24 Jul 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadI wonder if you could engineer DNA to connect telomeres and make one infinite molecule that way. Would it be strong? Would it conduct electricity?
Here is one possible candidate:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene
From the article:"In this regard, graphene has been referred to as an infinite alternant (only six-member carbon ring) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)."
Of course Diamonds are something similar but in 3D.
24 Jul 10
Originally posted by sonhouseWhat exactly do you mean by an infinite molecule? Like *infinite* or just like *very big*?
I wonder if you could engineer DNA to connect telomeres and make one infinite molecule that way. Would it be strong? Would it conduct electricity?
An interesting philosophical question, or maybe a mathematical question:
Is it theoretically possible to have two infinite big molecules in the universe?
Or is there atoms enough just to have one infinite molecule?
I say that there would be only one infinite molecuule. And the shape of it would be a black hole, due to its own gravitation. The rest of the universe would be empty, feezing cold, and black.
Am I wrong with this? Debate...
24 Jul 10
Originally posted by FabianFnasI was thinking of an infinitely LONG molecule and if one existed, it would be more like the gravitational fault lines of string theory, unable to make a black hole because the self gravitation would be spread out on a long line. In our universe, it could never be really infinite due to the finite size of our universe.
What exactly do you mean by an infinite molecule? Like *infinite* or just like *very big*?
An interesting philosophical question, or maybe a mathematical question:
Is it theoretically possible to have two infinite big molecules in the universe?
Or is there atoms enough just to have one infinite molecule?
I say that there would be only one infin ...[text shortened]... est of the universe would be empty, feezing cold, and black.
Am I wrong with this? Debate...
It could, if wrapped up in itself, become a black hole I would think but it would take a long time for the hole to take shape since the outer reaches of such a molecule would be in the outer reaches of the universe so the gravitational attraction would start at the 'center' (whatever that means).
If it was in our universe if would fail the 'infinite' test.
24 Jul 10
Originally posted by FabianFnasOnly if the universe itself is infinite, in which case you could have an infinite number of infinite molecules.
Is it theoretically possible to have two infinite big molecules in the universe?
But the universe isn't infinite, so infinite molecules cannot exist.
24 Jul 10
Originally posted by sonhouseI gave examples of molecules that have no theoretical limit (other than collapse due to gravity.) There are many other such molecules including DNA, and nano-tubes.
I was thinking of an infinitely LONG molecule and if one existed,.
What is the largest known molecule that does not include Carbon?
Does any other element form sheet or matrix molecules?
24 Jul 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadif there are huge belts detectable many light years from here, there's got to be at least a few floating around in my (quite enviable) bod.
But how did they get in your body in the first place? They are apparently not common in our environment. If we can detect them in a 'distant galaxy', surely we can detect them in the air, or environment on earth? Yet the article claims the only known ones on earth were made in the lab.
that doesn't make those few detectable by modern equipment, especially if no one looke for them before.
finding a few inert molecules?!?
it'd be like using the Hubble to try to read a driver's license (NOT license plate) from 120 miles up, only worse.
24 Jul 10
Originally posted by zeeblebotInside the dude's wallet🙂
if there are huge belts detectable many light years from here, there's got to be at least a few floating around in my (quite enviable) bod.
that doesn't make those few detectable by modern equipment, especially if no one looke for them before.
finding a few inert molecules?!?
it'd be like using the Hubble to try to read a driver's license (NOT license plate) from 120 miles up, only worse.
25 Jul 10
Originally posted by zeeblebotThey can be seen in space by analyzing the spectra. If there are enough in the atmosphere to have put a few in your body, you would think we could find them by spectra too?
if there are huge belts detectable many light years from here, there's got to be at least a few floating around in my (quite enviable) bod.
that doesn't make those few detectable by modern equipment, especially if no one looke for them before.
finding a few inert molecules?!?
it'd be like using the Hubble to try to read a driver's license (NOT license plate) from 120 miles up, only worse.
06 Aug 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadSilicon does, and I think any other element in the same family as carbon, as well.
I gave examples of molecules that have no theoretical limit (other than collapse due to gravity.) There are many other such molecules including DNA, and nano-tubes.
What is the largest known molecule that does not include Carbon?
Does any other element form sheet or matrix molecules?