Diamonds are a high pressure physicists best friend

[BillT]

Here is a link to a New York Times story I found interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/17/science/the-big-squeeze.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131217&_r=0
Its about what happens to things at high pressure and how they make them.

Reminds me of an Arthur C. Clarke story I read (one of the sequels to 2001). In the story the center of Jupiter was described as a giant diamond. Carbon crushed together by the high pressure.

Other interesting things things resulting from (way higher) high pressures:
Neutron stars: form when gravitational and other pressures (like exploding stars) exceed the ability of electrons to keep atomic nuclei separate.
Black holes: form when gravitational forces are too strong to allow light to escape.

[PaulineMi]

I haven't read the article yet but this is the first time I've been able to understand what a black hole is! The science shows I've watched have gone beyond my ability to comprehend them.

Thanks.   

[BillT]

Glad you liked it Pauline.
I enjoy trying to explain science things to non-scientists.

The article does not mention black holes though.

[PaulineMi]

The article doesn't mention black holes but I read that peanut butter could be turned into a diamond under intense pressure.

[Mugwump]

The article doesn't mention black holes but I read that peanut butter could be turned into a diamond under intense pressure.

I'll never look at my 'Jif' PBJ the same again..

[wsantia1]

The article doesn't mention black holes but I read that peanut butter could be turned into a diamond under intense pressure.

I'll never look at my 'Jif' PBJ the same again..
[/quote

There's lots of money hiding in that Jif.  Good article.