Category Archives: General Science

Why Bother with Nitrogen in Tires?

Posted on 19-January-2014 by mathscinotes

Every Friday afternoon, the hardware and software engineers sit down in our lunch room and chat about what occurred during the week. The discussion is always lively and includes management and engineers. It is my favorite time of the week at work. This week we discussed why automotive shops put "dry nitrogen" in car tires – I am pretty sure all compressed nitrogen is dry because of the way it is processed. Continue reading →

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Very Cool Wind Maps

Posted on 16-January-2014 by mathscinotes

US Wind Map US Wind Map World Windmap World Windmap

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Radioactive Banana Math

Posted on 16-January-2014 by mathscinotes

I have been reading about the hazards of space travel to Mars. During this reading, I occasionally see references to space radiation hazards in terms of Banana Equivalent Dose. I find this a strange unit. Then today I read a blog post by Anne Marie Helmenstine that discussed how bananas are slightly radioactive. I liked her discussion and I thought I would go through the math here. Continue reading →

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Tire Pressure Math

Posted on 6-January-2014 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. — Sir Winston Churchill Introduction I woke up this morning to a rather brisk temperature … Continue reading →

Posted in General Mathematics, General Science | 10 Comments

Times of Latest Sunrise and Earliest Sunset

Posted on 1-January-2014 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day The road to wisdom? Well, it's plain and simple to express. Err and err and err again, but less and less and less. — Piet Hein Introduction I have lived most of my life in Minnesota, … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, General Science | 3 Comments

Boyle's Law in the Movie "Men of Honor"

Posted on 26-December-2013 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day I understand that sometimes you have to win ugly, but I see no advantage in losing ugly. — Pat Buchanan, political commentator. I do not watch many movies and the ones I do see tend to … Continue reading →

Posted in General Science | 6 Comments

The Biggest Ball Lens I have Ever Seen

Posted on 24-December-2013 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day The most important thing in the world today is that England and the United States speak the same language. — Otto Von Bismarck We use tiny ball lenses all the time to mate our fibers up … Continue reading →

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Sahara Water Math

Posted on 2-December-2013 by mathscinotes

I was watching an episode called "Sahara" of the series "How the Earth Was Made" and they had a very good discussion of the history of the Sahara Desert and how it formed. During the presentation, they discussed how ground water can be found that is very old and very hot. I thought I would look into this a bit. Continue reading →

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Snake Venom Math

Posted on 26-November-2013 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day It is easier to exclude harmful passions than to rule them, and to deny them admittance than to control them after they have been admitted." — Seneca Introduction I was a recently in Barbados doing some … Continue reading →

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Candle Flame in Space

Posted on 15-October-2013 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day Only enemies speak the truth. Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. — Stephen King I saw this photo posted by Robert Frost here. It shows a flame on Earth (left) and … Continue reading →

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