Browse Physics

Valid search terms include: subject, keyword, author of article, author of highlighted article, article citation (e.g. Physics 3, 16 (2011))

Focus

Ocean Wave Breaking Stirs Up Atmosphere

Physics 6, 51 (2013) – Published May 3, 2013

Simulations show that breaking ocean waves contribute most of their energy to the air, rather than the water, which could affect cloud formation and climate evolution.

Focus

Mini-Atmospheres Synch-Up in the Lab

Phys. Rev. Focus 25, 19 (2010) – Published May 21, 2010

The patterns in two spinning tanks of fluid representing different parts of the Earth’s atmosphere can synchronize with only a small amount of thermal coupling, suggesting that heat flow can transmit weather cycles over long distances.

Focus

Why Dropping a Stone Makes a Jet

Phys. Rev. Focus 23, 3 (2009) – Published January 23, 2009

The thin stream kicked up by dropping an object in water results from a kind of squirting action by the fluid, according to experiments and simulations.

Focus

Smoothing Out Wake Turbulence

Phys. Rev. Focus 9, 5 (2002) – Published January 28, 2002

A new scheme suggests a way of reducing the deadly wake turbulence of aircraft.

Focus

Hot Bubbles

Phys. Rev. Focus 5, 5 (2000) – Published February 3, 2000

Physicists have taken their highest resolution look at the supersonic shock wave that emerges from gas bubbles so hot that they might create nuclear fusion.

Focus

Fire on a Spinning Disk

Phys. Rev. Focus 5, 2 (2000) – Published January 17, 2000

A sprial-shaped flame appears on a heated spinning disk, contrary to the expectation of a circular flame.

Focus

Polymers Improve the Flow

Phys. Rev. Focus 4, 32 (1999) – Published December 22, 1999

A pinch of polymer additive can dramatically reduce the friction between liquids– a new way to study the mysterious effect.

Focus

Watching the Faucet Drip

Phys. Rev. Focus 4, 9 (1999) – Published August 11, 1999

Physicists have observed interesting geometry in the pinch-off of drops from a dripping faucet.