Abstract This paper explains Galileo's profound contribution and decisive arguments to those who legitimately sought to discredit the Ptolemaic theory.
Abstract Long thought of as a simple conjuring trick, an optical illusion, or something only deep meditation could bring about, levitation is now gaining validation and respect as a legitimate scientific event. Researchers in the field of levitation are now discovering that levitation is brought about by certain magnetic forces which are focused through the use of a human conduit or "antenna." This paper looks at techniques for achieving levitation and the scientific principles behind the phenomenon.
Abstract This paper will discuss inductive reasoning and will establish a connection between science and how that relates to this way of testing within the field. By discovering the reasoning in this style, we can see how it may be a problem for science, as the definition of inductive reasoning clearly states that something must be studied from small to large, when we have not the faintest clue what is the smallest element of matter in the universe. An argument can be made for its invalidity when discussing this form of reasoning for its seemingly inconsistent basis.
Abstract This paper will discuss the book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn and explain what he means by "paradigm shift" within the realm of interpretation of revolutions that occur in science-specifically- the Copernican Revolution. By examining how the relationships of the perceiver of the revolution helps to transform the revolution, we can see how this idea pertains to the way that ideas are influenced not only from the inventor or creator of the revolution itself, but in the efforts of others that support it.
Abstract This ten-page undergraduate paper discusses how Einstein and contemporary physicists reconcile faith and science. They only do this for themselves; theologians are the ones who are forced to do the reconciliation.
Abstract This paper primarily takes a look at how astronomy has been revolutionized by Einstein's relativity theory. It discusses the different methods of space travel and celestial observations and looks at the three basic parts of Einstein's relativity: time dilation, relativity of mass, and length contraction, as well as dealing with the implications these ideas have had on the macroworld, namely astronomy, and the microworld, often on the submolecular level.
From the Paper "Special relativity, which is described first here, is more applicable to microscopic physics and situations that involve inertial frames of reference. Inertial frames of reference are scenarios where on object remains at rest in one frame and another object in a different frame moves at a constant velocity with respect to the first object. The three major tenets of Einstein's special relativity are time dilation, relativity of mass, and length contraction. The equations that sprung from the concepts Einstein discussed in these three topics bridged Newtonian physics, or more accurately, refined it to the modern physics that is used today. However, because the physical concepts that Newton developed are applicable in most "everyday" situations, it is still widely used in most areas of science."
Abstract This paper describes dark energy, or anti-gravity, and debates theories of universe expansion, touching on Einstein's theory of relativity and cosmological constant. It also talks about the equation of state of the universe and its impact on universe expansion or contraction. It looks at how there are many theories about dark energy from the quintessence theory and the topological defect theory to the cosmological constant theory. It explains that, by analyzing the equation of state of this energy and evaluating current theories, scientists can construe a plausible theory for the fate of the universe.
From the Paper "Physicists started negotiating and theorizing about the possibility of a dark energy around the turn of the century. One generally un-disproved theory from that time is that which relates the equation of state to the "cosmological constant". The cosmological constant (often called lambda) was proposed by Einstein in 1917 to make the universe unchanging in his equations (5). He was generally unsure of this idea, and rejected this theory shortly after it was determined that the universe is perpetually growing. However, his idea of a cosmological constant is currently applied to the universe in a slightly different way, setting the equation of state constant (5)(4). The current theories of dark energy date back to 1998 when supernovae were discovered to be dimmer than expected."
Abstract This paper discusses that the major concern is that the electromagnetic waves, or the EM, ultimately may cause cancer. The author points out that the energy generated from mobile phones is called non-ionizing because they are said to have photon energy to remove atoms from living tissues, which may cause a lot of serious biological problems. The paper concludes that various studies conducted to evaluate this situation state that there is no real connection between the usage of cell phones and the cause of cancer.
