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No laughing matter: a comic book about the climate crisis
Mike Follows reviews World Without End: an Illustrated Guide to the Climate Crisis by Jean-Marc Jancovici and Christophe Blain
The evolution of the metre: How a product of the French Revolution became a mainstay of worldwide scientific collaboration
Physics World corresponding editor Isabelle Dumé reports from a Paris symposium celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention
Opinion and reviews
How physics raised the roof: the people and places that drove the science of acoustics
Sharon Ann Holgate reviews Pistols in St Paul’s: Science, Music and Architecture in the Twentieth Century by Fiona Smyth
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
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: The Physics Chanteuse: when science hits a high note
The Physics Chanteuse: when science hits a high note
Songs, science and satire collide in this month’s Physics World Stories podcast with Lynda Williams
Read article: A Martian aurora, how the universe fades away, Heisenberg on holiday, physics of fake coins
A Martian aurora, how the universe fades away, Heisenberg on holiday, physics of fake coins
Physics World editors talk about what’s new in physics
Read article: Neutrons differentiate between real and fake antique coins
Neutrons differentiate between real and fake antique coins
Tomography and small-angle scattering reveal tell-tale corrosion
Read article: The mechanics behind rose petal shapes revealed
The mechanics behind rose petal shapes revealed
It’s all about geometric frustrations
Read article: Alternate quantum realities: what if Heisenberg stayed at home?
Alternate quantum realities: what if Heisenberg stayed at home?
Kevlin Henney discusses his new quantum-themed flash fiction and the power of short stories
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
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Explore our two regular podcast series! Physics World Weekly looks at the latest events and headlines in physics, as well as featuring short interviews with scientists and our team of journalists. Physics World Stories takes a more in-depth look at a topic.
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