Using Neutrons To Precisely Test Newton's Law of Gravity 123
NotSanguine writes with this excerpt from the BBC:
"The neutrons are shot between two parallel plates, one above another and separated by about 25 micrometres — half a hair's width. The upper plate absorbs neutrons, and the lower plate reflects them. As they pass through, they trace out an arc, just like a thrown ball falling due to gravity. ... The new work by the ILL team has added what is known as a piezoelectric resonator to the bottom plate; its purpose is to jiggle the bottom plate at a very particular frequency. The researchers found that as they changed the bottom plate's vibration frequency, there were distinct dips in the number of neutrons detected outside the plates — particular, well-spaced 'resonant' frequencies that the neutrons were inclined to absorb. These frequencies, then, are the gravitational quantum states of neutrons, essentially having energy bounced into them by the bottom plate, and the researchers were able for the first time to force the neutrons from one quantum state to another. The differences in the frequencies — which are proportional to energy — of each of these transitions will be an incredibly sensitive test of gravity at the microscopic scale."
this is wrong (Score:5, Funny)
the bible doesn't talk about neutrons
Re:Assuming they weren't testing a plate resonance (Score:5, Funny)
Yes, we obviously need to be worried that the large team of scientists and engineers who designed and built this experiment have overlooked the most basic principles of freshman physics and mechanical design. Good thing we have the keen intelligence of Slashdot science critics to catch all these subtle flaws that would otherwise slip by the reviewers at Nature un-noticed. Should we also worry that the scientists are all part of the government conspiracy to cover up the true Time Cube four-side harmony perfection of gravity symmetry?
Re:this is wrong (Score:3, Funny)
That oil isn't under their sand... it's way, way, way under American soil. Drilling there is merely a shortcut.
Re:this is wrong (Score:5, Funny)
Although regarding neutrons, some people speculate that the Ark of the Covenant was radioactive since plagues of tumors followed it. [biblegateway.com] and people who looked into it quickly died. [biblegateway.com]
Raiders of the Lost Ark explained it better, and without appealing to hocus-pocus such as gravity and radioactivity.