Science Blogs – Page 18 – Esoteric news

Physics Says Hollywood Shrank the Angry Birds for Their Leading Roles

Physics Says Hollywood Shrank the Angry Birds for Their Leading Roles

In a previous analysis of the Angry Birds game, I found the size of the birds to be quite large. How big are the birds in the Angry Birds Movie? The post Physics Says Hollywood Shrank the Angry Birds for Their Leading Roles appeared first on WIRED.

Go Ahead, Connect an Inductor and Capacitor and See What Happens

Go Ahead, Connect an Inductor and Capacitor and See What Happens

What happens when you connect a charged capacitor to an inductor? You get an oscillating circuit. Here's how it all works. The post Go Ahead, Connect an Inductor and Capacitor and See What Happens appeared first on WIRED.

No, Jose Ramirez’s Helmet Doesn’t Defy the Laws of Physics

No, Jose Ramirez’s Helmet Doesn’t Defy the Laws of Physics

In this clip, José Ramírez kicks his helmet as it falls off his head. The helmet appears to both fly backwards and land on second base. Here's how it works. The post No, Jose Ramirez's Helmet Doesn't Defy the Laws of Physics appeared first on WIRED.

Satellites Are Keeping a Close Eye on Remote Eruptions

Satellites Are Keeping a Close Eye on Remote Eruptions

Two remote volcanoes had eruptions over the last week. Meanwhile, things heated up in Chile and cooled down in New Zealand. The post Satellites Are Keeping a Close Eye on Remote Eruptions appeared first on WIRED.

Mount St. Helens Is Recharging Its Magma Stores, Setting Off Earthquake Swarms

Mount St. Helens Is Recharging Its Magma Stores, Setting Off Earthquake Swarms

Mount St. Helens in Washington may have been quiet at the surface since 2008, but that doesn't mean it isn't recharging for the next one. The post Mount St. Helens Is Recharging Its Magma Stores, Setting Off Earthquake Swarms appeared first on WIRED.

Whoa: A Tesla Coil Can Zap Nanotubes Into Long Nanowires

Whoa: A Tesla Coil Can Zap Nanotubes Into Long Nanowires

Researchers at Rice University have found a new method for assembling carbon nanotubes into wires using high electric fields produced by a Tesla coil. The post Whoa: A Tesla Coil Can Zap Nanotubes Into Long Nanowires appeared first on WIRED.

Happy May the 4th! Let’s Break Down a Super Star Destroyer’s Super Death

Happy May the 4th! Let’s Break Down a Super Star Destroyer’s Super Death

In this scene from Return of the Jedi, a Super Star Destroyer crashes into the Death Star. What can we learn from a physics analysis of this event? The post Happy May the 4th! Let's Break Down a Super Star Destroyer's Super Death appeared first on WIRED.

New Zealand’s White Island Volcano Rumbles to Life and Paints Itself Green

New Zealand’s White Island Volcano Rumbles to Life and Paints Itself Green

White Island had its first small eruption since 2013. Also, updates from Ruapehu, Nyiragongo and Turrialba. The post New Zealand's White Island Volcano Rumbles to Life and Paints Itself Green appeared first on WIRED.

Don’t Put a Crane Outside a Physicist’s Window if You Don’t Want Some Math

Don’t Put a Crane Outside a Physicist’s Window if You Don’t Want Some Math

With construction next door, I keep seeing physics examples. Here I calculate the torque and forces on a large crane. The post Don't Put a Crane Outside a Physicist's Window if You Don't Want Some Math appeared first on WIRED.

Annotated Volcano: A Spectacular View of Tenerife From the ISS

Annotated Volcano: A Spectacular View of Tenerife From the ISS

A spectacular view of Tenerife in the Canary Island shows off its volcanic history. The post Annotated Volcano: A Spectacular View of Tenerife From the ISS appeared first on WIRED.