AskScience AMA Series: Graduate and Professional School AMA |
- AskScience AMA Series: Graduate and Professional School AMA
- The eq of electrostatic force is F=kQ1Q2/r2, so in LHC should it be impossible to collide 2 protons together in Synchrotron as r=0 and F=Infinity?
- If you struck a tuning fork in space, would it vibrate forever?
- Why does CO2 from carbonated drinks have that distinctive "feel" and taste, but the CO2 from my lungs doesn't?
- At what point does the gravitational pull between two planets orbiting a star become negligible?
- If Earth had a second moon hidden exactly behind the Moon, how would we know?
- What determines a tree's color of its leaves in Fall?
- How do bridges stay standing when they are located over a body of water that freezes over every winter?
- Do geostationary orbits decay? If so, how?
- Do people with Asperger syndrome know that they have the syndrome?
- Is the moon's gravity strong enough that we could put satellites around it?
- According to Newton's 3rd law of motion, how can there be unbalanced forces?
- I've always been told that coal takes millions of years to form. At what point does something like peat go from being called peat to coal, is there an inbetween?
- Does consciousness affect quantum mechanics ?
- Fundamental units?
- How has the universe conserved energy from the big bang until now?
- In evolution process, when do two varieties of same species become two different species?
- Which element produces the most neutrons after nuclear fission?
- Why does the amount of activation energy required to start a non-catalyzed/inhibited reaction depend on the reactants?
- If I had 2 objects of mass, say, 5kg and placed them both in a frictionless environment, say, 10m apart, due to Newtons Law of Universal Gravitation, would these 2 objects move together and eventually touch after a long period of time?
- If a protein in lizard blood kills Lyme bacteria, can it be used for humans?
- How to mitochondria move around inside cells?
| AskScience AMA Series: Graduate and Professional School AMA Posted: 28 Oct 2015 05:00 AM PDT Hi everyone! We have a lot of panelists here to help answer your questions about any and all post-undergraduate schools. We have a wide range of disciplines, career trajectories, and countries covered. As some may be thinking about pursuing advanced degrees right about now, we thought this AMA would give you the chance to ask a lot of experienced people about the applications, the work required, the lifestyle, and the choices we made. Below are some of our panelists, and others will join in throughout the day, so ask all of us anything! /u/adamsolomon - Hi there. K, so I was an undergrad at Yale (astronomy and physics), did my masters and PhD at Cambridge (theoretical physics) and am now a postdoc at Penn. /u/Andromeda321 - I am a PhD student in astronomy, currently studying in the Netherlands and hoping to finish my doctorate within the year. I am, however, an American- I came to Europe after a BSc and MSc in Physics at CWRU in Ohio. My current specialization for my PhD is radio astronomy, but my physics background was in cosmic ray physics. I'm happy to answer any questions about grad school in astronomy, physics, or what it's like to switch from the American system to the European one or vice versa (as they are rather different!). I wrote an (astro specific) article on applying to Europe here that may be of interest to people. /u/AsAChemicalEngineer - I'm a current graduate student at my university's department of physics. I'm interested in high energy research especially in beyond the standard model. I joined in a sort of unorthodox manner and during the academic year and the most important thing I learned from the application process is that almost every problem can be solved by more paperwork and someone's signature. /u/dazosan - I am currently a 5th year PhD student studying protein biochemistry at SUNY Buffalo. I am planning on moving on to a postdoc by Febuary. I was a poor student in college and thought I didn't like research, so I thought I could make something of myself as a high school teacher, which is how I ended up in Buffalo. Turns out I just needed a second chance at lab research! Ask me anything about grad school, turning a bum GPA around, or what newly minted STEM PhDs are experiencing! /u/EagleFalconn - My name is Shakeel Dalal. I hold a dual bachelors in Chemistry and Applied Physics from Purdue University, where I graduated in 2009. That same year, I started at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where I received a PhD in Physical Chemistry working on thin films of organic glasses in 2014. You can read a little more about my graduate school research in this thread from /r/science. I'm currently a research scientist at a company in suburban Chicago, working on things only tangentially related to what I did in graduate school. I don't regret going to grad school, but the fact that I couldn't get a job using my already developed expertise is disheartening. I'm happy with what I'm doing now, but I lament opportunities I didn't get, and I will probably be the debbie downer of this thread. AMA. /u/electric_ionland - I have done most of my higher education in France where I went to an aerospace engineering school to get the French equivalent of a Master of Science in Engineering. I got the opportunity to do a double degree with an American university. After 2 years in the US I graduated with both the French and American MS with a specialisation in experimental fluid dynamics. I am now doing a PhD on ion thrusters in a public research institution in France. /u/elitemeatt - I am a graduate student at GSU pursuing a MS in Biology. My research focuses on investigating the genetic basis for developing neurons. I am in the process of applying to PhD programs. /u/Jobediah - I am an assistant professor of biology at Arcadia University. My academic history includes undergraduate research on turtle breathing and locomotion, a Masters degree on the development of escape swimming in salamanders, a PhD on the evolution of developmental plasticity. My two post docs were in far-flung places studying red-eyed treefrogs in Panama and frogs and salamanders Western Kentucky. I did an interview about AskScience last year and I like turtles. /u/liedra - I did my BSc (Honours I) with majors in Computer Science and History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Sydney, Australia, then my PhD in Computer Ethics