physics – Page 8 – Esoteric news

October 26, 2016

Modeling a Pendulum’s Swing Is Way Harder Than You Think

Modeling the motion of a pendulum is often included in introductory physics courses, but it's not as easy as you think. The post Modeling a Pendulum's Swing Is Way Harder Than You Think appeared first on WIRED.

October 22, 2016

Falling Into the Wormhole Connecting Physics and Education

The theoretical particle physicist Helen Quinn has blazed a singular path from the early days of the Standard Model to the latest overhaul of science education in the United States. The post Falling Into the Wormhole Connecting Physics and Education appeared first on WIRED.

October 19, 2016

The Physics of Jumping Off an 8-Story Building and Not Dying

This video shows a guy jumping off a tall building and into water. He just misses a dock, but it's a great example of projectile motion. The post The Physics of Jumping Off an 8-Story Building and Not Dying appeared first on WIRED.

October 11, 2016

The Physics of Buster Keaton, the Greatest Stuntman Ever

Perhaps Buster Keaton was the greatest stunt person of all time. Here is a physics look at one of his stunts. The post The Physics of Buster Keaton, the Greatest Stuntman Ever appeared first on WIRED.

October 10, 2016

The Physics of Nutballs Somersaulting in an Indoor Skydiving Tube

Indoor skydiving looks magical—but it's just physics. Here's how it works. The post The Physics of Nutballs Somersaulting in an Indoor Skydiving Tube appeared first on WIRED.

October 6, 2016

Let’s Put the Water Back on Top of Antarctica

How much energy would it require to move 1 meter depth of water from the ocean to the top of the Antarctica ice sheet? The post Let's Put the Water Back on Top of Antarctica appeared first on WIRED.

October 4, 2016

Nobel Prize in Physics Goes to Another Weird Thing Nobody Understands

The Nobel Committee used pastries to try and explain this year's award. The post Nobel Prize in Physics Goes to Another Weird Thing Nobody Understands appeared first on WIRED.

September 28, 2016

What’s Your Ideal Running Speed to Conserve Energy?

Clearly running faster uses more energy. But at what speed does a human use the least amount of energy? Here is a model with estimates. The post What’s Your Ideal Running Speed to Conserve Energy? appeared first on WIRED.

September 26, 2016

Time Might Only Exist in Your Head. And Everyone Else’s

To physics, time has no direction. Until you come along and give it a past, present, and future. The post Time Might Only Exist in Your Head. And Everyone Else's appeared first on WIRED.

September 21, 2016

What Gives With So Many Hard Scientists Being Hard-Core Endurance Runners?

A surprising number of physicists and astronomers and STEM professionals compete in long, hard, miserable athletic endeavors like ultramarathons. Why? The post What Gives With So Many Hard Scientists Being Hard-Core Endurance Runners? appeared first on WIRED.