zebov

I'm confused with what this all has to do with the definition of "Universe." If it is defined as everything ever, known or unknown, then that's the definition. Where is the problem in that? Why can the definition not include the "nothings", as you put them, of nature?

Don't forget that photons are "absorbed" when they have enough energy to kick an electron from a lower energy state to a higher energy state. If there is not enough energy in the light to push electrons from one energy state to the next available one, then the light energy will pass through without being absorbed. Different materials have different energy states which the elctrons can inhabit. In semiconductors, the space between the lower energy level and the upper energy level is called the "bandgap." A material with a very wide bandgap will pass through more light than a smaller bandgap. See http://ece-www.colorado.edu/~bart/book/book/chapter4/ch4_6.htm for info on how this works in semiconductors.

There are some things that are inherently unknowable. One very important instance of this is the position of an electron. One can never know the exact position of an electron, only a probability that an electron exists in a certain area. Sure, if you knew everything about everything (and I mean EVERYTHING), then there is no reason you would not be able to plug numbers (a lot of them) into formulae (very complex formulae) to figure out future events. However, this would require knowing everything, which is quite a task to undertake. (Imagine trying to understand the simple task of enumerating every charge source in existence).

My apologies, this is in the wrong discussion board... moved to physics: http://www.scienceforums.net/forums/showthread.php?t=18441

Ever since learning to integrate in high school Calculus, I've been curious as the the physical meaning of the integral of position w/ respect to time. Over the years, the topic has come up again and again in my mind, and have finally decided to put an end to my pondering; or at least let others ponder with me. Is there any firm grasp of the concept of the meter-second already in existence? Is there a good use for this? I have come to call the integral of position wrt time "longevity" as that seems to be the best term in my mind to describe it. From what I have been able to determine with some simple thinking is that longevity can be related to amount of energy or force placed on object in a gravitational field (ie. if you put a high amount of kinetic energy on an object, it will have a larger longevity than if you put a small amount of kinetic energy on an object). Any thoughts on this?

That is precisely my interest. People don't do it. You aren't taught it in any high school or college classes. My question is, has ANYone done it and then tried to find a physical application for it? Surely somewhere, there can be something that makes use of it. In the present scientific world where space and time are intertwined within one another, I figure there must be some sort of valid use of the integral of position wrt time. Just wanting to get folks thinking and see what ideas people can come up with. If in the end it turns out to be useless, so be it, but it is quite fun to contemplate.

Ever since learning to integrate in high school Calculus, I've been curious as the the physical meaning of the integral of position w/ respect to time. Over the years, the topic has come up again and again in my mind, and have finally decided to put an end to my pondering; or at least let others ponder with me. Is there any firm grasp of the concept of the meter-second already in existence? Is there a good use for this? I have come to call the integral of position wrt time "longevity" as that seems to be the best term in my mind to describe it. From what I have been able to determine with some simple thinking is that longevity can be related to amount of energy or force placed on object in a gravitational field (ie. if you put a high amount of kinetic energy on an object, it will have a larger longevity than if you put a small amount of kinetic energy on an object). Any thoughts on this?