The FREE online science and technology book
Want to know how your earbuds make music, how telephones squeeze sounds down wires, why broadband is faster than dialup, or how science can make you happy?
You've come to the right place!
Science and technology made simple!
Explain that Stuff is a collection of about 150 completely free,
easy-to-understand articles (plus over 700 photos and artworks), covering how
things work, cutting-edge science, cool gadgets, and computers.
We're not out to bombard you with details;
our mission is to explain things simply so you understand them completely.
There's more information on this website than in your average expensive science book—and it's
all completely free to use!
(It's also free to use.)
What's on our site
We're adding new articles all the time, so do keep popping back!
If you use RSS, you can use our
articles feed
to find out about new pages as soon as we publish them.
Here's what's on the site so far:
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Space:
Satellites,
Space rockets,
Space Shuttle,
Space telescopes...
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Gadgets:
Blu-ray,
Calculators,
Cameras and digital cameras,
Camcorders,
CDs and DVDs,
Digital pens,
Digital radio,
Electric guitars,
External sound cards,
Flash memory,
Flatscreen television,
GPS satellite navigation,
Logic gates,
MP3 players,
Noise-cancelling headphones,
Solar cells,
Synthesizers,
Television,
Transistors,
Yo-yos...
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Communications:
Broadband Internet,
Cellphones (Mobile phones),
Fiber optics,
Internet,
Mobile broadband,
Radar,
Radio,
RFID tags,
Streaming media,
Ultrasound,
Websites,
Wireless Internet,
World Wide Web...
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Office:
Inkjet printers,
Laser printers,
Photocopiers,
Telephones,
Typewriters...
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Computers:
Computers,
Computer mice,
Hard drives,
Linux,
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC),
Scanners,
USB,
Voice recognition software,
Virtual reality,
Webcams...
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Science:
Atoms,
Batteries,
Bullets,
Chocolate,
Electricity,
Electronics,
Electric motors,
Electricity power plants,
Electron microscopes,
Energy,
Forensic science,
Fuel cells,
Global warming and climate change,
Happiness,
Lasers,
Light,
Linear motors,
Nanotechnology,
Wind turbines...
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Tools:
Binoculars,
Fire extinguishers,
Hydraulics,
Jackhammers/pneumatic drills,
Night vision goggles,
Robots,
Tools and machines...
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Leisure:
Jet Ski® and Sea-Doo®,
Photochromic lenses,
Pianos,
Scuba diving,
Surfing,
Waterproof outdoor clothing,
Wetsuits...
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Transportation:
Bicycles,
Brakes,
Bridges,
Car engines,
Catalytic converters,
Electric bicycles,
Electric cars,
Helicopters,
Hovercraft,
Jet engines,
Steam engines,
Submarines,
Tunnels,
Wind tunnels...
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Household:
Adhesives,
Detergents,
Eco-homes,
Electric toothbrushes,
Energy-saving fluorescent lamps,
Intruder (burglar) alarms,
Loudspeakers and headphones,
Quartz clocks and watches,
Remote control,
Smoke detectors,
Surge protectors,
Sunscreen,
Transformers...
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Kitchen:
Breadmaking machines,
Coffee (pod) makers,
Dishwashers,
Halogen cooking hobs,
Microwave ovens,
Teflon® nonstick pans,
Refrigerators,
Smoke detectors,
Toasters,
Vacuum cleaners,
Washing machines...
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Materials:
Aluminum,
Bioplastics,
Buildings,
Ceramics,
Composites,
Copper,
Glass,
GORE-TEX®,
Nomex®,
Plastics,
Protective materials,
Steel and concrete,
Titanium...
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Issues:
Biofuels,
Nuclear power,
Rainforests,
Recycling,
Suicide in young people,
Water pollution...
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History:
Computers...
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Complete Guides:
Careers,
Credit,
Gardening,
Financial Advice,
Photography,
Legal Advice,
Home Design,
Plumbing,
Property,
Retirement,
Start a Business,
Woodworking.
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Latest news
If you like our website, you might like the children's books, gadgets, and other cool stuff in the new Explain that Stuff! store.
This is where we keep you up-to-date with all the latest from the
world of science, technology, space, computing, and gadgets.
If you use RSS, you can use our
news feed
to get our headlines as soon as we publish them.
Mon, 21 Apr 2008:
Nanoscientists make chips one atom thick: Is there no limit to how small computers can become?
Mon, 21 Apr 2008:
How virtual reality can help autistic children: MSN looks at how autistic children can learn about the unpredictable real world using a carefully controlled online environment.
Sat, 19 Apr 2008:
Housework makes you... happy!: Another glimpse at the surprising science of happiness: picking up a mop can make you feel better.
Sat, 19 Apr 2008:
Hackers target CNN over Tibet: Pro-Chinese activists planning to attack CNN's website over its coverage of the Tibet issue have postponed their cyber strike, but say they will attack again in future.
Sat, 19 Apr 2008:
Garbage in, garden out: There's a really nice artwork here showing how a recycling plant turns your miscellaneous garbage into neatly sorted and reusable materials.
Fri, 18 Apr 2008:
Tune out, turn off, and disconnect: Are you addicted to online life? Popular Science worries about people who surf in their dreams and blog in their sleep.
Fri, 18 Apr 2008:
58% of music is not paid for: New research shows most music in the US is copied rather than bought. Is that a sign of monumental fraud, or an indication that publishers need to wake up to new opportunities in the post-copyright world?
Fri, 18 Apr 2008:
Keep the Net neutral, pioneers urge: We'll all lose if the Net is squeezed by commercial pressures, argue cyber pioneers like Lawrence Lessig.
Sat, 12 Apr 2008:
Can we go on eating meat and fish?: Janet Raloff speculates on whether we'll end up eating ants, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Sun, 30 Mar 2008:
Short of water?: Nature publishes a special on the world water crisis to mark World Water Day 2008.
More news...
