Physics

Learn how physics rule the world (and everything beyond it) with explainers on Earth's geological processes, quantum and particle physics, robotics, and more.

Latest in Physics

A powerful laser shines into a jet of gas, creating a bright plasma and generating ultraviolet light. The light leaves a visible white line as it interacts with leftover gas in the vacuum chamber. This process helps scientists precisely measure the energy needed to excite the thorium-229 nucleus, which is the core of a future nuclear clock.

Technology

Move over, atomic clocks: Nuclear clocks are on the way Move over, atomic clocks: Nuclear clocks are on the way

Man's hand reaching for printer paper

Science

The paper most likely to give you a paper cut, according to science The paper most likely to give you a paper cut, according to science

Illustration of attomicroscope firing three beams

Science

The world’s fastest microscope captures electrons down to the attosecond The world’s fastest microscope captures electrons down to the attosecond

Particles rush through a long tunnel in the Large Hadron Collider.

Science

How the Large Hadron Collider gets reset and refreshed each year How the Large Hadron Collider gets reset and refreshed each year

By Riccardo Maria Bianchi / The Conversation

Science

How animals use physics How animals use physics

By Tom Siegfried / Knowable Magazine

Water tank used for wave modulation system

Engineering

Sound waves power ping-pong ball through aquatic obstacle course Sound waves power ping-pong ball through aquatic obstacle course

Newborn stars peek out from beneath their natal blanket of dust in this dynamic image of the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.

Science

How scientific wonder brings comfort to life and death How scientific wonder brings comfort to life and death

By Keith Wagstaff

Illustration of atomic Fresnel lens

Science

This lens is just three atoms thick and works like a quantum lighthouse This lens is just three atoms thick and works like a quantum lighthouse

Buzz Aldrin on the moon next to American flag.

Science

NASA is designing a time zone just for the moon NASA is designing a time zone just for the moon

LSST Camera Deputy Project Manager Travis Lange shines a flashlight into the LSST Camera.

Science

A 3,200-megapixel digital camera is ready for its cosmic photoshoot A 3,200-megapixel digital camera is ready for its cosmic photoshoot

a cicada in a tree

Environment

Cicadas pee in jet streams like bigger animals Cicadas pee in jet streams like bigger animals

By Laura Baisas

Interior of JET fusion reactor with plasma superimposed

Technology

Aging reactor sets new fusion energy record in last hurrah Aging reactor sets new fusion energy record in last hurrah

Caption: CERT’s four-legged Robodog can manuevuer throguh cramped spaces and use sensors to spot fires, leaks, or other hazards.

Technology

A four-legged ‘Robodog’ is patrolling the Large Hadron Collider A four-legged ‘Robodog’ is patrolling the Large Hadron Collider

By Mack DeGeurin

A bunch of wet blueberries.

Science

Why blueberries aren’t technically blue Why blueberries aren’t technically blue

By Laura Baisas

Completed JT-60SA experimental nuclear fusion facility in Japan

Technology

The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is up and running The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is up and running

The particle accelerator on a one-cent coin.

Science

How physicists built the world’s smallest particle accelerator How physicists built the world’s smallest particle accelerator

scientist pulls back stage curtain with colorful shapes behind; illustration

Science

How this computer scientist is rethinking color theory How this computer scientist is rethinking color theory

By Kenneth R. Rosen

Dark black holes merge together in a brown, star-studded illustration.

Science

Gravitational wave detector now squeezes light to find more black holes Gravitational wave detector now squeezes light to find more black holes

Blue bins of fish and other seafood caught near the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan

Environment

This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood

Orbital cubesat plasma brake concept art

Science

A new satellite’s ‘plasma brake’ uses Earth’s atmosphere to avoid becoming space junk A new satellite’s ‘plasma brake’ uses Earth’s atmosphere to avoid becoming space junk