Scientists create 3.6 billion degree plasma ... by accident

[MatthewRyan]

Why didnt the machine melt? what can withstand 3,600,000,000 degrees F?

[tolbiny]

Magnetic field, its been spelled out in the article.

[Metric]

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Why didnt the machine melt? what can withstand 3,600,000,000 degrees F?

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One should also keep in mind that a tiny bit of matter, even if extremely hot, may not contain much energy. Usually "magnetic confinement" is used for the purpose of keeping the plasma hot, rather than to keep the experimental apparatus cool.

[rageotones]

who was holding the thermometer?

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Why didnt the machine melt? what can withstand 3,600,000,000 degrees F?

[/ QUOTE ]
One should also keep in mind that a tiny bit of matter, even if extremely hot, may not contain much energy. Usually "magnetic confinement" is used for the purpose of keeping the plasma hot, rather than to keep the experimental apparatus cool.

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for some reason im also under the impression the duration of the heat was very brief, but i could be wrong.

[SomethingClever]

Apparently the same machine can also accelerate a small plate from 0 to 76,000 mph in one second.

link

That's one hell of a machine.

[ouyangl]

I'm pretty sure they have a rail gun at that laboratory

Basically its two rails of metal with an 'armature' in the middle completing the circuit. Since current creates a magnetic field, the circuit actually creates a magnetic field that pushes the armature out. A lot of current is needed to create this phenomenon. With 2,000,000V (i think thats what the article said) and an armature that weighs so light, and probably the most superconductive material available to anyone, something like this is really only expected.

I tried making one of those for my Physics class last year. Needless to say, it failed. It sucks that everything in our world is designed for like 20V and Home Depot doesn't sell voltage multipliers

Didn't know a Gauss gun would've been easier to make. I should've done that

If you want to see an amateur rail gun, check out Sam Barro's PowerLab. His is insane and hes only using 3,200V

[ItalianFX]

What do you need 3.6 billion degrees for? What is it used for?

[BCPVP]

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What do you need 3.6 billion degrees for? What is it used for?

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Did you even read the article?

[Lestat]

I don't know why, but I find it disconcerting that something man made can be created in a lab that is hotter than a [censored] star.

Does anyone know if it's possible we might one day create something in a lab that could escape our control and destroy the entire planet? Just curious.