Life Definition and 1000 Threads

  1. Pengwuino

    Thank you firefox for saving my life

    https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/leechblock/ BOOM. *Blocks physicsforums.com* *blocks facebook* *blocks my email accounts* *blocks ... various sites* How do I block actual humans though? Do I need to upload this addon onto my friend who won't stop calling me telling me the...
  2. B

    What Is the Life of an Engineer Like?

    hi everyone,im ben,my father has told me to study engineering,but i want to know more about career life of engineering. 1)what an engineer do 2)the challenge in this field?i hav check about it but many engineer say the challenge is relationship wth other ppl?is that engineering? 3)how is the...
  3. J

    Opposite of Half Life: Exponential Growth

    Opposite of half life? If a system is experiencing exponential decay (nuclear decay, capacitors, whatever else), it has a constant half life, and decreases by the same proportion in the same time. I was wondering what term people use to describe systems experiencing exponential growth? Do...
  4. D

    Could a life made of antimatter interact with a life made of matter?

    Suppose there were an intelligent lifeform that was made out of antimatter. What would happen if it came in contact with life made out of matter? Could it come close to a matter being? What would happen if it touched a matter being?
  5. X

    High School senior confused in life

    High School senior confused in life... :( :confused: I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to which career path I should take? I am interested astronautical engineering, because of my love of space and designing spacecraft seems incredibly interesting and fun... It would be a...
  6. I like Serena

    How is the Standard Deviation Affected by Gender Differences in Life Span?

    Suppose the men in a country have a mean life span of 79 with a standard deviation of 8. And the women in the country have a mean life span of 83 and also a standard deviation of 8. Furthermore, suppose the life spans are normally distributed. What is the mean life span of the entire...
  7. C

    Astronomy, age of a moon rock, half life

    Moon rocks containing uranium 238, decays to lead with a half life of 4.5 billion yrs. The lunar rock sample you're invistigating contains half of the original uranium 238. How old is the rock? How would I go about solving this? What formula should I use?
  8. Topher925

    New evidence of extra-terrestial life?

    Saw this on Monday morning: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/05/exclusive-nasa-scientists-claims-evidence-alien-life-meteorite/ My feelings on the validity of the findings are doubtful or inconclusive at best. Biology and extra-terrestrial life really aren't my expertise so I thought I...
  9. X

    Grad student quality of life at Harvard and Stanford?

    Can anyone tell me about the quality of life as a grad student at Harvard and Stanford? I've been accepted to the PhD physics programs at both schools and have no idea which one to choose. Since both schools are excellent academically and I don't yet have a specific area I want to specialize...
  10. R

    Calculating Fatigue Life for Variable Stress in Cast Aluminum

    Hello How can I calculate the fatigue life of a variable stress between 0 and 90 MPa in cast aluminum? Do I use the mean stress and compare it with the wohler curve? what is the logic of using the mean stress? Why not the maximum stress? Do I have to use the Goodman or Gerber diagram...
  11. mugaliens

    NASA Scientist claims to have found concrete evidence for extraterrestial life

    http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/05/exclusive-nasa-scientists-claims-evidence-alien-life-meteorite/". Snippet:
  12. E

    NASA NASA Scientist Claims Evidence of Alien Life on Meteorite

    http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/05/exclusive-nasa-scientists-claims-evidence-alien-life-meteorite/ When you consider the intergalactic scale and that there are something like 3x10^24 stars it seems so probable that life would exist--even in more complex forms. I heard that other labs...
  13. Greg Bernhardt

    RedZone Second Life IP Address Detection Runs Afoul of Policy, EU Data

    RedZone, Second Life IP Address Detection Tool, Runs Afoul of New SL Policy, EU Data In an odd turn of events that is all too common online these days, an ingenious system created for Second Life land holders to reduce incidents of harassment and abuse by malicious griefers has itself turned...
  14. A

    I've reached a significant dilemma in my life

    and would like some input. I've defined myself as an astrophysicist for several years now, and it's been my dream to study astrophysics from early childhood. I went to university shortly after high school, but dropped out halfway during my second semester, largely because of depression and...
  15. D

    Half-Life Calculation: How Do Physicists Measure Isotopes?

    Hi there, Someone asked me this earlier when we were talking about radioisotope dating. How do physicists determine the half lives of isotopes when said half life stretches into the millions of years? Random question I know :P -Dan
  16. T

    Does life violate the 2nd law of thermodynamics?

