Math problem

[mgtfp]

Unless you’re a physicist, then it -

α = q_e² / 4πε₀ħc

I actually am a physicist. And I agree that this is also a beauty. But that's where the issue with the unit systems starts again.

Some theoretical physicists like to set 4πε₀=1, just to avoid confusion, and then they get

α = q_e² / ħc


And then there are real lazy buggers that define
q_e= m_e = ħ = 4πε₀=1 to save some lead and paper, which simplifies the fine structure constant to

α = 1 / c

That's where good old Euler shows a bit more backbone.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I’m all about lazy and prefer 1/137 (with rounding) myself …

 

[Newdude]

I think this is the most beautiful equation in existence.

I have never met a pie, real or imaginary, that I didn't like.

 

[Getitrite]

 

[mgtfp]

Isn't it amazing how you can start with a straight forward looking chemistry/maths problem, and somehow end up talking about quantum mechanics

Sorry for the hijack, @jimbethesda, but I think you've been long enough around here to appreciate a bit of extra information that is absolutely useless for pool maintenance.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

…. appreciate a bit of extra information that is absolutely useless for pool maintenance.

My pool’s wavefunction hasn’t collapsed yet as I’m trying to detangle all the observable eigenstates that contain algae … my quantum computer is trying to interface with my EasyTouch panel but it’s a very slow connection.

 

[JamesW]

My pool’s wavefunction hasn’t collapsed yet

I invented a game called quantum Jenga where each person gets a bunch of entangled particles and you have to remove one particle at a time without collapsing the wavefunction.

 

[JamesW]

If you win, you get this official certificate.

 

[mgtfp]

I don't think that many people are aware of this, but some of TFP's guidelines are based on QM principals. Take for example the importance of checking hidden spots for algae during a SLAM. Your FC can be as high as you want, but it is vital to actually open the skimmer or the light niche to ensure the collapse of the algae's wave function.

 

[JamesW]

Here is the equation for the wavefunction of mustard algae, which explains why is is so hard to kill.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I don't think that many people are aware of this, but some of TFP's guidelines are based on QM principals. Take for example the importance of checking hidden spots for algae during a SLAM. Your FC can be as high as you want, but it is vital to actually open the skimmer or the light niche to ensure the collapse of the algae's wave function.

Very true. Much like Schrödinger’s Cat, if you never open the light niche up, the algae really isn’t dead …

 

[JamesW]

Very true. Much like Schrödinger’s Cat, if you never open the light niche up, the algae really isn’t dead …

Little known fact:

Schrödinger was banned from the local SPCA after they got suspicious about the number of cats he was adopting.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Little known fact:

Schrödinger was banned from the local SPCA after they got suspicious about the number of cats he was adopting.

 

[mgtfp]

Because Schrödinger thought that no one would ever dare to actually do his Gedankenexperiment with the cat because of fears having to explain themselves to their kids, he published another article on "Schrödingers Alge" in German Journal "Annalen der Physik", well known for the 1905 publication of Einstein's theory of special relativity.

But because of a lack of availability of residential pools in Austria and Germany, and an outright refusal of the local pool industry to adopt any science based methods, the article got forgotten.

But he had taken a copy to Dublin, where it got translated and passed on from generation to generation of safe keepers until Richard got hold of it. And his Gedankenexperiment has been proven right since in thousands of TFP pools.

Another example where TFP's science based approach pays off.