This forum discussion centers around a collection of science jokes, particularly those involving mathematics and physics. Notable jokes include a mathematician with a dog and cow discussing knot theory, and a play on Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. The humor often relies on advanced concepts such as the Jones polynomial and topological invariants, showcasing a blend of wit and scientific terminology. The conversation also touches on the cultural significance of these jokes within the scientific community.
PREREQUISITESMathematicians, physicists, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of humor and science will benefit from this discussion.
When we were 11-12-year-old kids in chem class (advanced placement) the Professor had us to collect rust for a thermite reaction ##-## he put some of our rust together with some purified iron oxide and some purified zinc dust in a crucible ##-## he used a shield, told us to not stare, started the reaction by lighting a little piece of magnesium ribbon that he'd stuck into the mixture, and holy heck, that stuff turned rust into liquid iron at over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit ##-## and it broke the crucible ##\dots##fresh_42 said:
I've seen thermite welding on a transit rail on the street.sysprog said:
Near the end of my last chemistry class at school, the teacher demonstrated the thermite reaction in the yard, with such caution and keeping us so far back that we could barely see it, which was somewhat disappointing. We then went back inside and he demonstrated some other reaction (I don't remember what, but I think it also involved magnesium) on a tile on his front bench, which turned out to be much more spectacular. A blinding white cloud the size of a melon formed, started rolling up in the middle into a torus then rose vertically from the bench, passing straight through the overhead ceiling tile as if it did not exist, leaving a hole with charred edges with flickering light and hissing and crackling coming from inside for a few more seconds. At that point we were urged to leave the room very rapidly and various technicians started rushing around with fire extinguishers. I don't think any damage was done apart from the ceiling tile, but it was clear that the level of caution could have been better balanced between the two experiments!sysprog said:
Jonathan Scott said:
Guess we still have to detect some really, really heavy stuff then.mfb said:
And the other one is put into the ground?DennisN said:
That only happens because all the exercises started with: friction, and air resistance will be neglected.jack action said:
I wonder if the cartoonist wasjack action said:
Hidden assumptions: a) the hair is not otherwise fixed and b) water.jbriggs444 said:
I don't get it.fresh_42 said:
