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Rhett Allain

@rhettallain.bsky.social
1.1K followers 127 following 717 posts

#physics stuff. WIRED blogger. #MythBusters #science and #MacGyver technical advisor. www.wired.com/author/rhett-allain rhettallain.com

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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
#physics video - solving a particular solution of the 3 body problem. Equal mass stars moving in a circle. youtu.be/82ItQEntMrw
youtu.be
Physics Problem: Solution for the 3 Body Problem
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Speed of sound vs. speed of light. It's actually possible to measure both of these (sort of) on your own. #physics #physicslab medium.com/@rjallain/wh...
medium.com
What’s Faster? Sound or Light? Huh!
I feel bad for not knowing about Zias and B Lou, but I like these guys. Apparently, there’s a fun meme about measuring the speed of light…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I'm working my way through Matter and Interactions for class. Here is chapter 5 summary - finding forces by looking at motion (circular motion included). #physics youtu.be/7yQFZGVyslA
youtu.be
Physics Review: Chapter 5 Finding Forces From Motion
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Since we are talking about the simple harmonic motion problem in intro #physics - this mass falling through the Earth hole is a fun #gravity problem. youtu.be/U5WTdt4CWMI
youtu.be
Physics Problem: How long would it take to fall through a hole in the Earth?
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New #physics video - how do we know that we can model the gravitational field due to the Earth as a point mass at the center? Here's a numerical model breaking the Earth into 1000 smaller pieces with #python #vpython youtu.be/tu2zAs3erFo
youtu.be
Python Physics: Gravitational Field of the Earth as a Bunch of Point Masses
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
For my #physics class, I used the following progression of problems involving a falling object to lead them into numerical calculations with #python #vpython youtu.be/LuSUkvCgGW0
youtu.be
Python Physics: Modeling the Motion of an Object Near the Earth
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Reposted by Rhett Allain
phyphox project @phyphox.org · 07/09/2026
We just released phyphox v1.2.1. Highlights: Spectroscopy, flashlight stroboscope, improved tone generator, updated xls to xlsx and an all new phyphox.org/docs/, which now also holds the full changelog at phyphox.org/docs/referen....
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Jennifer Ouellette @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Meet the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize winners: designing the perfect splash-free urinal; using mosquito proboscises to “necroprint” tiny nozzles; studying composition rates of buried cotton underwear; and the aerodynamics of a healthy nose-blow, and other highlights. arstechnica.com/science/2026...
arstechnica.com
Meet the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize winners
The annual award ceremony features miniature operas, scientific demos, and "24/7" lectures.
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is heading to its location at the L2 Lagrange point. What is a Lagrange point? Here is my answer: medium.com/@rjallain/th... #physics @nasa #space #science
medium.com
The L2 Physics Trick That Keeps the Roman Space Telescope Riding Along with Earth
There are a bunch of awesome things about the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (let’s call it the RST). However, I want to focus on just…
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Reposted by Rhett Allain
Bree Barnett Dreyfuss @barnettdreyfuss.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
🎢🧪I recently visited a local new physics teacher's room and she inherited a LOT of stuff. It made me reflect on when I moved into physics classrooms and had to sort through other people's equipment. It can be daunting so I wrote this guide: breebarnettdreyfuss.blogspot.com/2026/08/phys...
breebarnettdreyfuss.blogspot.com
Physics Teacher Inheritance
Stuff for teaching Physics lasts a long time. We don't have as many consumable materials as Chemistry and Biology; probably only Geology tea...
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
#physics and #videoanalysis of Project Hail Mary. By measuring the acceleration, what is the size of the spacecraft? rjallain.medium.com/the-physics-...
rjallain.medium.com
The Physics of Project Hail Mary: Is the Spacecraft a Pocket Toy?
Just so you know, I really enjoyed Project Hail Mary (both the book and the movie). Also, I’m sort of into physics (but you might already…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
#physics questions can have layers like onions. Here's a fun one - which weighs more, 44 gram block of copper or 44 gram block of plastic? medium.com/@rjallain/wh...
medium.com
Which Weighs More: 44g of Copper or 44g of Plastic?
