Newsgroup sci.physics 210281

Articles

Subject: Re: gravity bend time and space?
From: Nick Cummings
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 00:43:08 -0500

brian stewart wrote:
> 
> Is it possible for gravity to be so great that it can bend time and
> space.
	Yes, Einstein's general theory of relativity describes gravitational
fields as a bending (or warping) of space time.  The analogy most people
use is to imagine a bed sheet that is pulled tight.  Now imagine you
place some heavy object like a bowling ball on the bed sheet.  It will
make a depression is the sheet, so that the sheet is fairly flat far
away from the ball, but slopes in toward the ball when you get close to
it.  Now say you rolled a fairly light object such as a tennis ball
accross the sheet.  Normally, on a flat sheet, it would roll is a
straight line at a reasonably constant speed (newton's 1st law, an
object will maintain a constant speed and direction unless acted upon by
a force).  If the tennis ball rolles near the bowling ball, however, it
will roll down the slope of the depression and come close to or hit the
bowling ball.  If we couldn't see the bed sheet we might say that there
was some force acting between the tennis ball and the bowling ball
attracting them together, but since we can see the sheet, we know that
it is simply the sheet that is being warped (deformed from it's normal
curvature) and causing the tennis ball to change direction.  Einstein
proposed that massive bodies bend space and time (refered to in
reletivity as space-time) in a manner similar to that of the bowling
ball bending the sheet.
	One of the consequences of this prediction is that, if it were true,
gravity would also change the direction of light.  During a solar
eclipse, scientists measured the observed position of stars in the
direction of the sun.  Later they measured the positions of the same
stars when the sun was not there.  They found that the appearent
position of the stars changed when the sun (a massive body) was near the
line of sight, proving that gravity does change the path of light. 
This, in addition to other tests, have shown Einstein's theory to be a
good discription of gravity.
> Also, if you could produce a great anti-gravitational force
> would it be able to bend time and space.
	An anti-gravitational force would also bend space but in the oposite
way.  Mathematicians put the geometry of spaces in three catagories:
flat space (euclidian space), space of positive curvature, and space of
negative curvature.  Flat space is space in which euclidian geometry
holds true, paralel lines never intersect.  Gravity causes positive
curvature, where "paralell" straight lines (ones with interior angles of
180 degrees) intersect.  An example of positively curved space is the
surface of a sphere.  Anti-gravity would cause negative curvature of
space, where "paralell" lines would get father appart.  The only common
example of negatively curved space I know of is a saddle (the type one
would put on a horse).  Note:  In all the above statements time would be
effected in the same way as space.  Instead of talking of space and
time, in relivity they are cosidered as one four dimensional thing,
space-time, with 3 spatial dimentions and one temporal dimension (time).
> Last but not least could a
> space vehicle use an ant-gravitational propulsion system to approach
> light speed and then bend space and time to achieve a distance of 4.3 light years in say just two earth days.
	I assume you're thinking of traveling to Alpha Centauri.  There is no
way i know of to generate anti-gravity.  It would require particles with
anti-mass (negitive rest mass), which to my knowledge have never been
discovered, and no one has any idea how to make them.  I won't lie to
you I don't know enough about general relitivity to tell you exactly
what one could do with anti-gravitation, but I will say that, from what
I do know of relativity, I don't think there's any way to achieve a
speed greater than c (light's speed) according to the measurements of an
outside observer.  
	But don't loose hope yet.  People have postulated many ways to go a
long way using general relativity (GR).  If we can't go faster than c,
why not shorten the distance instead?  People have postualted things
called worm holes that use extreem gravitational fields to create a
short cut to a far away place.  For example, say you're on the north
pole and you want to get to Antartica.  You could go around on the
surface, but what if you burrowed right through the center instead.  It
would be a lot quicker.  A worm hole does a similar thing.  It's kind of
a hole in space that connects to another part of space.  By going
through the worm hole one can take a short cut so the journy won't take
as long.  Einstein's calculations showed the first possibility of a worm
hole.  When solving a black hole problem he found that it made a sort of
bridge to some sort of space on the other side.  This connection is
called the Einstein-Rosen bridge.  Now most people believe that this is
merely a mathematical quirk, and even if it weren't there are other
reasons why many physicists believe nothing could cross such a
"bridge".  Anyhow, creating such a "bridge" would be far beyond our
capacity now or in the forseeable future.  We'd have to find one.
> Is there a major effort in the scientific community to find a way of
> traveling "faster" than light even though you are doing it by bending space and time.
	People have divised other ways to travel faster than light using
spatial distortion, bent space.  Most of them involve effectively
shorting the distances.  One idea I read involved riding on a wave of
bent space.  I believe this is similar to the idea of the "warp drive"
on Star Trek.  Also, "Star Trek:  Deep Space Nine" features a worm
hole.  Many physicists are hopefull that we will some day be able to use
spatial distorion to travel faster than light, but right now no one has
much of an idea of how to do it.  The few ideas people have had, such as
worm holes would require far too much energy for us to create with our
present techlology, so for now we will leave it up to the science
fiction writers (and TV show producers).
	If you have any further questions I'd be happy to answer them as best i
can.  I will be honest and tell you that there are people on this news
group who are much more qualified to answer your questions, still I'd be
happy to help.
> 
> Thank you
> an inquiring mind.
Quite Welcome,
Nick Cummings
University of Maryland (physics)
P.S.  People have thought up other ideas of how to break the light
barrier, which i din't mention because they have nothing to do with
gravity.

