Read article: A physicist’s guide to ice cream: the complex science behind one of the world’s most popular desserts
From foaming to phase transitions, Douglas Goff explains the physics behind a perfect scoop
Read article: Defying gravity: insights into hula hoop levitation
Successful hula hooping requires a gyrating body with a particular slope and curvature
Read article: The 10 quirkiest stories from the world of physics in 2024
We revisit the physics of papercuts, a quantum escape room and much more
Read article: International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025: here’s all you need to know
Matin Durrani explains how you can stay on top of all things quantum-related during the next 12 months
Read article: Sceptical space settlers, Einstein in England, trials of the JWST, tackling quantum fundamentals: micro reviews of the best recent books
Condensed natter: Physics World editors give their compressed verdicts on top new books
Read article: Roger Penrose: the Nobel laureate with a preference for transparencies over slideshows
Tushna Commissariat recounts a fascinating chat with Roger Penrose
Read article: How to rotate your mattress like a physics Nobel prizewinner
A tongue-in-cheek e-mail exchange with 1973 Nobel Prize winner Brian Josephson shows that for some laureates, scientific rigour extends to ordinary life, too
Read article: Physicists reveal the mechanics of tea scum
Researchers have looked at how tea scum breaks apart when stirred
Read article: The physics of cycling’s ‘Everesting’ challenge revealed
Everesting involves a cyclist riding up and down a given hill multiple times until the ascent totals the elevation of Mount Everest – or 8848 m
Read article: Researchers cut to the chase on the physics of paper cuts
A paper cut “sweet spot” just happens to be close to the thickness of paper in print magazines
