Who won the Nobel Prize for the blue LED?
Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for inventing the blue LED, which made bright, energy-saving white LED lighting possible.
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Physics Facts
Physics facts and facts about physics, from the Random Facts shelf.
16 facts on this shelf
What is superfluid helium?
When cooled close to absolute zero, liquid helium becomes a superfluid that flows without friction and can creep up the walls of its container.
Can helium freeze?
Helium is the only element that won't freeze at normal pressure, even at absolute zero.
How was graphene discovered?
Scientists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov isolated graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, using Scotch tape in 2004 and won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics.
What color is liquid oxygen?
Liquid oxygen is pale blue and is attracted to magnets.
How thin can gold be hammered?
Gold is so malleable that a single ounce can be hammered into a sheet covering about 300 square feet.
Which metal conducts electricity best?
Silver conducts electricity and heat better than any other metal.
How does a theremin work?
A theremin has two antennas. Moving one hand near the vertical antenna changes the pitch, and moving the other near the loop antenna changes the volume.
Why do theremin players have to stay so still?
A theremin responds to the electrical properties of the player's body, so even small movements can change the sound.
Why does a Hang have a hole on the bottom?
The hole on the bottom of a Hang, called the "Gu," creates a deep bass tone.
How does a glass armonica work?
A glass armonica has spinning glass bowls on a rod, which the player touches with wet fingers to make sound.
Why does a waterphone sound wobbly?
The water inside a waterphone shifts as the player moves it, which makes the sound wobble.
How does a jaw harp make different notes?
A jaw harp player changes notes by reshaping the mouth, which acts as the instrument's resonating chamber.
How does the Sea Organ make sound?
The Sea Organ has 35 pipes under marble steps, and waves push air through them.
How does the Great Stalacpipe Organ make sound?
The Great Stalacpipe Organ uses rubber mallets to tap stalactites.
What are sympathetic strings?
A nyckelharpa has sympathetic strings that vibrate on their own when other strings are played.