Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about physics, science, academia, and pop culture. We're about halfway through the academic term at Union College, where I ...

New computer models using simple granular physics have been able to match the curious diamond shape of asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu. In our never-ending quest to understand the universe, and ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about physics, science, academia, and pop culture. This article is more than 8 years old. As previously mentioned, one of ...

The simplest questions are often the best. Robert P Crease tries to answer one from a physics student in Kenya Seeking perfection Tennis balls are a low-cost way to explore simple physics concepts, ...

Materials Needed: a piece of flannel which is clean and dry or paper towel, stream of water, flexible plastic ruler and a party balloon. In order for the stream of water to flow out, you need to open ...

It's complicated Studying the history of scientific disciplines like materials is not as easy as you might think. (Courtesy: iStock/Ani Ka) A neurosurgeon, who is about to retire, approaches a ...

Sometimes you think you have a complete understanding of something and then BOOM—a simple problem throws everything out the window. Let's consider a very basic physics problem involving pushing a ...

Stunning natural shapes can form in surprisingly simple conditions. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. The stunning, razor-sharp ...

Numerical calculations are grand. Of course, they are just another form of normal calculations - like I have said before. So, I have mostly used [VPython](http ...