Results tagged “mooreslaw” from 60 Second Science

Okay, once you start smashing or pulling atoms apart, they get pretty exciting, but IBM has just published its finding on just how little force it takes to move an atom: about one-130-millionth of an ounce of force (210 piconewtons) to push a cobalt atom across platinum or only one-1,600-millionth (17 piconewtons) of an ounce of force to shove at across copper.

It takes about 30 billion piconewtons to pick up a penny.

Geeks across the world rejoiced, now able to finish every work out (or gaming session) with a shout of "I hold the power of 130 million cobalt atoms in my hand! What type of guns are these? Yeah, atom-pushing guns."

Anyone? No? Okay, just me.

Continue reading 'Atomic power actually kind of wimpy' >

Rolling right along, here's the second episode of our video podcast, "Instant Egghead."

Ever wonder why Apple puts out a newer, tinier iPod every two freaking seconds? Or why you're watching this on a laptop instead of a blinking, blooping Star-Trek-style wallputer? Moore's Law is the reason. Christie Nicholson explains how it works-- in pretty much the lowest-tech way possible.

Click To Play or Click To Embed (this video on your own blog or website)

Written, produced and edited by John Pavlus // Shot by Steven Boling

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