Cummings1 Brook Cummings Physics 1010-042 Dan Schaffer Class Project Fall 2013 Star Identification

Toliman also known as Bungula or Alpha Centauri is, the 3rd largest star in the sky and fourth brightest seen from earth. This star has a distance of 4.3 light years from earth, the light from this star left 4.3 years ago to reach earth today. This star has a solar radius of 1.227 and a solar mass of 1.100 in comparison to our sun with a solar radius of 1.000 and 1.000 solar mass. Toliman is slightly larger and more luminous then our own sun, here on earth. B = Hadar also known as Beta Centauri

is, the 11th brightest visible star in earths sky. The location of the star is a distance of 525 light years from earth taking 525 years for the stars light, to reach earth. With a solar radius of 0.865 and a mass of 0.907 it is slightly smaller and less luminous then the Sun. E= Epsilon Centauri is one of the

brightest stars within the Centaurus Constellation. The visual magnitude is +2.34. From earth to its location is around 430 light years. This star is massive with nearly 12,000 times that of the sun and a luminous value that varies from +2.29 to +2.31 with 15,000 times the luminosity equal to that of our sun. Coal-Sack is a large dark cloud and is visible to the naked eye. This is a rare molecular cloud without clear signs of star formation.

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Star Identification Alpha Centauri A Alpha Centauri B Epsilon Centauri Earths Sun Coal Sack

Distance 4.3 ly 525 ly 430 ly .0000157 ly 600 ly

Time 4.3 yrs 525 yrs 430 yrs 8.3 min 600 yrs

Mass 1.100 0.907 11.60

2 1030 kg

7x50

Radius 1.227 0.865 +3.0 1.000 30-35 ly

Luminosity 1.519 0.500 15,217 L 1.000 Dark

Part 2: Equation Analysis Equation 1: E=mc2 1. Find what things in this equation are and identify them as either variables or constants. a. In this equation E is the units of energy, m is for units of mass and c2 is the velocity of light squared. The idea of physics being dimensionally consistent is so complex and E=mc2 is the, only way to simplify a dimensionally consistent energy, mass and the velocity of light in physics. The terms in this equation are variables by the context in which they are placed, but only constant in the formula. We can use these variables like c to measure things like meters per second, and m for kilograms than E will be in joules. With later discovery of mass and energy being equivalent at rest, it alters this formula because they arent considered separate units of mass and energy. c2 is the speed of light as a constant but recent definitions of space and time units, allow c = 1 thus turning the equation into simply E=m. We could also say that because an object at rest is its energy equal to its mass and this is an exhibit of inertia would leave it to be simple variables that represent real numbers not restricted to chemical or nuclear reactions. (pg.640-41)

Cummings3 2. What is the size of c2? a. The speed of light in free space has the same measured value for all observers, regardless of the motion of the source or the motion of the observer; that is, the speed of light is constant. (pg.623) i. The magnitude of light is 90 quadrillion j/kg (pg.641) 3. Are mass and energy related? a. In this equation yes they are related. Related not only by the conversion of mass into other kinds of energy but stating that mass and energy is the same thing. Mass being congealed energy. 4. Analyze the statement if it is possible to change mass into energy a little of mass could produce a lot of energy. Is it true or not? a. TRUE because even just a speck of matter with a mass of only 1mg has a rest energy of 90 billion J. Equation 2: d=gt2/2 5. Which of the following statements do you agree with and why? d = distance an object falls when released from rest (no air resistance) g = acceleration of gravity at Earths surface t = time the object has been falling a. Heavy objects fall faster than lighter objects b. Objects fall at the same speed (if no air resistance) and weight doesnt matter

i. g is constant and the acceleration of free fall is independent of an objects mass. Although force acting on gravity might be more it will offset the equally greater mass. Equation3: v = gt 6. Which of the following statements do you agree with and why? v = velocity of a falling object if released from rest (no air resistance) g = acceleration of gravity at Earths surface t = time the object has been falling

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a. Heavy objects fall faster than lighter objects b. Objects fall at the same speed (if no air resistance) and weight doesnt matter i. Instantaneous speed of an object falling from rest is consistent with the equation v = gt 7. For most of recorded history, people thought that heavy objects naturally and under

all conditions fall faster than lighter objects. Why did it take us so long to realize the true state of affairs? a. Original theories set by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 BC) created from his knowledge a system of the physical world that later became the method from which western science was created. Because of his great authority his claim that objects fall at a speed proportionate to its weight was a held idea for nearly 2000 years. It wasnt until Copernicus and the moving earth that belief systems began to shift science. Nicolaus Copernics (1473 1543) was a polish Astronomer who formulated the theory of a moving earth. His theory was then proven by Galileo in the early 17th century; buy discrediting Aristotles ideas about motion. In providing conclusive evidence at the Leaning Tower by observation and experiment, Galileo began to explain how things move rather than why they move. Thanks to all these men Newtons first law of motion appropriately called the law of inertia. 8. The Earths gravity DOES exert a greater force on heavier objects than lighter ones (these forces are called weight). However, with no air resistance objects fall at the same speed in a given gravity field. The weight difference can be thousands of pounds to one and the objects still fall at the same speed. What physical property of mass compensates for the difference in applied forces? a. The law of universal gravitation says that everything pulls on everything else is a beautifully simple way that involves only mass and distance. i. Force ~ mass1 x mass2 distance 2 Equation 4: e = 1-Tcold/Thot e = efficiency of energy use Tcold = the temperature of the environment surrounding the heat engine Thot = the internal operating temperature of the engine This is the equation for the efficiency of a heat engine (your car is a heat engine unless you have an electric model). An e = 1 is 100% efficiency, meaning 100% of the energy gets used to do what you want to do with no wasted, unrecoverable energy. An e = 0 is an efficiency of