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Subject: Re : Help
From: "WONG WOON KIAT"
Date: 25 Nov 1996 05:05:51 GMT

I am a Form V student. I have a problem in school work. Can anyone help me
to solve it ? The quetion is in the Word document. Thank you.
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Subject: Re: Can science provide value?  (was: Where's the theory?)
From: zeleny@oak.math.ucla.edu (Michael Zeleny)
Date: 25 Nov 1996 06:03:49 GMT

weinecks@mail1.sas.upenn.edu (Silke-Maria  Weineck) writes:
>Michael Zeleny (zeleny@oak.math.ucla.edu) wrote:
>>weinecks@mail1.sas.upenn.edu (Silke-Maria  Weineck) writes:
>>>Michael Zeleny (zeleny@oak.math.ucla.edu) wrote:
>>>>weinecks@mail1.sas.upenn.edu (Silke-Maria  Weineck) writes:
>>>>>Michael Zeleny (zeleny@oak.math.ucla.edu) wrote:
>>>>>>weinecks@mail2.sas.upenn.edu (Silke-Maria  Weineck) writes:
>>>>>>>Michael Zeleny (zeleny@oak.math.ucla.edu) wrote:
>>>>>>>>weinecks@mail2.sas.upenn.edu (Silke-Maria  Weineck) writes:
>>>>>>>>>Michael Zeleny (zeleny@oak.math.ucla.edu) wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>weinecks@mail1.sas.upenn.edu (Silke-Maria  Weineck) writes:
>>>>>>>>>>>Michael Zeleny (zeleny@oak.math.ucla.edu) wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>weinecks@mail2.sas.upenn.edu (Silke-Maria  Weineck) writes:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Michael Kagalenko (mkagalen@lynx.dac.neu.edu) wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Silke-Maria  Weineck (weinecks@mail1.sas.upenn.edu) wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Read a  book or something, as Kagalenko would say. By Plato, on 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Plato, something related. I've worked on Plato for five years 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>straight now, 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Gorgias' followers just wouldn't leave the Teacher alone.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>You're _still_ trying to pretend you've read Plato? Kudos on 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>your persistence. Listen, it's rather simple: the logos/mythos
>>>>>>>>>>>>>distinction is post-Platonic, and you cannot even begin to 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>understand Socrates if you don't understand why he stood still
>>>>>>>>>>>>>before he joined the Symposion.
>>>>>>>>>>>>How keen of Plato to have insisted on this post-Platonic 
>>>>>>>>>>>>distinction in _Phaedo_ 61b, _Timaeus_ 26e, as well as 
>>>>>>>>>>>>countless other places!  Your aptitude for creative 
>>>>>>>>>>>>thinking would be most welcome at the Institute of 
>>>>>>>>>>>>Historical Review.
>>>>>>>>>>>And when you get old enough to move away from soundbites, 
>>>>>>>>>>>you may want to consult Robert Zaslavsky's _Platonic Myth 
>>>>>>>>>>>and Platonic Writing_ (Wash.D.C.: UP of America, 81) about 
>>>>>>>>>>>the relevance of the above. Meantime, you might want to 
>>>>>>>>>>>acquaint yourself with the variety of meanings given to 
>>>>>>>>>>>both logos and mythos throughout Plato's oeuvre and 
>>>>>>>>>>>proclaim again, with a straight face, that Platonic logos 
>>>>>>>>>>>equates to science.
>>>>>>>>>>The relevance of the above is to your claims (a) that 
>>>>>>>>>>"[you]'ve worked on Plato for five years straight now" and 
>>>>>>>>>>(b) that "the logos/mythos distinction is post-Platonic".  
>>>>>>>>>>In view of the said distinction being explicitly articulated 
>>>>>>>>>>by Plato, your arrogation of expertise implies a moral 
>>>>>>>>>>responsibility for your erroneous rebuttal.  In other words,
>>>>>>>>>>having lied about Plato, you are now trying to cover up your 
>>>>>>>>>>egregious lie by appealing to your critical authority.  
>>>>>>>>>It's called scholarship. Welcome to the concept.
