Physics questions

The shadow cast by a vertical pillar in Alexandria at noon during the summer solstice is found to be 1/8 the height of the pillar. The distance between Alexandria and Syene is 1/8 Earth's radius. Is there a geometrical connection between these two 1-to-8 ratios.

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When you step from the shade into sunlight, the sun's heat is as evident as the heat from hot coals in a fireplace in an otherwise cold room. You feel the sun's heat not because of its high temperature (higher temperatures can be found in some welder's torchers) but because the Sun is big. Which do you estimate is larger: the sun's radius or the distane between the Moon and Earth?

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Outline some steps of the scientific method.

1. Recognize a question or a puzzle 2. Create a hypothesis 3. Predict consequences of the hypothesis 4. Perform experiments or make conclusions to test predictions. 5. Formulate the simplest general rule that organizes 3 main ingredients, hypothesis, predicted effects, and experimental findings.

How does the Sun's diameter compare with the distance between Earth and the Sun?

1/110 which is the same to the moon.

Which of the following are scientific hypotheses? a. Chlorophyll makes grass green b. Earth rotates about its axis because living things need an alternation of light and darkness. c. tides are caused by the moon

A and C. B is not because it is an assumption.

Why are students of the arts encouraged to learn about science and science students encouraged to learn about the arts?

Art and science are comparable. In art, we discover what is possible in human experience. It doesn't give us those experiences but it describes them. Science tells us what is possible in nature. Knowledge of both areas just brings a wholeness that affects the way we view the world and ourselves.

Throughout the ages, what has been the general reaction to new ideas about established "truths?"

At first, everyone is weary of the new ideas and of the person who comes up with the new idea because they want to stick to what they've always known. Eventually, they and their ideas are usually accepted and they will help or better the world.

Earth, like everything else illuminated by the Sun, casts a shadow. Why does this shadow taper?

Earth's shadow tapers because of how big the sun is.

In daily life, we see many cases of people who are caught misrepresenting things and who soon thereafter are excused and accepted by their contemporaries. How is this different in science?

Honesty is very important to scientists, so if that is broken it is not easily excused.

In daily life, people are often praised for maintaining some particular point of view, for the "courage of their convictions". A change of mind is seen as a sign of weakness. How is this different in science?

IN science, a change in mind is not seen as a bad thing. It means improvement and growth. This doesn't happen that often, just when a scientist is confronted with solid experimental evidence or when a conceptually simpler hypothesis forces them to adopt a new point of view.

What are the circular spots of light seen on the gorund beneath a tree on a sunny day?

Images of the sun in between the leaves of the tree. When the spots are round and circular the sun is overhead.

Why is physics considered to be the basic science?

Its considered the basic science because it is about nature and all that comes with it. Including motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light and the structure of atoms.

Psychological comfort is a benefit of having solid answers to religious questions. What benefit accompanies a position of not knowing the answers?

Scientists are used to not knowing and they are comfortable with it. It allows openness. An open mind, heart and allows for unbias exploration.