physics

How a Particle Accelerator Is Helping to Unearth Long-Lost Pieces of Art

Scanning 1 square centimeter of each wallet-sized photograph took about eight hours.

13 Facts About Physicist Niels Bohr

He helped develop atomic bombs, but wanted nuclear science to be used for peace.

Why Do Orchestras Tune to an A Note?

Before the 20th century, concert musicians might tune their instruments to wildly different pitches, depending on where they were playing.

Why You Should Never Leave Bottles of Water in Your Hot Car

They could actually start a fire.

Why a Dripping Faucet Makes That Maddening 'Plink' Sound—and How to Stop It

Scientists have found a hack to help you quell the sound until the plumber comes.

Stephen Hawking’s Memorial Will Beam His Words Toward the Nearest Black Hole

Though he wasn't able to go to outer space during his lifetime, his words will travel there after his death.

Is There a Limit to How Many Balls You Can Juggle?

The current record may never be broken.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

7 Giant Machines That Changed the World—And 1 That Might

From a 17-mile-long particle accelerator to a football field–sized space observatory, these machines are marvels.

What Is a Scientific Theory?

A theory in science is very different from a theory in everyday conversation.

Farrin Abbott, SLAC/Flickr // CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

An Ancient Book Blasted with High-Powered X-Rays Reveals Text Erased Centuries Ago

The particle accelerator revs electrons to nearly the speed of light.

How to Make a Sled Go Faster, According to Science

Can science help you sled faster? Yes, it can. And even better, everything you need is already in your house.

Impossible Figure Skating Moves from the Movies

Hollywood has taken a few liberties on the ice—and the judges are not impressed.

7 Science-Approved Tips for Walking Across Ice

According to a physicist, a glaciologist, and kinesiologist.

The North Face's New Geodesic Dome Tent Will Protect You in 60 mph Wind

An essential item for the extreme camper.

MIT Scientists Are Building Biomedical Research Labs Out of LEGO Blocks

The plastic toys are opening doors to cheaper, modular scientific tools.

Listen to a House Plant Play 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'

New technology from MIT can turn anything into a "visual microphone."

David Monniaux, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

The Thermodynamic Genius of the Classic Drinking Bird Toy

The kitschy desk ornament's mechanism confounded Albert Einstein.

Why Does My Shower Curtain Liner Attack Me?

It cannot be reasoned with. It cannot be bargained with. It's coming for you.

Here's What Actually Happens When You're Electrocuted

There's a reason why "electrocution" sounds like "execution."

Why Your Radiator is So Loud, According to Science

No, it's not a tiny man with a hammer.

6 Priceless Documents That Reveal Key Moments Early in Einstein's Career

Mental Floss spoke to ETH Zurich archivist Michael Gasser about the papers—including one letter in which Einstein calls his good friend a "frozen whale."

The Top 10 Science Stories of 2017

Science can't stop, won't stop.

Researchers Pore Over the Physics Behind the Layered Latte

Fluid dynamics has never tasted so good.

Why Your Christmas Lights Always Get Tangled, According to Science

We turned to mathematicians, physicists, and engineers to find out why the lights are so frustrating—and how to improve them.