Greatest scientific contribution on Physics Forums?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the greatest scientific contributions made within the Physics Forums community, with a focus on various concepts, debates, and humorous exchanges related to physics and mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention humorous or absurd contributions, such as "nailing Jello to a tree" and "research of fish slapping."
  • Others propose that significant discussions include the "1 = .999..." controversy in mathematics.
  • There are references to debates about whether a photon has mass, with some suggesting that photons in specific conditions (like in a bucket of liquid helium) do exhibit mass.
  • A participant shares an anecdote about capturing steam in a bucket, suggesting it as a topic for assistance on the forum.
  • Some participants express frustration with flippant responses, indicating a desire for more serious contributions to the discussion.
  • One participant recalls that Physics Forums was cited in a published physics paper, prompting curiosity about the reference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of humorous and serious contributions, with no clear consensus on what constitutes the greatest scientific contribution. Multiple competing views and topics remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect humor or sarcasm, and there are indications of misunderstanding or miscommunication among participants regarding serious scientific topics.

Loren Booda
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Up to the present, what concept formulated here on Physics Forums do you consider the most outstanding?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How to nail jello to a tree.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
How to nail jello to a tree.

How do you nail Jello to a tree?
 
Cyrus said:
How do you nail Jello to a tree?

I'm sorry, Cyrus, but I don't think you're ready for that information yet.
 
.....damn. DENIED.
 
To quote Stewie Griffin, of Family Guy to one of his minions:

SG: "...and cut me some water!"
M: "Sir, we can't cut water"
SG: "Do I need to do all the thinking?! Freeze the water and then cut it!"
 
Quite obviously, our major contribution to science is in our research of fish slapping.
 
Dealing with the Girl's trouble?
 
Solving the plane on a treadmill fiasco.
 
  • #10
Greatest scientific contributions?

https://www.physicsforums.com/search.php?searchid=1540622
 
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  • #11
Pengwuino said:
Greatest scientific contributions?

https://www.physicsforums.com/search.php?searchid=1540622
"Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms."
If it's a joke, it's a pretty good one. :smile:
 
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  • #12
Oh damn it :( It was suppose to link to all my posts :P
 
  • #13
Pengwuino said:
Oh damn it :( It was suppose to link to all my posts :P

You mean like https://www.physicsforums.com/search.php?do=finduser&u=14824 ?
 
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  • #14
humanino said:
You mean like https://www.physicsforums.com/search.php?do=finduser&u=14824 ?

That guy doesn't know sh!t from shinola.
 
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  • #15
russ_watters said:
Quite obviously, our major contribution to science is in our research of fish slapping.

My version of string theory is on a 16-manifold where little invisible fish slap strings that cause them to vibrate in different ways.
 
  • #16
Cyrus said:
How do you nail Jello to a tree?

with a massively parallel nail gun set for limited penetration
 
  • #17
In the area of Mathematics, I think PF has been instrumental in settling the 1 = .999... controversy.
 
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  • #18
While visiting my sister's restaurant one afternoon, one of the employees (carrying a stainless steel bucket) pulled me to the side and inquired how he might capture steam in his bucket? I replied "HUH"...and investigated further.

Apparently, someone had sent him across the street to McDonald's (with the bucket) to request they fill it with steam...to do some cleaning.

I looked around to make sure the joke wasn't on me (it wasn't)...so... I suggested he visit PF to seek assistance.

Did anyone help the young lad?
 
  • #19
WhoWee said:
While visiting my sister's restaurant one afternoon, one of the employees (carrying a stainless steel bucket) pulled me to the side and inquired how he might capture steam in his bucket? I replied "HUH"...and investigated further.

Apparently, someone had sent him across the street to McDonald's (with the bucket) to request they fill it with steam...to do some cleaning.

I looked around to make sure the joke wasn't on me (it wasn't)...so... I suggested he visit PF to seek assistance.

Did anyone help the young lad?
I captured the moon in a bucket of water once.
 
  • #20
I think it's the discussions about jumping in a falling elevator.
 
  • #21
I think it was that wonderful debate on whether a photon has mass.
 
  • #22
Hootenanny said:
I think it was that wonderful debate on whether a photon has mass.
Well, photons in a bucket full of liquid helium below the superconducting critical temperature do have a mass. This bucket would very much look like filled with steam. Both statements are still valid in a falling elevator, at least until impact.
 
  • #23
humanino said:
Well, photons in a bucket full of liquid helium below the superconducting critical temperature do have a mass. This bucket would very much look like filled with steam. Both statements are still valid in a falling elevator, at least until impact.
:smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #24
:confused:I have the impression,possibly mistaken,that some respondents are giving flippant answers to this important question.It is time to inject a serious note into the proceedings....hemisemidemiquaver.
 
  • #25
Perhaps someone else remembers the reference. I recall that PF was cited in a published physics paper.
 
  • #26
Ivan Seeking said:
Perhaps someone else remembers the reference. I recall that PF was cited in a published physics paper.
You may be thinking about this: http://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0404086

I don't know if Alejandro submitted that to a journal.
 
  • #27
jimmysnyder said:
In the area of Mathematics, I think PF has been instrumental in settling the 1 = .999... controversy.

Yeah you have to be pretty silly to believe that 1=0.999...

Before anyone takes me seriously, I am joking about.
 
  • #28
humanino said:
Well, photons in a bucket full of liquid helium below the superconducting critical temperature do have a mass. This bucket would very much look like filled with steam. Both statements are still valid in a falling elevator, at least until impact.
You are so funny! :smile:
 
  • #29
Evo said:
You are so funny! :smile:
Until Zz pops in and notices that I crackpotedly claimed that superfluid Helium is superconductor.
 

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