this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] TanteRegenbogen@feddit.org 37 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

He said "physically" which is wrong because Neutronium. What he possibly meant was "practically" in which Osmium would be the only element you can practically fit in the box since it isn't possible to synthesize neutronium at that amount or handle that much safely.

[–] Dragonstaff@leminal.space 41 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If mailing 70 lbs of unstable particles that can't exist outside of a lab is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

[–] TanteRegenbogen@feddit.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It would be interesting transporting a microscopic object weighing 70lbs.

[–] Blooper@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 1 year ago

Something something my penis

[–] Akasazh@feddit.nl 15 points 1 year ago (2 children)

No you mean theoretical. As neutronium is a theoretical substance. To our knowledge there's no way to find it outside of neuron stars. It is therefore physically impossible, within our current state of knowledge.

It's highly unlikely, bordering on theoretically impossible to assume that mankind will be able to synthesize enough to fill a cardboard box with. Then the practical side says even if that was possible, there would probably no way a cardboard box could contain that (and a plethora of other practical impossibilities).

[–] Hugin@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That and the neutrons would rapidly undergo beta decay producing a LOT of free energy and other particles.

[–] Akasazh@feddit.nl 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah there physical and practical reasons intermixed!

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Big Bada Boom!

[–] Gtoasted@feddit.org 1 points 1 year ago

Well, you wouldn't actually need to fill the box, just exceed the weight limit. And since neuronium weighing just 70 Pounds would have negligible volume, the problem becomes on of making a containment chamber that would fit inside the box.

[–] coffeejunky@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago

I always fill them up with that stuff black holes are made of, it's pretty dense.

[–] AndrasKrigare@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

it isn't possible to synthesize neutronium at that amount or handle that much safely.

To be clear, the neutronium you're talking about here is the one that is theorized to exist at the core of neutron stars? Could you elaborate on how much has been synthesized and could be handled safely?

[–] TanteRegenbogen@feddit.org 3 points 1 year ago

Wasn't neutronium practically synthesized in miniscule amounts in the Large Hydron Collider? Also I am not a quantum physicist, so I am not sure if any neutronium is currently safe to handle beyond a miniscule amount considering a sugar cube sized amount of neutronium is theoretically the weight of a large freight ship.