Latest news with #CommunicationsPhysics
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
How physicists made ‘light from darkness' with longheld vacuum theory
Oxford University physicists have simulated how intense laser beams can alter vacuum, recreating a quantum physics phenomenon where vacuum is not empty but full of temporary particle pairs. Classical physics suggests light beams pass through each other undisturbed, but quantum mechanics posits that vacuum is filled with fleeting particles that scatter light. Simulations detailed in Communications Physics recreated a phenomenon where three focused laser pulses alter virtual particles in vacuum, generating a fourth laser beam in a 'light from darkness' process. The simulation used software called OSIRIS to model interactions between laser beams and matter, revealing that intense laser beams can agitate virtual particles and cause light particles to scatter. Physicists aim to conduct real-world laser experiments to confirm this quantum phenomenon, with the simulation potentially paving the way for studying hypothetical dark matter particles like axions and millicharged particles.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Physicists prove long-held theory light can be made from nothingness of vacuum
Scientists have demonstrated after decades of theorising how light interacts with vacuum, recreating a bizarre phenomenon predicted by quantum physics. Oxford University physicists ran simulations to test how intense laser beams alter vacuum, a state once thought to be empty but predicted by quantum physics to be full of fleeting, temporary particle pairs. Classical physics predicts that light beams pass through each other undisturbed. But quantum mechanics holds that even what we know as vacuum is always brimming with fleeting particles, which pop in and out of existence, causing light to be scattered. The latest simulations, detailed in a study published in Communications Physics, recreated a strange phenomenon predicted by quantum physics. The theory predicts that the combined effect of three focused laser pulses can alter virtual particles in vacuum, generating a fourth laser beam in a 'light from darkness' process. 'This is not just an academic curiosity,' study co-author Peter Norreys said. 'It is a major step towards experimental confirmation of quantum effects that until now have been mostly theoretical.' Physicists used a simulation software package called OSIRIS to model interactions between laser beams and matter, giving them a peek into vacuum-light interactions that were previously out of reach. The simulations revealed that intense laser beams could agitate virtual particles and cause light particles to scatter off one another like billiard balls. They also showed how real-world factors such as imperfect beam alignment could influence the result. 'By applying our model to a three-beam scattering experiment, we were able to capture the full range of quantum signatures, along with detailed insights into the interaction region and key time scales,' said Zixin Zhang, another author of the new study. Physicists now hope to conduct real-world laser experiments to confirm the bizarre quantum phenomenon. The simulation experiment could also pave the way for more in-depth study of a range of theorised quantum effects in vacuum in other laser setups. They believe the latest simulation experiment can act as a basic framework to search for hypothetical particles such as axions and millicharged particles, which are potential candidates for dark matter.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Physicists prove long-held theory light can be made from nothingness of vacuum
Scientists have demonstrated after decades of theorising how light interacts with vacuum, recreating a bizarre phenomenon predicted by quantum physics. Oxford University physicists ran simulations to test how intense laser beams alter vacuum, a state once thought to be empty but predicted by quantum physics to be full of fleeting, temporary particle pairs. Classical physics predicts that light beams pass through each other undisturbed. But quantum mechanics holds that even what we know as vacuum is always brimming with fleeting particles, which pop in and out of existence, causing light to be scattered. The latest simulations, detailed in a study published in Communications Physics, recreated a strange phenomenon predicted by quantum physics. The theory predicts that the combined effect of three focused laser pulses can alter virtual particles in vacuum, generating a fourth laser beam in a 'light from darkness' process. 'This is not just an academic curiosity,' study co-author Peter Norreys said. 'It is a major step towards experimental confirmation of quantum effects that until now have been mostly theoretical.' Physicists used a simulation software package called OSIRIS to model interactions between laser beams and matter, giving them a peek into vacuum-light interactions that were previously out of reach. The simulations revealed that intense laser beams could agitate virtual particles and cause light particles to scatter off one another like billiard balls. They also showed how real-world factors such as imperfect beam alignment could influence the result. 'By applying our model to a three-beam scattering experiment, we were able to capture the full range of quantum signatures, along with detailed insights into the interaction region and key time scales,' said Zixin Zhang, another author of the new study. Physicists now hope to conduct real-world laser experiments to confirm the bizarre quantum phenomenon. The simulation experiment could also pave the way for more in-depth study of a range of theorised quantum effects in vacuum in other laser setups.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Egg Drop Challenge: Physicists surprise in finding on how eggs break
