Physics
Explainer: What is friction?
The force of friction always acts to slow things down. It depends on just two factors: the surfaces and how hard they press together.
Featured Articles in this Issue
-
Cover Story
Why fandom feels good — and may be good for you
Psychologists and media scholars are looking into the who, why and how of becoming a fan.
Explainer
Technically Fiction
Plants
Could a plant ever eat a person?
For now, humans aren’t on the menu for carnivorous plants. But what would it take for one to consume a person?
Profile
Space
This astronaut took a winding journey into space
Astronaut Kjell Lindgren has flown into space twice and performed more than 100 scientific experiments. He is now part of the crew planning a return to the moon.
Features
-
The next astronauts to walk the moon will be more diverse than the last
Space agencies are preparing to send the next generation of astronauts to the moon and beyond. Here’s how future crews will differ from the last.
-
Why fandom feels good — and may be good for you
Psychologists and media scholars are looking into the who, why and how of becoming a fan.
More Stories from the June 1, 2023 issue
- Physics
When dominoes fall, how fast the row topples depends on friction
Two types of friction help determine how quickly a line of dominoes collapses, computer modeling shows.
- Climate
Warming temps could turn some blue lakes green or brown
Slightly warmer summers could cause thousands of blue lakes to become a murky green or brown, according to a tally of color in 85,000 lakes worldwide.
- Chemistry
Cellulose may keep ice cream from turning gritty in your freezer
Adding nanocrystals extracted from wood avoids the growth of ice crystals, keeping your treat smooth and creamy.
- Animals
Sleeping glass frogs go into stealth mode by hiding red blood cells
Glass frogs snoozing among leaves blend in by hiding almost all their red blood cells in their liver.
- Chemistry
Experiment: Keep your candy cool with the power of evaporation!
In this science project, use the energy produced when water evaporates to cool down chocolate-covered candy so it doesn't melt.
- Health & Medicine
Patches and robotic pills may one day replace injections
Instead of a shot in the arm, a light-activated patch or robotic pill may one day deliver your medicine.
