Strange things happen in the quantum world. It’s not just the events that are strange: the ways in which they happen are also weird. Take the nucleus, for example. Things were bad enough when Ernest Rutherford proposed that the atomic nucleus was very small, very dense and packed with positive charge. But things got even … Continue reading Nobel Prize for Physics 2025
Quantum Mechanics: history and mystery
To help celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) Physics World, the magazine of the Institute of Physics, has compiled a collection of quantum-themed articles. Quantum Briefing 2025 covers "the history, mystery and industry of quantum mechanics" and marks 100 years since Werner Heisenberg formulated the mathematical basis for quantum mechanics while … Continue reading Quantum Mechanics: history and mystery
Particle Physics (IYQ 2025)
Despite 2025 being designated the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) we still know surprisingly little about how quantum effects “work”. According to this year’s anniversary, the quantum story started in 1925 when Werner Heisenberg formulated his matrix mechanics while spending time on the German island of Helgoland. But Heisenberg was not the … Continue reading Particle Physics (IYQ 2025)
What is Spin?
Spin, when applied to fundamental particles, is a property rather than a description. The basic components of matter are not tiny spinning tops, like coins that are stood on edge then flicked on opposite sides to make them rotate. Instead, spin is a physical property that can be demonstrated and also a numerical value that … Continue reading What is Spin?
What is the Strong Nuclear Force?
When thinking about atoms, one of the obvious puzzles is how a nucleus stays together when it is packed with positively charged particles (protons). Why don't the positive protons simply repel each other, causing the nucleus to disintegrate? The fact that there are also neutral particles (neutrons) in the nucleus may “dilute” the positive charge … Continue reading What is the Strong Nuclear Force?
Discharge and Fluorescent lighting
The earliest ways of generating light all involved heat, whether that meant setting a fire, burning a pitch torch, lighting a wax candle or heating a mantle using a gas flame. When electricity arrived, thoughts turned from creating light by chemical means to the possibility of using an electric current. Initial approaches still involved the … Continue reading Discharge and Fluorescent lighting
Hideki Yukawa and Meson Theory
How does the nucleus of an atom stay together? Why don’t the positively-charged protons repel each other and cause the nucleus to disintegrate? The early models of the atom imagined solid spheres, perhaps with different sizes, shapes or “colours” distinguishing one type of atom from another. Then came J J Thomson’s discovery of the electron … Continue reading Hideki Yukawa and Meson Theory
Electron deflection tube
It is common to think of the electron deflection tube as a device that demonstrates the behaviour of electrons within an electric field but in fact there are two electric fields at work. The first field accelerates electrons that are released by a heated coil then the second field deflects those electrons as they travel … Continue reading Electron deflection tube
What is mass?
Mass is a tricky concept. We all think we know what it is: it's what you measure when you put something on weighing scales or a digital balance. Alternatively, you could say mass is the property of an object that resists changes to its movement. In other words, an object with lots of mass is … Continue reading What is mass?
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