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

Acoustics and Vibration Animations
This site has lots of interesting information on oscillations, waves and acoustics.

Current discussions going on in The Lounge!

Video of Giant Fire Ball not part o... This thread has been active in the last 7 days.
Reply to Re: Leonid mete... on the Observing and Events board.
Posted by Ajay Narayanan on November 19 at 12:52 PM.
SPS Game Night! This thread has been active in the last 7 days.
Post on the Zone 12 - University of Oklaho... board.
Posted by Mary Hogan on November 15 at 11:48 PM.
You Might Be A Physics Major... This thread has been active in the last 7 days.
Post on the Another "You Might Be a Physic... board.
Posted by Logan Hancock on November 15 at 9:06 PM.
Re: Committee E: Description and Ch...
Reply to Committee E: De... on the Committee E. Implementing the... board.
Posted by Gregory Topasna on November 13 at 2:38 PM.
cool you tube video
Post on the Cool YouTube Videos! board.
Posted by zeb mcgrevis on November 10 at 8:18 AM.
Summer Research

Editor's Choice

Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse - This is a picture of interesting physics submitted to the Summer 2006 Nucleus Photo Competition.

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.