Did you know that if you stand on the equator, you will be exactly in the middle of the Earth? You might also be surprised to learn that due to our planet’s rotation, there are some pretty unusual things about living on the equator. For example, did you know that you weigh less at the equator? Or that there are more chances to get sick on the equator? Keep reading for more fascinating facts about Earth’s equator!

You weigh less

You might not realize it, but if you stand on the equator, you will actually weigh less than you do at any other latitude. This is because of the centrifugal force created by Earth’s rotation. The closer you are to the poles, the greater this force is. So, if you want to weigh less, head on down to the equator!

Unusual seasons

Another interesting fact about living on the equator is that there are unusual seasons. While in most parts of the world there are four distinct seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall), on the equator there are only two: wet and dry. The length of day and night also remains pretty constant throughout the year. So, if you’re looking for a place with more consistent weather, the equator is the place to be!

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo Monument in Ecuador

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, or the “Middle of the World, is a tourist destination located in Ecuador. The city is built on the site of the former Geodesic Mission of Quito, which was tasked with determining the precise location of the equator. Today, Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The city features a large monument that marks the official location of the equator, as well as a museum that houses various scientific instruments used in the study of the earth’s rotation. Visitors to Ciudad Mitad del Mundo can also experience unique effects caused by the earth’s rotation, such as water draining away from the center of a sink. With its rich history and variety of attractions, Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is the perfect place to learn about and experience the equator.

More chances to get sick

However, there are also some downsides to living on the equator. For example, did you know that there are more chances to get sick on the equator? This is because viruses and other diseases thrive in warm, wet climates. So, if you’re looking for a place to live that has a low risk of disease, you might want to avoid the equator!

Constant daylight

Another downside to living on the equator is that it can be difficult to adjust to the constant daylight. If you live in a place where there are four seasons, your body is used to getting different amounts of sunlight throughout the year. But on the equator, the amount of daylight remains pretty constant. This can be tough to adjust to, and it can also cause problems like insomnia.

Egg gravity trick

The egg gravity trick is a popular demonstration that makes use of the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere. On the equator, the earth’s diameter is actually slightly larger than at the poles. As a result, the force of gravity is slightly weaker on the equator than it is at the poles. This difference is enough to counteract the weight of an egg, allowing it to be balanced on its end. Of course, this trick only works on the equator; anywhere else on the planet, the egg would quickly fall over. Nevertheless, it’s a fun way to show off the earth’s unique shape and interesting properties.

Finally, one of the most common myths about Earth’s equator is that it’s a hot, sweaty place. But in reality, the temperature at the equator is actually pretty mild! So if you’re looking for a place to live that has nice weather all year round, the equator is a great option.

So there you have it: some fascinating facts about Earth’s equator! Whether you’re looking for a place to live with consistent weather or you’re just curious about this unique part of our planet, the equator is definitely worth checking out. Just don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!

The post Fascinating Facts About Earth’s Equator appeared first on Science NC.

Science fiction is a direct confirmation of how far physics has come. Not only scientists but pretty much anyone interested in this field can find new and exciting stories about science and be entertained while doing it. Physics may not be the theme of every book or film, but it’s still fascinating to see them all play out anyway.

Dozens of physics mysteries that scientists have yet to explain.

Ultra-high energy beams

Unsolved problem: where do ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays come from?

It’s no secret that the Earths atmosphere is constantly bombarded by high-energy particles from space, called “cosmic rays.” These particles do not harm humans in any way, but rather has physicists highly intrigued. Studying cosmic rays has taught scientists a lot about astronomy and the universe. But there’s still some mystery to these cosmic rays. In 1962, during the Volcano Ranch experiment, John D. Linsley and Livio Scarsi saw something incredible: an ultra-high energy cosmic ray with an energy of more than 16 joules.

To give an estimate – a single joule of energy can lift a 200g apple 80cm high. In contrast, the magnitude of energy produced by an explosive device is measured in megajoules. Physicists do not know how particles get so much energy.

Inflationary model of the universe

Unsolved problem: Does the universe have an inflationary model?

The universe is remarkably uniform, meaning that the same general conditions will apply no matter where you go. This principle states that there will be roughly equal levels of material in every place you explore. However, the Big Bang theory suggests large differences in density at the time of the birth of the universe. This means that there was a huge difference in density between where we are today and where we were then. The universe was also much less homogeneous then, as it’s quite similar today.

