2009-10-12
Explanation
This comic presents a physics lecture on quantum tunneling that takes an absurd turn. A professor explains the concept step by step: an electron travels at high energy, but it is actually a probability distribution rather than a discrete particle. A classical particle would reflect off a barrier, but quantum mechanics tells us there is some probability it will penetrate through. The professor begins to conclude, "So, there is a small but real probability--"
He is interrupted by a woman in the audience who blurts out, "Another man's sperm can't quantum tunnel into your uterus." The professor weakly protests, "Well, probabilistically--" and adds "I'm a mathematician," before desperately asking, "Have I talked to you about multiverse theory?" The joke is that the professor was clearly building up to use quantum mechanics as a pseudoscientific excuse for why his partner could theoretically become pregnant by another man, attempting to preemptively absolve himself of suspicion or explain away infidelity using physics jargon.
The votey panel shows the professor at a computer saying, "I calculate the odds as roughly 1/(10^24), so--" before being interrupted with "GODDAMMIT SHELLY! GET OFF OF THAT UNDERGRAD!" This confirms that his partner Shelly is indeed being unfaithful, and his quantum tunneling lecture was a desperate attempt to construct a scientific alibi for a very un-scientific situation.