>>>>>>>>Appealing to your critical authority is called scholarship?
>>>>>>>>Silly me -- I thought it was called preening.
>>>>>>>>>>                                            Sorry, that will
>>>>>>>>>>not do.  As I said elsewhere, that wilful overinterpretation of
>>>>>>>>>>the classics can arbitrarily arrive at any desired conclusion 
>>>>>>>>>>does not make for a critical breakthrough.  As regards your 
>>>>>>>>>>positivistic conception of science, it only betokens your 
>>>>>>>>>>crass innumeracy.  
>>>>>>>>>Give us an argument for science establishing values, and we'll 
>>>>>>>>>talk. So far, you're blowing smoke, as usual. Commit yourself to 
>>>>>>>>>an argument.
>>>>>>>>The best positive argument is that science establishes truth, and
>>>>>>>>truth is a value.  On the negative side, there is the argument that
>>>>>>>>ought implies can, and all possibilities are determined by science.
>>>>>>>>Most undergraduate philosophy majors learn this much in introductory
>>>>>>>>ethics classes.
>>>>>>>You may have just inadvertently put your finger on what's wrong 
>>>>>>>with introductory ethics classes around here. Science establishes 
>>>>>>>truth, but not the value of truth. That truth is a value gets 
>>>>>>>established elsewhere.
>>>>>>That the value of truth gets established elsewhere does not imply that
>>>>>>it cannot be established here and now, by a simple evolutionary model.
>>>>>>At any rate, you asked for an argument for science establishing values,
>>>>>>which is exactly what I delivered.
>>>>Response?
>>>You didn't give an argument for science establishing value, but for 
>>>science buttressing values already established. You said (in case you've 
>>>forgotten): "The best positive argument is that science establishes truth,
>>>and truth is a value." Science may establish truth (even though we've 
>>>heard vociferous denial from scientists as to all that), but it doesn't 
>>>establish the valuableness of truth. 
>>I merely suggested the argument because its triviality does not bear
>>articulation.  Concern for truth has obvious evolutionary fitness value.
>>Say what you will about evolutionary fitness, but it is certainly a
>>value established by science.
>The argument isn't applicable, and repeating it won't make it so. What 
>makes fitness a value? What makes survival a value? And what about 
>Nietzsche's argument that too much truth is pernicious to survival? If 
>you have any non-trivial arguments, let's see them.
Nietzsche's argument is scarcely up to the standards of Hamilton and
Maynard Smith.  So is the rest of your attitude.  Evolutionary theory
has been approached teleologically for the past forty years or so.  If
you want to catch up with the literature before blowing more hot air,
look up Larry Wright in the Phil Index.  In the meantime, if it so
happens that the value of truth is implicit in our best biological
theories, your positivist dogma has no leg to stand on.
>>>>>>>>>I will,  if it makes you happy, reformulate my initial assertion 
>>>>>>>>>that the "logos/mythos distinction is post-Platonic" to "the 
>>>>>>>>>logos/mythos distinction as it would apply to the context of this 
>>>>>>>>>thread is post-Platonic."
>>>>>>>>Since you brought up the logos/mythos distinction in the first place,
>>>>>>>>it is up to you to explain how it applies.
>>>>>>>You introduced "logos" as synonymous with "science" -- I pointed out 
>>>>>>>to you that that usage of logos is Post-Platonic (or I have now), 
>>>>>>>since Plato uses "logos" to denote a variety of discursive acts, 
>>>>>>>some of them non-compatible with scientific inquiry.
>>>>>>Must you exercise your talent for confabulation so often?  I never
>>>>>>used "logos" as synonymous with "science".  Whatever you pointed out,
>>>>>>was pointed out to Kagalenko, rather than me.  To repeat the salient
