Could You Use a Rowboat to Walk on the Seafloor Like Jack Sparrow?
In Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack and Will use an overturned dinghy to hold air underwater. Madness or brilliance?
How Do Astronomers Find Planets in Other Solar Systems?
Even the best telescopes can’t see exoplanets. It’s all about watching for jiggly stars, blue shifts, and transits.
How to Measure the Earth’s Radius With Legos
With just a friend, a phone, and a few Lego bricks, you can accurately measure the size of our planet.
Can a Hydroelectric Dam Really Make the Days Longer?
By shifting water to a higher elevation, the giant Three Gorges Dam caused the Earth to spin more slowly.
The Physics of the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis is usually seen near the Arctic, but solar winds and magnetic turbulence are sparking some of the best light shows in centuries throughout the US.
How Do Metal Detectors Work?
What sneaky invisible forces enable these instruments to locate buried treasure?
In Orbit You Have to Slow Down to Speed Up
Driving a spacecraft around a planet isn’t anything like driving on a planet. A physicist explains orbital navigation.
5 More Physics Equations Everyone Should Know
These five equations should be part of your mental toolkit. They might even improve your bowling score.
How Energy-Generating Sidewalks Work
These innovative pavings convert the kinetic energy of footsteps into clean electric energy.
What Is the Magnetic Constant and Why Does It Matter?
This persnickety number determines the strength of magnetic fields. It figures in everything from motors and generators to audio speakers. Oh, and without it we’d live in eternal darkness.