At its most general meaning, “binary” refers to any system composed of two elements. For example, a binary star system is a system in which there are two stars that orbit each other. Binary is also a numbering system that is comparable to our standard decimal system. The decimal system uses 10 digits; 0 through 9, and is referred to as a base-10 system. The binary system only has two digits, 0 and 1, so is referred to as a base-2 system. Binary in Computing Binary is essential to the Read More

The four dimensions are concepts in mathematics to describe different shapes. It is easy to understand a first dimension, second dimension and third dimension shape. All things are 3D in the world, but images can be 2D. A first dimension is as easy as a line. However, what is the fourth dimension? The fourth dimension is an abstract concept that takes two third dimension shapes and connects them together. What is the First Dimension? The first dimension is an interval. It is the line between two points. So, drawing a Read More

There are a number of vibration sources throughout the world. In most cases, these movements have undesirable effects on things used in daily life, such as buildings and vehicles. Vibration isolators reduce or eliminate the effects of vibrations on equipment and structures. These devices are commonly referred to as shock mounts, snubbers, machine mounts, and Faraday cages (in the semiconductor industry). Vibration isolators are made from various materials, depending on their function. Some of these materials include rubber, metal alloys, neoprene, and fiberglass. How do Vibration Isolators Work? Most vibration Read More

Wind is a direct effect of air trying to get from high pressure to low pressure. Because there is such high pressure, it is natural for air (or anything for that matter) to move into an area of lower pressure. Water does it. If it is in a cup and then a straw is connected to the side of the cup and attached to another, the water goes because there is space for it; less pressure. However, because the Earth is spinning, that flowing air can't just go from high Read More

A generator (electrical) is a device that converts mechanical or chemical energy into electrical energy. Generators often use motors, turbines, engines, cranks, pistons, or other sources of mechanical energy. Likewise, generators may use chemicals or other materials that produce electricity when mixed or ignited. Generators do not produce electricity itself, but simply produce a flow of electricity by forcing electrons from an external source to flow through an electrical circuit. Generators are used for a wide variety of purposes and are available in many different forms. How a Generator Works Read More

The rock cycle is an essential geological model that depicts the unique changes that rock undergoes during a set time period. The three major rock types are sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous. Rocks are formed and obliterated in cycles. The rock cycle depicts the formation, destruction and restoration of rocks. These changes take place due to atmospheric changes or changes in the earth’s core structure itself. The first suggestion of the rock cycle was conceptualized by the eighteenth century geologist, James Hutton; he is considered as the father of modern geology. Read More

Electromagnets are magnets whose magnetic properties come from or are generated through electricity. A magnet is a material (this is usually metal), which has at least one pair of negative and positive poles. These opposite poles' attraction produces a magnetic field. This gives the magnet the ability to 'attract' metals such as iron or steel. Electromagnets are soft magnets whose magnetic field can be strengthened or weakened depending on the electric current applied; the stronger the current, the stronger the magnetic field produced. Electromagnets are distinct from hard magnets (manufactured Read More

A radar laser detector (although separately known as a radar detector and a laser detector) is commonly used by motorists to see if their speed is being spied on by some radar unit. Simply put, the police would "shoot" a radio wave to the moving vehicle with a radar gun, and the speed would be calculated using the principles of the Doppler Effect. In addition, recent speed detectors have evolved into using the laser technology. Also known as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), it uses pulsed laser instead of the Read More

Infrared light is a form of electromagnetic waves. In its visible form, infrared can be seen as red or violet. Visible infrared waves are very short, measuring about 750 nm in length; longer infrared waves which are closest to microwaves are about 1mm in length. Infrared Waves While most infrared wave lengths give off heat, you are probably aware of one of the most popular uses of infrared wave lengths- the TV remote control. Your remote control works via short infrared wave lengths. Your TV remote is able to produce Read More

Ultrasound works in the same fashion that sonar works for ships at sea. They send out a sound signal and it bounces back. However, when it bounces back, it bounces back with information on what the shape is. Therefore, if there was a deep underwater mountain, the sound would signal that there was a mountain there. If there are twins inside a mother's womb, the ultrasound will do the same thing. For an ultrasound to even work, there needs to be a transducer. This is the machine used to view Read More