at Charles Sturt University, Australia. During my undergraduate years and for a year after I worked part time as first line helpdesk support for a couple of companies, then as a Linux systems administrator, PHP/Cold Fusion web programmer, Python programmer, and editor for freshmeat.net, which used to be a pretty cool open source software site back in the dotcom heyday of the internet. Throughout that time I decided that no, I didn't want to become a sysadmin or programmer so I went back to uni and did my Honours year and then I won a scholarship for my PhD. Then a couple of postdocs and now I'm a Senior Lecturer in technology ethics in the UK, where I'm 50/50 research teaching in a permanent position in a post-92 university (which I enjoy a lot). /u/noschoolspirit - Hello! I obtained my undergraduate degree in Geology and Mathematics at the University of South Florida (USF). There, I took an interest in hydrological processes and applied for a Masters at the University of Florida. My masters thesis modeled fluid flow in carbonate aquifers during high discharge events; specifically looking at aquifer storage during floods. This got me interested in the mechanics of flow and subsurface storage, and what effect this had on flood magnitude on a broader scale. I applied to Michigan Tech for a degree in Civil Engineering focusing on water resources to try and tackle this problem. I also developed an interest and helped on modeling projects involving glacier hydrology. I am due to graduate with a Ph.D. in Spring 2016. My research considers:
So basically anything related to surface and subsurface hydrology and their interactions. /u/pengdrew - Here are a few notes about me:
/u/piper - I studied math and biochemistry at Carleton College and then worked in industry (molecular diagnostics) a bit before deciding to get a PhD. I ended up at the University of Chicago in the Dept of Human Genetics for my doctorate and then did a short post doc at the University of Washington in Genome Sciences before accepting a tenure track position at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health. I have an appointment in the Graduate School of Biomedical Science (a program shared with MD Anderson), and I formally collaborate with Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center. I'm happy to answer any and all questions about training, my time in industry, and all levels of academic life! /u/quant_liz_lemon is a 3rd year Quantitative Psychology graduate student with an invisible disability. She studies the influence of personality and intelligence on important lifetime outcomes, using quasi-experimental designs. She is supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She intends to go into academia, which is why she is pursuing a Quantitative Psychology PhD instead of a Personality PhD -- the job market is much better for quant, in both industry and academia. /u/Silpion - I studied physics in college and in grad school, where my research was in experimental nuclear astrophysics. After getting my PhD I decided to leave basic physics and not pursue a postdoc. I am currently in a medical physics residency, training for a career as a clinical medical physicist in radiation oncology. /u/silverphoinix - I went to school, did my undergrad and am completeing my PhD in UK. My BSc was in Chemistry with Forensic Science, and now I am working in a Materials Engineering department studying Magnetism. I am aiming to continue in academia and have already been in contact with potential post-doctoral supervisors. During my UG I spent my summers working in a research lab for Inorganic and Solid State Chemistry. Basically I have had quite the change in fields! So feel free to ask me questions about higher / further education in the UK, fears of changing research / subject areas, or just what is different about being a PhD compared to undergraduate. /u/superhelical - Hey! I did mu undergrad in biochemistry at a mid-sized university outside of Toronto, and am currently completing my PhD at McGill University in Montreal. I'm currently in the search of a post-doc position in molecular modelling and single-molecule studies. /u/taciturnbob - I've had a rather circuitous route, considering engineering, medicine, and finance as an undergraduate. I dropped out of a biomedical engineering PhD program to pursue Public Health. I worked as a state HIV epidemiologist while getting my MPH from GWU, and am now a PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins. I am based in Liberia working on a project to strengthen health information systems. /u/theratwhowouldbeking - I did a BSc in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and my MSc and PhD in Psychology at University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. I'm now a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. [link] [38 comments]  |
| Posted: 28 Oct 2015 05:13 AM PDT |
| If you struck a tuning fork in space, would it vibrate forever? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:47 PM PDT My understanding is that a tuning fork stops vibrating overtime because it transfers it's energy to the surrounding medium. So if there were no medium, shouldn't it vibrate forever? [link] [37 comments]  |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2015 12:14 PM PDT By "CO2" from my lungs, I mean the air that I normally exhale when breathing. [link] [15 comments]  |
| At what point does the gravitational pull between two planets orbiting a star become negligible? Posted: 28 Oct 2015 12:25 AM PDT My problem is this: given two planets with x and y mass, both orbiting a star (assume zero eccentricity and the same inclination), how far apart do the orbits need to be so that they are stable over a reasonably long time frame? To ensure I'm doing this correctly I'll post my process: using F = G ( m1 * m2 / r2 ) from here and using the closest approach distance as the radius. Then a = F/m where F is the force (N) given in the previous equation and m (kg) is from either planet - assuming the answer is in m/s2. So this gives the acceleration at closest approach, and I'm assuming I could evaluate this against some kind of threshold to determine a safe amount. Edit: Just to clarify, this is not a homework question (on reflection I noticed it may sound that way). I'm a game developer trying to implement a realistic and customisable solar system into my game. Thanks [link] [5 comments]  |
