Connect with us

Published

5 hours ago

on

The question of whether atoms ever touch remains complex, with reports highlighting that the lack of defined boundaries around atoms makes the concept unclear. Everything, from the strongest metals to delicate clouds, is composed of atoms. However, the atomic level introduces a much different understanding of contact compared to human perception, where “touching” involves the physical interaction of surfaces.

As stated by Christopher Baird, Associate Professor of Physics at West Texas A&M University, in his communication to Live Science, touching at the atomic level is not the same as in everyday experience. Atoms lack distinct outer surfaces, unlike the objects they form. Descriptions of “touching” must account for the overlapping of electron orbitals, which signals the beginning of physical or chemical effects.

The Structure of Atoms and Their Boundaries

Atoms are composed of a nucleus, containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by an electron cloud. Sources indicate that this cloud complicates any attempt to establish a clear boundary for an atom. Reports describe the touching of atoms as an interaction where electron orbitals overlap sufficiently to create bonds or trigger other effects.

Chemical bonds typically represent atomic contact in solids and liquids, as outlined in various scientific studies. Gases, in contrast, experience atomic interactions through collisions where particles bounce off one another.

Interactions in High-Energy Conditions

It has been reported that extreme energy levels, such as those seen in particle accelerators like CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, allow for unique types of atomic interactions. Zhiquan Sun, a doctoral candidate at MIT’s Centre for Theoretical Physics, explained that collisions in such conditions involve overlapping electron clouds.

This can lead to elastic interactions, where atoms maintain their identity, or inelastic collisions, where atoms break into smaller particles and form entirely new nuclei. While atoms may not “touch” in the human sense, their interactions create the bonds and forces that hold matter together, shaping the world we see and experience daily.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Science

SpaceX Successfully Launches Rapid Response Trailblazer-1 Mission from Florida

Published

59 mins ago

on

December 18, 2024

By

SpaceX Successfully Launches Rapid Response Trailblazer-1 Mission from Florida

SpaceX successfully launched the Rapid Response Trailblazer-1 (RRT-1) mission on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 7:52 PM from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The mission, commissioned for U.S. national security purposes, highlights a significant military achievement in reducing the traditional mission planning cycle from two years to under six months. The payload is believed to involve advanced capabilities, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Mission Details and Launch Execution

The RRT-1 satellite has been placed into medium Earth orbit approximately 12,000 miles above the surface. While the mission’s exact purpose remains classified, reports suggest the satellite may be part of the GPS III network, a next-generation Global Positioning System designed for improved navigation accuracy and resilience. According to sources, the GPS III-10 satellite could be among the payload, continuing the network’s third tranche of upgrades.

The Falcon 9 rocket’s first-stage booster, which was flying its fourth mission, successfully landed on the autonomous droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The booster’s previous flights include Crew-9 and two Starlink missions. SpaceX ended the live broadcast shortly after the booster’s landing, adding to the intrigue surrounding the classified operation.

Launch Delays and Weather Challenges

Prior to liftoff, multiple delays were encountered due to adverse offshore weather conditions. According to meteorological officials, the launch window was finally deemed suitable with a 75 percent chance of favorable conditions, including temperatures of 72°F, light rain, and moderate winds at 13mph.

The mission’s lack of official logos or payload details has fueled speculation over its objectives. No formal confirmation has been issued regarding the RRT-1 designation or its connection to the GPS III program, leaving experts to rely on reports and previous launch trends for analysis.

Continue Reading

Science

World’s First Nuclear-Powered Diamond Battery Can Power Devices for Millennia

Published

2 hours ago

on

December 18, 2024

By

World’s First Nuclear-Powered Diamond Battery Can Power Devices for Millennia

The world’s first nuclear-powered battery, capable of lasting thousands of years, has been developed by researchers at the University of Bristol in the U.K., as per reports. Carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years, is embedded within a diamond-based structure to generate electricity. The battery requires no motion or maintenance to produce energy, unlike conventional power sources.n Fast-moving electrons emitted during radioactive decay are harvested to produce energy. The synthetic diamond structure captures the radiation, similar to how solar cells convert photons into electricity.

How the Nuclear-Diamond Battery Works

Reports confirm that carbon-14 emits short-range radiation, which is safely contained within the diamond casing. The radiation does not escape, ensuring the battery’s safety for practical applications. In statements provided to media sources, Professor Neil Fox, a materials expert for energy at the University of Bristol, said that diamond is the hardest substance known to man and there is nothing we could use that could offer more protection.

Carbon-14 and Its Source

Reports indicate that the carbon-14 used in the battery is sourced from graphite blocks in nuclear reactors, where the isotope accumulates on the surface. A single gram of carbon-14 embedded in the diamond structure generates approximately 15 joules of energy per day. While standard AA batteries deliver more energy initially, they are exhausted quickly in comparison to the long-lasting nuclear-diamond battery.

Potential Applications

Sources report that the battery could power devices requiring low energy for extended periods. Applications include pacemakers, X-ray machines, and tracking systems. Its durability and resistance to maintenance make it ideal for hazardous environments, such as deep-sea operations and space exploration. The battery’s longevity ensures devices can function for millennia, significantly reducing the frequency of replacements.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R Global Launch Date Leaked Ahead of Official Announcement



Roblox Blade Ball Codes (December 2024): Free Spins, Tickets, and More

Continue Reading

Science

SpaceX Dragon Cargo Capsule Returns to Earth After CRS-31 Mission

Published

3 hours ago

on

December 18, 2024

By

SpaceX Dragon Cargo Capsule Returns to Earth After CRS-31 Mission

SpaceX’s Dragon cargo capsule, part of the CRS-31 mission, undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on December 16, 2024 at 11:05 a.m. EST, according to reports. The spacecraft, carrying thousands of pounds of research materials and supplies, is expected to splash down off the coast of Florida on December 17. NASA officials confirmed that while the event will not be live-streamed, updates will be available via the agency’s ISS blog.

Cargo and Research Materials on Board

CRS-31’s return cargo includes experimental specimens and critical equipment used for microgravity research conducted on the ISS. As per reports, Dragon remains the sole operational cargo spacecraft capable of safely returning scientific materials to Earth. Other resupply vehicles, such as Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus and Russia’s Progress spacecraft, burn up during reentry, disposing of station waste.

The Dragon capsule was launched on November 4 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. It delivered approximately 2,700 kilograms of supplies, research tools, and fresh food to support the Expedition 71 astronauts.

Extended Stay of Astronauts

The crew aboard the ISS includes NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who arrived earlier this year aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Originally planned for an eight-day mission, technical complications with Starliner led to an extended stay of nearly eight months. Sources state that both astronauts will return to Earth in February 2025 on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission.

Recovery and Post-Splashdown Research

Following splashdown, NASA will rapidly retrieve the Dragon capsule to preserve the integrity of time-sensitive experiments. According to reports, the recovered cargo will be transported to NASA’s Systems Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center for further examination. This process ensures continued research on materials exposed to the microgravity environment during the mission.

Continue Reading

Trending