Science has limitations in fully answering most of its questions, but some currently considered unscientific may become scientific. Here are the top 10 biggest questions in science that scientists have been trying to answer for so long:
What, Why, Where, and How: Science's Top 10 Great Unknowns
What Constitutes the Universe?
Astronomers are faced with a perplexing situation as they are unaware of the composition of the universe. According to the University of Melbourne's publication Pursuit, humans only know 5% of the universe and are composed of atoms that form everything visible.
However, 95% remain unknown, and scientists believe this is made up of dark matter and dark energy, respectively discovered in 1933 and 1998. But over the past decades, they are slowly gaining new insights about the cosmos.
Are Humans Alone in the Universe?
A paper published in JSTOR suggests that the first biological molecules capable of replicating themselves were formed by simple chemicals over four billion years ago, leading to the evolution of living organisms, including humans. The exact process by which these chemicals combined to form life remains unknown, with various theories suggesting hot pools or meteorites as catalysts for life's origins.
Astronomers are currently searching for planets with water worlds and scanning alien planet atmospheres for oxygen and water, which could potentially lead to exciting discoveries in the future with up to 60 billion potentially habitable planets in the Milky Way alone.
What Does the Term "Consciousness" Refer To?
As per Scientific American, consciousness encompasses all of an individual's experiences, including the memory of a tune, the taste of chocolate mousse, the sensation of a toothache, the intense love for a child, the realization that all emotions are temporary, and the origin and characteristics of these experiences.
Also known as qualia, consciousness has remained an enigma since ancient times until now. The philosophical question of why anything should be conscious remains challenging, but the ability to integrate and process information, adaptation and survival is, and imagine multiple future scenarios that aid in adaptation and survival are believed to contribute to consciousness.
What Is the Reason Behind Dreaming?
Despite the lack of comprehensive knowledge among experts regarding the origin and purpose of dreams, Cleveland Clinic said that the widely accepted hypothesis is that dreaming plays a role in memory consolidation and analysis, particularly in skills and habits, and potentially functions as a form of practice for coping with different scenarios and difficulties that arise during wakefulness.
Is Multiverse Real?
Physicists are exploring the concept of multiple universes, or a "multiverse," where every possible combination of properties would be present, ensuring the existence of the universe capable of supporting evidence increasingly supports are fetched, cosmology and quantum physics evidence increasingly supports this idea.
Where Does Carbon Dioxide Go?
According to UCAR Center for Science Education, the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere can be absorbed by plants and the ocean, but excess emissions are causing climate change. Efforts to store the carbon, such as burying it in old oil and gas fields or at the bottom of the sea, are being considered. Still, there are unknown risks and the focus should be on reducing emissions and protecting natural carbon stores like forests and peat bogs.
How Can the World Increase Energy Production From the Sun?
As fossil fuel reserves are running low, alternative energy sources are being sought. The sun offers several solutions, including solar power and using its energy to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, which could provide a clean fuel source. Additionally, scientists are developing a nuclear fusion machine to meet our future energy needs.
Is It Possible for Computers To Continue Increasing in Speed?
Computers cannot get infinitely faster due to the laws of physics, as conventional electronics get too hot if made to calculate too fast, wrote Dr. Peter Bentley in BBC's Science Focus. He noted that to reach the fundamental limits of maximum speed and storage, scientists suggest using black holes as quantum computers, though they would likely evaporate too quickly to be useful.
Is There a Possibility That Cancer Will Be Cured in the Future?
While it may not be possible to cure cancer as it comprises a range of illnesses completely, the European Union's website said that scientists remain hopeful that vaccines, individualized medication, and sensible lifestyle decisions will be able to help prevent and treat a much higher percentage of cases than what is presently achievable.
Can an Object Travel Through Time?
Although time travel through a machine is not possible for humans, NASA said that time can be affected by the speed of objects such as airplanes and satellites. However, everyone constantly travels in time at the same rate at 1 second per second, and space telescopes can observe distant stars and galaxies as they appeared in the past due to the time it takes for their light to reach us.
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