Category Archives: — By the Physicist

Q: How is radiometric dating reliable? Why is it that one random thing is unpredictable, but many random things together are predictable?

The original question was: Suppose there is a set of variables whose individual values are probably different, and may be anything larger than zero. Can their sum be predicted? If so, is the margin for error less than infinity? This … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Combinatorics, Math, Particle Physics, Probability | 9 Comments

Q: Is the final step in evolution an ascension into an energy-based lifeform?

Physicist: Awesome question!  The very short answer is: nope. Energy beings are an old staple of sci-fi (a good one), but they’re almost certainly impossible, or at least, it’s almost certainly impossible for life (as we know it) to evolve … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Biology, Evolution, Physics | 23 Comments

Q: What would life be like in higher dimensions?

The original question was: Assuming we had four (or more) spatial dimensions in which to freely move around, like say a 4+1 dimensional universe, how might one extend our 3+1 dimensional physics to that universe? Side note: When someone says … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Physics | 72 Comments

Q: How much does fire weigh?

The original question was: So I was wondering, and I have pondered it for some time, since fire is a plasma, and plasma is a state of matter. and matter is defined as anything that has mass, would that then … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Physics | 19 Comments

Q: Since the real-world does all kinds of crazy calculations in no time, can we use physics to calculate stuff?

The original question was: I’ve heard somewhere that they’re also trying to build computers using molecules, like DNA. In general would it work to try and simulate a factoring algorithm using real world things, and then let the physics of … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Computer Science, Engineering, Entropy/Information, Physics | 8 Comments

Q: Is there some way to actually play quidditch?

Physicist: Using magic?  No.  But people do try. There are no physical theories that allow for the existence of magic, as described in Harry Potter™ and or other creative ventures of that ilk.  However, if you had an amazing amount … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Physics | 17 Comments