Questions by Science Fiction Author Matt Browne

Archimedes was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer. Although few details of his life are known, he is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. Among his advances in physics are the foundations of hydrostatics, statics and the explanation of the principle of the lever. He is credited with designing innovative machines, including siege engines and the screw pump that bears his name.

Fluid statics (also called hydrostatics) is the science of fluids at rest, and is a sub-field within fluid mechanics. The term usually refers to the mathematical treatment of the subject. It embraces the study of the conditions under which fluids are at rest in stable equilibrium. The use of fluid to do work is called hydraulics, and the science of fluids in motion is fluid dynamics.

Any body of arbitrary shape which is immersed, partly or fully, in a fluid will experience the action of a net positive vertical force originating from the depth-dependent liquid pressure. This vertical force is termed buoyancy or buoyant force and is equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction, to the weight of the displaced fluid. In the case of a ship, for instance, its weight is balanced by a buoyant force from the displaced water, allowing it to float. If more cargo is loaded onto the ship, it would sink more into the water - displacing more water and thus receive a higher buoyant force to balance the increased weight. Discovery of the principle of buoyancy is attributed to Archimedes.

Well, I was born and raised in Germany, earned my M.S. degree from KU in the United States, my kids were born in the US and are US citizens. I now work for a multinational company with a strong presence in the UK, Italy, Spain, the US and Singapore, which I've all gotten to know pretty well during business travels. As a tourist I've also visited most areas in Germany, more than two thirds of all European countries, as well as about 40 states in America. Still missing are Alaska and Hawaii and some areas of New England. At the moment I live near Frankfurt and do feel like a European citizen of the world who loves his country, which is Germany. So it's really hard to decide. What about you?

I feel "European" but I also feel so attached to the United States not only because of my kids. I will never forget the wonderful time I had in Kansas. Many of the conservative Kansans are more tolerant than people in San Francisco might believe.Although I do like my current town and community I'm always a bit of an outsider to the locals because I wasn't born here. At my company I have many friends who have lived in all kinds of countries and also have some difficulties describing their "home". In German there's even this word "Heimat" that doesn't even have a good English translation.

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