The inflationary model for the universe assumes that we all see what exists today from a tiny and rapidly expanding volume and not from an area where the universe is expanding slower. It’s interesting that the universe was once more homogeneous than it is today. It can be explained by this theory that states that the universe, in its beginning, looked like a balloon which has been inflated with air. Our physicist still do not understand why our infant universe became more and less homogeneous compared to what it looks like nowadays.

Dark energy and dark matter

Unsolved problem: can dark energy and dark matter be found?

I never knew this, but it turns out that only 5% of the universe is made up of what humans can see. Previously, scientists noticed that stars at the outer edges of galaxies were orbiting faster than predicted. To explain this, scientists suggested there might be some kind of invisible “dark” matter in these galaxies that caused the stars to rotate faster.

There is a theory that suggests that dark matter exists, and physicists believe there must be five time more of it than normal matter. When the theory was first proposed, observations of exploding stars led to this conclusion. Along with this, scientists know that the expansion of the Universe is indeed accelerating. This is strange, because one would expect that the gravitational attraction of matter (normal and dark) would slow down the expansion of the Universe.

To explain why some areas of the universe are not gravitationally attracted towards one another, scientists hypothesize an energy called “dark energy.” After observing how it contributes to the expansion of the universe, physicists come up with estimates for how much of our universe is made up. However, to this day, the particles that make up dark matter and the field that make up dark energy has never been directly observed in a laboratory. Basically, scientists know nothing about 95% of the universe.

Black hole heart

Unsolved problem: what is in the heart of a black hole?

Black holes as some of the intriguing cosmic objects. They are mind-blowing cosmic phenomena, so we understand why they’re one of the most famous things in astrophysics. This might sound too complicated for you, but it’s actually very easy: black holes are regions with such strong gravitational fields, no light can escape them and therefore you can never see what’s inside. Einstein’s general theory of relativity has shown that space & time are shaped by gravity, which means light is also influenced by gravitational forces.

It’s true that Einstein’s theory was proven during a solar eclipse. It seemed to confirm the hypothesis that gravity from the sun would deflect light coming from stars in the Milky Way, otherwise known as ‘Einstein’s Cross.’ Furthermore, there are many black holes- including one huge at the center of our galaxy. But the mystery of what is happening at the center of the black hole has not yet been resolved.

Some scientists believe that information can get lost when it crosses inside black holes, but there is still debate about the opinion. Even though Hawking radiation is emitted by black holes, it does not contain any information about what’s happening inside the hole.

Sentient life outside of Earth

Unsolved problem: is there intelligent life outside the Earth?

From time immemorial, people have dreamed of aliens because they look at the night sky and wonder if anyone could be living there. However, in recent decades there has been an abundance of evidence that this is more than just a dream. For one, there is a lot more exoplanets than was once thought. Secondly, it’s known that life appeared on Earth soon after it was possible for life to have developed. Does this mean that there are many places where life should have formed.

If so, then you need to answer the famous “Fermi paradox”: why people have not yet come into contact with aliens. Life may be common, but intelligent life is rare. Maybe after some time all civilizations decide not to communicate with other life forms. Maybe they just don’t want to talk to people. Or, oddly enough, perhaps it shows that many alien civilizations destroy themselves shortly after becoming technologically advanced enough to communicate.

Traveling faster than the speed of light

Unsolved problem: can anything travel faster than the speed of light?

Since Einstein changed all of physics with his special theory of relativity, physicists have been convinced that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. In fact, the theory of relativity says that when any mass moves at a speed close to the speed of light, then it takes a huge amount of energy. This has been observed in wider cosmic rays, such as the ultra-high energy ones mentioned earlier. They have more kinetic energy than other types of cosmic ray, but they still travel at the same speed.

Some scientists have hypothesized that a planetary civilization will be vulnerable to a ‘contact void’ with the rest of the galaxy – where they could potentially miss out on messages from other civilisations that arrive from outside of their own star system. One theory for this is that messages from aliens will be limited by the speed of light. If they’re also subject to this constraint, then signals. In 2011, during the OPERA experiment, preliminary results were obtained that suggested that neutrinos move faster than the speed of light.

Later, the researchers realized that there was an error in their experimental setting. Though it seemed unlikely at the time, if you’re able to transmit information faster than the speed of light, it can change everything.

