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Neutrons differentiate between real and fake antique coins
Tomography and small-angle scattering reveal tell-tale corrosion
The mechanics behind rose petal shapes revealed
It’s all about geometric frustrations
Opinion and reviews
How should scientists deal with politicians who don’t respect science?
Robert P Crease wonders what Freeman Dyson would have made of today’s world
Spacewoman: trailblazing astronaut Eileen Collins makes for a compelling and thoughtful documentary subject
Andrew Glester reviews the film Spacewoman directed by Hannah Berryman
Why telling bigger stories is the only way to counter misinformation
Robert P Crease explains how we make sense of the world around us
Moonstruck: art and science collide in stunning collection of lunar maps and essays
Ian Randall reviews LUNAR: a History of the Moon in Myths, Maps + Matter
What physics metaphor do you think needs to be experimentally verified?
Robert P Crease wants your suggestions of physics metaphors that need fact checking
Unclear nature: anthropological study of CERN is a missed opportunity to bridge physics and social sciences
Achintya Rao reviews Unfinished Nature: Particle Physics at CERN by Arpita Roy
Celebrating the best of Critical Point
Critical Point has appeared in Physics World magazine since May 2000, written by science historian and philosopher Robert P Crease. Enjoy our pick of the best columns, which bring the perspective of an outsider looking in on the “workshop of science”.
Features
Explore more in culture, history and society
Read article: Tennis-ball towers reach record-breaking heights with 12-storey, 34-ball structure
Tennis-ball towers reach record-breaking heights with 12-storey, 34-ball structure
Andria Rogava is back with more spectacular structures made from tennis balls
Read article: Apple picked as logo for celebration of classical physics in 2027
Apple picked as logo for celebration of classical physics in 2027
Physicists to mark 300 years since Isaac Newton’s death with International Year of Classical Physics
Read article: Microsoft’s Chetan Nayak on topological qubits, the physics of bigger splashes
Microsoft’s Chetan Nayak on topological qubits, the physics of bigger splashes
Manu jumping and Majorana zero modes feature in this podcast
Read article: The physics of opening swing-top bottles revealed
The physics of opening swing-top bottles revealed
The team used a high-speed camera and microphone to study the gas dynamics as a bottle is opened
Read article: Steampunk meets quantum physics at the GPS
Steampunk meets quantum physics at the GPS
Kindred spirits at the Global Physics Summit exhibition
Read article: Artur Ekert explains how Albert Einstein and John Bell inspired quantum cryptography
Artur Ekert explains how Albert Einstein and John Bell inspired quantum cryptography
Our podcast guest is the theoretical crypto-physicist Artur Ekert
Read article: Are you better than AI? Try our quiz to find out
Are you better than AI? Try our quiz to find out
Iulia Georgescu and Matin Durrani invite you to test your knowledge of the deep connections between physics, big data and AI
Read article: Test your quantum knowledge in this fun quiz
Test your quantum knowledge in this fun quiz
Try this fun multiple-choice quiz to mark International Quantum Year
Read article: Scientists discover secret of ice-free polar-bear fur
Scientists discover secret of ice-free polar-bear fur
Findings could lead to more environmentally-friendly anti-icing surfaces and lubricants
Read article: Quantum superstars gather in Paris for the IYQ 2025 opening ceremony
Quantum superstars gather in Paris for the IYQ 2025 opening ceremony
In this podcast Physics World’s Matin Durrani describes the gala event
Read article: Say hi to Quinnie – the official mascot of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
Say hi to Quinnie – the official mascot of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
Meet the playful mascot marking the centenary of quantum mechanics in 2025
Read article: International quantum year launches in style at UNESCO headquarters in Paris
International quantum year launches in style at UNESCO headquarters in Paris
The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology gets under way at an event at UNESCO headquarters in Paris
Read article: Helgoland: leading physicists to gather on the tiny island where quantum mechanics was born
Helgoland: leading physicists to gather on the tiny island where quantum mechanics was born
100 years since Heisenberg made his mythical trip, a select group of quantum researchers will retrace his footsteps
Read article: Defying gravity: insights into hula hoop levitation
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
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: Picking winners: the 10 most popular physics stories of 2024
Picking winners: the 10 most popular physics stories of 2024
Take a tour of the year's highlights with this list of the most-read stories published in
Read article: Two advances in quantum error correction share the Physics World 2024 Breakthrough of the Year
Two advances in quantum error correction share the Physics World 2024 Breakthrough of the Year
Complementary research brings practical quantum computing closer
Read article: From physics to filmmaking: Mark Levinson on his new documentary, The Universe in a Grain of Sand
From physics to filmmaking: Mark Levinson on his new documentary, The Universe in a Grain of Sand
Towards a unified vision of nature, humans and machines
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