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zero with none of the energy going to what you want to do and all of the energy being wasted or in unrecoverable forms. The temperatures in this equation are in the Kelvin scale where the lowest temperature is 0 degrees. There are no negative temperatures in the Kelvin scale. A temperature we might encounter on Earth would be about 300 degrees Kelvin.

9. Is it possible to achieve 100% efficiency, in theory, by lowering the temperature of the environment surrounding the heat engine (Tcold)? Why or why not? a. It is possible for e = 1 if the environment is at a temperature of absolute zero. 10. Is it possible, in practice, to achieve 100% efficiency by lowering the temperature of the environment surrounding the heat engine (Tcold)? Why or why not? a. From any practical stand point you cant run a heat engine at 100% efficiency. Heat of itself never flows from a cold object to a hot object meaning that just because its freezing outside doesnt mean the engine will perform cooler and more efficient 11. Is it possible to achieve 100% efficiency, in theory, by raising the internal operating temperature of the heat engine (Thot)? Why or why not? a. Only possible if your engine is operating at an infinitely high temperature. 12. Is it possible to achieve 100% efficiency, in practice, by raising the internal operating temperature of the heat engine (Thot)? Why or why not? a. Ideal efficiency is based on the balance of temperature difference between input and exhaust. Because of this balance the absolute temperature scale must be used in kelvins therefore limiting your temperature scale of water freezing at 273.16K and 373.16K at which water boils. 13. If your car is not electric, it is a heat engine and is subject to the efficiency equation. Is it possible to build a car, using any kind of burning fuel, that is 100% efficient? Explain. No! We can get high efficiency cars but due to friction and thermodynamic laws 100% efficient is hardly obtainable. Until a greater invention to the piston comes along we can decrease friction but not completely remove friction. When heat flows to or from a system, the system gains or loses an amount of equal energy to the amount of heat transferred.

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Part 3: Learning about a Law of Physics Pick any Law or Principle of Physics in your textbook and: 1. Give me an explanation of what it is and what it means. a. Coulombs law is the relationship between electrical force, charge and distance. If the charges are alike in charge (+)(+) they are repulsive(+)(+) un alike and they attract (+)(-), a force could also be neutral with zero electrical charge, that doesnt react with a charge item. i. the closer the two charges are, the stronger the force between them will be. This law is also quantitative in relating the force between two objects to their electrical charges. Because this is an inverse square law distance is very important. 2. Give me 3 examples in the real world involving the law or principle. a. Placing two magnets close together aligned by their poles we can see that +/+ will push away from each other and +/- will stick together. b. Rub a balloon on your head and charge it with a (-) charge by friction it will attract other (+) charged balloons. If we charge one of the (+) charged balloons with a (-) charge by rubbing it on our head it will repel the other (-) in other words likes repel while opposites attract. c. If you fill a beaker full of water and attempt to compress it with a piston of equal diameter it will force some of the water from the beaker. The piston will stop with a buildup of the pressure holding it afloat. Set that beaker on a sponge and tap the piston into the beaker. The beaker shatters because the force of pressure pushes on the glass holding the water in to a point of breaking to create distance between the water and the piston. Part 4: Explanation of Fermis Paradox and possible resolution This involves the possible existence of alien life in the Universe. A net search should bring up some immediate information on the subject.

1. Clearly explain what this paradox involves and why it is a paradox. a. Fermi said back in 1950 where is everybody? The Fermi paradox is an apparent contradiction between a high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations existence and lack of contact with such civilizations. 2. List and briefly explain (like in a paragraph for each) 4 possible resolutions to the paradox.

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a. Maybe they do not exist because we are the first in the galaxy. The evolution of intelligence has come a long way in the last 100 years let alone 4 billion years. Maybe we are just the rare exception to life sustained on any planet. Such rare unique experiences in the worlds history says that it is possible that maybe it was pure luck to achieve such a grand level of intellectual ability. b. With technology humans create on earth in comparisons maybe they are their own demise from the galaxy, from creations that become uncontrollable like disease, weapons, global warming, war etc. Reality is we are ruining our planet by our creating and evolving as a planet. Food waste, landfills, the eco systems will only sustain so much before they finally collapse under the predicted uncontrollable advancing technology we create. c. In looking at how we treat our neighbors on just the political area, maybe they would rather not communicate with us. We tend to compete for advancing our own welfare onto a lesser powerful population here on earth to obtain greatness and discover the unknown. This could prove we are of a possible lesser intelligence. With millions of possible civilizations, Im sure someone would be interested on our species.

d. Zoo scenario says that they are here but are keeping us in a well designed zoo. With no form of communication or memory of how to communicate with them. There are many signs on earth of extreme technology that even our own discoveries cant compete with. Maybe there is a treaty that states that they cannot communicate with young races.