School of Physics

ps: btw do you guys have a regular weekly talks/meetings? Is Physoc for UNSW students only? I used to study at UNSW but not anymore, but Physoc seems to be a very good place to discuss about Physics I'm really interested in joining. Most of the time we talk about current topics in Physics is betwee...

This site lists various alloys used in knives http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/our_blades.asp . You could Google search each alloy (eg type in "431 stainless steel" and you will get a list of sites with details of the allows) and compare the differences to stainless alloys such as 308...

I haven't covered this stuff for a couple of years so I can't give answers, but I can give some clues where to look. The first question,, have a look through books on ferromagnetism. Also some chemistry books could be useful as the electron configuration of iron also contributes to magnetic properti...

The torsion field is a controversial concept in general relativity (a bit like cold fusion). Was it mentioned at school or did you read about it in private study? I did a google search and these sites keep the maths to a minimum, but may not be creditable. A lot of the research is from Russia, thus ...

Again rather than give a direct answer I prefer to give you some useful facts to research on. Controlled Nuclear Reactions. A little reactor theory. A nuclear reactor has several critical components. The fuel rod (either enriched uranium or plutonium) which contains fissionable atoms, control rods t...

Iridium 192, h/l 73days
Cesium 137 h/l 33yrs
Cobalt 60 h/l 5.3yrs


Do web searches on radiographic testing, weld testing using gamma rays, etc. Maybe do a search on Ansto's website as they have a large engineering division, www.ansto.gov.au

Principal quantum number "n" is an integer number which is used to label energy levels of electron shells in atoms (They are also used for energy levels of a nucleus and any other quantum system). The Bohr model is a good example as to how they are used. Secondly we have orbital angular mo...

Are you a physics student, if so come to Physoc room.

These discussions can get quite in depth and need general relativity to explain the problem. Put simply, the photon is not bent by gravity, but gravity is bending the path in which the photon travels - a result obtained in general relativity. As for numbers of photons vs gravity force I can't give a...

The photoelectric effect is a different process to that of a solar/photo cell. For the photoelectric effect, have a look at Prof Wolfe's notes here http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/1231/quantum.pdf Things a different in solar/photo cells. In a photocell we ususally have a semiconductor junction that ...

Just a reminder that first year students are welcome to come to the Physoc room which is just around from the first year teaching office infront of the toilets in room 4. We have not seen many first years around this year and we would like to make you feel welcome. If you come in, introduce yourself...

Taking a classical approach, the power of radiation emitted is proportional to the Bohr raduis^4/orbit radius^4 and if you do some more maths you can show that the electron will fall into the nucleus in 10^-8 seconds. But we live in a quantum mechanical world and we need to consider the problem usin...

They are fundamently the same thing. Solarcells are called solarcells because they are designed to collect solar energy. Photocells are small devices that are used for purposes other than collecting solar energy where the intensity of light is needed to be measured. An example of a use of a photocel...

The property that causes magnetic field to be expelled is called the Meissner effect. I think this like is helpful, http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/maglev.html Also, http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/meis.html For the supercurrents to be created (induced) there need...

The uncertainty principle does apply to light waves as light waves are photons. There is a bit of discussion on the principle here http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=220 In response to part 1 of your question. Shining light (photon beam) from either side of the particle would not cancel...