Rhett Allain – Medium

Rhett Allain

Science Communication: The Gravitational Force is NOT Constant

I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed. I mean I’m both a huge Adam Savage fan and who doesn’t like the Muppets? However, I watched this…

4h ago

Science Communication: The Gravitational Force is NOT Constant

4h ago

Physics Lab: Measuring the Force on a Bouncing Ball

I like toys — but everyone likes toys, right? But what about physics-toys? Those are the best. Vernier (the science education equipment…

1d ago

Physics Lab: Measuring the Force on a Bouncing Ball

1d ago

Physics Quiz: Do You Really Understand Angular Momentum?

Here is a question to test your understanding of angular momentum. Don’t worry, I’m going to go over the answer shortly. Actually, there…

Mar 2

Physics Quiz: Do You Really Understand Angular Momentum?

Mar 2

Is It Faster to Fall Through the Earth or Orbit to the Other Side?

How could you make a tunnel through the center of the Earth? Well, you probably couldn’t. However — if you COULD, it would make a great…

Feb 14

Is It Faster to Fall Through the Earth or Orbit to the Other Side?

Feb 14

This Electric Field Physics Lab Isn’t What You Think It Is.

The problem with the second semester of introductory physics lab is that it’s difficult to match up with the lecture course. Normally, the…

Feb 4

This Electric Field Physics Lab Isn’t What You Think It Is.

Feb 4

Nope. Common Sense Doesn’t Trump Evidence.

In a terrible combination of dumb and mean, Donald Trump said that a collision between a helicopter and an airliner (that lead to the death…

Feb 2

Nope. Common Sense Doesn’t Trump Evidence.

Feb 2

Modeling Random Walks in Python for Fun (and no profit)

I have this fun little office toy. It’s got a bunch of tiny balls that fall through some pegs. After bouncing around, the balls end up in…

Jan 25

Modeling Random Walks in Python for Fun (and no profit)

Jan 25

Using Python to Model a Driven RLC Circuit

The RLC circuit consists of a resistor (R), and inductor (L) and a capacitor (C ). That’s where the “RLC” part comes from. It’s a fairly…

Jan 23

Using Python to Model a Driven RLC Circuit

Jan 23

Could We Really Have Space-Based Solar Power?

I saw this IFLscience article about a Chinese plan to create a space-based solar power system. Of course, I have to add some comments and…

Jan 20

Could We Really Have Space-Based Solar Power?

Jan 20

Physics Estimate: Could Captain America Survive a Punch From Red Hulk?

There’s no question about it. The upcoming Marvel movie (Captain American: Brave New World) has a scene where Red Hulk fights Cap. It’s in…

Jan 14

Physics Estimate: Could Captain America Survive a Punch From Red Hulk?

Jan 14

For a Truck Tug of War, It’s All About Weight and Friction

It’s not fair to have a tug of war between a Tesla Cybertruck and a Ford F150. Why isn’t it fair? Well, the Cybertruck has a weight of 6843…

Jan 7

For a Truck Tug of War, It’s All About Weight and Friction

Jan 7

Video Analysis: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

If you record videos for your physics analysis, there are some things you just shouldn’t do. Let’s go over those “wrongs” so you can make a…

Jan 4

Video Analysis: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Jan 4

If Velocity Is Relative, Why Isn’t Kinetic Energy Relative?

Maybe that title isn’t super clear. How about I just present a question that seems popular online right now. It goes like this.

Dec 31, 2024

If Velocity Is Relative, Why Isn’t Kinetic Energy Relative?

Dec 31, 2024

The Physics of Jumping: From Humans to The Hulk

This is a great physics problem. Let’s use the work-energy principle to look at the forces on a jumping human. As the title says, after…

Dec 24, 2024

The Physics of Jumping: From Humans to The Hulk

Dec 24, 2024

Free Fall Acceleration on the Moon. Video Analysis of Apollo 16

Is it possible to estimate the value of the gravitational field on the surface of the moon? Yup — and I’m going to do it using a video of…

Dec 21, 2024

Free Fall Acceleration on the Moon. Video Analysis of Apollo 16

Dec 21, 2024

The Math of Cat in the Hat: Would Cat Z Be Too Small to See?

Of course you’ve heard of Cat in the Hat. It’s a classic from Dr. Seuss. Well, there’s more than one book. In the second book (The Cat in…

Dec 18, 2024

The Math of Cat in the Hat: Would Cat Z Be Too Small to See?

Dec 18, 2024

Lagrangian Mechanics: Speed Run Problems (with VPython Animations)

Just for fun, I’m going to set up some physics problems for Lagrangian mechanics. This will give you some situations to practice with.

Dec 13, 2024

Lagrangian Mechanics: Speed Run Problems (with VPython Animations)

Dec 13, 2024

Real World Physics: Estimating the Acceleration of a Train

Sometimes you see stuff in the real world that would just make a fun physics problem. It’s not a textbook problem with a bunch of given…

Dec 7, 2024

Real World Physics: Estimating the Acceleration of a Train

Dec 7, 2024

Infrared Camera on Your Smart Phone: The Thermal Master P2 Pro

I’ll admit it. I’m obsessed with infrared cameras. Using them sort of makes you a superhero. You can see things that you wouldn’t otherwise…

Dec 5, 2024

Infrared Camera on Your Smart Phone: The Thermal Master P2 Pro

Dec 5, 2024

The Physics of Footballs and Snowballs. Could a Snowball Actually Deflect a Field Goal Attempt?

Sometimes physics problems just spontaneously appear in real life. In this case, it’s from the San Francisco vs. Bills football in Buffalo…

Dec 3, 2024

The Physics of Footballs and Snowballs. Could a Snowball Actually Deflect a Field Goal Attempt?

Dec 3, 2024

Rhett Allain

Rhett Allain

Physics faculty, science blogger of all things geek. Technical Consultant for CBS MacGyver and MythBusters. WIRED blogger.

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