From the Paper "The non-ionization of molecules has been always associated with the biological affects of X-rays. When the frequency is lower, such as that of visible light, the RF and the MW is very low to be able to disorder chemical bonds. This electromagnetic spectrum is called as non-ionizing. Since this non-ionizing electromagnetic energy cannot break chemical bonds there is no relation between these and the non-ionizing electromagnetic rays. But it is true that this non-ionizing electromagnetic energy can cause certain biological effects and the biological effects of these soft UV, visible and IR frequencies all rely on the photon energy that is emitted. But most of these consist of electronic excitation rather than ionization and most of these also do not occur at a frequency less than 3*10^11 Hz in terms of IR. These RF and MW radiations can cause heating in tissues in which they are in direct contact. It is the frequency of the source that determines the amount and the direction of the object being heated. The AM radio uses a frequency which is much below, 10^6 Hz, here the energy level is very low, and hence cannot cause any sort of damage to the human body or to animals."
Abstract While the debate over fossil fuels and global warming continues, scientists are continuing their research into more efficient methods of providing a wide variety of applications, some of which are still being discovered. This paper provides a review and discussion concerning the current status of superconductivity, its existing applications and trends, and trends for the future. This paper includes two relevant graphics.
From the Paper "Superconductivity consists of the complete disappearance of electrical resistance in various solids when they are cooled below a characteristic temperature. This temperature is called the transition temperature and it varies for different materials but it is generally cited at being below 20 K (-253? C). The phenomenon of superconductivity was first discovered in mercury by the Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911. However, similar behavior has been identified in approximately 25 other chemical elements (including lead and tin) and in thousands of alloys and chemical compounds. Oher materials that have been studied to within fractions of a degree of absolute zero have consistently demonstrated normal resistance to the flow of electric currents. The use of superconductors in magnets is constrained by the fact that strong magnetic fields above a certain critical value, depending upon the material, cause a superconductor to revert to its normal, or nonsuperconducting, state, even though the material is kept well below the transition temperature (Superconductivity, 2003)."
Abstract This paper explores how the problem of the anomalous advance of the perihelion of mercury and the bending of light near massive bodies led to one of the most famous theories ever. It discusses the historical context of the two problems and how Einstein's theory was accepted on the strength of the two pieces of evidence. It also looks at how Einstein, when he published his general theory of relativity in 1916, was essentially following the latter method of explaining Mercury's orbit and how Newton's inverse square law of gravity was eliminated. Instead, Einstein introduced a gravitational field equation in which energy, as well as mass, could lead to gravitational effects.
From the Paper "Kepler's first law of planetary motion states that all planets have an elliptical orbit of the Sun. When orbits are set up as a two body problem involving just the Sun and the planet, the orbit forms a closed ellipse. However, when the influence of the other planets in the solar system is taken into account the ellipse does not form a closed loop. Instead, the perihelion, (point of closest approach to the Sun) precesses around the Sun giving rise to a rosette shaped orbit (see fig 1). This is known as an advance of the perihelion."
Abstract This paper explains that spectroscopy, the study of the spectral lines of the different atomic constituents, has been one of the oldest and most trusted methods of studying the elemental analysis of stars and other luminous heavenly objects. The author states that, by using spectroscopic observations, the radial velocities and the elemental abundances of the extra galactic objects has successfully been established. The paper reports that the availability of specific spectroscopy software has further hastened the study of the molecular mechanics and quantum mechanics.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Spectroscopy and Study of Stars
Spectral Lines (Elemental Abundance)
Classification according to Spectra
Spectroscopy Software
Conclusion
From the Paper "The availability of spectroscopic software has allowed the possibility of quick and accurate study of quantum study of the spectral elements. GAMESS is one such software that can be used to calculate the SCF wave functions, perform automatic search for transition states, geometrical orientation and in analyzing the vibrational frequencies. GAMESS (General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System) allows us to integrate quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics, which is essential for our understanding of the complex astronomical science. The software allows us to study chemical functions like dipole movements and to perform complex computations."
