Nick L

Right, I am doing this very subject in A Level Physics now so here goes. There are 3 possible outcomes for the universe. I will go through each possibility. 1) The open universe - This is where the universe does keep expanding forever, because the overall density is below the critical density which would cause the gravitational forces to pull everything back in again. The density of the VISIBLE matter would suggest that we are in this "open universe" state. 2) The flat universe - This is where the density of the universe is very close to the critical density, so eventually the universe will almost stop expanding and will stay roughly the same size. 3) The closed universe - Where the density is greater than the critical density, meaning that the gravitational forces in the universe would cause it to contract, eventually leading to a "Big Crunch". Current evidence suggests that this may not happen, but there is an unknown amount of "dark matter" out there, about which very little is known. But if the current estimates of this "dark matter" are correct, then there is easily substantial density to enable the universe to being to contract. But here is a key sentence from my Physics textbook: As always in physics, the solution of one problem leads to many other questions. There is always plenty to discover, and there is no end to possible questions. Because of that, I think the LHC is vital to help shed some light on what the universe is actually doing/has done. Nothing apparently. And nothing existed before the big bang, not even time itself. I told my physics teacher that this was impossible for me to get my head round. He explained it that the human mind doesn't want to venture into the theory of "nothing", so we naturally reject the possibility. It really is fascinating stuff though.

The universe isn't infinite, it is ever expanding.

[quote name='Paul B' date='22 November 2009 - 09:31 ']Nice one Nick! I have completed my form now and sent it off, so the waiting game for me too! Feels strange knowing I am going to be an immature mature student![/quote] Good luck! Still had only the one offer, no worries yet though! Do the immature and mature cancel each other out? [img]http://forum.netweather.tv/public/style_emoticons/default/unknw.gif[/img]

I don't think that is what annoys people. What annoys people is the refusal by a certain member to accept that the "modern era" may be complete hogwash.

I am one of 6 in a roughly same size 6th form. It is extremely challenging but hugely worthwhile. the Further Pure modules are solid - especially FP2. Thankfully we have excellent teachers and a dedicated maths department to help us through it. East Anglia have invited me to attend a visit day now, was originally 9th Dec, but unfortunately couldn't make that date. Rang them though and got a new date of March 10th, while away but at least I have a date! No more offers just yet/

Thanks =D, barring a disaster with my A Level results I should be going to uni next year now! Was going to put East Anglia as my insurance place with Reading as first, so hopefully they will respond soon.

Received my first offer today, BBB for the East Anglia course. Usually ABB but lowered due to the fact I have taken Further Maths - so the complicated stuff is finally paying off!

I wanted to see the meteor shower last night but it was cloudy - the star gazer's nightmare!

I thought it was supposed to be windy this morning?! It's like a millpond out there!

Good luck with yours then My school said they will send it off tomorrow so hopefully will be getting something by the end of the month!

Thanks Paul [img]http://forum.netweather.tv/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img] I know yeah, I feel sorry for anybody who isn't good with computers! Which universities are you looking at?

Yeah, Meteorology is pretty much Physics. Good luck with Oxford, a lot of work ahead of you though just to get the grades! I did consider Oxford, but I probably wouldn't have got 3 As. What A Levels have you taken anyway? Sorry about the Durham rejection.

Fantastic Autumn morning so far: frosty, cold and foggy! Just scraping above 4c now and the fog is beginning to thin but not in any hurry. Got down to -0.7c last night so the coldest night of the season so far.

[quote name='03jtrickey' date='08 November 2009 - 22:40 ']Good luck!! I'm going through the UCAS process too at the moment. My options are: Oxford - Geography Bristol - Geography Durham - Geography Exeter - Geography I have an AAB offer from Exeter so far, now I have a tense wait for the other three (and to find out if I have an Oxford interview). I really hope it goes well for you. I would have loved to do a meteorological course but I stupidly didn't do Physics AS.[/quote] Argh that was pretty daft! Not an easy subject though, was just 3 marks of an A at AS in Physics but I only need a B so no worries there. Did terrible in AS Geography (got an E in one of the papers :| ) so that had to be dropped! Good luck with yours, especially with Oxford! When will you find out if you are going to get an interview or not?

Thanks Sammie! Hopefully the long wait and another year of hard-ish work will pay off though [img]http://forum.netweather.tv/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif[/img]

Fantastic Autumn day here, reached a shade over 8c and is now on the way back down again. Had sunshine for most of the day but started to cloud over somewhat now. Having fireworks tonight and it seems like it will be the perfect weather - dry and cold!

[quote name='butler_son' date='07 November 2009 - 00:30 ']Good luck bud! [img]http://forum.netweather.tv/public/style_emoticons/default/good.gif[/img] Making a bit more progress than me though, I've still got to apply for PhD and MSc courses...I'm just putting it off too much![/quote] Thanks :D. I was originally slacking a bit, until I started to see some of my friends get offers, gave me a kick up the backside to get a move on!

Just finished my UCAS form (what a stupidly long-winded procedure...), less than a year now until I will be (hopefully) starting university, scary thought! Here are my choices:[b]University of Reading[/b][i]Meteorology and Climate and a year in Oklahoma[/i][b]University of East Anglia[/b][i]Meteorology and Oceanography - Offer: BBB[/i][b]University of Leeds[/b][i]Meteorology & Atmospheric Science - Offer: BBB[/i][b]University of Birmingham[/b][i]Mathematics - Offer: ABB[/i]Really hoping I can get onto the Reading course, spending a year in Oklahoma really would be awesome. Just the small matter of getting AAB in Maths, Further Maths and Physics though first! Hopefully, one day I will able to understand the posts of Glacier Point and the like...some day [img]http://forum.netweather.tv/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif[/img]

Winter - when the Netweather loonies go crazy

Surprisingly cool night so far, 4.7c.

Let's hope it is as promising as the NW winter forecast! Starting to get to the stage now where Xmas forecasts actually have a shred of credibility.

I have heard about that one, glad to say I was not a member of NW at that time!

Yeah they may have forecasted it on the morning of the 9th - but as I say I was on my way to the airport!

Where? When?

I honestly don't remember the Beeb predicting the 9th correctly. I was going to Rome in the morning. I watched the Thursday 10.30pm forecast and it showed cloudy, dull and cold - so I felt safe in the knowledge that I would miss nothing. Left for the airport at 6am, arrived in Rome late afternoon and received texts from home saying it had bucketed it down. I was gutted because I didn't expect it and I missed it!