Curiosity
Why Falling Chains Leap into the Air: The Mould Effect
When a beaded chain falls from a beaker, it arches high into the air. Here is why the chain fountain works through an anomalous upward push from below.
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Curiosity
A collection of essays to explore, one idea at a time.
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Curiosity
The Brazil Nut Effect: Why the Biggest Pieces Rise
Discover why shaking mixed nuts pushes the heaviest pieces to the top through granular convection, void percolation, and surprising particle dynamics.
Curiosity
The Brazil Nut Effect: Why the Heaviest Grains Rise to the Top
Discover the surprising physics behind granular convection, void percolation, and why the largest nuts always rise to the top of a shaken jar.
Curiosity
The Kitchen Sink Physics That Fooled Us for Centuries
Discover the physics of the circular hydraulic jump in your kitchen sink, from surface tension discoveries to cosmic white holes.
Curiosity
The Glass Paradox: Physics of Prince Rupert's Drop
Discover why Prince Rupert's drops can survive hammer blows on their bulbous head yet explode into fine dust at Mach 5 when their tail is clipped.
Curiosity
Why Wine Cries: The Physics Behind Wine Tears
Ever wondered why wine forms dripping tears inside a glass? Discover the Marangoni effect and how liquids climb walls against gravity.
Curiosity
Why Water Droplets Skate Across Hot Pans
Discover the Leidenfrost effect: why water droplets hover and skid on hot pans instead of instantly evaporating, explained with everyday science.
Curiosity
The Coffee Ring Effect: Why Spills Dry With Dark Edges
Ever wonder why dried coffee leaves a dark ring instead of a solid spot? Explore the hidden micro-physics of capillary flow inside a drying droplet.
Curiosity
Prince Rupert's Drop: The Glass Teardrop That Defies Bullets
Discover how a simple drop of molten glass creates an indestructible head resistant to bullets, yet shatters instantly when its thin tail is pinched.