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Honey, I shrunk the proton!
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:55 pm
by Diogenes
Now that protons are smaller, is that going to make it harder for them to hit each other?
http://www.physorg.com/news197727820.html
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:01 pm
by Diogenes
Ooppss. Looks like Giorgio beat me to it.
(':oops:')
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:04 pm
by WizWom
No, the "collision cross section" has been determined experimentally, that is, it is a direct experimental result that if you bash this beam at this energy into this material, statistically so many events occur that can be determined by such and so method.
It means the theory about what will happen if you have a new set of parameters - a new material or energy or what have you - will have to adjust some.
It will explain some of the anomalies experienced in the quarck-gluon plasma experiments, I'd expect.
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:30 pm
by Diogenes
WizWom wrote:No, the "collision cross section" has been determined experimentally, that is, it is a direct experimental result that if you bash this beam at this energy into this material, statistically so many events occur that can be determined by such and so method.
It means the theory about what will happen if you have a new set of parameters - a new material or energy or what have you - will have to adjust some.
It will explain some of the anomalies experienced in the quarck-gluon plasma experiments, I'd expect.
I am going to have to quit using the "smiley face" when ever I try to be funny. It has become apparent to me that It is far too subtle to convey the proper spirit of levity. Henceforth, I shall append the phrase "The previous verbiage was meant to be humorous. "
Ooopppsss. I mean "The Previous verbiage was meant to be humorous. "
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:03 pm
by ladajo
WizWom wrote:No, the "collision cross section" has been determined experimentally, that is, it is a direct experimental result that if you bash this beam at this energy into this material, statistically so many events occur that can be determined by such and so method.
It means the theory about what will happen if you have a new set of parameters - a new material or energy or what have you - will have to adjust some.
It will explain some of the anomalies experienced in the quarck-gluon plasma experiments, I'd expect.
And here we are at the fundamental truth...it is all a guess, a gamble, and statistics don't lie.
This reminds me of the navy's approach to all this, they used to have a phone number in the plant manual to call if the plant failed to start up with in the predicted calculated upper limit. They used to say, if you reach the upper limit, go back to safe, check your numbers, then try again, keep going untill it starts, then call this number and tell us about it.
The old west saying applies; "You couldn't hit the broadside of a BARN".
