What's the coolest application of physics ever?

[RagnorakTres]

What is, in your opinion, the coolest application of the laws of physics?

For me, it's got to be the Ruben's Tube. There are some vids on YouTube of it that give the general idea, but, until you build and use one your self, you don't even know. Essentially, you take a pipe and drill some holes in it. Then you seal both ends with it hooked up to a speaker and some propane. Turn on the gas, hold a lighter to the end hole, let it all light up and crank some music through that speaker. The flames will pulse to the sound, forming stills of the sound waves.

It's epic. The only problem is sensitivity (you need some loud speakers) which is fixable through using one-way valves on the ends of the pipe (if the seal isn't perfect, air gets in and reduces the sensitivity of the propane). It's still the most professional pyrotechnics you can make yourself

So, Escapist, any awesome physics stuff you'd like to share?

 

[Harlemura]

See Saws. They are freakin' awesome.
I find it pretty clever how someone turned something so simple into a children's ride.

 

[DracoIam]

roller coasters

 

[Whelp]

Applying my foot to your butt.




EDIT: ;D

 

[Berethond]

Tesla Coils.

For real.

http://cdn-www.cracked.com/articleimages/dan/diyscifi/tesla3.jpg

 

[Dorian]

Catapults!

Physics + Heavy Rock + Wood = Medieval Awesomeness.
Napalm helps too.

 

[Vriggchan]

Nuclear power used for space travel
<-- Nuclear engineer

 

[Pezzer]

Ummm... how it makes the universe work.

 

[pffh]

This:

This is simply awesome.

 

[Vision of Division]

Catapults!

Physics + Heavy Rock + Wood = Medieval Awesomeness.
Napalm helps too.

You hid a little easter-egg there, you cheeky monkey

 

[fenrizz]

This:

This is simply awesome.

I was going too say something entirely different, but this is too awesome!

Here, have a cookie.

Spoiler: Internet Cookie

 

[Citrus]

This [http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1895544] is the most mind-numbing and awesome physics-related thing that I'm aware of.

 

[Crabid]

Nuclear power used for space travel
<-- Nuclear engineer

As far as I understand, nuclear power produces thermal energy which is then converted into electrical energy via the boiling of water.

If you are in space you have about no way to get rid of the thermal energy since the only form of heat loss in a spaceship is radiation, so unless you have some form of cold fusion you would like us to know about...


Hydrogen fuel cells are a much better idea in my mind, since they convert hydrogren directly into electricity and pure water vapour.

Also, are you sure you're a nuclear engineer? Or do you just get let out of the asylum on Wednesdays?

Edit: Well I think what I said still stands, however its not really relevant, I take back the asylum comment.

 

[51gunner]

This [http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1895544] is the most mind-numbing and awesome physics-related thing that I'm aware of.

Interesting topology.

Debate for me between the Large Hadron Collider (for the principle of smash stuff to see what it's made of), or Strong Nuclear Force which allows atoms to form.

 

[Vriggchan]

explaination for nuclear rockets [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_thermal_rocket]

 

[Grand_Poohbah]

Tesla Coils.

For real.

http://cdn-www.cracked.com/articleimages/dan/diyscifi/tesla3.jpg

I see your tesla coil and raise you and tesla guitar!

 

[Destal]

The telsa coil is an amazing machine, especially considering the time frame it was invented. Telsa had quite a few other inventions that were really cool as well.

 

[rhyno435]

Red Faction: Guerrilla

 

[Redingold]

Debate for me between the Large Hadron Collider (for the principle of smash stuff to see what it's made of), or Strong Nuclear Force which allows atoms to form.

I don't think that the Strong Interaction counts as an application of physics. You can't really do anything with it.