A recent paper claims Earth's rotation could be harnessed for power using a "gravity engine," theoretically generating terawatts of energy by raising and lowering massive weights as the Earth rotates. This concept, building on decades-old physics, hinges on the Coriolis effect. However, many physicists are skeptical, arguing that the proposed mechanism violates fundamental laws of physics, particularly conservation of angular momentum. They contend that any energy gained would be offset by a minuscule slowing of Earth's rotation, effectively transferring rotational energy rather than creating it. The debate highlights the complex interplay between gravity, rotation, and energy, with the practicality and feasibility of such a gravity engine remaining highly contested.
The CERN Courier article "Beyond Bohr and Einstein" discusses the ongoing quest to understand the foundations of quantum mechanics, nearly a century after the famous Bohr-Einstein debates. While acknowledging the undeniable success of quantum theory in predicting experimental outcomes, the article highlights persistent conceptual challenges, particularly regarding the nature of measurement and the role of the observer. It explores alternative interpretations, such as QBism and the Many-Worlds Interpretation, which attempt to address these foundational issues by moving beyond the traditional Copenhagen interpretation championed by Bohr. The article emphasizes that these alternative interpretations, though offering fresh perspectives, still face their own conceptual difficulties and haven't yet led to experimentally testable predictions that could distinguish them from established quantum theory. Ultimately, the piece suggests that the search for a complete and intuitively satisfying understanding of quantum mechanics remains an open and active area of research.
HN commenters discuss interpretations of quantum mechanics beyond the Bohr-Einstein debates, focusing on the limitations of the Copenhagen interpretation and the search for a more intuitive or complete picture. Several express interest in alternatives like pilot-wave theory and QBism, appreciating their deterministic nature or subjective approach to probability. Some question the practical implications of these interpretations, wondering if they offer any predictive power beyond the standard model. Others emphasize the philosophical importance of exploring these foundational questions, even if they don't lead to immediate technological advancements. The role of measurement and the observer is a recurring theme, with some arguing that decoherence provides a satisfactory explanation within the existing framework.
Summary of Comments ( 130 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43526443
Hacker News users discuss a Nature article about a controversial claim that Earth's rotation could be harnessed for power. Several commenters express skepticism, pointing to the immense scale and impracticality of such a project, even if theoretically possible. Some highlight the conservation of angular momentum, arguing that extracting energy from Earth's rotation would necessarily slow it down, albeit imperceptibly. Others debate the interpretation of the original research, with some suggesting it's more about subtle gravitational effects than a large-scale power source. A few commenters mention existing technologies that indirectly utilize Earth's rotation, such as tidal power. The overall sentiment seems to be one of cautious curiosity mixed with doubt about the feasibility and significance of the proposed concept. A few users engage in more playful speculation, imagining the distant future where such technology might be relevant.
The Hacker News post "Can Earth's rotation generate power? Physicists divided over controversial claim" sparked a discussion with several interesting comments. Many commenters engaged with the core concept of extracting energy from Earth's rotation, exploring its theoretical feasibility and practical implications.
Several commenters pointed out the existing methods of harnessing energy derived from Earth's rotation, primarily through tidal power. Tides are a direct consequence of the gravitational interaction between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun, and their cyclical nature allows for predictable energy generation. This led to discussions about the distinction between directly tapping into rotational energy versus utilizing its indirect effects.
Some users questioned the novelty of the proposed mechanism in the linked Nature article, arguing that any method of extracting energy from Earth's rotation would necessarily involve interaction with another celestial body, thereby slowing Earth's rotation. They emphasized the fundamental principle of conservation of angular momentum, implying that extracting usable energy would require transferring some angular momentum away from the Earth.
A significant point of contention revolved around the scale of energy that could realistically be extracted and its impact on Earth's rotation. Some commenters expressed skepticism about the practicality of generating substantial power without causing significant, albeit extremely gradual, changes to the length of a day.
A few commenters delved into more technical aspects, referencing concepts like Lenz's law and the inherent inefficiencies involved in energy conversion processes. They also discussed the potential environmental impact of any large-scale attempt to harness rotational energy.
Finally, some users expressed a general sense of caution regarding sensationalized scientific claims, emphasizing the importance of peer review and rigorous validation before drawing definitive conclusions. They also highlighted the difference between theoretical possibilities and practical, economically viable implementations.