How long is a piece of string?

**OllieMartin** · 17-11-2009, 10:33 PM

Didn't watch it, but I've seen some stuff on quantum tunnelling before. That's the theory that allows atoms to fuse in the centre of the sun even though there technically isn't enough energy to overcome the inter-molecular repulsion forces. Based on the theory that the exact position of an atom can never be known at any given point in time, it can only be estimated.

**Capsid** · 17-11-2009, 10:35 PM

Yes watched it. They have tried to explain quantum theory several times on TV but each time they fail to explain it to the layman.

Quantum theory was before my time, I only learnt classical physics at school and that was hard enough.

**Brengirl** · 18-11-2009, 07:36 AM

As long as half its length times 2

**snuffer** · 18-11-2009, 07:58 AM

Yes I watched it. Just as I thought I was beginning to understand some of it, some bofffin would say something that put me back in the corner with the dunces hat on again.

My youngest son is in his fourth year of a physics masters degree. He thought it was a simple concept to grasp and coudn't understand why I was sat there scratching my head. He will often have text books with titles like; 'An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics'. The word 'introduction' in the title makes me think I might just understand some of it. NO CHANCE, I've never got to the bottom of the first page without being totally baffled.

**OllieMartin** · 18-11-2009, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by Brengirl View Post

As long as half its length times 2

I was going to say:
"4 x half way to the middle"

**HeyWayne** · 18-11-2009, 08:46 AM

I think it's somethign like this:

xv3 = V_2 + (aB/fx-Tv)

Or, if Wayne is holding string at point "a" (up high) and piskie's holding the other end at point "b" - down low, the answer is.

Quite long.

**HeyWayne** · 18-11-2009, 08:47 AM

Oh, and I started to read a book once on String Theory (it might have even been Spuerstring Theory) - got to chapter 2 and still didn't understand the characters.

I think it was called The Beautiful Universe - not what I was expecting.

**northmaid** · 18-11-2009, 11:22 AM

Yup, I watched it and was fascinated (didn't understand but hey you can't have everything). If atoms can be in more than one place at a time why aren't mine down digging the allotment while 'I' stay at home having a cup of tea?

**OllieMartin** · 18-11-2009, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by northmaid View Post

Yup, I watched it and was fascinated (didn't understand but hey you can't have everything). If atoms can be in more than one place at a time why aren't mine down digging the allotment while 'I' stay at home having a cup of tea?

Because Werner Heisenberg says so!

**janeyo** · 18-11-2009, 11:48 AM

Ask Bean he will tell you! I hear he is getting to be an expert on these matters lol

**piskieinboots** · 18-11-2009, 11:49 AM

I'm with Einstein - seems he didn't get it either

**OllieMartin** · 18-11-2009, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by piskieinboots View Post

I'm with Einstein - seems he didn't get it either

So that means you're only as clever as Einstein.

**northmaid** · 18-11-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by OllieMartin View Post

Because Werner Heisenberg says so!

Then why isn't HE down digging my allotment while I stay at home having a cup of tea?

**janeyo** · 18-11-2009, 12:02 PM

I have to say that my answer is 'not long enough' as whenever I cut a piece to do tying in etc it's never long enough for the job!
What would they make of that? Prob that I am just a dizzy mare! lol

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