Solitons - From Deadly Monster Waves On The High Seas To Modern Particle Physics
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - 22:50
in Physics & Chemistry
Solitons, also called solitary waves, are an intriguing topic. They are waves which behave much like particles, yet not in the sense of the quantum physical particle-wave-duality, but in a purely classical sense: They travel much like particles, meaning they do not change their shape for example, and they even bump against each other and can annihilate with their anti-solitons. On the oceans, solitons can appear as rogue waves (not bore, which is a different phenomenon), and many an ocean faring vessel has succumbed to them. They do not just lift the ship like usual waves. They smash it – again, much like one would expect from a solid particle. read more