>>>>>>point, Socrates argued that virtue (arete) was scientific knowledge
>>>>>>(techne or episteme) involving an ability to give an account (logos)
>>>>>>suitable for teaching it to others.  An example of this argument will
>>>>>>be found in the _Laches_, explained by Gerasimos Santas in the 1969
>>>>>>Review of Metaphysics.
>>>>>You used logos in a different post just as I said; I'm too lazy to look 
>>>>>it up. The problem with tekhne and episteme, however, is just the same. 
>>>>>Tekhne can be mere craft (as in knowing how to ride a horse), and 
>>>>>episteme covers the knowledge acquired by revelation as well.
>>>>Your memory is failing you again.  At any rate, Socratic ethics is
>>>>certainly rationalistic, which is the only relevant point here. 
>>>My memory as to Plato's use of tekhne is failing me? Please do elaborate. 
>>You are misattributing spurious claims about logos to me.
>And you haven't addressed my point about tekhne. 
What point would that be?  Socrates the person uses tekhne and
episteme interchangeably, as you ought to know.
>>>Socratic ethic is part rationalistic, part mystical (or revelationary,
>>>if you prefer); even so, rationalistic is not the same as scientific, 
>>>so you're still nowhere.
>>The point is that rational accounts are neither arbitrary nor a priori
>>separable from science.  So if Socrates' argument is granted, your
>>dissociation of values and science cannot be sustained.
>No, the point is that science does not equal rational discourse, and that 
>therefore you haven't established anything about science by establishing 
>something about rational discourse (which you haven't established yet 
>anyway).
Wrong again.  Science need not equal rational discourse in order to
generate it.
>>>> If
>>>>you have primary references for the implied claim that he countenanced
>>>>acquisition and transmission of moral knowledge by revelation, please
>>>>share them.
>>>Phaedrus, myth of the soul; "the greatest values have come to Greece by 
>>>way of madness." Let me guess, you're going to ask me whether I can prove 
>>>that madness functions like revelation...
>>We are talking about the philosophy of Socrates the historical person,
>>not the various views articulated by Socrates the literary character.
>And whose incarnation are you to have access to a non-literary Socrates?
How does this differ from asking whose incarnation am I to infer
things behind phenomena?  If you really have been reading Plato for
five years, you could not have missed answers to your question in
literature -- e.g. Vlastos' penultimate book on Socrates.
>>In this connection, Phaedrus is of little more relevance than the Laws.
>>Even so, you are not accounting for acquisition, much less transmission
>>of knowledge as such, until you articulate its logos to those who do not
>>partake of your mania.  And even if you should muster such articulation,
>>there would remain a small matter of proving that thea mania yields some
>>values inaccessible to rational inquiry.
>You haven't read the Phaedrus or you are unable to address the argument I 
>made. The question is where knowledge is produced; if the transmission of 
>mystically acquired (intuited) knowledge takes itself the form of a logos 
>about revelation, you are begging the question of the transcendental leap.
To say that knowledge is produced strikes me as egregiously anti-
Platonic.  At any rate, this discussion is not about Plato, but about
moral rationalism.  Your Kierkegaardian reading of the classics is of
no relevance to the title subject.
Cordially, - Mikhail | God: "Sum id quod sum." Descartes: "Cogito ergo sum."
Zeleny@math.ucla.edu | Popeye:   "Sum id quod sum et id totum est quod sum."
itinerant philosopher -- will think for food  ** www.ptyx.com ** MZ@ptyx.com 
ptyx ** 6869 Pacific View Drive, LA, CA 90068 ** 213-876-8234/874-4745 (fax)

