Science
Mathematical puzzle from 1904 takes physical form in gold-studded helium droplets
Source: Phys.org · Published
When identical charges repel each other but are confined to the surface of a sphere, they seek the arrangement with the lowest possible energy. The idea is simple, but the problem gets harder to solve with every charge added. The so-called Thomson problem dates back to the "plum-pudding" model of the atom, which Nobel laureate Joseph J. Thomson proposed in 1904. The atomic model has long been…
Key points
- When identical charges repel each other but are confined to the surface of a sphere, they seek the arrangement with the lowest possible energy.
- The idea is simple, but the problem gets harder to solve with every charge added.
- The so-called Thomson problem dates back to the "plum-pudding" model of the atom, which Nobel laureate Joseph J.
- The atomic model has long been…
Related stories
- Decoding the loopy physics of hula hooping with high-tech earthquake sensors
Phys.org · 27 Oct 2026, 23:40
- We studied 1,584 data centers—and found the buildings full of machines are tied to modest local job growth
Phys.org · 27 Oct 2026, 23:40
- Biodiversity hotspots in southwestern Germany are losing their species richness
Phys.org · 27 Oct 2026, 23:20
- The way Earth's 'thermostat' works may have changed during Pangea era
Phys.org · 27 Oct 2026, 23:20
- Identical vesicles, different behaviors: Model reveals how spontaneous asymmetry gives rise to lifelike behavior
Phys.org · 27 Oct 2026, 23:00
- Can your brain make you see ghosts? The science behind the Bloody Mary legend
Phys.org · 27 Oct 2026, 23:00
We are a news aggregator: we show the headline and a short excerpt with a link to the original source. We never republish full articles.