fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the lesser known truths in the corporate culture of Journal.
Why Is Glass Clear?
If the Earth were one huge atom, its center could fit inside a baseball stadium! Everything beyond the stadium—the remainder of the planet? That’s where the electrons reside. In a kind of wavy, quantum cloud. The substance that makes up objects doesn't really contain much material. Huh. But if an atom is just a tiny nucleus surrounded by a mostly empty cloud of wave-y, quantum-y stuff, it makes you wonder: Why doesn’t light just pass through the atoms in bricks, steel, or chocolate ice cream? Why aren’t we see-through? So, why aren’t we see-through? Well, we are. If you're an x-ray! Our bodies just don't let visible light pass through. Of course, visible light and x-rays are both forms of electromagnetic radiation, with different wavelengths and energies. So what's the difference? Well, let's dive into it! Glass is transparent to visible light. If we zoom down to the atomic level, we see glass is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms. Same as sand! When that sand was melted into a liquid, those molecules left the nice, repeating crystal shape they were in, and went wild. Until we cooled them down really fast, and they froze in place, in an organized jumble. All those atoms are surrounded by wavy, quantum-y electron clouds. But the electrons around a nucleus can’t be just anywhere. They live on specific energy levels - think of them as different distances from that tiny nucleus. When a photon comes by, with exactly the right amount of energy, it gets absorbed, bumping an electron to a higher energy level. But if that photon doesn’t have just the right amount of energy it passes right by. Woosh! Imagine I’m an electron. I’m hanging out here, at a low energy level. I want to move up there. To higher energy levels. To make it happen, I have to have just the right amount of oomph in my jump. Too little, and I don’t make it. Too much, and well… oops. Just right... For the particular atoms that make up glass, the energy levels are so far apart that visible light doesn't have enough energy to boost those electrons up to the next level. That’s why visible light passes right through! But photons of UV light do have the right amount of energy to power up those electrons, and they get absorbed. Which is why glass is opaque to most UV! And why it’s hard to get a sunburn through a window. The transparency of a material depends on the relationship between light energy and an atom’s electrons. Different elements have different energy requirements for their electrons to absorb light. Like how when visible light hits my atoms, it’s absorbed. Some light might get through a few top layers of skin cells, but within a few millimeters all the photons get absorbed. That’s why I’m not see-through. But hit me with higher energy waves, like X-rays, and I am transparent. Glad we cleared all that up! But, considering how atoms are mostly empty clouds makes me wonder something else: Why am I even here? Why aren’t the mostly empty atoms in my feet passing right through the mostly empty atoms in the ground, sucking me into Earth’s superheated iron core? Why can I sit on a chair, kick a ball, or smash those like and subscribe buttons? Why can I touch anything? Let’s say I would like to boop this snoot. My finger—or “booper”—and the snoot are both made of about a gajillion atoms, give or take a squadrillion. And all those atoms are surrounded by negatively charged electrons. As the two objects get close enough together, the negatively charged electron clouds at both surfaces repel each other, thanks to what’s called electrostatic repulsion. The actual boop itself, the sensation of touch, is caused by an actual force from this repulsion, acting on pressure-sensitive nerves in my skin. Kind of like how we’re never really aware of the atmosphere until there’s wind pushing against us. Touching something doesn’t really mean decreasing the distance between me and something else to zero, it’s just getting my atoms and that other object’s atoms as close as the electrons—and physics—will allow. Of course, there is one more way that electrons can interact. It is actually possible for two negatively charged electrons to occupy the same quantum-y cloud energy level… as long as they have opposite directions, or signs, for a property called “spin”. And sometimes electrons in two different atoms can be squished close enough that their wavy-ness even overlaps! That’s the reason covalent chemical bonds exist, which is pretty convenient. Like the ones in your body. All those molecules that keep you alive, full of atoms, absorbing visible light photons. And just like the bonds between oxygen and silicon, in this camera lens, in the fiber optic cables of the internet, even in the glass of the screen between us right now, that are letting photons of visible light pass right through.
- Content Warning
Unlocking Wealth: Demystifying VCT Tax Relief
In the landscape of investment, venture capital trusts (VCTs) stand out as a unique vehicle for investors seeking tax-efficient opportunities. With the potential for significant returns coupled with attractive tax relief, VCTs have garnered attention from savvy investors looking to maximize their wealth. However, navigating the complexities of VCT tax relief can be daunting for many. In this article, we aim to demystify VCT tax relief, providing clarity on its benefits, eligibility criteria, and potential pitfalls.
