The "Monty Hall problem" is a classic example of how games of chance can have surprising…
Author: Rhett Allain
The Physics of ‘Sniping’ for Gold
Before you go prospecting in the nearest river, here’s the science of what separates the rocks…
What Do a Falling Apple and an Orbiting Moon Have in Common?
Isaac Newton connected the two motions in a way that revolutionized physics and made space travel…
The Physics of Mandalorian Jetpacks (Hint: They Aren’t Jetpacks)
This Star Wars Day, it’s time to figure out how these iconic flying machines work, and if…
How Much Detail of the Moon Can Your Smartphone Really Capture?
What’s the smallest lunar object a phone camera lens could resolve from Earth? Here’s what the…
Can You Really Pump Water Without Any Electricity?
To see if those videos of people conjuring liquid without any external power actually hold water,…
Pi Is Hiding Everywhere
For Pi Day, let’s track down the surprising spots where this mathematical constant turns up, from…
The Secret to Bruce Lee’s Superhuman One-Inch Punch
Martial arts moves can seem magical, but maybe they just display a mastery of physics.
What Would Earth’s Temperature Be Like Without an Atmosphere?
If you want to know what the cloud of gas that surrounds the planet is really…
You Can Use This Silly Game to Do Some Serious Physics
In this cartoon world built to teach concepts from Randall Munroe’s book What If? 2, you can…