Radiation Is Everywhere. But It’s Not All Bad
Although radiation sounds scary, it isn’t necessarily harmful. Here’s what to know about the four types.
A New Map of the Universe, Painted With Cosmic Neutrinos
Physicists finally know where at least some of these high-energy particles come from, which helps make the neutrinos useful for exploring fundamental physics.
How to Cool an Object Without Using Any Energy
It seems impossible, but there’s a way to cool things off without tapping into a fuel source. (Hint: It involves outer space.)
The Lawlessness of Large Numbers
Mathematicians can often figure out what happens as quantities grow infinitely large. What about when they are just a little big?
When You Drop a Rock Overboard, What Happens to the Water Level?
In the physics of water displacement, the answer isn’t always intuitive.
‘Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds.’ The Story of Oppenheimer’s Infamous Quote
The line, from the Hindu sacred text the Bhagavad Gita, has come to define Robert Oppenheimer, but its meaning is more complex than many realize.
OK Surfers, How Much Would It Cost to Power Your Own Wave?
How much energy would it take to fuel a wave that you can shred like Kelly Slater? Here’s the math.
All the Ways to Slow a Car (Even Some Bad Ways)
Electric vehicles are increasingly popular, so it’s time to talk about regenerative braking—and all the other ways you can stop a vehicle.
A Computer-Assisted Proof Solves the ‘Packing Coloring’ Problem
There’s a surprisingly straightforward answer to how many numbers are needed to fill an infinite grid so that identical numbers never get too close together.