Munnazir ZarinPublished about a month ago in Journal - Content Warning
Comparing Multi-Function Printers: Inkjet vs Laser
In today's digital age, where the demand for printing documents, photos, and various materials remains prevalent, choosing the right printer is crucial. Multi-function printers (MFPs) have become increasingly popular due to their versatility, combining the functions of printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into one device. When it comes to MFPs, two primary technologies dominate the market: inkjet and laser. Let's delve into a comprehensive comparison of these two types to help you make an informed decision.
Munnazir ZarinPublished about a month ago in Journal - Content Warning
JSA stands for Job Seeker Allowance.What is it?
In the United Kingdom, navigating the tax time dilemma involves gaining an understanding of the tax implications of the Job Seeker Allowance (JSA).
Munnazir ZarinPublished about a month ago in Journal - Content Warning
What to Consider in a Coworking Membership
In the dynamic landscape of the modern work environment, coworking spaces have emerged as a popular choice for professionals seeking flexibility, collaboration, and a vibrant work atmosphere. As the demand for coworking memberships continues to rise, it becomes essential to unravel the key factors that contribute to the creation of an ideal workspace. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or part of a remote team, choosing the right coworking space can significantly impact your productivity and overall work experience.
Munnazir ZarinPublished about a month ago in Journal - Content Warning
Unveiling the Secrets to a Productive Coworking Space
In the dynamic landscape of the modern workforce, coworking spaces have emerged as a vital hub for professionals seeking flexibility, collaboration, and a productive work environment. As the popularity of coworking spaces continues to soar, understanding the secrets to creating a thriving and productive coworking community becomes essential. In this blog, we delve into the key aspects of "Membership Mastery," shedding light on the secrets that make a coworking space not just a place to work but a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and growth.
Munnazir ZarinPublished about a month ago in Journal Heatwave effect
While reporting on the weather in Bengal, a TV anchor passes out live. Lopamudra Sinha described how her blood pressure suddenly dropped during the live news program, causing her to collapse in a Facebook post.
- Content Warning
What Workers Want: Coworking Spaces Edition
As the modern workplace evolves, coworking spaces have surged in popularity, reshaping where and how professionals engage with their work. This shift isn't just about new desks or different locations—it’s about what today’s workforce demands from their work environment. In this blog, we'll explore the key elements that workers are looking for in coworking spaces and how these environments are adapting to meet their needs.
Munnazir ZarinPublished about a month ago in Journal Crafting Compelling Antiheroes in Dark Fantasy: Tips and Techniques
The concept of the antihero, a figure that has long captivated and intrigued writers and readers alike, is fascinating. Unlike traditional heroes who embody virtues such as courage and selflessness, antiheroes blur the lines between right and wrong, often walking a morally grey path that challenges societal norms. Crafting a compelling antihero involves delving into the complexities of their character, examining their motivations, flaws, and internal conflicts that drive their actions.
Matthew AngeloPublished about a month ago in JournalA Thought About the Truth
Beneath the massive sea of knowledge that lies within impressionistic minds, there’s always an underlying depth that can’t be reached–the cavern of certainties, wherein bides the pure, unadulterated truth.
Angela CantigaPublished about a month ago in JournalFrom Eye Candy to Mind Boggler: Unveiling the Puzzling Narrative of "Anyone but You
The visual appeal of exotic locations and captivating yet stimulating romantic comedies has always been soaring for decades. The audience loves an escape from their mundane lives into a whirlwind of romance, with heartwarming plots and a sizzling chemistry. Anyone But You sets the bar high when it comes to a visually appealing storyline and the ensemble, yet falls flat with its plot, leaving the audience contemplating and uninterested as the story unfolds. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is said to be the inspiration for the movie Anyone But You. That may or may not be the case, though, as Shakespeare's entire body of work has become imbued with archetypal meanings—just as every detective has some debt to Sherlock Holmes. Let's get straight to this rom-com and discuss the various nuances of this film
Hridya SharmaPublished 2 months ago in JournalRewire Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Abundance Mindset Explained
I am a failure! I don't think I can succeed in any new endeavor. My life has no meaning! How many times have you come across statements like this? Or how many times have you witnessed yourself say these notions aloud to yourself? Failures are a warranted swing in life that plonks you into rock bottom. But deeming yourself incapable of achieving your dreams because of the circumstances and downs in life, has less to do with what you have in your capacities and more to the way you perceive yourself and the life that you stride upon. The perception of your life that you hold for yourself is akin to the way everything in your life manifests into the reality you forge. The way we have been conditioned for years by our family, friends, and teachers, the books we read and the content we consume shape the beliefs that we hold for ourselves and the world around us.
Hridya SharmaPublished 2 months ago in Journal