th March Scientists have used GPS to search for variations in a constant that is at the heart of quantum physics.
Precision timing But this is an experiment that is significant not so much for what has been found as for the fact that it was done at all. Disturbance in the universe? Location, location, location Kentosh and Mohageg fixed on h , and specifically on whether h depends on where not when you measure it. But how does God fit into the multiverse? One headache for cosmologists has been the fact that our universe seems fine-tuned for life to exist.
The fundamental particles created in the big bang had the correct properties to enable the formation of hydrogen and deuterium — substances which produced the first stars. So how come all the physical laws and parameters in the universe happen to have the values that allowed stars, planets and ultimately life to develop? Some theists, however, argue it points to the existence of a God creating favourable conditions.
The theory of the multiverse, instead, solves the mystery because it allows different universes to have different physical laws. This is all very hypothetical, and one of the biggest criticisms of theories of the multiverse is that because there seem to have been no interactions between our universe and other universes, then the notion of the multiverse cannot be directly tested.
Much of the science and technology we use in space science is based on the counter-intuitive theory of the tiny world of atoms and particles known as quantum mechanics. The theory enables something called quantum entanglement : spookily connected particles.
If two particles are entangled, you automatically manipulate its partner when you manipulate it, even if they are very far apart and without the two interacting. There are better descriptions of entanglement than the one I give here — but this is simple enough that I can follow it. Imagine a particle that decays into two sub-particles, A and B. The properties of the sub-particles must add up to the properties of the original particle — this is the principle of conservation.
According to quantum mechanics, particles are by definition in a mix of different states until you actually measure them.
The properties of A and B are not independent of each other — they are entangled — even if located in separate laboratories on separate planets. So if you measure the spin of A and you find it to be positive.
Imagine a friend measured the spin of B at exactly the same time that you measured A. In order for the principle of conservation to work, she must find the spin of B to be negative. In other words, information about spin state was transferred between the two sub-particles instantly. Such transfer of quantum information apparently happens faster than the speed of light.
So there is something faster than the speed of light after all: quantum information. Even many universes at the same time? I have this image of God keeping galaxy-sized plates spinning while juggling planet-sized balls — tossing bits of information from one teetering universe to another, to keep everything in motion.
These mind-bending objects challenge the concepts of physics as we know it. Physics is amazing! It essentially explains how the entire universe functions and helps us to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. From the smallest subatomic particles to largest galaxies, everything around us works perfectly through our known laws of physics. But there are many curious ones amongst us who go on to challenge these laws that govern the universe and try to build things that defy physics.
While it is certainly not possible to circumvent the laws of physics, figuring out ways that try to break these laws often helps in learning something new about the universe. The term perpetual motion means a never-ending motion or a motion that will never cease. Perpetual motion machines have remained the dream of scientists for a long time, and if practically possible will kick out the second law of thermodynamics.
The perpetual motion see-saw is a concept in which two golf balls and a designed structure is used to create repeating see-saw motion.
The continuous left-right motion of the balls causes a change in the center of mass of the structure, which results in an oscillatory motion without requiring any external influences.
This mind-bending machine clearly violates the Work-Energy Principle which states that the work done on a system is equal to the change in energy. In this case, the Net Work done will be zero, which is practically not possible for a closed system like a perpetual motion machine. There is an obvious use of some external energy input, maybe in the form of magnets placed under the table that are doing the job of providing the oscillatory motion.
The idea of an object without a brain, automatically correcting itself to rest on a single position can only make you scratch your head. The Gomboc often described as the object which should not exist is one such object, the only one of its kind. This unique object clearly makes us question the physics behind it. The Uphill water fountain was created by the famous James Dyson, the same guy known for inventing the vacuum machines.
In , he built a structure at the Chelsea Garden Show in England in which water was seen flowing on an upward slope. This physics-defying demonstration caught the eyes of many as the water was flowing against the laws of gravity. The secret , however, was that he made use of compressed air to pump water upwards. The pressurized water between 2 layers of plastic and a thin layer of water running downwards created the perfect illusion of water naturally flowing up the slope.
As the name indicates, this unidirectional glass has properties which enable it to remain bulletproof on one side but lets the bullets through from the other. Even though the ordinary bulletproof glass used in military grade vehicles protects a person from being hit by bullets, it also cripples the person from firing at the enemy from the inside.
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