Can anyone suggest interesting careers for a physicist hoping to make a good impact on society? [more inside]
posted by qmechanic on Oct 29, 2009 - 10 answers

Does one 200 watt bulb put out as much or more light than ten 20 watt bulbs? [more inside]
posted by leemajors on Aug 14, 2009 - 23 answers

Are satellites (or satellite parts) ever made from metal salvaged from pre-1945 shipwrecks? Possibly to ensure that those metals were refined before atmospheric A-bomb explosions increased the background radiation levels? [more inside]
posted by metaBugs on Aug 4, 2009 - 17 answers

How was it proved that gravitation was a function of mass? [more inside]
posted by Lorc on Jul 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Was the entire universe created by the Big Bang, or is the space/time generated by the Big Bang part of a larger universe? [more inside]
posted by Lownotes on Jun 23, 2009 - 23 answers

I'm reading Quantum: a Guide for the Perplexed and I'm enjoying the graphics, history and simplification of the math and science used to explain quantum mechanics. But I'm reasonably well versed in math and science - I took a year of college physics, linear algebra, and diff eq about ten years ago. Is there any chance of me learning to understand the equations and papers of Planck and Einstein that are the basis of QM? Are there any good books that could help walk someone like me through this stuff? Or am I stuck as a layperson unless I earn a degree in math or physics?
posted by Grundlebug on May 30, 2009 - 14 answers

I've just poured myself a Dark Horse Brewery Tres Blueberry Stout. A slow, steady pour that left a modest head on top. And then a droplet or two skidded around over the foam like a water droplet on a hot frypan for maybe five seconds before disappearing. Darndest thing I've ever seen. Beer geniuses, how did this happen? How can I make it happen again?
posted by ardgedee on May 15, 2009 - 6 answers

why does pernod turn milky when water is added? [more inside]
posted by mwhybark on Feb 14, 2009 - 7 answers

StoryID: Alternate history where physics is based on angelology. [more inside]
posted by rwhe on Dec 31, 2008 - 8 answers

On a treadmill, what kind of slope/incline% should I set to simulate the strength needed for normal outdoor running? [more inside]
posted by lord_yo on Nov 19, 2008 - 8 answers

Why does an incandescent light bulb have an broad, continuous spectra when viewed with a spectrometer? Why doesn't it have some lines like a sodium lamp? I guess I'm asking why photons come off of a black body and why are their wavelengths spread out. Bonus points for clarity and accessibility of the answers.
posted by bdc34 on Oct 7, 2008 - 5 answers

What useful technologies have been developed or are in development due to advances of knowledge in modern physics? [more inside]
posted by wigglin on Aug 3, 2008 - 16 answers