Friction is what stops coins from spinning. In this video, The Action Lab demonstrates a number of spinning things nd spinning surfaces to explain how friction affects how long they spin, and the best surfaces for keeping them spinning as long as possible.
How to spin a coin for two minutes
Ask Adam Savage: plane on a conveyor belt controversy
A plane is on a giant conveyor belt, which is moving in the opposite direction that the plane is pointed. Will the plan take off, no matter how fast the conveyor belt is moving? Adam Savage explains why the plane will indeed take off. Now Adam, explain how a wind-powered vehicle can move downwind faster… READ THE REST
How to calculate the power of a black hole collision
After writing about the collision between two black holes that weren't "supposed to exist," I received the following email from Álvaro Díez, a particle physicist at the University of Warsaw: Being a huge astrophysics enthusiast, I just built a Black Hole Collision Calculator that explains the after-effects of a star (or any astronomical object) being eaten by… READ THE REST
Get a lifetime of Rosetta Stone, access to exclusive cheap flights, and more travel hacks for under $160
While the world is finally emerging from its year-long COVID slumber, it's only emerging gradually. Even though more people are venturing outside and making short trips here and there, many are still a bit reluctant to travel too far from home. And sometimes, decisions like staying away from Indonesia make a whole lot of sense.… READ THE REST
Make your video calls look more professional with this LED ring light and tripod
Eighteen months ago, how you looked on your video conference calls probably wasn't really much of an issue. Heck, how many of us were involved in regular video calls 18 months ago? Now, it's a different world. Whether you're back in the office or still working from home TFN, Zoom meetings are likely here to stay… READ THE REST
These displays turn your laptop into a dual-screen or tri-screen productivity powerhouse
There are a ton of logical, analytically driven reasons to get a second screen monitor for your laptop. According to the University of Utah, a second monitor can save each person 2.5 hours a day if they use it for all of their business-related tasks. Another study concluded there was an average 42 percent increase… READ THE REST