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Category Archives: physics
Physics…What are you gonna do with that?
First, I’ll admit that in the past I’ve gone from being puzzled by this question to annoyed to down-right pissed off. It’s uncanny how often it comes up when I meet someone new. However, lately, I’ve learned to take it … Continue reading
Effect of Reference Pulse Width on XFROG
In preparation for the upcoming Frontiers in Optics conference, I’ve been experimenting with the cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (XFROG) algorithm. We’d like to prove that it can be used to measure extremely complex laser pulses with time-bandwidth products of ~1000. … Continue reading
How to use the FoRCE computing cluster
I’m trying to recount some of this from memory, so bare with me. The FoRCE (http://pace.gatech.edu/force-cluster) computing cluster is part of the PACE program at Georgia Tech. It is a shared resource that is available to any researcher at GT … Continue reading
Ridiculously Awesome and Amazing Guide to Household Light Bulbs: Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and LED
Choosing the right light bulbs for a home or office can lead to millions of dollars in savings! OK, maybe not millions, but choosing the right bulbs means some extra Benjamins in our pockets, improved family morale, fewer mercury-exposed children and … Continue reading
How-to avoid static shocks
In every introductory physics course, there is always that same old demonstration where the professor rubs a plastic rod with some sort of fur and causes small bits of paper to jump off the table or a small, suspended ball … Continue reading
Antenna Gain vs. Amplifier Gain
It has come to my attention that sometimes even electrical engineers who have been in business for decades have a hard time distinguishing between two very different forms of gain.The difference is very simple. Anyone should be able to understand … Continue reading
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Am I seeing double or is it birefringence?
Here is a neat example of a physical phenomenon known as birefringence. Many materials exhibit birefringence. For an example of how this property appears to the eye, see the image below. Materials that exhibit birefringence are anisotropic. This means that … Continue reading
Why does a golf ball hook or slice?
For some reason, I keep finding myself oogling the golf course and driving range that I drive past on my way to work. It’s been a long time since I’ve played golf, and I have this strong desire to just … Continue reading
A day in the life of a physics student
9:00AM: Walk into your electrodynamics lecture and listen to your professor go on and on about Lorentz Gauge Transformations, retarded potentials and Jefimenko’s Equations. At the end of class, show him your last homework assignment that is showing up online … Continue reading
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Tagged electrodynamics, fraternity, Jefimenko, life, Lorentz Gauge, physics, student
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