Physics questions are fun. Here’s my question.
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Modeling a flock of birds (boids) with #python and #physics. Code included. rjallain.medium.com/building-a-f...
rjallain.medium.com
Building a Flocking Simulation in Python (Using Electric Forces and Springs)
It’s fun to watch a bunch of birds — they sort of move together as one thing, but they also have some weird motion patterns too. Well…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
#physics #coyotevsacme - how much power would the ACME #magnet glove need? This is a tough calculation - for sure. rjallain.medium.com/acme-physics...
rjallain.medium.com
ACME Physics: Calculating the Power of Coyote’s Seed Electromagnet
It’s a tale as old as time. Coyote loves Road Runner. Coyote wants Road Runner. Coyote uses strange ACME electromagnetic device with fake…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
With the @gopicup trinket - you can now run matplotlib AND vptyhon together in a browser. This is great for advanced undergraduate #physics courses using #python rjallain.medium.com/trinket-is-d...
rjallain.medium.com
Trinket is Dying, Long Live VPython: Modern Physics Electrostatic Visualizations in the Browser
If you know me, you know I love VPython — the module that brings 3D graphics and other stuff into python. In short, this simple coding…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Short but great look at waves on strings from Minute Physics. #physics youtu.be/sYdXa_yp0fc?...
youtu.be
Strings Don't Vibrate The Way You Think
YouTube video by minutephysics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
trinket is dead, long live trinket. Check this out - now that trinket #python is on @gopicup.bsky.social , you can use matplotlib AND vpython together in a browsers. It's kind of awesome. Here's how to make an equipotential and vector field plot. #physics youtu.be/e07TjUeeAdk
youtu.be
Python Physics: The New Trinket with Matplotlib
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I'm excited to see #spider-man #BrandNewDay, so of course I had to #physics it. Here is my analysis of the strength of his web based JUST on one swing. It's a good example of a "real world" problem for class. rjallain.medium.com/analyzing-th...
rjallain.medium.com
Analyzing the Physics of Spider-Man’s Web in Brand New Day
Yes, I’m a huge fan of Spider-Man — but also a fan of physics. So, it’s just great to use a scene from the Spider-Man: Brand New Day…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Wrapping up my material for the first semester of algebra-based #physics. Here are my notes on simple harmonic motion and waves. rjallain.medium.com/physics-note...
rjallain.medium.com
Physics Notes: Simple Harmonic Motion and Waves on a String
This is the last chapter in the main sequence for the first semester of algebra-based physics. If you are following along, here are my…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Oh, this is so embarrassing to be college faculty in Louisiana. They are putting up the 10 commandments in all of the classrooms on campus. Before you know, we will be required to teach young Earth theory or something.
July 20, 2026

In accordance with Louisiana state statutes, the university will be installing "In God We Trust" and Ten Commandments posters in all classrooms across campus.

Louisiana Revised Statute 17:262(A)(2) requires public postsecondary institutions to display the national motto, "In God We Trust," in each classroom. Additionally, Louisiana Revised Statute 17:2124(B)(1) requires the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom at public postsecondary institutions. These statutes specify the required content and minimum display standards for the posters.

To ensure consistent compliance with state requirements, standardized posters will be installed in all university classrooms before the fall semester. 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as Southeastern fulfills its obligations in accordance with Louisiana laws.
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Real world #physics - is CodeMC really that fast with his hands? #videoanalysis rjallain.medium.com/the-physics-...
rjallain.medium.com
The Physics of a 0.7-Second Fruit Slice: Is CodeMC Actually Superhuman?
Do you ever find some videos that you just can’t stop watching? Well, I do. There’s this guy — all I know is his username (CODEMTC) and…
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Reposted by Rhett Allain
Denali @denali.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Husband just came in to tell me that since the assassination of Abraham Lincoln every American president has been alive at the same time as Herbert Hoover.
