physics library

This section explores general physics as well as quantum science. Topics like quantum suicide, parallel universes and time travel are all touched upon in this section.

Featured Article: How Time Works

Ever wonder why we start our year on the first of January? Or why we have January and the other 11 months in the first place? Find out all about time. See more »

Articles 1-20 of 42

Could baseball players learn more from physics class than spring training?

And, here comes the pitch. Hey Bob, is that player reading a physics textbook at bat? Strike! Wait, Bob, he's put down the book and is getting ready to swing. And -- it's outta here. That guy in the lab coat has scored a home run!

Do parallel universes really exist?

Remember that traffic accident you avoided the other day? In another universe, you died. Or at least you did according to the Many-Worlds theory.

Does time change speed?

You know how when you're bored, time seems to move at a snail's pace, but when you're having fun it goes by all too quickly? Einstein called it time dilation.

Has a surfer discovered the theory of everything?

Surfer and physicist A. Garrett Lisi may have solved one of physics' greatest mysteries -- the theory of everything. It's a mathematical link to how the universe works.

How Exploding Manholes Work

Manhole covers have been blasting out of the ground in New York City. Find out what causes these strange explosions and how powerful they really are.

How Isaac Newton Worked

The man immortalized on the left was behind the three laws of motion and the universal law of gravitation. He was also competitive, temperamental and fascinated with alchemy. How well do you know Newton?

How Magnets Work

Magnets are used in all kinds of applications, but do you ever wonder exactly why it sticks to certain metals? Find out the answer to this and other questions as we explore exactly how magnets work.

How many regular-sized helium-filled balloons would it take to lift someone?

How many regular-sized helium-filled balloons would it take to lift someone? What is the equation to figure it out?

How Newton's Laws of Motion Work

Newton's iconic laws are at work all around you, whether you're watching an Olympic swimmer explosively push off a pool wall or a sumo wrestler maintain his stance. So what are they?

How Pi Works

Pi is an extremely interesting number that is important to all sorts of mathematical calculations. Did you know it can be calculated without the use of circles? Find out how you can calculate it yourself.

How Quantum Cryptology Works

Swiss citizens recently cast their parliamentary election votes, which were transmitted using quantum cryptology, a method of encoding and decoding voting data using photons.

How Quantum Suicide Works

A man has a gun. But this is no ordinary man, and this is no ordinary gun. This isn't a setup for a sci-fi thriller. It's the premise for quantum suicide.

How Special Relativity Works

Special relativity deals in phenomena that don’t agree with our historical or commonsense views of how the universe works. In fact, many of the theory’s assertions almost appear ludicrous. Yet, there have been several observations that agree with Einstein’s predictions.