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

Close up of hand slicing onion with knife on cutting board

How to avoid crying while cutting onions, according to physics How to avoid crying while cutting onions, according to physics

Artistic impression of a neutron star that is 'evaporating' slowly via Hawking-like radiation. Credit: Daniëlle Futselaar/artsource.nl

The universe may die sooner than expected The universe may die sooner than expected

A man playing snooker at a billiard club in Beijing. the blue ball is in front, with the yellow, white, red, and green balls in a row behind it

How to get better at snooker… with physics How to get better at snooker… with physics

Inflatable flailing tube man balloon against blue sky

Flailing tube man-inspired robot uses no electronics Flailing tube man-inspired robot uses no electronics

Nuclear fusion reactor module section in construction facility

New nuclear fusion reactor’s electromagnet could lift 10 monster trucks New nuclear fusion reactor’s electromagnet could lift 10 monster trucks

white smoke coming out of a chimney

What makes smoke black versus white? What makes smoke black versus white?

By Laura Baisas

Red tinged spiral galaxy made with infrared wavelengths

The universe isn’t just expanding—it may be spinning The universe isn’t just expanding—it may be spinning

Bowling ball striking pins

How to bowl a strike—mathematically How to bowl a strike—mathematically

A black metal cage holding multiple colorful makes of LAB Golf zero-torque putters

I tried L.A.B. Golf’s zero-torque tech that turns heads, but not putters I tried L.A.B. Golf’s zero-torque tech that turns heads, but not putters

Four urinals mounted on tiled wall

New urinal designs use physics to prevent pee splashback New urinal designs use physics to prevent pee splashback

Gooseneck kettle pouring water into pour-over coffee carafe on table next to coffee beans and mugs

How to brew the best pour-over coffee, according to science How to brew the best pour-over coffee, according to science

Concept art depicting a portion of the Future Circular Collider particle accelerator

The atom-smashing Large Hadron Collider’s successor will be 56 miles wide The atom-smashing Large Hadron Collider’s successor will be 56 miles wide

Majorana 1 quantum computing chip

New state of matter powers Microsoft quantum computing chip New state of matter powers Microsoft quantum computing chip

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD.

Could we really make Captain America’s shield? A materials scientist weighs in. Could we really make Captain America’s shield? A materials scientist weighs in.

By Laura Baisas

Illustration: View from inside a detector building block of detection units. Clearly visible the yellow buoy of a near by detection unit.

Scientists announce the highest-energy neutrino ever detected Scientists announce the highest-energy neutrino ever detected

XB-1 plane taking off in desert

Experimental jet achieves supersonic flight, minus the boom Experimental jet achieves supersonic flight, minus the boom

The ring of light surrounding the centre of the galaxy NGC 6505, captured by ESA’s Euclid telescope, is a stunning example of an Einstein ring. NGC 6505 is acting as a gravitational lens, bending light from a galaxy far behind it. The almost perfect alignment of NGC 6505 and the background galaxy has bent and magnified the light from the background galaxy into a spectacular ring. This rare phenomenon was first theorised to exist by Einstein in his general theory of relativity. This wide field shows the extended stellar halo of NGC 6505 and showcases the Einstein ring, surrounded by colourful foreground stars and background galaxies.

Extremely rare ‘Einstein ring’ discovered close to Earth Extremely rare ‘Einstein ring’ discovered close to Earth

By Laura Baisas

Experimental results of the miniaturized DN2s integrated at the distal facet of a MMF using the 3D GS-TPN fabrication method, showing SEM and white-light microscopy images.

This AI chip is the size of a grain of salt This AI chip is the size of a grain of salt

a white ring of salt at the bottom of a black pan

Curious and hungry physicists whip up perfect pasta pan salt rings Curious and hungry physicists whip up perfect pasta pan salt rings

By Laura Baisas

Woman's hands using fork to stir bowl of pasta

Physicists figure out the perfect Cacio e Pepe recipe Physicists figure out the perfect Cacio e Pepe recipe