Best of Physics — 2024
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3Blue1Brown·2y
How are holograms possible? | Optics puzzles 5
Holograms create a 3D illusion using a piece of film exposed to a laser in a special way. This process stores various light details of a scene, from different viewing angles to optical effects like reflections and refractions. Real-world holograms operate differently from the sci-fi representations often seen in movies. They rely on a principle discovered in 1947 by Dennis Gabor, which became practical with the invention of lasers. The post delves into how these holograms are recorded and reconstructed, including technical nuances like phase, interference patterns, and the use of diffraction gratings.
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Phys.org·2y
Physicists create the first fully mechanical qubit
Researchers at ETH Zürich have built the first fully mechanical qubit, leveraging a piezoelectric disk fixed to a sapphire base to create a durable and stable qubit. This new approach addresses the issue of short-lived virtual qubits and has shown better coherence times compared to hybrid or virtual qubits. The team plans to further test and improve these qubits with different materials and quantum gates.
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Hacker News·2y
Why Physics Is Unreasonably Good at Creating New Math
Physics has begun to play an unexpectedly pivotal role in advancing mathematics, reversing the traditional dynamic where mathematics primarily served physics. Historical figures like Archimedes and Newton exemplified this interplay, but in the 20th century, the collaboration waned until recently. Pioneers like Michael Atiyah and developments in string theory have reignited this synergy. Insights from physics are revealing deep, unforeseen connections in fields of mathematics, facilitating significant breakthroughs. The inherent relationship between physical principles and mathematical structures continues to intrigue mathematicians and philosophers, suggesting that the language of the universe may indeed be mathematical, enriching both disciplines in the process.
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Thinking through double slits
The double slit experiment demonstrates the interference pattern of light when it passes through two thin slits. This results in alternating bright and dark spots on the wall, caused by constructive and destructive interference of light waves. The pattern depends on the wavelength of light and is not visible with white light due to its mix of multiple wavelengths.
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Low Level Game Dev·1y
I made a physics engine in C++ just to make Angry Birds!
A programmer shares their experience creating a physics engine in C++ with the goal of re-creating the game Angry Birds. They discuss learning basic physics simulations, implementing friction correctly, and the challenges faced such as handling collisions and rotation. Despite difficulties, they achieved a functional physics engine and adapted their game concept using real-time code updates and recording inputs.
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What is a collision?
The post discusses the concept of collision in video games and physics simulations. It explains the difference between collision detection and collision resolution, and introduces the relative normal velocity as an important factor in determining whether bodies are colliding or moving apart.
