In an avalanche, grains spontaneously flow when a slope reaches a critical angle, and they continue flowing until they settle at a new, lower angle. Scientists have long debated why this Keep reading
Tag: friction
Grain Networks
Granular materials are complicated beasts. When packed, forces between grains create a network (above) that shifts as force is applied. And, while grains can stick and resist that force, push Keep reading
Rain on Car Windows
As a child, I loved to ride in the car while it was raining. The raindrops on the window slid around in ways that fascinated and confused me. The idea Keep reading
Skiing, Avalanches, and Freezing Bubbles
To wrap up our look at Olympic physics, we bring you a wintry mix of interviews with researchers, courtesy of JFM and FYFD. Learn about the research that helped French Keep reading
Labyrinth
A labyrinthine pattern forms in this timelapse video of a multiphase flow in a Hele-Shaw cell. Initially glass beads are suspended in a glycerol-water solution between parallel glass plates with a central Keep reading
How Dogs Drink
Not long ago, researchers showed that cats use friction to their advantage when drawing liquids into their mouths. New research shows that dogs rely on the same mechanism–they’re just far Keep reading
How Cats Drink
While humans use suction and dogs scoop water using their tongues*, cats use a dainty fluid mechanism to drink. Researchers used high-speed video to find that cats drink by touching Keep reading
Avalanche Disk
In the Science Storms section of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, you’ll find the mesmerizing sight of an avalanche disk. This 20ft disk spins at a variable rate Keep reading