    If you look at Earth 3000 years ago versus the Earth today there is now far more structure, ie cities, roads etc. It is less random, it has less entropy, and that is as a result of life. Especially intelligent life. Considering the solar system as a whole, does the decrease in entropy...
  17. D

    What to think? doubting some math life choices

    Hi, this is probably just going to be a rant , so turn away if you don't care: I'm taking math courses at my university right now, and I've been self studying math for about a year and a bit more now ( in high school, I only took math up to grade 10.. and it was "essentials" math, I was a bad...
  18. G

    Discharging capacitor half life

    What is meant by discharging capacitor half life (the description). I seem to be getting different description, I would just like for someone to confirm it here for me please.
  19. marcus

    Lone wolf planets able to support subglacial ocean life?

    Unusual paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/1102.1108 Some planets get ejected from their systems and wander off into interstellar space. The authors investigate what would be needed for such a planet to remain able to support ocean-floor life for a protracted period on the order of a billion years.
  20. C

    Dumbest idea I've even heard in my life

    Check this out: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/01/19/smart.roads/?hpt=Sbin Tell me if this is anything more than retarded. I don't mean to sound insulting, but this cracked me up, that's how sad it is. There are so many problems with this, I don't even know where to begin. I'm...
  21. R

    Physics Is a Career in Physics Right for Me?

    So, if I'm a person who loves physics and has no problems with equations, but simply isn't very creative with mathematics and isn't exactly in love with it either, should I not pursue a career in physics?
  22. M

    Half Life Problem: Solving for 5 Years Starting with 100 Grams

    The problem: A radioactive material has a half-life of 50ln2 years. If you add 5 grams per year to the material, how much material will you have after 5 years if you start with 100 grams? What I've done so far: t = ln2/k = 50ln2 k = 1/50 k = .02 A = A0e^-kt N = 100e^(-.02)(5) = 90 grams...
  23. R

    How to Determine Consumed Fatigue Life in Cast Aluminum Parts?

    How to determine in a cast aluminum part its consumed fatigue life? Lets imagine I get a cast aluminum part that looks good, but I have no idea for how many km it has been used (automotive). Which kind of non destructive tests or methods could I use to determine the consumed fatigue life, and...
  24. Greg Bernhardt

    The Life You Can Save: Peter Singer's Practical Ethics

    I just finished Peter Singer's book "The Life You Can Save". It deals with practical ethics in approaching the topic of extreme poverty in the world. Peter essentially argues that any money spent on non-essential items and services is morally wrong. That money could be spent helping save the...
  25. D

    The Earliest Time of Life in Universe

    What is he earliest time when life could form in the Universe? If it is infinite, there always are very ‘lucky’ regions. We need population III stars, with a very short lifespan. They explode and form clouds with higher metallicity (I assume it is not enough for solid planets?). So we have...
  26. F

    Artificial Reconstruction of Life Energy Processes?

    Hi there, As we know, many innovations and designs in science are based off the natural world. I was wondering if it would be possible to create an efficient process of energy transfer similar to how living organisms work, with their use of Enzymes, ATP, etc for relatively efficient energy...
  27. T

    Argument Of Transfer Function - What does arg(T(w)) mean in real life

    Hi, I have a question something along the lines of Here is a low pass filter, when the resistor = R and the capacitor = C. There is a sinusoidal voltage input source (V1) and a voltage across the capacitor (V2). The transfer function is T(w) = V2/V1. Determine the |T(w)| and arg(T(w)) where...
  28. O

    Real Life Third Class Lever Problem

    I am looking at building a pair of third class levers out of materials found at the local hardware store to lift up some 500lb and 1500lb hulls. I have systematically gone through every option available to move these hull pieces out of the mold and I'm left with two: 1) Modify an "off the...
  29. W

    What Is the Relationship Between Wealth and Human Life Span?

    Here is a brilliant explanation about wealth and human life span in all countries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo&feature=player_embedded
  30. A

    Exploring Europa: Could it Sustain Life?

    Hello there, new to the forums, but it looked like a good place with knowledgeable folks so I've decided to join! My topic today will be on Jupiters moon Europa. Its just to gauge others ideas on this moon and the chances of it sustaining, or having the potential to sustain life. The...
  31. F

    ARPES & Hole Lifetime: Exploring the Connection

    Why it is said that ARPES measures the lifetime of the injected photo hole? When photons with certain energy promote electrons from the initial state to the final state with kinetic energy then by knowing the photon energy one can simply determine the binding energy of the initial state: Eb =...
  32. E

    Might throw in the towel on my social life

    Guys I'm not antisocial or anything. Neither I'm I afraid of people. But I'm in a situation where I have no choice but to just say screw it and stop making friends and stuff like that (not forever though). The problem is, friends want to go out and hangout and invite one another to their party...
  33. S

    What is the truth behind The Secret Life of Chaos?

    If you haven't watched it, can be found here: I watched the second time today and it was absolutely astonishing, didn't quite "get it" the first time. It pretty much explains how life originates. I don't think anything can be added to what the program wanted to convey. I would like to...
  34. A

    Calculating battery power life per charge over a given distance

    Hi I am trying to find out how much battery life I need to power a motor for a given amount of distance but I am struggling to make sense of it all. I know from a product I have disassembled that it has a 270W motor with 2 x 24v 24A batterys and it will travel up to 11 miles. I will be...
  35. Loren Booda

    Does life develop where entropy is minimum?

