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Felixir · 11-07-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antarctica!

"No questions?" Risu asked, looking around. "Great! Well, we are nearly at an end - we've gone through several of the most important concepts of quantum mechanics. Wave-particle duality, uncertainty, the quantisation of energy..." he ticked each point off on his fingers.

"To finish things off, I want to look at some of the things relativity and quantum mechanics do for us in our everyday lives. We always talk about these important scientific concepts and theories, but I wouldn't be surprised if they seem rather obscure and, perhaps, pointless to you. Why does it matter if electrons aren't single points but diffuse clouds? Why is relativistic time dilation important?"

Waving his wand so that the image on the wall disappeared, Risu said, "I will give you an example from relativity. Many Muggles use little computers - I'm sure you've talked about these in Muggle Studies if you're not Muggleborns yourself anyway - instead of maps. These computers rely on satellites in orbit around the Earth, and they are fast enough for relativistic effects to take place. Each GPS satellite has to readjust itself by 38 microseconds a day. If it did not, the complete system would stop functioning in a matter of hours."

Risu nodded. "Just as an example. Now, does anyone happen to know any practical applications of quantum mechanics?"

Alex leaned back in his chair and looked slowly around. Nobody was saying anything yet. Hmm.

He looked stumped for a moment, and still with the same expression said, "Toasters?"

11-07-2010, 11:09 PM	#92 (permalink)
Felixir Forum Manager Book Club Mod Alley Proprietor Banshee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Posts: 50,157 Hogwarts RPG Name: Charlie Upstead Gryffindor Fifth Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Aurelio Kaiser Slytherin Third Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Alexei Petrov Slytherin First Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Yves Flamel Slytherin Sixth Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Achilles Zacharias Ravenclaw Third Year Diagon Alley Proprietor: Ezekiel Ransom-Kruus Ollivanders x12 x12	Lovely™ \| Captain Hurted \| Ariana's Bane \| Resident Antagonist \| Unparalleled Delight Quote: Originally Posted by Antarctica! "No questions?" Risu asked, looking around. "Great! Well, we are nearly at an end - we've gone through several of the most important concepts of quantum mechanics. Wave-particle duality, uncertainty, the quantisation of energy..." he ticked each point off on his fingers. "To finish things off, I want to look at some of the things relativity and quantum mechanics do for us in our everyday lives. We always talk about these important scientific concepts and theories, but I wouldn't be surprised if they seem rather obscure and, perhaps, pointless to you. Why does it matter if electrons aren't single points but diffuse clouds? Why is relativistic time dilation important?" Waving his wand so that the image on the wall disappeared, Risu said, "I will give you an example from relativity. Many Muggles use little computers - I'm sure you've talked about these in Muggle Studies if you're not Muggleborns yourself anyway - instead of maps. These computers rely on satellites in orbit around the Earth, and they are fast enough for relativistic effects to take place. Each GPS satellite has to readjust itself by 38 microseconds a day. If it did not, the complete system would stop functioning in a matter of hours." Risu nodded. "Just as an example. Now, does anyone happen to know any practical applications of quantum mechanics?" Alex leaned back in his chair and looked slowly around. Nobody was saying anything yet. Hmm. He looked stumped for a moment, and still with the same expression said, "Toasters?" __________________ Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!