3247: Particle Census
The article discusses an upcoming decennial particle census where physicists will record the locations of all particles in the universe. This process is expected to cause some disruption as the momenta of the particles will become indeterminate. The audience is reassured that while the exact locations will be known, the future positions of the particles will remain uncertain.
- ▪The particle census is scheduled for Tuesday.
- ▪Physicists will document the locations of all particles in the universe.
- ▪The process will lead to indeterminate momenta for the particles.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Particle Census|<< Prev#3247 (May 18, 2026) Title text: Remember, your answers to the physics census are confidential; we will not be issuing Pauli exclusion principle citations.|<< PrevRandom Explanation Explanation[edit] This is one of 46 incomplete explanations:This page was created at an UNCERTAIN TIME. Don't remove this notice too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page! Trivia[edit] When this comic was uploaded the normal sized image was incorrectly 2x size. Transcript[edit] This is one of 45 incomplete transcripts:Don't remove this notice too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page! [Megan is standing at a lectern, presumably talking to an audience.] Megan: Remember, Tuesday is the decennial particle census.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Explain xkcd.