smartphysics

Debunk this. think of a better title later

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/the-ice-diet/371614/

Misconceptions 101: How Do Airplanes Fly?

The Misconception

When I was a kid, I read in all the science books I laid my hands on that airplanes fly because of Bernoulli’s principle, combined with the concept that the air above the wing had somehow had to travel faster than the air at the bottom. The idea is that a wing has to make the air split paths at top and bottom of the wing and then come back together at the same time. Since the…

That Streak of Light When You Squint and Look at a Light Source

You may have noticed that when you look at a source of light and squint, you see a band emanating from the light source. This band always runs vertically, and becomes more pronounced the more you close your eyes.

side to side: image of light source with normal vision and squinting

You can try this particular thing yourself: tilt your head while looking at the light source with squinted eyes. You…

Misconceptions 101: Not Moving = No Force

The Misconception

[common belief, science behind]

The Truth

[common belief, science behind]

The Long Version of the Truth

[Youtube link]

Putting Everything Together

sd

Sources

as

test i don’t understand

Misconceptions 101: There is No Gravity in Space

The Misconception You’ve seen it in movies. You’ve heard about it somewhere. You probably believe it yourself. You’ve even probably seen live video of astronauts in space floating around! It’s pretty much settled, there must be no gravity in outer space! The Truth To start with, there is gravity in outer space. In fact, there is gravity all over the universe. Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein…

New Post has been published on http://www.freakyphysics.com/misconceptions-101-there-is-no-gravity-in-space-2018-02

Misconceptions 101: There is No Gravity in Space

New Post has been published on http://www.freakyphysics.com/physics-bemagnetic-bracelets-why-they-dont-work-2018-02

Physics BeMagnetic Bracelets: Why They Don't Work

Physics BeMagnetic Bracelets: Why They Don’t Work

Magnetic wrist bands and bracelets. They’re supposed to relieve wrist pain, headaches, and a whole sort of maladies. They’re supposed to work, but do they, really? There have been several attempts to sell magnetic wrist bands and bracelets to the unsuspecting public. Just look at these examples. However, most if not all websites are quick to give out the following disclaimers (actual quotes from…

New Post has been published on http://www.freakyphysics.com/projectile-motion-shooting-at-a-small-target-is-easier-than-you-think-2018-02

Projectile Motion: Shooting at a Small Target is Easier than You Think!

Projectile Motion: Shooting at a Small Target is Easier than You Think!

This is Byron Ferguson. He is one of the best shooters of a longbow in the world today. Mr. Ferguson is best known as the guy who can shoot arrows into objects that are quite tiny. Just look at the video below. Mr Ferguson is able to hit an aspirin tablet mid-air. The video explains how difficult is it to do so. But what most people don’t realize is that this is actually one of the easier tricks…

The Physics Behind the Nonsense: Driving a Rock Car

The Question One thing I remember from my childhood is watching The Flintstones. For those who may not have seen it, The Flintstones is an animated series about a “modern” society set in the Stone Age. Or so we thought. The Flintstones are the ones in the middle. The ones on the sides are the Rubbles. One of the things I have always noticed is how the people started and stopped their cars: true…

New Post has been published on http://www.freakyphysics.com/the-physics-behind-the-nonsense-driving-a-rock-car-2017-06

The Physics Behind the Nonsense: Driving a Rock Car