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Subject: Re: Causality Violation
From: Nick Cummings 
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 01:07:46 -0500

Peter Diehr wrote:
> 
> Nick Cummings wrote:
> >
> > Can anyone explain to me, using the lorenz transformations and other
> > basic SR, why the transfer of information faster than the speed of light
> > would necessitate a causality violation?
> >
> 
> All you need are the light cones, forward and backwards. The backwards
> light cone is your past, with all events that are possibly connected
> to you by means of light.
> 
> If you were able to communicate with somebody at a speed greater
> than light, then you could send messages outside of your light
> cones.
> 
> But then so can the recipient. And he can send the message back
> into your past ... setting up a temporal loop.
> 
> For more information, find any SR text that uses light cones
> extensively in the discussion.
> 
> Best Regards, Peter
Ok let me see if i understand this:
		\      /
		 \    /                time
		  \  /                  ^
		   \/                   |
space-like /\        right?     |
 area	  /  \                  |
		 /time\                 |    space
		/ like \                --------------->
          area
		\      /                  \      /
		 \    /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\    / _
		  \  /                      \  /   | delta t
	me __> \/  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   \/   _| response time
		   /\     instantaneuos      /\
		  /  \      signal          /  \
		 /    \                    /    \
		/      \                  /      \
I don't see the problem, but I guess that's because these two observers
are both in the same frame.  I guess i'll try to find an SR book that
explains it.  I've only done nominal work with SR (mostly self taught),
so the lorenz transformations are not yet intuitive to me.
Thanks anyway,
Nick Cummings

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Subject: Conventional Fusion FAQ Section 0/11 (Intro) Part 1/3 (Overview)
From: Robert F. Heeter 
Date: 25 Nov 1996 06:07:33 GMT

Archive-name: fusion-faq/section0-intro/part1-overview
Last-modified: 26-Feb-1995
Posting-frequency: More-or-less-biweekly
Disclaimer:  While this section is still evolving, it should 
     be useful to many people, and I encourage you to distribute 
     it to anyone who might be interested (and willing to help!!!).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
### Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Fusion Research
-----------------------------------------------------------------
# Written/Edited by:
     Robert F. Heeter
     
     Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
# Last Revised February 26, 1995
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*** A.  Welcome to the Conventional Fusion FAQ!  
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* 1) Contents
  This file is intended to indicate 
     (A) that the Conventional Fusion FAQ exists, 
     (B) what it discusses, 
     (C) how to find it on the Internet, and
     (D) the status of the Fusion FAQ project
* 2) What is the Conventional Fusion FAQ?
  The Conventional Fusion FAQ is a comprehensive, relatively
  nontechnical set of answers to many of the frequently asked
  questions about fusion science, fusion energy, and fusion
  research.  Additionally, there is a Glossary of Frequently
  Used Terms In Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Research, which 
  explains much of the jargon of the field.  The Conventional 
  Fusion FAQ originated as an attempt to provide 
  answers to many of the typical, basic, or introductory questions 
  about fusion research, and to provide a listing of references and 
  other resources for those interested in learning more.  The
  Glossary section containing Frequently Used Terms (FUT) also
  seeks to facilitate communication regarding fusion by providing
  brief explanations of the language of the field.
* 3) Scope of the Conventional Fusion FAQ:
  Note that this FAQ discusses only the conventional forms of fusion
  (primarily magnetic confinement, but also inertial and 
  muon-catalyzed), and not new/unconventional forms ("cold fusion",
  sonoluminescence-induced fusion, or ball-lightning fusion).  I 
  have tried to make this FAQ as uncontroversial and comprehensive
  as possible, while still covering everything I felt was 
  important / standard fare on the sci.physics.fusion newsgroup.
* 4) How to Use the FAQ:
  This is a rather large FAQ, and to make it easier to find what
  you want, I have outlined each section (including which questions
  are answered) in Section 0, Part 2 (posted separately).  Hopefully it 
  will not be too hard to use.  Part (C) below describes how to find
  the other parts of the FAQ via FTP or the World-Wide Web.
* 5) Claims and Disclaimers:  
  This is an evolving document, not a completed work.  As such, 
  it may not be correct or up-to-date in all respects.  
  This document should not be distributed for profit, especially 
  without my permission.  Individual sections may have additional 
  restrictions.  In no case should my name, the revision date, 
  or this paragraph be removed.  
                                             - Robert F. Heeter
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*** B. Contents (Section Listing) of the Conventional Fusion FAQ
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************************
                What This FAQ Discusses
*****************************************************************
(Each of these sections is posted periodically on sci.physics.fusion.
 Section 0.1 is posted biweekly, the other parts are posted quarterly.
 Each listed part is posted as a separate file.)
Section 0 - Introduction
     Part 1/3 - Title Page
                Table of Contents
                How to Find the FAQ
                Current Status of the FAQ project
     Part 2/3 - Detailed Outline with List of Questions
     Part 3/3 - Revision History
Section 1 - Fusion as a Physical Phenomenon
Section 2 - Fusion as an Energy Source
     Part 1/5 - Technical Characteristics
     Part 2/5 - Environmental Characteristics
     Part 3/5 - Safety Characteristics
     Part 4/5 - Economic Characteristics
     Part 5/5 - Fusion for Space-Based Power
Section 3 - Fusion as a Scientific Research Program
     Part 1/3 - Chronology of Events and Ideas
     Part 2/3 - Major Institutes and Policy Actors
     Part 3/3 - History of Achievements and Funding
Section 4 - Methods of Containment / Approaches to Fusion
     Part 1/2 - Toroidal Magnetic Confinement Approaches
     Part 2/2 - Other Approaches (ICF, muon-catalyzed, etc.)
Section 5 - Status of and Plans for Present Devices
Section 6 - Recent Results
Section 7 - Educational Opportunities
Section 8 - Internet Resources
Section 9 - Future Plans
Section 10 - Annotated Bibliography / Reading List
Section 11 - Citations and Acknowledgements
Glossary of Frequently Used Terms (FUT) in Plasma Physics & Fusion:
  Part 0/26 - Intro
  Part 1/26 - A
  Part 2/26 - B
  [ ... ]
  Part 26/26 - Z
---------------------------------------------------------------
*** C.  How to find the Conventional Fusion FAQ on the 'Net:
---------------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************************
###  The FAQ about the FAQ:
###          How can I obtain a copy of a part of the Fusion FAQ?
*****************************************************************
* 0) Quick Methods (for Experienced Net Users)
   (A) World-Wide Web:  http://lyman.pppl.gov/~rfheeter/fusion-faq.html
   (B) FTP:  rtfm.mit.edu in /pub/usenet-by-group/sci.answers/fusion-faq
* 1) Obtaining the Fusion FAQ from Newsgroups
  Those of you reading this on news.answers, sci.answers, 
  sci.energy, sci.physics, or sci.environment will be able to 
  find the numerous sections of the full FAQ by reading 
  sci.physics.fusion periodically.  (Please note that not 
  all sections are completed yet.)  Because the FAQ is quite
  large, most sections are posted only every three months, to avoid
  unnecessary consumption of bandwidth.
  All sections of the FAQ which are ready for "official" 
  distribution are posted to sci.physics.fusion, sci.answers, 
  and news.answers, so you can get them from these groups by 
  waiting long enough. 
* 2) World-Wide-Web (Mosaic, Netscape, Lynx, etc.):
   Several Web versions now exist.
   The "official" one is currently at
     
   We hope to have a version on the actual PPPL Web server 
      () soon.
   There are other sites which have made "unofficial" Web versions 
   from the newsgroup postings.  I haven't hunted all of these down 
   yet, but I know a major one is at this address:
 
 Note that the "official" one will include a number of features
 which cannot be found on the "unofficial" ones created by
 automated software from the newsgroup postings.  In particular
 we hope to have links through the outline directly to questions,
 and between vocabulary words and their entries in the Glossary, 
 so that readers unfamiliar with the terminology can get help fast.
 (Special acknowledgements to John Wright at PPPL, who is handling
  much of the WWW development.)
* 3) FAQ Archives at FTP Sites (Anonymous FTP) - Intro
  All completed sections can also be obtained by anonymous FTP 
  from various FAQ archive sites, such as rtfm.mit.edu.  The
  address for this archive is:
    
