Matter

Everything in the universe is comprised of matter. Check out these articles for a better understanding of matter and how it affects you.

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Quarks Are the Building Blocks of All Matter

Protons and neutrons, the particles that form the nuclei of atoms, are themselves made up of even smaller particles known as quarks.

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 16, 2019 Physical Science / Matter

Antarctica's Spooky Cosmic Rays Might Shatter Physics As We Know It

Something very strange is afoot above the frozen landscape of Antarctica.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Oct 4, 2018 Physical Science / Matter

Scientists Have Devised a Revolutionary Way to Redefine the Kilogram

Researchers have come up with the most precise determination of Planck's constant ever, making it possible to reframe the idea of what a kilogram even is.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jul 21, 2017 Physical Science / Matter

Extraterrestrial Form of Hot, Dense Ice Observed Forming in Lab

Stanford University researchers for have for the first time observed the formation of a super-dense frozen water crystals called ice VII, which don't naturally exist on Earth.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jul 19, 2017 Physical Science / Matter

What Makes Ice Slippery?

Science is still working out exactly what makes frozen water so slippery, but there are a few intriguing theories.

By Laurie L. Dove Nov 30, 2016 Physical Science / Matter

How Controlled Burns Work

How effective is fighting a wildfire with controlled fire?

By Oisin Curran Physical Science / Matter

Is Particle Physics About to Rewrite the Standard Model? Not So Fast…

For nearly 40 years, science has relied upon the Standard Model of particle physics to describe the universe. But now some are saying that it's time for a rewrite.

By Patrick J. Kiger Mar 23, 2016 Physical Science / Matter

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Zaps Theism and Bigotry

Scientists recently found that a little tender-loving TMS to a specific part of the brain could decrease the subject's belief in God, angels or heaven by a third.

By Robert Lamb Nov 25, 2015 Physical Science / Matter

How many atoms are in a person?

Atoms: the building blocks of life and the universe. We're all made of these microscopic bits of matter, but how many does it take to make a complete human being? And exactly what kinds of atoms do we have inside us?

By Laurie L. Dove Physical Science / Matter

What is a wavelength?

Wavelengths are used to measure the size of a wave. Learn about wavelengths in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Physical Science / Matter

What are the basic structure and the atomic number of an atom?

The basic structure of an atom is made up of neutrons, protons and electrons, and its atomic number is calculated by adding up the number of protons and neutrons in the atom's nucleus. Learn about the basic structure and the atomic number of an atom in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Physical Science / Matter

How does the photoelectric effect support the particle theory of light?

Your eyes can only perceive things in the presence of light. Learn how the photoelectric effect supports the particle theory of light in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Physical Science / Matter

How Atoms Work

What exactly is an atom? What is it made of? What does it look like? The pursuit of the structure of the atom has married many areas of chemistry and physics in perhaps one of the greatest contributions of modern science!

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D. Physical Science / Matter