Butterflies Inspire Anti-Counterfeit Technology
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Image credit:  Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton via Flickr     Rights information:  http://bit.ly/cGotEb A Canadian company is fighting counterfeiters by employing one of the most sophisticated structures in nature: a... more

Angry Birds: Furious Forces! Review
Monday, June 17, 2013
Image Credit: National Geographic With over 1.7 billion downloads, the suite of Angry Birds games has dominated the mobile gaming market for the past few years. During the game's meteoric rise, one science writer has taken a keen interest in the physic... more



 
breath-analysis-thumb

"Breathprint" Identification

Scientists can now identify people by their breath — just like a fingerprint


Earthquake-thumb

Cloaking Earthquakes

Scientists aim to "hide" buildings from seismic waves


Cyborg-thumb

The Cyborg Scientist

Blurring the lines between man and machine with electronic implants
 
Bismuth-Spheres-thumb

Levitating in a Fluid

Using magnets, scientists can re-create the environment of space


richat-structure-thumb

The Eye of the Sahara

Easily visible from space, this huge structure still puzzles scientists


Glass-transition-thumb

Mysteries of the Glass Transition

Why do certain liquids transition into glass? There's no easy answer.
 
handstand-thumb

How to Do a Handstand with Physics

Physics can help you master this move


brain-thumb

Detecting Schizophrenia with Magnetic Fields

Using physics to detect the brain disorder earlier


ping-pong-thumb

Supersonic Ping Pong Bazooka

Engineers create a ping pong gun that breaks the sound barrier
 
rock-thumb

Solid as a Rock?

Rocks may seem solid, but there's more to them than meets the eye.


angular-momentum-thumb

Office Chair Physics

Take a coffee break and get dizzy with this experiment


centripetal-force-thumb

Backyard Roller Coaster Physics

Learn about centripetal force with a bucket of water


 

The Physics of Vinyl
June 12, 2013
You can make a record out of vinyl, ice, or even wood. So how do record players convert tiny grooves in a material into music and sound?

Tornado Physics
June 05, 2013
Calla investigates the physics tornadoes and how scientists aim to better predict when, where and how twisters form.

SESAME
May 29, 2013
A new particle accelerator project is bringing together enemy nations in the Middle East.
Read more on this podcast's blog post

Podcast Archive

PhysicsQuest

PhysicsQuest Winners Announced!

Henri VillainCongratulations to Our PhysicsQuest: Spectra’s Turbulent Times Winners!

Grand Prize:
Mr. Capanna’s 4th Period
Kiski Area Intermediate School
Vandergrift, PA

Second place:
2013 Henry Owen Science Students
Shore Educational Collaborative
Chelsea, MA

Third place:
Mrs. DeCarlo’s 8th Grade Physical Science
Sawgrass Springs Middle School
Coral Springs, FL

For answers and prizes, please visit the PhysicsQuest page.

Featured Topic

Quantum Mechanics
An emerging branch of physics, brought into the spotlight by Albert Einstein in the 1900s, Quantum Mechanics looks at the behavior of matter and its interactions on the atomic and subatomic scales according to established principles.

Discover all Physics Topics

Comic Books

Click to Read Physics Comics

Read all of our physics comic books online, and follow the adventures of Spectra, the original laser superhero.

Science off the Sphere

Science off the Sphere

Astronaut and chemist Dr. Don Pettit did physics demos that are out of this world while he was aboard the International Space Station. Now you can enjoy videos of his fantastic micro-gravity experiments safely on the surface!

Watch the videos

Physics Stuff

View and Order Physics Posters

cannonballcheeseburgers

Spectra Sound

Purchase Posters, Spectra Sound, Tshirts and More in the APS store.

Follow PhysicsCentral

facebook   twitter   feed

blogs-40   youtube   itunes 

Resources for Educators

PhysicsCentral runs programs for all ages with the goal of making physics fun and interesting for everyone. From coloring books to at home experiments we have something perfect for you and your students to enjoy. 

Resources for Educators