  Please note that sections which are listed above as having
  multiple parts (such as the glossary, and section 2) are 
  stored in subdirectories, where each part has its own
  filename; e.g., /fusion-faq/glossary/part0-intro. 
  Please note also that there are other locations in the rtfm
  filespace where fusion FAQ files are stored, but the reference
  given above is the easiest to use.
  There are a large number of additional FAQ archive sites,
  many of which carry the fusion FAQ.  These are listed below.
* 4) Additional FAQ archives worldwide (partial list)
  There are other FAQ archive sites around the world
  which one can try if rtfm is busy; a list is appended
  at the bottom of this file.
* 5) Mail Server
   If you do not have direct access by WWW or FTP, the 
   rtfm.mit.edu site supports "ftp by mail": send a message 
   to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the following 3 lines
   in it (cut-and-paste if you like): 
send usenet-by-group/sci.answers/fusion-faq/section0-intro/part1-overview
send usenet-by-group/sci.answers/fusion-faq/section0-intro/part2-outline
quit
   The mail server will send these two introductory 
   files to you.  You can then use the outline (part2)
   to determine which files you want.  You can receive
   any or all of the remaining files by sending another
   message with the same general format, if you substitute
   the file archive names you wish to receive, in place of the 
   part "fusion-faq/section0-intro/part1-overview", etc. used above.
* 6) Additional Note / Disclaimer: 
  Not all sections of the FAQ have been written
  yet, nor have they all been "officially" posted.
  Thus, you may not find what you're looking for right away.
  Sections which are still being drafted are only
  posted to sci.physics.fusion.  If there's a section 
  you can't find, send me email and I'll let you know 
  what's up with it. 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
*** D. Status of the Conventional Fusion FAQ Project
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* 1) Written FAQ Sections:
  Most sections have been at least drafted, but many sections are still
  being written.  Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, and 9
  remain to be completed.
  Those sections which have been written could use revising and improving.
  I am trying to obtain more information, especially on devices and 
  confinement approaches; I'm also looking for more information on 
  international fusion research, especially in Japan & Russia.
   *** I'd love any help you might be able to provide!! ***
* 2) Building a Web Version
  A "primitive" version (which has all the posted data, but isn't
  especially aesthetic) exists now.  Would like to add graphics and 
  cross-references to the Glossary, between FAQ sections, and 
  to other internet resources (like laboratory Web pages).  
* 3) Nuts & Bolts - 
  I'm looking for ways to enhance the distribution of the FAQ, and
  to get additional volunteer help for maintenance and updates.
  We are in the process of switching to automated posting via the 
  rtfm.mit.edu faq posting daemon.
* 4) Status of the Glossary:
 # Contains roughly 1000 entries, including acronyms, math terms, jargon, etc.
 # Just finished incorporating terms from the "Glossary of Fusion Energy"
   published in 1985 by the Dept. of Energy's Office of Scientific and
   Technical Information.
 # Also working to improve technical quality of entries (more formal.)
 # World Wide Web version exists, hope to cross-reference to FAQ.
 # Hope to have the Glossary "officially" added to PPPL Web pages.
 # Hope to distribute to students, policymakers, journalists, 
   scientists, i.e., to anyone who needs a quick reference to figure out 
   what we're really trying to say, or to decipher all the "alphabet 
   soup."  Scientists need to remember that not everyone knows those 
   "trivial" words we use every day.  The glossary and FAQ should be 
   useful in preparing for talks to lay audiences.  Students will 
   also find it useful to be able to look up unfamiliar technical jargon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
*** E. Appendix: List of Additional FAQ Archive Sites Worldwide 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(The following information was excerpted from the "Introduction to 
the *.answers newsgroups" posting on news.answers, from Sept. 9, 1994.)
Other news.answers/FAQ archives (which carry some or all of the FAQs
in the rtfm.mit.edu archive), sorted by country, are:
[ Note that the connection type is on the left.  I can't vouch
for the fusion FAQ being on all of these, but it should be
on some. - Bob Heeter ]
Belgium
-------
  gopher                cc1.kuleuven.ac.be port 70
  anonymous FTP         cc1.kuleuven.ac.be:/anonymous.202
  mail-server           listserv@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be  get avail faqs
Canada
------
  gopher                jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca port 70
Finland
-------
  anonymous ftp         ftp.funet.fi/pub/doc/rtfm
France
------
  anonymous FTP         grasp1.insa-lyon.fr:/pub/faq
                        grasp1.insa-lyon.fr:/pub/faq-by-newsgroup
  gopher                gopher.insa-lyon.fr, port 70
  mail server           listserver@grasp1.univ-lyon1.fr
Germany
-------
  anonymous ftp         ftp.Germany.EU.net:/pub/newsarchive/news.answers
                        ftp.informatik.uni-muenchen.de:/pub/comp/usenet/news.answers
                        ftp.uni-paderborn.de:/doc/FAQ
                        ftp.saar.de:/pub/usenet/news.answers (local access only)
  gopher                gopher.Germany.EU.net, port 70.
                        gopher.uni-paderborn.de
  mail server           archive-server@Germany.EU.net
                        ftp-mailer@informatik.tu-muenchen.de
                        ftp-mail@uni-paderborn.de
  World Wide Web        http://www.Germany.EU.net:80/
  FSP                   ftp.Germany.EU.net, port 2001
  gopher index          gopher://gopher.Germany.EU.net:70/1.archive
                        gopher://gopher.uni-paderborn.de:70/0/Service/FTP
Korea
-----
  anonymous ftp         hwarang.postech.ac.kr:/pub/usenet/news.answers
Mexico
------
  anonymous ftp         mtecv2.mty.itesm.mx:/pub/usenet/news.answers
The Netherlands
---------------
  anonymous ftp         ftp.cs.ruu.nl:/pub/NEWS.ANSWERS
  gopher                gopher.win.tue.nl, port 70
  mail server           mail-server@cs.ruu.nl
Sweden
------
  anonymous ftp         ftp.sunet.se:/pub/usenet
Switzerland
-----------
  anonymous ftp         ftp.switch.ch:/info_service/usenet/periodic-postings
  anonymous UUCP        chx400:ftp/info_service/Usenet/periodic-postings
  mail server           archiver-server@nic.switch.ch
  telnet                nic.switch.ch, log in as "info"
Taiwan
------
  anonymous ftp         ftp.edu.tw:/USENET/FAQ
  mail server           ftpmail@ftp.edu.tw
United Kingdon
--------------
  anonymous ftp         src.doc.ic.ac.uk:/usenet/news-faqs/
  FSP                   src.doc.ic.ac.uk port 21
  gopher                src.doc.ic.ac.uk port 70.
  mail server           ftpmail@doc.ic.ac.uk
  telnet                src.doc.ic.ac.uk login as sources
  World Wide Web        http://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/usenet/news-faqs/
United States
-------------
  anonymous ftp         ftp.uu.net:/usenet
  World Wide Web        http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu:80/hypertext/faq/usenet/top.html

