Music and the Art of Quantum Mechanics

[navneeth]

30th June, 1905 - Albert Einstein published the article "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" and introduced the theory of special relativity.

(Well, you wouldn't have particle physics without it! )

Happy SR Day!


*Hmmm...I wonder how Shap would connect this and his life at sea... *

[Shapley]

I'll work on it...

For some reason, all that comes to mind right now is the theory of Magna Cartism. For the uninitiated, that is the theory that, if you leave shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot, it will be magnetically attracted to the newest car in the lot, and will eventually roll into it. I believe there must be some corollary to that theory that relates to boating.

V/R
Shapley

[DavidS]

Ah! Yes! Planck's Law. I remember that one:

Obey the Captain or walk the Planck.

Something tells me that you are/were a mariner.

Do you mean a Merriner?

[navneeth]

Something tells me that you are/were a mariner.

Do you mean a Merriner?

I wouldn't mind adding that also.

[Shapley]

I've been looking at the way electrons fill their shells. For instance, the arrangement for Radon is

Rn, 86, radon : 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6

It seems to me there's something musical in there, some way to turn that into a symphony. Who knows, the "Atomic Symphony" could be a big hit.

Student A: "I'll never remember the order of these orbitals!"

Student B: "It's easy. Just think of Bignaf's Symphony No. 2."

V/R
Shapley

[bignaf]

can you explain to me those numbers?

[barfle]

Yikes!! I haven't been through that sequence since college.

I guess it wasn't all that important to a patent examiner.

*ig, the numbers show the "shells" the electrons in an atom occupy. Although the analogy breaks down very quickly, you might think of an atom as a very miniature solar system, with the nucleus in the sun's place and electrons in orbit around it. like the planets. The numbers tell you how many electrons are in each orbit.

[Shapley]

Bignaf,

Barfle's explained it for me. The point I find interesting about them is that they do not simply fill each orbital, or shell, and then move on to the next one, as one would expect. They begin by filling the inner shells. However, as you move up to the higher-numbered elements, they begin filling outer shells and then dropping back down and filling inner shells. At first glance, this appears to be random, but the manner of filling does follow a rule.

I'm not musician, and certainly no composer, but it does seem to scream out to be set to music.

V/R
Shapley

[Shapley]

BTW,

Things were kind of slow on the board last night, so I amused myself by going back and looking at some of the older threads, when I found out that this thread isn't original at all. It appears the idea was used before:

Quantum Beethoven

Of course, this was before my time, but I see a familar name or two among the posters there.

V/R
Shapley

[bignaf]

*ig, the numbers show the "shells" the electrons in an atom occupy. Although the analogy breaks down very quickly, you might think of an atom as a very miniature solar system, with the nucleus in the sun's place and electrons in orbit around it. like the planets. The numbers tell you how many electrons are in each orbit.

I knew that, I'm asking how do I read that in the numbers. what do the letters mean? why are there two numbers in each group.?
thanks!

[bignaf]

ok, I found http://www.chemtutor.com/struct.htm#wht

[bignaf]

I have a piece called 3 constructions. it's for large ensemble and each one of the pieces is a construction, completely abstract, rather than a composition which employs more emotion and heart. I'm planning to turn it into 12 copnstructions, with one for evey tone. I'm working on one in E, right now. this Radon electron shells thingy seems to be a good fit. I'll probably do something with it. I'll dedicate it to the BBB members (with your permission shap).

[Shapley]

Excellent idea. I hope you can make something useful of it.

I wonder what other patterns of nature might be found to produce the basics of musical works? Inspiration is where you find it, no?

V/R
Shapley

[Shapley]

Perhaps I'll find something in the physics of sailing and wave patterns that can be useful. I'll let you know if I find anything as I progress through the field.

The Symphony of Sail has a nice ring to it, no?

V/R
Shapley

[Shapley]

I haven't made my 'request du juor' yet. I'm trying to think of a piece we haven't heard in a while. Any suggestions?

[BigJon@Work]

Bolero followed by the Revenge Aria?

[Shapley]

How about that William Tell Yodelling thing? Or the Opera Babes? After hearing either of them, even Bolero sounds refreshing.

[Shapley]

Cassini To Make Audacious Flyby

[Shapley]

Nothing to do with music, but I thought this was kind of neat:
Dynamic Periodic Table

[navneeth]

Nothing to do with music, but I thought this was kind of neat:
Dynamic Periodic Table

Neat! Thank you, Shap.