So, as we learned previously, sound can actually travel through space. But the recordings our spacecraft send us from other planets or from the edge of the Solar System aren’t Keep reading
Month: November 2024
Inside a Cello
At first glance, Adrian Borda’s photograph seems to show an old room. In reality, this is the interior of a cello with light shining through the f-holes. Dust particles in Keep reading
Lava Flowing
Lava flows like these Hawaii’an ones are endlessly mesmerizing. This type of flow is gravity-driven; rather than being pushed by explosive pressure, the lava flows under its own weight and Keep reading
Fish, Feathers, and Phlegm
Inside Science has a new documentary all about fluid dynamics! It features interviews with five researchers about current work ranging from the physics of surfing to the spreading of diseases. Keep reading
Giant Vortex Cannon
Playing with a vortex cannon is a ton of fun, and they are remarkably easy to make. You can knock over cups or card houses, create art, or just try Keep reading
Making Droplets
If you’ve ever wondered how fluid dynamicists create those tiny perpetually bouncing droplets they study, wonder no further. A typical method, shown here, is to use a simple toothpick. First, Keep reading
The Law of Urination
Tonight is the 26th Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. As I’ve covered previously, the subject of fluid dynamics has been quite successful at winning these awards designed to “make people LAUGH, then Keep reading
Jovian Poles
We’re used to viewing Jupiter from its equator, where bands of light and dark clouds dominate the picture. From its poles, Jupiter looks very different, as these recent images from Keep reading
Soap Film Turbulence
The brilliant colors of a soap film reveal the fluid’s thickness, thanks to a process known as thin film interference. The twisting flow of the film depends on many influences: Keep reading
Inside a Humidifier
After this, you may never look at a humidifier the same way again. Ultrasonic humidifiers generate tiny droplets using piezoelectric transducers. When the humidifier is on, the ultrasonic vibrations of Keep reading