Oh, the material conditional. Some love it, some hate it. But can we all agree that explaining it to the uninitiated is a perennial headache? If you’ve taught baby-logic, you…
Read moreHow to time-reverse a quantum system
Time-reversing a classical Newtonian trajectory is simple. If q(t) and p(t) are the positions and momenta of a particle on the trajectory, then time reversal flips that trajectory as follows:…
Read more2009 Nobel Laureates in Physics
The 2009 Nobel Laureates in Physics have been announced! This year the award honors pioneers in information technology. Half the prize is going to Charles Kao (Standard Tel Labs), and…
Read moreVisualize a Wave Function
Can you visualize a normalized wave function on spacetime? Let’s try with a simple example. The role of a wave function is to assign a complex number to each point…
Read moreGalileo and the Physics of Skydiving
During a visit to Skydive, PA yesterday, I noticed jumpmaster Jim tightening a corset-like weight belt onto his abs. “Jim, your figure looks so refined,” I commented. Jim sneered. “I’ve…
Read more