Physics

  1. Physics

    Physics finally explains the sound of clapping

    The “Helmholtz resonator” concept is responsible for the sound produced by hand-clapping.

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  2. Microbes

    Living lenses? Glass-coated microbes might take better photos

    Bacteria with a gene from sea sponges can coat themselves in glass. Working as tiny, bendable lenses, they could lead to thinner cameras or sensors.

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  3. Space

    The universe: How will it end?

    The Big Bang likely brought our universe into existence. What will mark its grand finale? Scientists blend imagination and data to make predictions.

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  4. Physics

    This weird ice may exist on alien planets

    Scientists used high pressure and heat to create plastic ice, which has qualities of both ordinary ice and liquid water.

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  5. Physics

    Scientists Say: Lift

    An airplane wing’s unique shape creates air pressure differences that result in this gravity-defying force.

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  6. Tech

    Experiment: Make the fastest rubber band paddleboat

    With a rubber band and some cardboard, you can build your own paddleboat to speed across the surface of a pool.

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  7. Materials Science

    Orange food dye can temporarily turn skin transparent

    When mixed with water and rubbed on the skin, a common food dye allows researchers to peer inside the body of a mouse.

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  8. Physics

    Wiggling robots reveal the physics of how Hula-Hoops stay up

    Newbies should swing their Hula-Hoops fast and in line with their bodies, the new findings suggest.

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  9. Earth

    Scientists Say: Dark lightning

    We don't see it, but rare gamma-ray lightning can bolt from stormy skies like regular lightning.

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  10. Physics

    Let’s learn about static electricity

    The effects of static electricity are all around us — from lightning strikes to clothes clinging together out of the drier. But scientists still don’t fully understand this phenomenon.

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  11. Math

    His love of math led to a career in quantum computing

    James Whitfield began his career when quantum computing was still in its infancy. Today, he’s helping to make it more accessible to educators, researchers and others.

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  12. Materials Science

    Experiment: How much water is needed to cook pasta?

    In this cooking experiment, let’s find out if we can save time, energy and resources by boiling noodles in less water.

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