You ain't seen nothing yet...

[Shadowfacet]

So recently there's been a topic with a video on superconductivity. Now I more than anyone recognise how incredible this is, and yet I still found myself getting annoyed when all the comments started proclaiming how incredible this science was. It got to me because these effects have been known since 1911. That's before the first world war.

So to try and open peoples minds a little bit further I decided that I'd better let everyone know about some other strange things that happen at near 0K (kelvin)

The first of these shares it's name with superconductivity, and that is superfluidity.
One of the most astounding byproducts of this is that due to its zero viscosity state (no resistance) it means that it can flow indefinitely in a fountain with no energy being input into the system. Yes this means perpetual motion is possible. And before all you conservation of energy nuts start screaming heresy, as soon as any energy is taken away from the system then it crumbles.


The next effect that is even more mind boggling is that of a Bose Einstein Condensate. This happens at an even lower critical temperature and in general it means that once below, all the particles stop acting as individuals. Take a second to wrap your mind around that.


Then have a look at what a real physics lab looks like.

 

[Jegsimmons]

so space travel is indeed possible once again by combining super conductors and zero viscosity liquids. awesome.


also helium? i love how some of the simpler atoms are the best to use in cool science. Hear that uranium, we dont need you anymore!

yeah i know jack shit about physics, but its still cool!!!

 

[Hero in a half shell]

These vids were awesome. The bit where the Helium dripped through the ceramic bottom blew my mind.

I would love to see more of this type of awesome educational stuff on the Escapist, we are connected to the largest collection of human knowledge in history after all, might as well broaden the mind in between Zombie Apocalypse threads.