How to Calculate How Fast a Plane’s Flying—While You’re on It
When you look out of the window of a plane, everything looks so small. But they’re all big enough to…
The Traditional Lecture Is Dead. I Would Know—I’m a Professor
An awesome science show from the ’80s makes it to YouTube, and it shows just how pointless the traditional lecture…
Want to Know How Long a Fidget Spinner Spins? Get a Laser and Some Physics
Fidget spinners are everywhere. How long can you make one spin? That depends on the starting speed and the angular…
This Hilarious Video’s Fake. I Can Tell From the Physics
A video making the rounds online shows a strong dog giving an old lady a hard pull. Let’s use video…
In Which We Literally Calculate the Power of the Force
Darth Vader uses the Force to move a rebel soldier. What kind of physics power output does this motion require?…
How a Missing Penny Explains the Conservation of Energy
Energy is the answer to so many questions. But what is energy? That is the question. The post How a…
Let’s Do the Shocking Physics of Why Power Lines Sag
When a cable is supported by the two ends, it will hang down a bit depending on the tension in…
The Wacky Physics of Firing a Ball Out of a Moving Cart
A classic physics experiment features a moving cart firing a ball into the air. What happens if you place the…
Let’s Model Radioactive Decay to Show How Carbon Dating Works
You can use Legos, pennies, beans—whatever, really—and a six-sided die to model radioactivity. Why? Because physics is fun. The post…
How Hard Does Thor Hit Hulk in That Ragnarok Trailer? Let’s Do the Physics!
In this scene from Thor: Ragnarok, Thor and The Hulk wage an epic fight in an arena. Let’s look at…