physics
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The Physics of Tenet Is Shaky, but It Still Kicks Arse
“Don’t try to understand it,” a scientist tells the protagonist of Tenet, as she briefly explains the physics of Christopher Nolan’s $US205 ($271)-million, time-travelling spy thriller. Sure, the physics is often unrealistic and confusing, but it’s fascinating. And with its many Easter eggs, Tenet sets up some nice jumping-off points for Wikipedia rabbit holes. (Sator…
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Top 2020 Science Prize Goes to Aussie Physicists Who Helped Detect Distortions in Space-Time
This year’s prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize for Science has been awarded to a team of Australian physicists for their contribution to a stellar, reality-bending discovery. Emeritus professor David Blair and professors Susan Scott, David McClellan and Peter Veitch from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) were recognised for their…
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Why Does Gravity Exist?
To understand this, we need to know what gravity is. Something seems to hold us down on the ground. It makes us hit the floor with a thump if we fall over, and makes your marbles roll down slopes. Have you ever jumped on a trampoline? When you are in the air your arms feel…
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For the First Time Ever, Astronomers Spot Light From a Black Hole Smash-up
Black holes aren’t supposed to leak any light when they smash into each other ” or at least that’s what physicists thought.