Welcome to the Nucleus!

The Nucleus is a website designed for physics and astronomy undergrads. There are all sorts of resources for research and learning, plus cool links and discussion forums for talking with fellow students.

The Nucleus is also home to The Lounge, a website focused on student discussions, with fun contests and polls for you to participate in!

Featured Resources

Laser Adventure
With the 50th anniversary of the laser approaching, this is a good site to get acquainted with the details of how lasers work.

Current discussions going on in The Lounge!

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Re: Indroduce Yourself
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Summer Research

Editor's Choice

Who's Hiring Physics Bachelors?? - The American Institute of Physics collects statistics to follow physics hiring trends. Take a look to find out where you might end up.

Popular Physics Blogs

#1 - Dynamics of Cats
This blog is written by a faculty member who is involved in applied math/physics.

#2 - The Quantum Pontiff
Dave Bacon is a theoretical ski bum who is also a pseudo professor. His research is on quantum computing, his scientific passions extend to everything in physics, mathematics, computer science and beyond, and his personal pleasures include making wine, playing poker, skiing, camping, and daydreaming (although not all of those at the same time.) Nothing he says on this blog should be construed as having anything to do with his employer or his dog.

#3 - Dispatches from the Culture Wars
A highly political blog with a scientific bent.

#4 - Adventures in Ethics and Science
Not physics per se, but some good discussion of ethical issues in science.

#5 - Uncertain Principles
This is the blog of a physics faculty member who is also writing a book.

Fun Physics Videos

#1 - ISU SPS Something Destructive
The Idaho State University SPS chapter soaked various things in liquid oxygen then set them on fire. Very entertaining!

#2 - LHC Rap
The now famous LHC rap.

#3 - Singing Tesla Coil
Cool demo of a large Tesla coil being used as a speaker.

#4 - Liquid Nitrogen vs. Trash Can
Classic demo of a sealed LN2 container dropped in a trash can full of water.

#5 - Cool Liquid Nitrogen Demo
This is a demonstration I hadn't seen before. Pouring hot water into a large volume of liquid nitrogen.