| If Earth had a second moon hidden exactly behind the Moon, how would we know? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 08:11 AM PDT Assume that the second moon would be small or distant enough to be entirely eclipsed by our current moon. In addition, its orbit speed matches up with the moon's orbit in such a way so that it always stays exactly behind it from Earth's point of reference at all times. What would we be able to detect in order to realize this body existed, short of sending probes far enough from earth to find it? Additionally, what effects might this second moon have on Earth, if any? [link] [54 comments]  |
| What determines a tree's color of its leaves in Fall? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 05:21 PM PDT |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:44 AM PDT I saw a picture of the Mackinac Bridge as it spanned a frozen Lake Michigan. How does the pressure from the ice not break or warp the concrete? So I have recently moved to Michigan from Florida and this may be normal education for people up north but it is something that they do really teach in the south. Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/3qd80l/a_new_perspective_of_a_bridge/ [link] [13 comments]  |
| Do geostationary orbits decay? If so, how? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 04:24 PM PDT Do the orbits of satellite in geostationary orbit decay over time? If so, what does it look like- does the satellite develop a slight drift with respect to the rotation of the earth? Does it become elliptical? [link] [10 comments]  |
| Do people with Asperger syndrome know that they have the syndrome? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 03:40 PM PDT |
| Is the moon's gravity strong enough that we could put satellites around it? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 01:29 PM PDT |
| According to Newton's 3rd law of motion, how can there be unbalanced forces? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 03:57 PM PDT Sorry, I know this isn't really that hard of a concept to comprehend, but I'm having trouble with it and I thought maybe someone could help me to understand how. So, If I jump upwards at 5m/s2, and I weigh 60KG, I would exert an unbalanced force of 300N against the earth - but (to my understanding) the Earth would also exert -300N of force, meaning that the resultant force is 0N... how Is it possible that I move? Thanks in advance! [link] [2 comments]  |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2015 08:57 AM PDT |
| Does consciousness affect quantum mechanics ? Posted: 28 Oct 2015 02:55 AM PDT |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2015 11:46 AM PDT Here's an idea: The value of every constant known to me depends only on the used unit system. For example c = 3e8 m/s but it could be any value I want, assumed I come up with the right units. Could it be, that there is a "fundamental unit system" so every constant become one? I'm aware that those constants wouldn't get obsolete just because there value is one but it would simplify math and it would be nice to know, in what dimension such units would be. Thanks ins advance! [link] [8 comments]  |
| How has the universe conserved energy from the big bang until now? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:34 AM PDT |
| In evolution process, when do two varieties of same species become two different species? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 10:14 AM PDT Two varieties of same species have small difference in chromosome and two species have different chromosome number. When does that happen following evolution process? [link] [7 comments]  |
| Which element produces the most neutrons after nuclear fission? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 12:24 PM PDT |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2015 03:48 PM PDT In high-school chemistry, we learn that we need different amounts of activation energy to cause a reaction. The exact amount we need depends on the reactants. So, for example, if we want to make water, the easiest way to do so is by mixing an acid with a base. The amount of energy that would be required to make H2 and O2 react to form water is much, much greater. Why? Edit: I found an explanation on why we have activation energy from http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch22/activate.html: "To understand why reactions have an activation energy, consider what has to happen in order for ClNO2 to react with NO. First, and foremost, these two molecules have to collide, thereby organizing the system. Not only do they have to be brought together, they have to be held in exactly the right orientation relative to each other to ensure that reaction can occur. Both of these factors raise the free energy of the system by lowering the entropy. Some energy also must be invested to begin breaking the Cl-NO2 bond so that the Cl-NO bond can form." I read on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_bond) that it's the electrostatic force that creates the bond. My question now becomes: Why is the amount of electrostatic force dependent on the molecule? Edit: I guess I was a little wrong. For covalent bonds (I think) there's also the sharing of electrons that creates more resistance between the two molecules. [link] [5 comments]  |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2015 02:07 PM PDT The Universal Law of Gravitation states that: F = G(m1m2) / r2 So if 2 objects were placed in a frictionless environment theoretically they should move. I was wondering if they would actually move if done in real life, and how long it would take them to touch. i enjoy learning about gravity and think reddit can help solve some of my wierd questions about it. [link] [8 comments]  |
| If a protein in lizard blood kills Lyme bacteria, can it be used for humans? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 01:50 PM PDT I was recently reading how the Western Fence Lizard (aka blue-belly) has a protein that literally kills the Lyme bacteria within an hour of contact. This seems like it would be a pretty powerful weapon in treating Lyme disease. Would it be possible to synthesize and use in humans? [link] [2 comments]  |
| How to mitochondria move around inside cells? Posted: 27 Oct 2015 01:41 PM PDT There is a plethora of information on the roles of Mitochondria, but I'm struggling to find information on how they move around within cells. [link] [6 comments]  |
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