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

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

Science

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.

Science

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.

Science

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

Environment

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

Science

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

Science

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

Science

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.

Technology

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

Science

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

Science

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.

Science

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

Science

How animals use physics How animals use physics

By Tom Siegfried / Knowable Magazine

Water tank used for wave modulation system

Engineering

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.

Science

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

Science

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.

Science

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.

Science

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

Environment

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

Technology

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.

Technology

A four-legged ‘Robodog’ is patrolling the Large Hadron Collider A four-legged ‘Robodog’ is patrolling the Large Hadron Collider

By Mack DeGeurin