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This year was unique. Like everyone else, one might say. In the scientific context, above all, 2023 It was a very particular period, in which many goals occurred that will go down in history. It was, for example, the year in which ripples in space-time were detected, progress was made in research on cures for Alzheimer’s, the slowdown of the Earth’s hydrogen bomb was discovered, knowledge was revolutionized with the arrival of the Artificial intelligence detected for the first time and the sound of the merger of two enormous black holes.
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Without a doubt it was an iconic year scientifically. From National GeographicIn addition to updating you on each of these events, we wanted to cover some of the more basic parts of your scientific curiosity, explaining the basic concepts (and not so basic) science, so that you would have no problem understanding what is happening in the industry today. Did you miss any? Don’t worry, we provide you with a collection of what these key concepts were.
ELEMENTAL PARTICLES… AND FUNDAMENTAL PARTICLES
During 2023, a National Geographic let’s not stop talking about it atoms and, consequently, the particles that compose them. In this way we immerse ourselves in the world of electrons, particles with a negative charge and responsible for the fact that matter is never touched or, which is the same thing, that one cannot pass through walls; of the protons, which have a strong positive charge and currently play a great role in the fight against cancer; and the neutronsat no cost but highly fundamental in the support of the atom and matter as we know it.
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The nucleus of the atom is made up of protons, carriers of positive charge and in red, and neutrons, in blue. Electrons orbit around it, providing the negative charge and jumping from one layer to another.
However, as we delved deeper into the various topics, we revealed that, to the surprise of 20th century physicists, this set of elements were not fundamental… much less unique. This is how we introduced you to the quarksthe elements that shape protons and neutrons, as well as neutrinos, practically invisible particles, but fundamental pieces for understanding the Cosmos. Finally, to conclude this cycle of key terms, the gamma particleswhich arrive in the form of rays from the enormous explosions that occur in the Universe, constantly bombarding us.
The electron: the particle responsible for the fact that nothing touches anything
EFFECTS AND PHENOMENA
Together, these particles lay the foundation for everything that happens behind the scenes in science. In National Geographic We are fans of all those phenomena that arise from fundamental theory, which is why throughout 2023 we present to you some of the most curious phenomena surrounding the most philosophical field of science. For example, do you remember the butterfly Effect? The purest representation of chaos theory which argued that the smallest actions could have a significant effect over a certain period of time. Also of this type, some time ago we collected the Ockham’s razorthe principle that stated that the simplest explanation was always the most probable, that is, the phenomenon of apopheniathat appeared in the curses of black cats or in shapes that imitated clouds.
Directly related to the scientific field, we have collected some interesting effects that appear in your daily life, almost without you realizing it, such as the diffraction of rainbowHe Doppler this explains the functioning of radars or even the refraction of light that appears clearly in the image mirages.
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THEORIES
However, perhaps one of the scariest things about scientific fields are those more difficult and dense concepts, taken from the minds of great scientists, but which are essential to explaining the world. To make these theories a little more fun and accessible, we decided to explain some of them in a friendly tone, dividing them into key points that would make them suitable for all types of audiences, even those without extensive scientific training.
So, for the whole of 2023 we are putting the Einstein’s theory of relativitydivided into just 5 very digestible, i.e. identical, key points Quantum physicsin simple and clear words, making it something manageable as an informative article.
Princeton University
Furthermore, among others, we present to you which were the great paradoxes which have kept scientists in suspense for years and which have served as examples to illustrate some of these great theories. Do you remember Schrödinger’s cat or Fermi’s extraterrestrial civilizations? Well, they are precisely part of these paradoxes. Finally, to delve a little deeper into the concept of gravity, which generates more and more curiosity, it was necessary for us to also present the String theory like the great revolution of Modern Physics.
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CURIOSITY
However, as good science enthusiasts, one of our favorite topics is applied physics. That is, all those concepts that imply the explanation of everyday phenomena or the exposition of the most fascinating facts that are normally overlooked. For example, did you know that part of the A woman’s immune system commits suicide During pregnancy? or why the stars shine? or even what the color is the sun? Well, these are all topics that we brought to National Geographic in 2023 with the aim of surprising you and leaving you speechless.
Always in the same context, we tell you what would happen if the Earth stopped rotating suddenly, how could you calculate the room temperature simply by listening to the chirping of cricketswhat is the name given to the smell of rain – or the smell of the sea-, and the reason why, in reality, blue eyes don’t exist. We also explain what the space smelled like!
NUMBERS AND MATHEMATICS
Now, if there’s anything we haven’t forgotten in 2023, it’s the importance of mathematics and the diversity of numbers, operations, and theorems it encompasses. Thus, over the course of the year, we have collected a series of figures of great importance and, not only that, but who generate great attraction. In this group we include those that are more than well known PI numberirrational and omnipresent, or imaginary numbers and the role they play in the real world around us.
We also thought it was a good idea to explain everything that makes the number 0 make the difference. However, probably one of our favorite moments of the year was having the opportunity to talk about golden numberwhich, through its famous proportion, manages to create the perfect link between nature and mathematics.
These are just a few examples of everything we present to you National Geographic in 2023, but don’t worry, there will be much more to discover in 2024. Let’s continue!
2023-12-30 15:26:26
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