What Is Matter? Atoms, States, and the Missing Mass

White molecular model with spheres and bonds

What is matter? Anything that has mass and occupies volume: protons, atoms, molecules, planets, and the coffee in your cup. That definition works until you push on the edges, where mass turns out to be mostly energy and volume turns out to be mostly nothing. Both surprises are worth understanding, because they change what the … Read more

Why Does Ice Float? The Chemistry Quirk That Keeps Fish Alive

Dark geometric wireframe

Put almost any liquid in a freezer and the solid version sinks in the liquid version. Solid nitrogen sinks. Solid wax sinks in liquid wax. It’s the normal pattern — molecules pack tighter as they cool, things get denser, denser things sink. Water refuses. And why does ice float is one of those questions where … Read more