Devender

In the grand tapestry of scientific discovery, the evolution from classical physics to quantum mechanics and relativity theory represents a profound shift in our understanding of the universe. This journey, marked by groundbreaking insights and paradigm-shifting concepts, reveals the complex and often counterintuitive nature of reality. At the heart of this scientific revolution was Isaac Newton , whose conception of fixed space and time laid the foundation for classical mechanics. Newton's development of differential calculus and the laws of motion ushered in an era of rigorous determinism , where the cosmos was seen as causal and determinate. Early gaps in these calculations were attributed to divine intervention, a notion later dispensed with by Laplace, who resolved these mathematical inconsistencies. While Newtonian mechanics excelled in explaining fluid dynamics and the theory of heat, it stumbled when confronted with the electromagnetic experiments of Faraday and Maxwell . I

In the intriguing intersection of spirituality, science, and linguistics, the works of TJ Suzuki and Heisenberg present a compelling narrative that transcends conventional understanding. They delve into the realms of Buddhism and atomic structure, suggesting that these ancient wisdoms and modern scientific discoveries share a common ground beyond the realm of language. Buddhism , with its profound teachings on the nature of reality and existence, parallels the complex and often counterintuitive world of quantum mechanics, as observed in the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles. This intersection is not merely a coincidence but a reflection of the universal truths that govern our existence, transcending the boundaries of language and conventional logic . The dual nature of electromagnetic radiation serves as a perfect metaphor for this convergence. Light exhibits wave-like characteristics when it emanates from two sources, creating an interference pattern that speaks to the interco

Our understanding of the world is shaped by an intricate interplay between knowing and seeing. But what is the nature of this knowledge, and how does the language we use to express it influence our perception? At its core, knowledge exists in two distinct realms: rational and intuitive . The rational mind, often associated with science, thrives on logic, analysis, and abstraction . It dissects the world into symbols and equations, seeking quantifiable truths. Think of a map: it represents the territory, but it is not the territory itself. It allows us to navigate, but it cannot capture every nuance and detail. On the other hand, the intuitive mind, often linked to religion and spirituality, embraces holistic understanding and interconnectedness . It seeks absolute truths that transcend the limitations of reason. It's the feeling of awe gazing at a starry night, a knowing that goes beyond words. Language plays a crucial role in mediating these two forms of consciousness. Rational

Before explaining how Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) work, let me give a quick introduction on semiconductor. Semiconductors are not good conductors of electricity due to very few free electrons (about 4-6 orders less free electrons than metals). This has to do with chemical bonding in the semiconductors, check this post . But, semiconductors can be manipulated by doping them with foreign elements to increase the number of free electrons. Let us take Silicon (Si) for example, Si has 4 covalent bonds with 4 adjacent Si atoms. If we dope Si with Phosphorous or Arsenic (P and As), we will end up with one extra free electrons as P or As can form 5 bonds. Similarly if we dope Si with either Boron or Alumnium (B and Al), we will end up with a free hole (absence of electrons, these can conduct electricity too) as B and Al can only form 3 bonds. (Source of the image: LINK ) Doping is know as n-type if it results in an extra electron and p-type if an extra hole is created. An electron can

Introduction Solar cell convert solar energy directly into electric energy using a phenomenon known as photoelectric effect and that is why there are also known as Photovoltaics. Photoelectric effect in simple terms is release of electron due to absorption of a Photon. As I have already described in one of the podcast here that electrons reside in specifically defined states by rules of quantum mechanics. So, when a photon strikes an atom, one of the electrons can be knocked loose and can be captured into a circuit using electrode thereby converting solar energy into electric energy. (Source of the gif: http://www.bluffton.edu/courses/TLC/MontelA/Montel/Alternative_Energy_Website/jenaefinal.gif) Science behind Typically, number of solar cells are connected to each other and combination is known as Solar panels. Common solar cells are made from a junction which are engineered in a way that photons energy is greater or equal to the band gap. Band gap is an energy range in which n

First off, our eyes can only detect a small portion of electromagnetic spectrum known as visible region (400-700 nm in wavelength). Our retina has no sensitivity for radio, x-rays and other radiations outside of visible region. (Source of image: http://www.sun.org/encyclopedia/electromagnetic-spectrum) Color by reflection Color in a substance can be produced from various mechanisms, most common of which is the reflection. An object is red because it absorbs all the color except red which is reflected back and detected by retina in our eyes. Grass is green because it produces a pigment name Chlorophyll (used for photosynthesis). Chlorophyll is a stronger absorbed of red and blue light and reflects green color and hence the color of the grass. Color by scattering But reflection is not the only mechanism by which color is produced like color of sky can be explained by a scattering phenomenon knows as "Rayleigh Scattering". Rayleigh found that scattering power of partic

 Our Milky Way has more than 100 billion stars and there are billions of galaxies in the universe. So an obvious question is how it all started?   Postulation Humans have been trying to figure this out for centuries and ironically most accepted theory today was first proposed by a theologian named George Lemaitre in early 1927. It did not gain momentum until an astronomer named Edwin Hubble ( Hubble telescope named after him) found out that Universe is expanding. This led many to theorize that if universe is expanding so it must have been started as tiny and dense point. Hubble was mocked for years and in fact the name "Big Bang Theory" was coined sarcastically by astronomer Fred Hoyle.  Evidence? It was an accidental discovery in 1964 by astronomer Wilson and Penzias that led to second experimental evidence (first being expansion of the universe) for Big Bang Theory. They discovered persistent radio signal in their antennas which is attributed to energy phot