Matter and Its Interactions

More Stories in Matter and Its Interactions

  1. Environment

    For a better brick, just add poop

    Sewage sludge. Cow dung. They’re not just waste — scientists are finding uses for processed poop in construction materials.

    By
  2. Earth

    Analyze This: Salt may quash lightning over the sea

    Bits of airborne salt may help raindrops form, removing water from clouds before it can freeze as part of the process that makes lightning.

    By
  3. Tech

    Insect-inspired drones work together to 3-D print structures

    For the first time, flying drones have 3-D printed structures. In the future, such drones might be able to build in hard-to-reach places.

    By
  4. Chemistry

    Explainer: All about carbon dioxide

    Animals and other life on Earth exhale carbon dioxide, which plants use for photosynthesis. But too much of this gas can perturb Earth’s climate.

    By
  5. Physics

    Scientists Say: Fission

    Nuclear fission is the process of splitting atoms apart to release huge amounts of energy.

    By
  6. Animals

    Tiny bumps on polar bear paws help them get traction on snow

    Super-small structures on the Arctic animals’ paws might offer extra friction that keeps them from slipping on snow, a new study concludes.

    By
  7. Physics

    Explainer: What is friction?

    The force of friction always acts to slow things down. It depends on just two factors: the surfaces and how hard they press together.

    By
  8. Physics

    Explainer: Radiation and radioactive decay

    Like clockwork, radioactive forms of some elements shed parts of themselves as they attempt to become nonradioactive.

    By
  9. Physics

    Explainer: Radioactive dating helps solve mysteries

    Knowing the decay rate of radioactive elements can help date ancient fossils and other artifacts.

    By