Why do we accept the idea that decay rates on the molecular level are uniform when it is so obvious that decay rates in large objects are not?
EXERCISE:
Take four apples and:
1. Put one in the fridge.
2. Put one under water.
3. Put one under a blow torch.
4. Throw one into a volcano.
Take note of the difference in the rate of decay.
42 comments
A molecule of apple? I would love to see the chemical descriptor for that.
This guy can't even grasp the difference between decay of organic matter and radioactive element decay, and he presumes to lecture US? As someone very wise once (in fact, many times) has said:
If you don't know what you're talking about, shut up.
~David D.G.
TDR #28561
<< "I wonder btw what the parent isotope of apple is..... "
maybe a pineapple? >>
------
No, apple IS the parent isotope, and the daughter elements are pineapple, crabapple, and horse apple.
~David D.G.
Decay rates on the molecular level are not uniform, though.
If you put some N2O4 in a cold room, some in a room-temperature room, and some in a volcano, they don't decay to NO2 at the same rate.
Now, atomic decay, on the other hand, is a little different. It's more like putting those four apples in the same four places, but after sterilizing them with ethylene oxide, and encasing them in a COMPLETELY IMPERMEABLE FORCEFIELD.
David D.G.: I'm glad that my chant has caught on. Now whenever a fundie won't listen to you, chanting Babble verses and Hovind's lies at you, you can chant right back with the ultimate atheist comeback:
If you don't know what you're talking about, shut up.
I love it when I make a mark on the world (or the forum, I'm not picky).
Well ho-lee shit 9 chambers, looks like you just solved the world's energy problems. I mean the major drawback of nuclear energy is a radioactive waste byproduct with a half life of over 200,000 years that's near impossible to transport or store safely.
Who'da thunk we could just get it real hot or put it underwater and change the decay rate.
He also neglects the fact that "uniform" decay rates don't apply to individual molecules compared to each other, but do apply to large numbers of molecules collectively. Two individual uranium atoms will decay at different and totally unpredictable times; but in a large sample of uranium, you know that by a certain time (roughly 4 billion years, give or take) half of that uranium will have decayed.
Honestly, he isn't quite as much of a crackpot as you might think. Yeah, the volcano is way over the top, but read the thread. He's really struggling to understand how science works. This is one case of someone who has potential to break out of his own ignorance someday (over a sufficiently long period of time).
Please just go back to the simple, simple place you came from, crawl into a corner and just die, not making a sound, just do it quietly please and we are willing to ignore your overwhelming stupidity.
"You have a blow torch?"
Well, I don't like to brag, but-
It's more like the BFG 9000 from the DOOM games- doesn't leave much behind, though.
Why do people believe on absolutely blind faith that they are pleasing their god, and that science is wrong/evil? Because they are mindless cretins with no chance of surviving on their own
There were, for a time, a great many of those who believed that by learning about the universe in all its minute detail and intricacy via scientific endeavour, they could display the greatest respect and admiration to its creator - quite a worthy goal on its own terms.
They're rather rarer these days, what with the known universe showing no signs of having been created by some intelligent entity at all and much of it flatly contradicting the accounts of theistic creation - they get a bit upset about that.
Is this supposed to be some sort of an attempt to support the idea that radioactive decay rates have changed?
Because radioactive isotope atoms and fruit aren't the same, or even close. At all. You're not just comparing apples to oranges, you're comparing apples to orangutans. Or the Sun.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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