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Subject: Post Graduate Opportunity
From: ferreira@mech.und.ac.za (Jeff Ferreira)
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 08:12:20

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARMENT
UNIVERSITY OF NATAL
DURBAN
MSc in Semi-Solid Materials topics
Applications are invited from suitable candidates for MSc studies at the 
Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. 
Studies starting in 1997 will concentrate on production and forming of 
semi-solid materials and involves experimental work, automation and control.
Minimum acceptable qualification is a degree in either Mechanical Engineering, 
Materials Science or Metallurgy. Also candidates with Physics or 
Electrical/Electronic backgrounds with an interest in materials will be 
considered. Some materials teaching/tutorial experience and previous work on 
high pressure die casting would be beneficial, but not necessary.
The dynamic and self motivated student is expected to work under a tight 
schedule and have an aptitiude for theoretical, experimental and practical 
work. Remuneration starts from approximately R 18 000 per year. Additionally, 
income can be supplemented from  teaching, research assistance and other 
activities.
Overseas students are welcome to apply.
Interested student should contact Dr Jeff Ferreira at ferreira@mech.und.ac.za, 
or Tel : 027 - (0)31- 260-3208, Fax : 027-(0)31-260-3217

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Subject: Re: Methane Hydrate noises
From: sbennett@gate.net (Stephen  Bennett)
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 96 04:57:32 GMT

In article ,
   mmcirvin@world.std.com (Matt McIrvin) wrote:
>I seem to recall Nature's "Daedalus" column, my favorite source of
>bizarre speculations, musing about methane hydrate as a power source.
The November 9, 1996 Science News, Vol. 150, No.19, has a feature article on 
methane hydrate, and known deposits shown on a world map. The so-called Burmuda 
Triangle does not appear to as well supplied as other locations where these 
deposits have been found. Perhaps the UFO's depleted the reserves for fuel? ;)
Stephen Bennett

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Subject: Re: 137
From: sbennett@gate.net (Stephen  Bennett)
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 96 05:03:32 GMT

In article <574jqp$455@decaxp.harvard.edu>,
   ddang@course3.harvard.edu (Danh Dang) wrote:
>137
Now that is almost as fine a constant as I've seen.

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