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A New Spin On Physical Phenomena

Posted by michael on from the give-it-a-whirl dept.

f00Dave writes "Researchers have discovered "a new physical phenomenon, electrostatic rotation, that, in the absence of friction, leads to spin". I'm a bit skeptical about the implied relationship between physical "spin" (as in rotation) and quantum "spin", however. Still, this is the sort of scientific advance that renews my faith in the system. Go nerds! =]"

5 of 236 comments (clear)

  1. already done? by EvilStein · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey, isn't that where they stick a piece of buttered toast to the back of a cat and let it rip?

    I never could get that working. My damn cat always ate the toast.. the fat bastard.

    1. Re:already done? by Syncroswitch · · Score: 5, Funny

      After you tape the toast to the cat, you have to seal it in a blackbox, flip the box over, the cat will be suspended by the conflicted laws of phsics. unfortunetly you cannot observe it, as soon as you open the box, the cat will have eaten the toast. an interesting note, while the cat is in the box, and unobserved, he knows the correct keys to all possible encryptions. Dont tell the humane society OK...

  2. Equipment used by Hayzeus · · Score: 4, Funny
    The cool thing about all of this was the relatively simple equipment used: three metal balls (I'm guessing Christmas tree ornaments), and a little thin wire.

    This gives me renewed hope for my latest project, a hyperdrive engine built of old Spaghetti-Os cans and dental floss.

    --

    Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
  3. Re:Sponataneous Spinning? by feepness · · Score: 5, Funny

    Where is the energy coming from?

    It said the experiment taps the unlimited potential energy source of those who have the ability to post within seconds of a headline appearing without actually reading the article.

    By their estimates, this should be enough to power mankind for the foreseeable future.

  4. Re:Cool, but what is the practical application? by f00Dave · · Score: 4, Funny

    Aprocryphal story related to me by my academic advisor:

    William Gladstone, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was invited to witness a demonstration of Faraday's electrical equipment. Gladstone asked, "This is quite interesting, Faraday, but of what practical worth is it?" Faraday replied, "One day, sir, you may tax it."

    --
    .f00Dave