Bill and Ted in the parking lot of the circle K in full Whoa
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
#physics #python video - modeling the motion of a stick that tips over and falls. Fun. youtu.be/sxpqamXnf2c
youtu.be
Python Physics: Modeling the Motion of a Tipping Stick
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
New #physics problem. Energy to get to Low Earth Orbit: equator vs. the South pole. youtu.be/dO9ktkS-3EA
youtu.be
Physics Problem: Low Earth Orbital Energy, Equator vs. the Poles
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Reposted by Rhett Allain
Dr Dan Jones @hookean.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
The Physics Teaching Resource Finder now has over 10,000 resources! All sorted by age, topic and subtopic #iTeachPhysics #Science 🧪 www.drjonesphysics.com/physics-reso...
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
#physics video: finding the speed for a banked curve without friction youtu.be/tYW2PPIdAvw
youtu.be
Physics Problem: Speed for a Banked Curve Without Friction
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
I saw some other posts about how humans could (or could not fly with wings). Here's my older post about the #physics of Angel from X-Men (and the physics of scale) rjallain.medium.com/if-birds-can...
rjallain.medium.com
If Birds Can Fly, Why Can’t Humans? An Example of the Physics of Scale
This isn’t really about birds, this is about Angel (from X-Men). But if you want to think about birds instead, that’s cool too. In case you…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
After 16 years, I finally re-made my "what if everyone on Earth jumped" calculation. Here's the #physics video youtu.be/0KSc4NISCuE
youtu.be
Physics Problem: Recoil Speed of the Earth if Everyone Jumped at the Same Time
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Current events: penalty kicks in #soccer and #physics (and #worldcup) medium.com/@rjallain/do...
medium.com
Do Soccer Goalies Actually React to Penalty Kicks? (Spoilers: No)
I’ll be honest — I seriously get stressed out watching a penalty shootout at the end of a championship soccer match. It doesn’t even matter…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
New #physics post - are rubber bands like springs? What about string? rjallain.medium.com/the-physics-...
rjallain.medium.com
The Physics of Springs, Strings, and Rubber Bands
Here’s a fun question for you — are rubber bands just like springs? I mean, they are surely “springy” or at least “spring-like”. But from a…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
New #physics video - how high would the #mythbusters need to drop Buster to reach terminal velocity? Real world physics with #python. youtu.be/b5qwUEUQpVY
youtu.be
Python Physics: MythBusters dropping Buster to Terminal Velocity
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Reposted by Rhett Allain
Dr Dan Jones @hookean.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Introducing the Physics Teaching Resource Finder. Over 5,000 ideas for teaching, sorted by topic. Please share if you find it useful! 🙂 #iTeachPhysics #Science 🧪 www.drjonesphysics.com/physics-reso...
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
What happens when you pull down on a spring scale and then add an extra mass? This fun #physics problem is a great way to think about tension and springs. rjallain.medium.com/can-you-solv...
rjallain.medium.com
Can You Solve This Fun Spring Scale Problem?
It started off with a fun (and slightly tricky) physics question. The original question was about a string connected to a spring scale. But…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Is @markrober the real #MacGyver? Maybe. This awesome video shows how to steal a car (don't steal cars) that use a key fob. Also seen in MacGyver season 2 episode 9 (CD-ROM + Hoagie Foil). youtu.be/h0EGCnBjTVk?...
youtu.be
I Outsmarted Pro Car Thieves
YouTube video by Mark Rober
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
#physics post - does a water stream make a parabolic trajectory? #projectileMotion rjallain.medium.com/the-physics-...
rjallain.medium.com
The Physics of Water: Does a Stream Actually Make a Parabola?
