Physical Science


Topics to Explore


Learn More

Why Are Air-dried Towels So Stiff?

A research team has found that water acts strangely on an air-drying towel, which contributes to its signature stiffness.

Entropy: The Invisible Force That Brings Disorder to the Universe

Entropy is the disorder of a system, but that means a lot more than making a mess of a room.

5 Hugely Fun Facts About Mass (Not Weight)

Weight is the measurement of gravity's pull on an object. And it varies by location. Mass is a different beast altogether.

Could an 'X17 Particle' Hint at a Fifth Force in the Universe?

The Standard Model of physics provides a framework for the subatomic world of all energies. Could a possible newfound carrier boson expand the definition of that framework?

Can't Read Roman Numerals? We Can Teach You

And it'll take XIV minutes flat.

The Pythagorean Theorem Makes Construction and GPS Possible

The Pythagorean theorem, which explains how to calculate the longest side of a right-angled triangle, is an ancient mathematical statement that still buttresses modern-day construction, aviation and even how we navigate through traffic.

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.

Mathematicians Solve Sum-of-Three-Cubes Problem for the Number 42

Two mathematicians have solved a decades-old math problem by harnessing the power of a virtual supercomputer.

Formaldehyde Is Everywhere, But Is It Dangerous?

It's an odorless gas that's present in a variety of home products, cosmetics, car exhaust and even humans. But is it bad for us?

What's the Difference Between Covalent and Ionic Bonds?

Making chemical compounds is a lot like dating. Some ions are naturally compatible; others hook up out of desperation.

Peyote Is Endangered, Spiritually Sacred and Becoming Legal

Long-banned in the U.S., except for religious purposes, peyote is starting to be decriminalized in some cities. But is that a good thing for this endangered plant?

Primary Colors Are Red, Yellow and Blue, Right? Well, Not Exactly

Primary colors are the blocks from which all other colors are built. But there's a lot more to know about them than the basic red, yellow and blue we learned about in kindergarten.

How Alchemy Paved the Way for Chemistry

Alchemy may seem like a cousin to witchcraft but in reality it was the forerunner of modern chemistry.

What Are Isotopes?

You don't need to be a fan of chemistry to appreciate isotopes. They affect geology and medicine, too.

How Are Coroners and Medical Examiners Different?

Coroners and medical examiners both help investigate unusual or violent deaths. The two jobs are different, but deeply connected.

Elemental Haiku: A Poetic Take on the Periodic Table

Award-winning poet and fiction writer Mary Soon Lee has found a charming way to combine science and poetry in a refreshing new take on the periodic table of elements.

We've Got Your Numbers Quiz

Whether you're a math whiz or not, there are some pretty cool number theories, beliefs and coincidences to appreciate. How down with digits are you?

Why Does Ice Stick to Your Fingers?

You've probably had ice stick to your hand when you pull it out of the ice maker. But why is that?

Is Borax Harmful or Helpful?

Borax, a popular addition to laundry detergents and slime recipes, is a natural ingredient that has been getting flack for possibly being harmful to children. But is this true?

Mathematician Cracks the 33 Problem

Mathematician Andrew Booker has found the three cubes that add up to the number 33, a long-unsolved math problem.

Color Wheel Theory: How to Talk About Color

Modern color theory got its start with, believe it or not, Sir Isaac Newton, who also discovered a little thing called gravity and invented calculus.

Viking Warrior in Ancient Grave Was a Woman

Researchers in Sweden confirm through genetic testing that a 10th-century Viking warrior, first unearthed in the 1870s, was a woman.

5 Trailblazing Female Mathematicians

Can you name even one female mathematician? Don't worry if you can't. That just means you need to read our article on five famous female mathematicians to up your cred.

Humans, Like Other Animals, May Have a Magnetic Sixth Sense

What was once fringe science is becoming mainstream — scientists now believe that humans may be able to detect Earth's magnetic field.

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?