Physics Buzz

Now that all the dust has settled from yesterday, and we can once again safely read news articles without fear of being pranked, it's a great time to look back at this year's 12 best science April Fools jokes. No, really! 12) Science video star and pioneer selfie documentarian Veritasium warned alerted the world that the planet's equator is slipping south 25 kilometers a year . 11) APS's own Physics highlighted the newfound benefits of carbon nanotubes in toothpaste .

Some surprising science headlines hit the newsstands today, including this one from the LHC : End of World Postponed until Monday A lead physicist at the Large Hadron Collider has postponed scheduled production of Earth-eating black holes until Monday, April 5 because he has a hot date Friday night... Other news stories: Secretary of Energy Steven Chu clarifies in interview: "That's 'Steven' with a v and ' Chu ' with a u and bureaucracy with a crazy set of rigid rules and complex regulations." During the interview Secretary Chu awkwardly sprouted a third hand. ---- Newly discovered journal entry by Thomas Edison reveals: "... And I would have gotten away with direct current too if it weren't for that meddling Tesla!" ---- Physicists reveal the very latest in automatic apple peeling technology. ---- Physicist confesses: "The hard part about being in a 1968 physics lab is that I can't cut my hair. How would it look 30 yea

I’m a huge fan of pranks, but I usually approach April fool’s day with some apprehension. It’s not that I mind making a fool of myself. It’s more anticipating that moment of confusion before you figure out the joke that I don’t like—like the moment just before you realize the source of the annoying beep is an annoying beeper that someone hid in your office…Although if it’s a good joke it’s totally worth it. Physics, and most other subjects, can be like that. Who hasn’t had that moment of confusion before “seeing the light” that lasted for hours, days, weeks, or even years? (Although, like a good prank, it’s totally worth it in the end.) Recently I read an article by Leigha Dickens, an undergraduate student that attended the joint APS/AAPT meeting as a student reporter. Reflecting on meeting Vera Rubin, whose work with Kent Ford provided the first hint of the existence of dark matter, Erin wrote, [Vera Rubin] told us how envious she was of all of us, because we would go on to learn a

April Fools day is rapidly approaching, and we here at Physics Buzz always look forward to the opportunity to make up our own reality; i.e. write fake physics news headlines. And never fear - this year will feature our regular roll of spoofs. [Photo: Steven Chu] But this year we thought we'd open the flood gates and give YOU, our dear readers, the chance to participate! Send us a funny/clever/interesting/foolish physics headline and/or photo caption to feature on Physics Buzz on April Fools day. You can come up with your own headline and short (SHORT) story from scratch, or create a caption for one of the photos we've posted here or at the Physics Central facebook page in the album Headline Pictures. [Photo: Edison]: Post your headlines and comments in the comments section of the blog, or on the Physics Central facebook main page. You'll be able to see everyone's headlines in the comments, and on Thursday we'll post our favorites! We've trained you t

House approves string theory bailout The $14-billion measure faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, where standard model opposition remains strong. Washington D.C. April 1st, 2009 The House approved a $14-billion bailout for U.S. string theorists Wednesday after White House and lawmakers finalized a deal empowering a government "theory czar" to force the universe into bankruptcy by next spring if they don't restructure. But the fate of the plan -- and of some of the nation's most storied physicists and institutions -- remained uncertain because of deep-seated standard model opposition in the Senate, where theorists cannot pass the bill without the experimentalists help. Many experimentalists are weary of government bailouts and worry that providing money to string theorists will lead other researchers to seek aid. Many on Capitol Hill also are convinced they should have attached more strings to the $700-billion Wall Street bailout. We would like to credit