Demetris Nicolaides

Scientist, Educator, Author | New book: In Search of a Theory of Everything

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

In physics a phase of matter (e.g., solid, liquid, gas, magnetic, living, nonliving) is characterized by its own set of unique properties (e.g., density). Two of the most interesting phase transformations are the birth and death of life—science understands well neither of them.

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

Socrates had all his wisdom teeth intact. I recently had my last wisdom tooth extracted. I win, yay!

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

Enjoy my interview with   S C I E N T I F I C   A M E R I C A N   on the Search for a Theory of Everything.

Will Scientists Ever Find a Theory of Everything? https://t.co/pBe34hMIVW via @sciam

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

@MesonMatt Thank you, Matt!

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

Thesis + Antithesis = Synthesis (a revised thesis)

#KNOWLEDGE

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

Clock at sea level: tick tock tick tock

Clock at mountain: tick tock tick tock

Universal time is an illusion.

#physics #Science

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

The distance/space between two of your fingers that are touching, is roughly the size of an atom.

#Science #Physics #KNOWLEDGE #nature

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

#Nature is Shy!

Quarks and leptons, the particles that make up the universe, are socially shy: the closer they get to one another, the faster they run away from each other.

But this shyness is a good thing: it's what creates atoms, molecules & living species.

#Science #biology

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

A paradox (p) is created when a logical argument reaches one result but evidence shows the exact opposite.

Fermi’s p: aliens can be argued to exist but are seen nowhere.

Zeno’s p: faster Achilles can be argued he can’t overtake a slower tortoise, but he does.

#Science #logic

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

Δx Δp ≥ h/4π

implies that,

microscopic particles are claustrophobic. The smaller the confining space of, say, an electron, the faster it moves out from it—the less time it stays there.

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

cat, lion, tiger—kinds of cats.

electron, muon, tauon—kinds of electrons.

#Science #physics

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

Stars shine because of thermonuclear fusion reactions—or, you could say, because they are surrounded by darkness.

#Science #Physics #philosophy

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

To understand nature (physics) we often have to see her with our imagination, not our eyes.

#Physics #Science #Reality

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

In theory, a magnetic monopole—i.e., a magnet having only a north or only a south magnetic pole—could exist, but in practice one has never been found in nature (up to now).
#physics #science

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

π is an irrational number. Irrational literally means that there is no ratio, none at all, that can provide an exact numerical value for pi. Putting it differently, there is literally not enough paper in the entire universe to write pi completely!
#piDay2023

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it."--Amelia Earhart

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

In 1 sec light travels as far away as is roughly the distance of 8 times around the Earth. Imagine if light travels for a year—that distance is called a light year. By some estimates the size of the observable universe is some 92 billion light-years. #Science #physics

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

The Principle of Equivalence of General Relativity says that (a) being on Earth feels exactly the same as (b) being in a spaceship (away from Earth) accelerating with g. That is, every experiment you would do in situation b would produce the same outcome as in a.

#Physics

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

A car moving relatively to a street observer, is not moving relatively to its driver.

#Physics #Science

[Demetris Nicolaides @dnphysics]

In the Copenhagen view of quantum mechanics, a tree falling in a forest makes a sound only if we are there to hear it.

#Physics #Reality #philosophy #philosophie #Science