Science Blogs – Page 15

July 22, 2016

Think Explosions Are the Only Way to Form Calderas? Think Again

Not all caldera are made the same, but we got to watch one type form during the 2014-15 Holuhraun eruption in Iceland. The post Think Explosions Are the Only Way to Form Calderas? Think Again appeared first on WIRED.

July 19, 2016

No, the Death Star Isn’t Impossibly Big in the Rogue One Poster. We Did the Math

People are complaining about the size of the Death Star in the Rogue One poster. Here's how you could actually make that picture. The post No, the Death Star Isn’t Impossibly Big in the Rogue One Poster. We Did the Math appeared first on WIRED.

July 18, 2016

Hey Let’s Do the Physics of a Crazy Person Launching From a Huge Slingshot

Here is a stunt that launches humans into the air with a giant slingshot. The humans then parachute down. It's a great introductory physics problem. The post Hey Let’s Do the Physics of a Crazy Person Launching From a Huge Slingshot appeared first on WIRED.

July 13, 2016

Could a Volcano Be Waking Up on the Outskirts of Rome?

New research on the Alban Hills south of Rome suggest that it could be heading into a new eruptive period. The post Could a Volcano Be Waking Up on the Outskirts of Rome? appeared first on WIRED.

July 12, 2016

How to Use Python to Teach High School Physics

I recently facilitated two workshops for high school teachers to introduce them to python in physics. Here are my lessons learned. The post How to Use Python to Teach High School Physics appeared first on WIRED.

July 12, 2016

Annotated Volcano: A Volcano’s Shape Can Tell You How It Will Erupt

You can get a sense of the type of eruption a volcano tends to have based on the shape of the volcano itself. The post Annotated Volcano: A Volcano's Shape Can Tell You How It Will Erupt appeared first on WIRED.

July 11, 2016

Here’s How Fast Harry Potter‘s Treasure Trap Would Kill You

In this scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a magical trap creates treasure that continuously multiplies. How long would it take to fill a room? The post Here's How Fast Harry Potter's Treasure Trap Would Kill You appeared first on WIRED.

July 7, 2016

Physics Says The BFG Shouldn’t Just Look Like a Giant Human

In the movie The BFG, a giant looks like a human but just bigger. But big things are not the same as small things. The post Physics Says The BFG Shouldn't Just Look Like a Giant Human appeared first on WIRED.

June 30, 2016

If Y’all Keep This Up, Every Baby Will Be Named Rhett by 2020

I have noticed an increase in the use of "Rhett" as a name. This leads to the question: When will all children be named Rhett? The post If Y’all Keep This Up, Every Baby Will Be Named Rhett by 2020 appeared first on WIRED.

June 29, 2016

Lassen Peak Is Sinking, and Volcanologists Don’t Know Why

New data shows that the area around California's Lassen Peak is sinking, but exactly why is unclear. The post Lassen Peak Is Sinking, and Volcanologists Don't Know Why appeared first on WIRED.