Physics(Page 2)

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

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

Close up of hand holding pencil solving crossword puzzle

Why crossword puzzles get easier as you solve them, according to physics Why crossword puzzles get easier as you solve them, according to physics

Concept art of Artemis astronauts in lunar crater with lunar rover

NASA is calibrating new clocks so people can live on the moon NASA is calibrating new clocks so people can live on the moon

Hula hooping robot video still

Scientists identify the perfect hula hoop ‘body type’ Scientists identify the perfect hula hoop ‘body type’

a woman leading a dance rehearsal in the a studio

How the Rockettes use math to make holiday magic How the Rockettes use math to make holiday magic

By Laura Baisas

A composite image galaxy cluster collisions known as the Abell 2744 system, known as the Pandora's Cluster. In blue is a map showing the total mass concentration (mostly dark matter) based on data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the Subaru telescope.

‘Funny dark matter:’ Something is wrong about our theory of the expanding universe ‘Funny dark matter:’ Something is wrong about our theory of the expanding universe

Photo of Mileva Maric and Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein’s love letters are headed to auction Albert Einstein’s love letters are headed to auction

the skeleton of a Parasaurolophus dinosaur. it has a wave like crest at the top of its skull

A 3D-printed duck-billed dinosaur’s skull could help us learn what it sounded like A 3D-printed duck-billed dinosaur’s skull could help us learn what it sounded like

By Laura Baisas

Inhumation grave 26, shown in the original field photograph (left), with bones in anatomical articulation lying on their right side with flexed legs.

This ancient skeleton turned out to have eight different people in it This ancient skeleton turned out to have eight different people in it

By Popular Science Team

two baseballs held in two hands. one is bright white and the other is coated with a brown mud

Baseball’s legendary ‘magic mud’ finally analyzed by scientists Baseball’s legendary ‘magic mud’ finally analyzed by scientists

By Laura Baisas

A technician inspects a prototype LISA telescope.

NASA unveils model of LISA, a satellite array for studying ripples in space-time NASA unveils model of LISA, a satellite array for studying ripples in space-time

This photo taken during a media tour on October 11, 2024 shows the neutrino detector, a stainless steel and acrylic sphere around 35 meters in diameter, at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (Juno) in Kaiping, in southern China's Guangdong province.

China races to unlock one of the biggest mysteries in particle physics China races to unlock one of the biggest mysteries in particle physics

Lightning strike at night

NASA’s U-2 spy plane found gamma rays in 90% of lightning storms NASA’s U-2 spy plane found gamma rays in 90% of lightning storms

Z Machine operating at Sandia National Laboratories

Could nukes deflect an asteroid? ‘X-ray scissors’ offer scientists clues. Could nukes deflect an asteroid? ‘X-ray scissors’ offer scientists clues.

a wave rising up from a flat sea

Extreme 3D ocean waves can reach heights 4x steeper than previously thought Extreme 3D ocean waves can reach heights 4x steeper than previously thought

By Laura Baisas

Balloon attracting hair with static electricity

After 2,600 years, we finally know how static electricity really works After 2,600 years, we finally know how static electricity really works

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.

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

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

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.

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

How animals use physics How animals use physics

By Tom Siegfried / Knowable Magazine

Water tank used for wave modulation system

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

By Laura Baisas

Completed JT-60SA experimental nuclear fusion facility in Japan

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

A purplish spiral galaxy with red and yellow space objects.

JWST takes a jab at the mystery of the universe’s expansion rate JWST takes a jab at the mystery of the universe’s expansion rate

By Briley Lewis

An illustration of Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L´Huillier. The three will share the 2023 Nobel prize in physics.

Winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in physics measured electrons by the attosecond Winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in physics measured electrons by the attosecond

By Laura Baisas

The Seattle skyline.

Two fault lines near Seattle could rupture in one giant earthquake Two fault lines near Seattle could rupture in one giant earthquake

CERN scientists in hard hats putting antihydrogen in a vacuum chamber tube to test the effects of gravity on antimatter

Does antimatter fall down or up? We now have a definitive answer. Does antimatter fall down or up? We now have a definitive answer.

$A close up of the black and white stripes of a zebra. The same patterns that dictate zebra stripes could also control the way sperm swim.$

The mathematical theory that connects swimming sperm, zebra stripes, and sunflower seeds The mathematical theory that connects swimming sperm, zebra stripes, and sunflower seeds

By Laura Baisas

A metal sphere under construction as workers climb over it.

A massive detector in China will try to find a supernova before it happens A massive detector in China will try to find a supernova before it happens

By Briley Lewis

Gold atom with nucleus and floating particles to depict what is matter

What is matter? It’s not as basic as you’d think. What is matter? It’s not as basic as you’d think.

Internet data server farm with green and pink glowing LED lights

Nature generates more data than the internet … for now Nature generates more data than the internet … for now

Scientist inspects portion of LCLS installation

This record-breaking X-ray laser is ready to unlock quantum secrets This record-breaking X-ray laser is ready to unlock quantum secrets

An eruption emerges from the ocean in a cloud of ash and a lightning strike.

The Tonga volcanic eruption reshaped the seafloor in mind-boggling ways The Tonga volcanic eruption reshaped the seafloor in mind-boggling ways

Soldiers inspect a missile that landed in a Ukraine street without detonating.

Seismic sensors reveal the true intensity of explosions in Ukraine Seismic sensors reveal the true intensity of explosions in Ukraine

By Briley Lewis

India just landed on the moon. Now it’s headed for the sun.

India just landed on the moon. Now it’s headed for the sun. India just landed on the moon. Now it’s headed for the sun.

collage of cern images

How the world’s biggest particle accelerator is racing to cook up plasma from after the big bang How the world’s biggest particle accelerator is racing to cook up plasma from after the big bang

Runners forming a V-shape with marathoner Eluid Kipchoge in the rear, on a road beside trees.

The surprising strategy behind running the fastest marathon The surprising strategy behind running the fastest marathon

The ring-shaped machinery of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

A fleeting subatomic particle may be exposing flaws in a major physics theory A fleeting subatomic particle may be exposing flaws in a major physics theory

A purple galaxy cluster against a black background of space, studded with stars.

When two stars orbit each other, gravity gets weird When two stars orbit each other, gravity gets weird

By Briley Lewis

Machinery at the center of the National Ignition Facility.

How a US lab created energy with fusion—again How a US lab created energy with fusion—again

Green high density laser array

Colorado is getting a state-of-the-art laser fusion facility Colorado is getting a state-of-the-art laser fusion facility

An illustration of a brown dwarf and a hotter star, in white.

Two tiny stars fit into an orbit smaller than our sun Two tiny stars fit into an orbit smaller than our sun

By Briley Lewis

Two researchers look at green plasma ray in lab setting

Plasma beams could one day cool overheating electronics in a flash Plasma beams could one day cool overheating electronics in a flash

Thermal vision of a home.

A new kind of thermal imaging sees the world in striking colors A new kind of thermal imaging sees the world in striking colors

A rotor in the middle of a large wind tunnel.

How epic wind tunnels on Earth make us better at flying through space How epic wind tunnels on Earth make us better at flying through space

By Briley Lewis

The base camp at Annapurna in the foreground, with the peak behind it.

The rocky history of a missing 26,000-foot Himalayan peak The rocky history of a missing 26,000-foot Himalayan peak