6 Fun Facts About Physics That Will Amaze You

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Physics is the study of matter, its motion and behavior through time and space, and other related entities of force and energy. But while the subject can be intimidating for many, some fun facts about physics will amaze you. And while it’s important to know the fundamentals when it comes to physics, these facts will blow your mind.

6. Light Is Slow in Water

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We all know that the deeper you are in the water, the less light there is. But did you know that light travels slower in water? This is one of the most interesting fun facts about physics. Light interacts with water molecules, causing it to change its speed. That, along with the density of water affects the propagation of light waves.

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5. The Dead Sea

Dead Sea Wiki Commons
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The Dead Sea is the topic of one of the most interesting fun facts about physics. The popular tourist attraction is a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan. It’s widely known for having an abundance of salt, which of course makes the water denser. Because of this, it’s nearly impossible to sink into the Dead Sea. However, still keep things safe when visiting.

Also Read: Fascinating Facts About Mars

4. Sunrises and Sunsets

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It’s common sense that the sun doesn’t actually change colors throughout the day. But have you ever wondered why colors change during sunrises and sunsets? One of the fun facts about physics is the phenomenon called scattering. Molecules and small particles in the atmosphere change the direction of light rays, causing them to scatter, which then affects the colors of light coming from the sky.

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3. Astronauts Return Younger

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One of the most bizarre, yet fun facts about physics is the fact that people that go to space return younger than if they just stayed on Earth. Thanks to Einstein’s theory of relativity, we know that the closer a person is moving toward the speed of light, the quicker time passes and the slower age does. There is also gravitational time dilation, which causes slower aging the further away a person is from the Earth’s core due to weaker gravity and the planet’s curvature.

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2. Time is Faster Up High

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One of the most interesting fun facts about physics is that the higher up you are, building-wise, the faster time will go. Time itself is such a hard concept to really understand, even though it seems simple. A couple of seconds standing on the ground will actually go slower than for someone who sits on a high building. This is best explained by Einstein’s 1915 theory of General Relativity and the force of gravity that comes from the curvature of space and time.

Read More: Weird Facts About Jupiter

1. Magic Behind Smartphones

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Smartphones with touch screens are a sleek new invention for a while now. But how do they work? There is physics behind the magic. One of the most interesting fun facts about physics is how touch screens actually work. Touch screens work thanks to the electric charges leaving our fingers — specifically the screens detect the charge (capacitance) on our fingers.

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