Forces
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 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.
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.
‘Impossible’ Particle Adds a Piece to the Strong Force Puzzle
The unexpected discovery of the double-charm tetraquark gives physicists fresh insight into the strongest of nature’s fundamental forces.
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?
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
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?
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.
Why Even the Fastest Human Can’t Outrun Your House Cat
A new model explains the forces and body design features that limit maximum sprinting speed.
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?
No, Covid-19 Vaccines Won't Make You Magnetic. Here's Why
No matter how many videos you’ve seen of people sticking spoons to their faces, that’s just not how magnets work.
You Need to Weigh Some Water. All You’ve Got Is a Paper Clip
OK, so you might need a couple other supplies, but your best option is to do what MacGyver would do: Turn it into a scale.
Could You Really Climb the Spinning Ship’s Cable in Stowaway?
Anna Kendrick’s rotating spacecraft cleverly uses cables and a counterweight to make artificial gravity. But scaling them would be harder than it looks.
2 Baseballs Collided at an MLB Game. How Did That Happen?
During a pregame warmup, Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper batted a line drive right into a ball zooming in from the outfield. It's not impossible, but it's a long shot.
When You Jump to Hyperspace, Make Sure You Wear a Seatbelt
May the 4th be with you! If you're hitching a ride on the Millennium Falcon today, you should know a little bit about the bumpy physics of acceleration.
How to Win a Hot Wheels Derby on a Moving Treadmill
Sure, you could just crank up the speed and let chance have its way. But there's also a reason why some cars go fast and others flip over the sidewall.
Could Bad Guys Actually Escape Falcon in a Wingsuit for Two?
In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, a villain straps a hostage to his wingsuit and leaps off a plane. Cue the action—and the fun physics.