The Basic Physics of the Kilogram’s Fancy New Definition
The kilogram is now based on energy changes in the quantum world rather than a physical object. Here's how that works.
The Physics of Mississippi Flood Control
Louisiana's Bonnet Carré Spillway diverts some of the Mississippi's floodwaters. But it also offers up a wealth of good physics questions.
Why a Golf Ball Compresses Like a Spring—Until It Shatters
An experiment with a paper clip reveals both its elastic and plastic properties, a distinction that's key to how any material compresses or deforms.
Tram Bowling Is an Actual Sport. Let’s Look at the Physics
Driving a tram into a ball such that it knocks down pins—tram bowling, naturally—raises some physics questions: What does the speed of the ball depend on? What's its change in momentum?
Track a Tank Shell With a Mirror and Polar Coordinates
Ultimately you get a differential equation that you can solve with a bit of code I wrote for you.
How Many Times Do You Have to Slap a Chicken to Cook It?
While you could technically cook a chicken by slapping it, as proposed by a recent meme, you might also cook your hand. We crunch the numbers.
Calculate How Fast Quicksilver Is Moving in *X-Men Apocalypse*
To save two dozen people from an exploding building, Quicksilver must have moved at roughly 280 km/s—if you believe speed is in fact his superpower.
Estimate the Friction Coefficient in That Massive Nascar Pile-Up
A crash knocked 21 cars out of the Daytona 500. But good news: Everyone walked away, and the video makes for a cool physics problem.
Don’t Toss That Busted Toy Just Yet—Grab a Multimeter
This essential tool lets you measure the electric current and voltage of a circuit. Here's what you need to know to use it correctly.
Launch an 80,000-Pound Sled off an Aircraft Carrier? Sure!
This electromagnetic catapult flings airplanes into the sky (and giant sleds into the water). Here's how to calculate the projectile motion involved.