The Disappearing Spoon Ch. 18

Summary

The way many things are measured, specially in science, is of most importance. The Kilogram is an actual physical object that even has calibrations and copies. It loses weight based on atoms in touch. Scientists have tried to permanently prevent it from losing more of itself, but has not been possible. Atomic clocks are based on cesium since it has one electron in the outer shell and its atoms are thick. In one second, it spins more than 9,000 million times. So cesium is used as the standard measurement of time replacing the astronomical time.

There are certain numbers called constants that will never change in a chemical or scientific equation. This facilitates the work of the scientists. Alpha particles have a larger size, and thanks to this, we exist and the big bang occurred. These particles were measured to be 1/136 but now are close to 1/137 point something. This particles produce life. Oklo is the only natural fission reactor known to exist. Nuclear scientists discovered that it was powered by uranium, algae, and water. This fission natural reactor was very similar to a contemporary nuclear reactor.

Enrico Fermi, though with dubious reputation was a genius and wanted asked how was it that the earth inhabited many living organisms but there was no sign of such thing in other places of the universe. He arose curiosity in other individuals. Frank Drake even incorporated astrology as a level of science, this due to the Drake equation.Many scientists studying this field now question whether life in other parts of the universe has the same or similar science to the once we know. Necessary conditions have to be met in order for there to be life. But out of billions of strs there is probably other forms of life that indicate that we are not alone.

Reflection

The way this chapter started, was a great life-connection since many students have had that type of teacher at some point. This is a great metaphor referring to the strict policies and restrictions about measurement in the world of science. It is shocking how the Kilogram is not only a measurement, but a physical thing. The days sometimes are shorter because of the drag that waves cause to earth, and so every third year there are leap seconds to compensate for that. Scientists love for constants is similar as the mathematician's love for variables, and that is true because there is always the desire to solve for something in math, and in science that is already given in many instances. As a math geek, I am so shocked and admire Enrico Fermi’s rapidity to create and solve equations from scratch. The alien response awaited for many that the author incorporates to give it a sense of humor was very funny since it is true, we form part of what seems an endless universe where there should be more life aside from us, maybe with more, or some with less technology from us, and we have not heard nor seen these beings.