Welcome to our exploration of thought-provoking physics questions! While many physics problems can be solved with mathematical formulas, some of the most interesting questions in physics are those that challenge our intuition and inspire us to think more deeply about the nature of the universe. These questions may not have a simple answer, or even a known answer at all, but by pondering them, we can gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the physical world all around us. Remember, the sum of the physics you know is really just the sum of the physics problems that you have solved. So keep asking!
Here’s a list of questions to get you started. Solutions will be hyperlinked once they are available. In the meantime, try working out some of the solutions yourself. You will find that coming to these answers is an incredibly rewarding experience.
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- If the Earth were the size of a marble, how big would the Sun be?
- How many atoms are in a typical human cell?
- How fast do you need to throw a rock for it to leave the Earth’s orbit, and how does that compare to the top speed of a Lamborghini?
- How much force does it take to break a human bone, and what determines that force?
- How much energy is required to power all of New York City for a day, and how does that compare to the energy output of the Sun?
- How long would it take for an object to fall through the Earth and come out the other side, and what would happen to the object?
- What is the efficiency of various forms of transportation, and how do factors like weight and aerodynamics affect it?
- How much energy is required to lift the Great Pyramid of Giza to its current height, and how does that compare to the energy output of a nuclear bomb?
- How much force does it take to break a pencil, and what determines that force?
- How much energy is required to melt a block of ice, and how does that compare to the energy output of a car engine?
- How much energy is required to power a single light bulb for a year, and how does that compare to the energy output of a lightning bolt?
- What is the maximum height a human could jump, and what factors contribute to that height?
- How many cells are in the human body, and how does that compare to the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy?
- How long could a human survive in outer space without a spacesuit, and what would happen to their body during that time?
- How much energy is required to boil the world’s oceans, and how does that compare to the energy output of a volcanic eruption?
- How fast can a human run, and what factors contribute to their top speed?
- How much force is exerted by a bullet when it is fired from a gun, and how does that compare to the force required to break a bone?
- How much energy is required to power a spacecraft to travel to the nearest star, and how does that compare to the energy output of the Sun?
- How much force is required to pull a train, and what factors affect the amount of force required?
- How much energy is required to lift a person off the ground, and how does that compare to the energy output of a power plant?
- How long would it take to walk around the world, and how does that compare to the age of the universe?
- How much energy is required to create a black hole, and how does that compare to the energy output of the entire universe?
- What is the volume of the Earth’s oceans?
- How much force is required to break a diamond, and what factors determine its strength?
- How much energy is required to launch a satellite into orbit, and how does that compare to the energy output of a lightning bolt?
- How many lightning bolts of energy are equivalent to an atomic bomb?
- What is the maximum depth a human could dive without equipment, and what factors determine that depth?
- What is the maximum weight a spider silk thread could support, and how does that compare to the weight of an average human?
- What is the volume of air in the Earth’s atmosphere?
- How many grains of sand are on all the beaches in the world?
- How many stars are in the observable universe?
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