Is a raw egg more fragile when it falls upright or lying on its side? It's a question that's relevant not only for kitchen mishaps, but above all for anyone taking part in the so-called Egg Drop Challenge. This popular classroom experiment is often used in physics lessons. The challenge: students are tasked with using everyday items like straws, paper and string to build a protective capsule for the egg, allowing it to be dropped from various heights without breaking. To aid students, a team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge have officially addressed the question of whether an egg breaks more easily when it falls upright or sideways. To investigate, they dropped eggs 180 times from different heights. The findings, published in May by the team in the journal Communications Physics, reveal that eggs are - counter to physics classroom teachings - less fragile when they fall horizontally rather than vertically. "We contest the commonly held belief that an egg is strongest when dropped vertically on its end," the authors write, arguing to have disproved what they say is a widespread assumption found in tutorials and physics teaching materials. In the experiment, more than half of the eggs that fell upright from a height of eight millimetres broke, regardless of which end of the egg was pointing downwards. In contrast, fewer than 10% of the eggs that fell from a horizontal position broke. Even at slightly greater heights, the proportion of broken eggs was significantly smaller when the eggs were aligned horizontally. The team also conducted additional tests using a specialized device to determine the amount of pressure required to break the eggs. The researchers explained the observed effect by noting that eggs are more flexible in the middle, allowing them to absorb more energy before breaking. On average, eggs can absorb about 30% more energy when falling horizontally, according to the study. This essentially makes them more durable, by the study's definition. The team believes this confusion between physical properties is one reason for the common misconception that eggs are more stable when oriented vertically. Most physics teachers understand that an egg is stiffer in one direction, the authors say. "But they equate this with 'strength' in all other senses. However, eggs need to be tough, not stiff, in order to survive a fall." Humans know this only too well, if only instinctively, when jumping from a height. "When we fall we know to bend our knees rather than lock them straight, which could lead to injury. In a sense, our legs are 'weaker', or more compliant, when bent, but are tougher, and therefore 'stronger' during impact, experiencing a lower force over a longer distance."
New York Post
09-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Tired of cracked eggs? Scientists reveal the surprising storage method to avoid that
Egg-stra, egg-stra! Scientists have revealed the best way to store your precious breakfast orbs — and it's not the way they're packaged now. Turns out, laying eggs on their side — not storing them upright — is the best way to keep them from cracking, according to MIT researchers. Advertisement 4 MIT researchers say the secret to keeping eggs intact is storing them sideways instead of upright. MIT / Communications Physics A new study, published Thursday in the journal Communications Physics, found that eggs dropped sideways are less likely to break than those dropped vertically. 'Eggs are tougher when loaded on their equator,' the researchers said. Advertisement It turns out the sides can take more of a beating than their pointy or rounded ends, and that could mean a lot for proper storage. 4 A May 8 study in Communications Physics found that eggs dropped on their sides are tougher to crack than those dropped vertically. MIT / Communications Physics Researchers tested 180 eggs, dropping them from three different heights to see how they'd hold up in different orientations. The result? Advertisement Eggs dropped vertically were more likely to crack than those dropped horizontally, even at the lowest height. Of the eggs dropped vertically from a mere 8 millimeters, over half of them shattered. 4 Researchers put 180 eggs to the test, dropping them from three heights to see how they'd fare in different positions. MIT / Communications Physics But when dropped sideways? Fewer than 10% of eggs suffered a break. Advertisement The scientists' proper-storage assessment concluded that 'eggs are tougher when loaded horizontally.' And when it comes to cracking eggs for cooking, MIT's findings suggest that instead of smacking them on the middle, you're better off aiming for the top or bottom. In a related matter, what should you do if your eggs are already cracked? 'If you know that you just cracked the egg by accident, then I would cook that one up and call it good,' Maine-based backyard chicken expert Lisa Steele told Fox News Digital in January. However, Steele warned against using eggs found already cracked in the carton, saying, 'I wouldn't use an egg that I found cracked in a carton I had bought in the store,' since it's impossible to know how long it's been sitting there. 4 Instead of tapping your eggs in the middle to crack them — the go-to method for most home cooks — the MIT researchers say you're better off targeting the top or bottom, where the shell is more likely to give way cleanly without splintering. MIT / Communications Physics The United States Department of Agriculture recently reported that egg production in the U.S. dropped 4% in November 2024 amid rising bird flu cases and soaring prices. Advertisement As such, costs are cracking records at the supermarket — hitting $6.23 a dozen in March, up nearly 6% from February and a jaw-dropping 60% from last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For now, the MIT scientists have a message for egg packagers everywhere: It's time to flip the script — and the eggs.