    Is life most likely to start near greatest statistical mechanical order? For instance, DNA's extended regular structure might relate lowest entropy for its molecular weight. Is biochemical replication the antithesis of randomness? Does the apparent rarity of life in the universe reflect the...
  36. J

    About the nomenclature of scientific classification of life.

    Hi, all! As I'm new to biology and life science, I'm interested in the classification system of life. However it's hard for me to memorize those seemingly Latin words of all kinds of lives. For example, I've absolutely no idea what 'Escherichia' means in Escherichia coli. Do you know...
  37. M

    A day in the life of a college professor?

    :smile: These videos are hilarious! How often do college professors go through this? Just give them a zero on the final, professor! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeSdC7lbAlA&feature=related (*Obscene Language*) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VKMo-wYEMM&feature=related (*Obscene Language*)...
  38. T

    Engineering Should I study Engineering? Life crisis help

    Just background info. haha sorry so long! If you have the time, please help me. Im 24. All my life I've been taught not to follow my dreams. I've been treated as a nuisance or the special one in the family and have been called stupid as a kid. I've always felt very aware of the intentions...
  39. nukeman

    Do we know what type of organism first started life on Earth?

    I am not sure on this, so hope someone can shed some light on this. What type of organism was thought to be among the first on earth? I am not sure if this is the right way to ask this :) Lets say if I wanted to see, or do tests on an organism, and my tests were related to doing tests on...
  40. P

    What Should I Do with My Engineering and Physics Background?

    I honestly don't know what I want for myself, and I'm not getting any younger. I am 25 and I need to devise a plan for my life. Here's a brief history of my life. I graduated from a small engineering school in michigan with a double major in electrical engineering and physics in 2008. Then...
  41. J

    Alcohol, accidents, effects on family and social life, lives getting spoiled

    I know someone whose life has been badly affected because his father is a drunkard. That is one the reasons I'm against alcohol because I've seen it with my own eyes how it affects others' lives. There are too many accidents because people drive while drunk. Many other crimes also stem out of...
  42. nukeman

    Questions regarding Earth life came from Mars - ? - Thanks

    Questions regarding "Earth life came from Mars" - ? - Thanks Hey guys ans girls, Ok now i am not fully versed in this theory, but the basis is that the life on Earth started from a impact from a piece of mars, that contained organisms, that survived the impact, and started life on earth...
  43. R

    Does Science Have a Universal Definition of Life?

    Hello all I was reading an article which claimed science did not have a definition for Life. that statement on face value i think is just plain wrong. I think the author may have ment that it didnt have a definition that everyone will perhaps agree on. I am a computer programmer and my crude...
  44. chemisttree

    NASA Has NASA Discovered Evidence for Extraterresterial Life?

    All the buzz is that NASA has found out something important. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/nov/HQ_M10-167_Astrobiology.html
  45. cronxeh

    Could life exist in a form of pure energy?

    As 'unnati D' stated, in the now locked thread, "i believe the concept of a separate life force, existing without d support of an atomic body is worth exploring." This caught my interest, and even if his views may seem misguided and somewhat chaotic, there is an interesting concept worth...
  46. M

    Life and the size of the universe

    Thought I'd share a thought I had about a year or so ago while I was looking through a Hubble photos book in wonderment at the vast scale of the universe. Suppose our universe is but one in let's say an infinite number of other universes all within a multiverse. And let's say that the...
  47. L

    Half life of a radio active element

    Homework Statement The half life period of N-13 is 10.1 minute. Its life time is ------- The answer has been given as infinity. Could someone help the formula to arrive at this answer 2. The time taken by the radio active element to reduce 1/e times is ----- The answer has been given as...
  48. K

    Average Length of Life of Two Exponentially Distributed Components

    1. Suppose that two electronic components in the guidance system for a missile operate independently and that each has a length of life governed by the exponential distribution with mean 1 (with measurements in hundreds of hours). (a) Find the probability density function for the average length...
  49. G

    Could intelligent life cheat God?

    Let's say that, billions of years into the future, as the universe is beginning to burn out (by spreading itself too thin), humans decide to change the fate. Would it be possible to, say, build millions or billions of machines to go around collecting all the matter in the universe? They could...
  50. F

    Extending Newton's Law to real life. No more ideal systems

    Extending Newton's Law to real life. No more "ideal systems"! Homework Statement Newton's Laws in reality, applying all forces 10 pts? A block of mass m is hung on a pulley that is at the end of a table. The pulley connects the hanging block m and another block M that is on the table. The...
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