A Ton of Crap (80 page)

A
= Getting a blue towel

B
= Getting a green towel

A
and
B
are complementary events. Another way to say P(
B
) is to say P(
A’
)

P(
A’
)= P (Not getting a blue towel)

= 1 – P(
A
)

= 1 –

=

STRING THEORY

Quantum Gravity
There are two basic laws in modern physics and they represent two very different areas of study: general relativity and quantum physics. General relativity studies nature on a grand scale, focusing on planets, galaxies, and the entire universe. Quantum physics, on the other hand, studies the smallest objects that can be found in nature. String theory is an attempt to unite these two very different theories, and any theory that does so is known as a theory of quantum gravity. It is believed that string theory has the most promise to unite the two.

HEBREW

Modern Israeli Hebrew
In the 1880s, three types of Hebrew accents existed: Sephardi (Hispanic and Mediterranean), Ashkenazi (German), and that of Jews that were separate from both, living in Iraq, Yemen, Morocco, and Tunisia. The standard Hebrew that Eliezer Ben-Yehuda created was supposed to be based on Sephardi pronunciation and Mishnaic spelling. However, for many of the earliest speakers, Yiddish was their native tongue, and so idioms and literal translations were brought into the language from Yiddish. Instead of Sephardi phonology, the Ashkenazi style was used.

THE WRIGHT BROTHERS

The
Flyer
In 1902, the Wright brothers tested their new 32-foot-wingspan glider. Their research showed that if the glider had a moveable tail, it would actually balance the glider. The Wright brothers connected a tail to the wires responsible for warping the wings. After successful tests were performed in the wind tunnel, the brothers decided they would try to make a powered aircraft. They studied how propellers worked and created a motor and an aircraft that would be sturdy enough for the motor, as well as able to withstand the motor’s vibrations. This new craft was known as the
Flyer
, and it weighed 700 pounds.

EDGAR ALLAN POE

His Death
It is unknown what caused Edgar Allan Poe’s death. What is known is that Poe died on October 7, 1849, in Baltimore. Days earlier, he was discovered outside of a bar, lying on a wooden plank, and brought to the hospital. Records of his hospitalization indicated that he was delirious, hallucinating, and was having tremors until he ultimately slipped into a coma. When he came out of the coma, he was at first calm, but then became increasingly delirious and combative. Four days later, he would be dead. The cause of death on his death certificate reads “congestion of the brain.” Many believed this to be alcohol related; however, Poe had not had any alcohol six months prior to his death. Researchers today believe the cause of death was from rabies.

PROBABILITY

Probability and Area
Problems involving probability can also have to do with finding the area of a particular geometric shape. For example:

If a dart is thrown at this circle, what is the probability it will land on the area that is shaded?

Total area: π × 16
²
= 804.25

Area of not-shaded part: π × 8
²
= 201.06

Area of shaded part: 804.25 – 201.06 = 603.19, which rounded equals 603

So:

STRING THEORY

Unification of Forces
There are four fundamental forces found in the universe that string theory attempts to unify: gravity, weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force, and electromagnetic force. Currently, these are four completely separate and different phenomena. String theorists believe that string theory is what unifies these forces. They believe that all four of these forces are described by strings that interacted with one another in the early stages of the universe, when energy levels were extremely high.

HEBREW