When water comes out of a hose, does it create a parabolic trajectory? Should it? Those are the questions we want to consider. Or maybe you…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Here's a #physics #python model for you - does a jump shot improve shooting accuracy? rjallain.medium.com/does-launch-...
rjallain.medium.com
Does Launch Height Matter? A Python Model of Basketball Shots
Although I’m not a basketballologist, I still like sports and I like physics. So, here’s the physics question: is it easier to make a goal…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I think that every #physics department needs at least one infrared camera. There's a great deal on the @thermalmaster P4 (for android). It's on sale! Use discount code: THERMALBF10 thermalmaster.com/products/the...
infrared image of a dog laying down
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Ug. My mic was messed up (and I didn't check) for my #spiderman #physics video - I had to redo it. youtu.be/83CyXjJC1VE
youtu.be
Spider-Man Physics: Calculating Swing Speed
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
#physics problem: finding the swinging speed of #spiderman using the work energy principle youtu.be/r6yM5TV6ig0
youtu.be
Physics Problem: Calculating the Swing Speed for Spider-Man
YouTube video by Dot Physics
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
F1 #videoanalysis and #physics. Estimating the coefficient of friction for an F1 car rjallain.medium.com/f1-physics-v...
rjallain.medium.com
F1 Physics: Video Analysis and the Coefficient of Friction
The coolest thing about Formula 1 races is not the cars (but they are cool). No, it’s the video production. Just imagine trying to capture…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Just in case you ever plan on a #kayak trip in #louisiana, here is my trip report for two bayous off the Tangipahoa river. rhettallain.com/2026/06/07/k...
rhettallain.com
Kayaking the Tangipahoa River: A Guide
Tangipahoa River near Lee’s landing. Photo: Rhett Allain If you are looking for kayak locations on the North Shore in Louisiana, you might consider the Tangipahoa river. Here are the details …
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
I couldn't help myself. I had to do a #videoanalysis of the penalty shootout between PSG and Arsenal. #physics rjallain.medium.com/do-soccer-go...
rjallain.medium.com
Do Soccer Goalies Actually React to Penalty Kicks? (Spoilers: No)
I’ll be honest — I seriously get stressed out watching a penalty shootout at the end of a championship soccer match. It doesn’t even matter…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Here is chapter 7 notes for my #physics course. Circular motion, gravity and stuff like that. rjallain.medium.com/physics-note...
rjallain.medium.com
Physics Notes: Circular Motion, Rotational Kinematics, and Gravitational Orbits
There’s really only one new thing in this chapter — but it’s important. Here are my previous notes.
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
New #physics post - measuring the launch velocity of a @PASCO mini launcher. Homework included. rjallain.medium.com/physics-lab-...
rjallain.medium.com
Physics Lab: Measuring the Launch Velocity of a Ball Launcher
These lab ball launchers keep getting better. Our lab has these PASCO Mini Launchers, and they are pretty good. Yes, they have an angle…
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Reposted by Rhett Allain
Physgal ⚛️ @physgal.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
"..the researchers found that students whose instructors were combining group work with lab activities and problem solving, via the SCALE-UP method, performed better on the post-course survey and had meaningful interactions with more of their peers, which is also an indicator of learning success."🎢⚛️
drexel.edu
Learning Physics Can Derail Some Students, New Research From Drexel Shows the Best Way to Keep Them on Track
In a paper recently published in Nature Physics, researchers from Drexel University took a closer look at the most successful models for teaching physics. Their findings suggest that group work and le...
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
When @nasa posts a cool #artemis video, I have to do a #physics analysis (extra homework included) rjallain.medium.com/the-physics-...
rjallain.medium.com
The Physics of Artemis II: Video Analysis of the Orion-ESM Separation
When NASA posts a new homework assignment, I feel compelled to complete it. OK, they didn’t explicitly say it was for homework but it’s…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Real world #physics - why some #artemis photos are sideways. rjallain.medium.com/smartphones-...
rjallain.medium.com
Smartphones vs. General Relativity: Why Artemis Photos Won’t Auto-Rotate
Hopefully everyone is still obsessed with the Artemis II mission like I am. It’s still amazing. I was looking through this awesome resource…
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Bonus - #python included.
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Here’s a real world #physics problem that’s also current events. How much does it cost you to drive fast on your commute?
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Rhett Allain @rhettallain.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Here are my notes for #physics chapter on conservation of momentum and collisions. Yes, there's #python of course. rjallain.medium.com/physics-note...
rjallain.medium.com
Physics Notes: Collisions and the Conservation of Momentum
Yes, I previously covered the momentum principle — but now we want to use it to exam collisions. Here are the previous chapters for my…
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