Physical Science

Physical science is the study of the physical world around you. Learn about everything from electricity to magnetism in this section.

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How Pi Works

Whether the circle is as big as planet Mars or as small as a tennis ball, the ratio of its circumference divided by its diameter will always equal pi (3.14). But why?

By Marshall Brain & Dave Roos Physical Science / Math Concepts

Does Alcohol Freeze?

If you've ever had a half-frozen beer explode on you, you know that yes, alcohol freezes — but not all types freeze at the same rate. We'll let you in on the secrets to frozen alcoholic delights.

By Alison Cooper Chemistry / Chemical Compounds

It's Elementary: The Periodic Table Quiz

It’s the ultimate cheat sheet for science class — and it’s right there hanging on the wall. What do you really know about the indispensable periodic table of elements?

By Nathan Chandler Chemistry / Chemical Elements

How a New Blue Pigment Became a Crayon

The story of how the first new blue pigment in 200 years was discovered and took its place in the crayon box.

By Loraine Fick Feb 19, 2019 Chemistry / Chemical Processes and Tests

CERN Wants to Build a Bigger, Badder Particle Collider

The proposed collider would dwarf the existing Large Hadron Collider. But is the $22 billion price tag worth it?

By John Perritano Jan 25, 2019 Physical Science / Nuclear Science

5 Things You Didn't Know About Autopsies

Autopsies have been around since ancient times, but they seem so shrouded in secrecy. What goes on when a corpse goes under the knife?

By Mark Mancini Physical Science / Forensic Science

Striking a Match in the Loo Helps Mask the PU

We hold our nose and investigate.

By Carrie Tatro Dec 19, 2018 Chemistry / Chemical Processes and Tests

Ray of Enlightenment: Is Light a Wave or a Particle?

Is it its own special type of particle? A wave that's flowing through another medium? Or is there some creepy, unknown substance surrounding us that we simply don't perceive or understand?

By Nathan Chandler Dec 13, 2018 Physical Science / Optics

The Kilogram Is Dead. Meet the Kilogram 2.0

For more than a century, the mass of a kilogram was defined by a weight stored in a French vault. But now, instead of a hunk of metal, the kilogram's mass will be tied to a mathematical equation.

By Dave Roos Nov 21, 2018 Physical Science / Math Concepts

Skipping Stones on Ice Makes Crazy Sci-fi Sounds

You know that sound synonymous with a certain laser blaster from a galaxy far, far away? Yeah. It sounds like that.

By Mark Mancini Nov 16, 2018 Physical Science / Acoustics

What Makes a Scent Soothing?

Why do most of us start relaxing as soon as we smell lavender or vanilla? Is it the memories they conjure up or is there a chemical reason?

By Dave Roos Nov 6, 2018 Chemistry / Chemical Processes and Tests

HowStuffWorks: Illustrated: Scutoids! Just Like Spheres and Cubes, But Not

The scutoid is kind of like the Higgs boson. Researchers theorized the new shape existed. And then they went looking for it.

Physical Science / Math Concepts

Mathematician Claims Proof of 159-year-old Riemann Hypothesis

Sir Michael Atiyah says he has proven the Riemann Hypothesis, one of the long-unsolved problems in mathematics.

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 9, 2018 Physical Science / Math Concepts

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

How 'Word Cops' Unmask Anonymous Authors

Forensic linguists may never get their own TV show, but these scientists do help solve crimes in their own way.

By John Donovan Sep 14, 2018 Physical Science / Forensic Science

Closing In on Higgs, Six Years Later

We caught up with everyone's favorite boson to see what it's been up to and exactly how it decays.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Sep 14, 2018 Physical Science / Nuclear Science

Particle Acceleration Takes a Leap Forward

CERN researchers have successfully tested a new way of accelerating electrons to high energies through proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration.

By Patrick J. Kiger Sep 12, 2018 Physical Science / Nuclear Science

Why Does Hydrogen Peroxide Come in a Brown Bottle?

You probably have a bottle of the stuff at your house. Have you ever seen it come in any color bottle besides brown?

By John Perritano Sep 6, 2018 Chemistry / Chemical Compounds

The EPA Just Made It Easier to Use Asbestos

The Trump administration quietly changed the rules on asbestos use in the U.S. What does that mean?

By John Donovan Aug 10, 2018 Chemistry / Chemical Compounds

The Scutoid: How We Discover New Shapes

Spanish researchers recently uncovered a new geometric shape that allows human tissue to curve. But how?

By Robert Lamb Aug 6, 2018 Physical Science / Math Concepts

Trillions and Quadrillions: A Short Guide to Absurdly Big Numbers

You've heard of Google, but what about a Googol? If not, then this tutorial is for you.

By Mark Mancini Jul 19, 2018 Physical Science / Math Concepts

Bloodstains at Crime Scene Can Tell Age of Victim or Suspect

Scientists have developed a blood test that can give an approximate age of a person within an hour.

By Alia Hoyt Jun 22, 2018 Chemistry / Chemical Processes and Tests

The Eyes Have It: Scientists 3-D Print Human Corneas

Scientists are using 3-D printers to make human corneas, an advancement that could end the perennial shortage of corneas from donors.

By Laurie L. Dove Jun 13, 2018 Physical Science / Optics

Do a Person’s Fingerprints Change After Death?

Our fingerprints serve to definitively identify us forever, right? But do they? How long do fingerprints remain usable as identification after we are dead?

By Patrick J. Kiger May 8, 2018 Physical Science / Forensic Science