Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Listener Questions #6
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Feb 25, 2025 Engage with a lively discussion on fundamental particles and the mysteries of the Higgs field. Discover the incredible fungi thriving in the radioactive aftermath of Chernobyl and their potential ecological benefits. Unravel the physics behind pinball machines, showcasing how gravity and electromagnetism bring gaming to life. Dive into quirky Soviet space program anecdotes and the blend of science and culture throughout history. Listener questions spark a rich exploration of science, humor, and community interaction.
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Fundamental Particles Could Have Substructure
- Fundamental particles may not be truly fundamental but rather composed of smaller parts we have yet to observe.
- Quarks show patterns hinting at underlying structure, suggesting a layer beyond current fundamental understanding.
Planck Length Is Not Definitive
- The Planck length is often misinterpreted as the smallest possible scale but is actually just a calculated small number.
- It provides a clue but not definitive proof of a minimum physical scale in the universe.
Mass Comes From Stored Energy
- Mass arises from internal stored energy, not just from the presence of matter.
- Adding energy, like photons in a box, increases mass even if the photons themselves are massless.