Refractory

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Science

The general theory of relativity doesn't take into account the fact that particles do not have precisely defined positions and velocities but are "smeared out" over a small region by the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics that does not allow us to measure simultaneously both the position and the velocity. This doesn't matter in normal situations because the radius of curvature of space-time is very large compared to the uncertainty in the position of a particle. However, the singularity theorems indicate that space-time will be highly distorted, with a small radius of curvature at the beginning of the present expansion phase of the universe. In this situation the uncertainty principle will be pretty important. So general relativity brings about its own downfall by predicting singularities. In order to discuss the beginning of the universe, we need a theory that combines general relativity with quantum mechanics.

— Stephen Hawking

It is known that there are an infinite number of worlds, simply because there is an infinite amount of space for them to be in. However, not every one of them is inhabited. Therefore, there must be a finite number of inhabited worlds. And a finite number divided by infinity is as near to nothing as makes no odds, so the average population of all the planets in the Universe can be said to be zero. From this it follows that the population of the whole Universe is also zero, and that any people you may meet from time to time are merely the products of a deranged imagination

— Hitchiker's guide to the galaxy

Fun facts

• A car traveling at 80 km/h uses half its fuel to overcome wind resistance.
• Knowledge is growing so fast that ninety per cent of what we will know in fifty years time, will be discovered in those fifty years.
• According to an old English system of time units, a moment is one and a half minutes.
• When glass breaks, the cracks move at speeds of up to 5,000 km per hour.
• Most gemstones contain several elements. The exception? The diamond. It's all carbon.
• Sterling silver contains 7.5% copper.
• Due to gravitational effects, you weigh slightly less when the moon is directly overhead.
• The Earth's average velocity orbiting the sun is 107,220 km per hour. Just over a third of the speed of light.
• The United States consumes 25% of all the world’s energy.
• It takes 70% less energy to produce a ton of paper from recycled paper than from trees.