Monday, May 07, 2007

Well, I had my final in Linear Algebra today. I am always glad when class is over, but usally in a few weeks I start missing going to class. Since I change majors I have to go back and pick up a few classes; Chemistry, and Physics w/calculus. On to the stars!!!!!

12 comments:

DLJ said...

So, what's your major and what do you want to be when you grow up. (Actually, this is a somewhat serious question.)

IncaRunner_6 said...

I already said what I wanted to be when I grew up-- an astrophysicist.

I was working on a computer science degree, but then last year I changed to physics. I have always loved looking at the stars, and physics. The Hubble site is neat. So my major is physics, which is kind of unique, because in all my classes I am the only one that is a physics major. It seems either there are engineering majors, or some kind or medical major. Most of the people in my math classes are engineering, and the people in my chem classes are some kind of medical career.

DLJ said...

So what does an astrophysicist do?

Can you realistically get a job astrophysicisting or will you teach it - will you leave the CC in a couple of years?

IncaRunner_6 said...

Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physical properties of celestial bodies and with the interaction between matter and radiation in the interior of celestial bodies and in interstellar space.

I do not know about a job, I do know that I do not want to teach, my desire is to do research, study quasars, and the early history of the universe. Realistically I do not know about a job, but that is were my heart is leading me, I am happy taking all the math, and science classes, and I can hardly wait until I take a quantum mechanics class at USF.

DLJ said...

If a job was available, where would it be and what impact on the world does astrophysics have?

IncaRunner_6 said...

I do not know were a job would be, as for impact -- not sure. The new particule supercollider that they are building in Sweden will be able to create miniture blackholes. I am not sure what kind of answer you want.

When I am in the physics department at USF I am going to get on a research project.

DLJ said...

So you might do research and find out something that would affect me in what way? - like someone doing research on cancer, finding a cure, etc - how would your research benifit people?

Why do we need a mini- black hole? could we put trash in it and get rid of it? :)

A super-collider-- collides some atoms? making some kind of electricity or power? what else?

IncaRunner_6 said...

I am not sure what you are driving at, but I am doing this bacause that is what I desire to do; not for money, not to benifit mandkind, not to effect you in any way. This is where my interests are; studing the universe. Doing math, math is cool.

Why are you a pastor? I guess this is what is inside you, what you desire to do with your life. Same with me; I love physics, I love looking at stars, and understand the physical principles that govern the universe, and I love particule physics, and understanding how particules interact with each other and understand how the 4 physical forces interact at the sub-atomic level.

These are the kind of books that I read. I read math books, physics books, space books, various sceince books, but lately I have been reading history books.

Does that answer your question?

DLJ said...

I am not driving at anything. Just trying to understand something that I know pretty much nothing about.

Ok - so you understand how particle interact at a sub-atomic level - so what - what does that mean - just studying to understand it or will it lead to something - why create a black-hole?

Is it a "Why climb a mountain - cause it's there" kind of a situation?

Anonymous said...

This is what man does. He seeks to understand. As he discovers more and more about the world/universe he lives in, he may also discover applications for this new understanding. And then again, he may not. It isn't the destination that's important, it's the journey.

Why be an astrophysicist? Why be an artist? Why be an educator? To benefit mankind? Heck no. We do it because it's in us to do, and if mankind is benefitted by it, so much the better.

DLJ said...

OK - OK - sorry to ruffle feathers - I was just asking.

DLJ said...

I am sure this latest discovery will impact your research somehow:

A major research institution (MRI) has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest chemical element yet known to science. The new element has been tentatively named Governmentium.

Governmentium has 1 neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would normally take less than a second.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of three years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause some morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron -promotion leads some scientists to speculate that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as Critical Morass.