It’s a wonderful world — and universe — out there.

Explainers

Background pieces for a deeper dive into a broad range of pivotal topics

Physics
Understanding light and other forms of energy on the move

By Jennifer LookJuly 16, 2020
Physics
Explainer: Rainbows, fogbows and their eerie cousins

By Matthew CappucciMay 1, 2020
Physics
Explainer: Understanding waves and wavelengths

By Jennifer LookMarch 5, 2020
Chemistry
Explainer: What the pH scale tells us

By Lida TunesiMarch 5, 2020
Health & Medicine
Top 10 tips to stay safe during an epidemic

By Janet RaloffMarch 3, 2020
Science & Society
Explainer: What is a mentor?

By Bethany Brookshire and Janet RaloffFebruary 11, 2020
Health & Medicine
Explainer: What are allergies?

By Avery Elizabeth HurtFebruary 6, 2020
Health & Medicine
Explainer: What is a coronavirus?

By Tina Hesman SaeyJanuary 23, 2020

Physics
Explainer: Understanding meteors and meteor showers

By Matthew CappucciDecember 13, 2019
Chemistry
Explainer: What are acids and bases?

By Lida TunesiNovember 13, 2019
Earth
Explainer: Earth — layer by layer

By Beth GeigerNovember 11, 2019
Genetics
Explainer: How DNA testing works

By Tina Hesman Saey and Bethany BrookshireOctober 24, 2019