Rhett Allain
Contributor
Rhett Allain is an associate professor of physics at Southeastern Louisiana University. He enjoys teaching and talking about physics. Sometimes he takes things apart and can't put them back together.
What Happens If a Space Elevator Breaks
These structures are a sci-fi solution to the problem of getting objects into orbit without a rocket—but you don’t want to be under one if the cable snaps.
The Physics of the James Webb Space Telescope
Humanity has a new eye in the sky, with infrared sensors that will peer into the farthest reaches of the cosmos. Here’s how it works.
The Physics of Wile E. Coyote’s 10 Billion-Volt Electromagnet
The famous cartoon schemer has an ingenious plan to lure Bugs Bunny out of his hole—and it involves a giant magnet and an iron carrot.
The World Is Messy. Idealizations Make the Physics Simple
Even ordinary actions, like tossing a tennis ball, can be extraordinarily complex to calculate. The trick is knowing what to leave out.
Can Your Gravitational Pull Affect Your Game of Pool?
It’s hard enough to predict the outcome of ball collisions in a game of billiards. Do you also have to factor in a player’s effect on the cue ball?
Why Buzz Lightyear’s Rocket Launch Looks Better Than Reality
We use video analysis to compare an animated liftoff to an actual one, proving that truth is more boring than fiction.
Will Nathan Drake Make This Jump in the Uncharted Trailer?
Leaping into an airborne cargo plane might not be impossible, but the numbers have to work out just right.
Want to Lie on a Bed of Nails? Physics Has Your Back
This is the science of why you can recline on an array of very sharp things without getting the pointy end of the stick.
If Clouds Are Made of Water, How Do They Stay in the Air?
Despite the conventional wisdom, they don’t really float.
Could MJ Really Hang on During Spider-Man’s Swing?
Shooting a web from your hands requires Spidey powers. But does keeping your grip on one of them require Spidey strength?
You Can Measure This Fundamental Quantum Constant Using LEDs
Planck’s constant helps us understand atomic-sized things. One of the best ways to grok it is through this experiment involving different colors of light.
Could the Moon Actually Crash Toward Earth?
The trailer for the film Moonfall shows our satellite getting too close for comfort. Here are the physics of what it would take to push the moon out of orbit
How Do Retroreflectors Give You Super Vision at Night?
The tiny optical devices turn up in lane markers, road signs, bike gear and even on the moon, helping us see under low-light conditions.
Would the Free Guy Inflatable Bubble Protect a Real Person?
In the movie’s video game world, a whole-body airbag protects Ryan Reynolds as he falls off of a building and onto a car. Would that … work?
How to Ace Physics Class (Even if You Don’t Ace Physics)
It’s back-to-school season, so here are some tips on getting the most out of college science courses.
The Physics of Johnny Knoxville, Human Cannonball
Jackass Forever is back with more dumb stunts. Please: Only try the physics at home.
Gymnasts Make the Wolf Turn Look Easy. Physics Shows It’s Not
The spin seems simple if you’re just watching it on TV. But it’s a complex move that requires understanding your center of mass.
How Did People Find the Fundamental Charge With Drops of Oil?
Back in 1909, figuring out the charge of a single electron was a Nobel-worthy pursuit. Today, it’s a good lesson in understanding four key forces.
The Incredible Physics of Simone Biles' Yurchenko Double Pike
Calculating angular velocity and the moment of inertia isn’t quite as hard as competing in the Olympic gymnastics tournament—but it’s pretty darn tough.
How to Prepare for the Robot Apocalypse (If You’re a Robot)
In the Netflix show The Mitchells vs. the Machines, robots are planning to blast all of humanity into outer space. How much time and energy will that take?