Superconductor at room temperature

Unsolved problem: can you create a room temperature superconductor?

Superconductors are some of the most important devices and technologies humans have ever discovered. They’re a special type of material. It has been observed that when the temperature falls, the resistance of materials falls to zero. This makes it possible for a large current to flow even after you apply a small voltage.

If electric current flows, it should eventually dissipate because there is opposition to the flow of the current. Superconductivity is an amazing phenomenon which allows electric currents to flow freely without resistance for billions of years, but only under specific circumstances. Superconductors in modern wires and cables would help to provide power that is not sacrificed to resistance.

While they can work at room temperature, you won’t see the benefits of high-temperature superconductors until they are cooled to -140°C. There are many heating & cooling products on the market currently, but they all come with a hefty price tag. A physicist is attempting to create a superconductor that can work without using any type of coolants or liquids.

Unified theory

Unsolved problem: can a unified theory be developed?

Two major discoveries were made in the 20th century that helped people understand how physics work. One of them was quantum mechanics, which is behind how small & subatomic particles behave. A new study has revealed that three of the four forces in nature have been explained by Quantum Mechanics & the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Namely, electromagnetism and strong and weak nuclear forces have all been satisfactorily described.

Another big theory was Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which explains gravity. In general relativity, gravity occurs when the presence of mass bends space and time, causing particles to follow certain curved paths. This could explain things that happen on the grandest scale – the formation of galaxies and stars. There’s just one problem: these two theories are incompatible.

There has been a long-standing problem in trying to reconcile the two theories of physics within quantum mechanics. It is still unknown how both theories can ever work together. But there are other advancements in science to study besides this issue. Physicists have been looking for some kind of solution that would reconcile the two competing theories. It is called the Great Unified Theory or simply the Theory of Everything. The search continues.

The post The Biggest Secrets of Physics 2022 appeared first on Science NC.

Scientists have proposed a mechanism according to which only natural intracloud dynamics are sufficient for lightning initiation in thunderclouds. This is a fundamentally new concept, because previously existing scenarios assumed the presence of auxiliary factors, such as high-energy cosmic ray particles. In addition, it turned out that the process of lightning initiation is similar to snowball growth: at each stage it unfolds on larger and larger spatial and temporal scales. The discovery allowed to find an answer to the question about the mechanism of lightning initiation, which remained unresolved for more than 250 years. The results of the study are published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Lightnings attracted mankind attention since ancient times when their occurrence was explained by action of supernatural forces, for example anger of gods. With the development of science in the 18th century, these natural phenomena began to be unequivocally associated with atmospheric electricity. However, until now the process of lightning initiation in thunderstorm clouds remains unexplained and tops the list of ten most important unsolved problems of lightning physics. Since lightning poses a danger to human life and health, as well as to the operation of electronic devices, it is necessary to know how to effectively protect against it. The most commonly used lightning rods actually attract electrical discharges but do not prevent them. In order to develop more effective lightning protection methods, it is necessary to figure out the causes of lightning and the mechanisms of its propagation.
Researchers first proposed a theoretical scheme explaining the process of lightning initiation step by step. According to this scheme, small ice crystals and water droplets in thunderstorm clouds – so-called hydrometeors – collide and create “bursts” of electric field, which generate a large number of differently charged particles – ions. If there are many such centers of ion formation in the cloud and they occur close to each other, their total electric charge gradually accumulates and creates a strong electric field that exceeds the breakdown threshold of the air.
Local field amplification on decimeter scale without any other external influences leads to formation of streamers – cold weakly conducting plasma channels. Subsequently, scattered streamers merge into a more viable three-dimensional network, inside which a lightning “germ” is formed in places where the highest currents are concentrated. Lengthening along the direction of the electric field, it turns into a full-fledged lightning channel. The characteristic scale of the process increases at each stage: bursts of the electric field occur at millimeter and centimeter scales, streamers are about a meter long, and the “embryo” of lightning is ten to one hundred meters long.
“Our work helped to solve one of the main problems of modern physics of atmospheric electricity. The proposed mechanism of lightning initiation has an experimental basis and, unlike earlier hypotheses, does not require fulfillment of any elusive conditions, such as, for example, presence of high-energy cosmic ray particles. The obtained knowledge will help to develop new methods of lightning protection”.

The post How are lightning born? Scientists have proposed a fundamentally new fundamental mechanism appeared first on Science NC.