A-Z index
Last updated: August 30, 2010.
Explain that Stuff is a collection of over 400 completely free, easy-to-understand articles (plus something like 2000 photos and artworks), covering all kinds of cutting-edge science and technology, cool gadgets and inventions, and how things work. We try to explain things simply and clearly so you understand them completely!
Most read
Our top ten articles:
A word of explanation...
Our articles are designed for a variety of readers. Each one has stars next to the title showing who it's intended for:
* A short, simple introduction, particularly suitable for young readers.
*** A longer and more detailed article, suitable for most readers.
****** A more academic piece. Young readers may find these articles too detailed and
complex.
Obviously this is a very crude system. Don't let it put you off reading anything!
A-Z list of articles
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
- Accelerometers ***
- Acidity (pH) meters ***
- Adhesives (glues) ***
- Advertising, do-it-yourself ***
- Aerosol cans *
- Aerials (antennas and transmitters) *
- Airbags *
- Air conditioners *
- Airplanes *
- Airplane jet engines *
- Air pollution *
- Air purifiers, photocatalytic ***
- Alarms:
- Alcoholism and Winston Churchill ***
- Alloys ***
- Alloys, shape-memory ***
- Altimeters ***
- Aluminum ***
- Amplifiers *
- Ammeters ***
- Analog versus digital technology *
- Analog radio ***
- Anemometers (wind-speed meters) ***
- Antennas and transmitters *
- Anti-static coatings ***
- Anti-theft security marking devices *
- Arc lamps (includes xenon lamps) ***
- Atoms:
- Introduction *
- "Atomic" (radio-controlled) clocks and watches *
- Atomic energy (how nuclear power plants work) *
- Artificial limbs (prosthetics) *
- Augmented reality ***
- Autoclaves *
- Automobiles, history of *
- Axles and wheels *
- Aztec codes (2D barcodes, data-matrix codes) ***
B
- Baby-monitors and intercoms *
- Balances and weights *
- Barcodes and barcode scanners ***
- Barcodes, 2D (data-matrix codes) ***
- Barometers (pressure measuring instruments) *
- Batteries:
- Beepers (radio pagers) ***
- Bicycles:
- Bicycles (general introduction) ***
- Bicycle helmets *
- Electric bicycles ***
- Binoculars and field glasses ***
- Biofuels ***
- Biomass boilers *
- Biomimetic clothing *
- Bioplastics and biodegradable plastics ***
- BitTorrent ***
- Blister plasters ***
- Blood-pressure monitors *
- Bluetooth ***
- Blu-ray discs *
- Boilers, biomass *
- Boilers, gas central heating *
- Books, electronic *
- Brakes *
- Brakes, regenerative *
- Breadmaking machines ***
- Bricks *
- Bridges *
- Broadband Internet:
- Introduction and how it works ***
- Broadband over power lines (BPL) *
- Mobile broadband (how HSDPA works) ***
- Building a website ***
- Buildings ***
- Bulletproof glass *
- Bullets ***
- Burglar alarms ***
- Burgundy ***
- Burning rainforests *
C
- Calculators *
- Cameras:
- Campaigns: how to run an effective local campaign ***
- Cams, web ***
- Cams and cranks *
- Candles *
- Capacitors *
- Capacitors (supercapacitors) ***
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) ***
- Carbon monoxide detectors ***
- Carbon offsets ***
- Cardiac arrest treatment (defibrillators) *
- Careers in science and technology *
- Carburetors *
- Cars:
- Axles and wheels *
- Brakes *
- Carburetors *
- Electric and hybrid cars *
- Electric cars, complete guide (links) ***
- Engines ***
- Gears *
- History of cars *
- Catalysts, zeolite ***
- Catalytic converters *
- CCDs (charge-coupled devices) *
- CDs and DVDs ***
- CDs and DVDs, Blu-ray *
- Cellphones (Mobile phones) ***
- Cellphone broadband (how HSDPA works) ***
- Center of gravity *
- Central heating and gas boilers *
- Centrifuges *
- Ceramics ***
- Cermets ***
- Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) *
- Chargers, induction ***
- Chocolate science ***
- CHP cogeneration ***
- Chromatography ***
- Chromium ***
- Churchill, Winston ***
- Circuit breakers, RCD ***
- Circuits, integrated ***
- Clean coal and CCS ***
- Cleaning cloths, microfiber *
- Climate change and global warming ***
- Clocks:
- Clothes, biomimetic *
- Clothes washers (washing machines) *
- Cloud computing ***
- Coffee (introduction and overview) *
- Coffee (pod) makers ***
- Cogeneration ***
- Combine harvesters *
- Combined heat and power (CHP) ***
- Compasses *
- Composite materials ***
- Composting toilets ***
- Compressors and pumps ***
- Computers:
- Introduction *
- Beginner's guide *
- Buyer's guide ***
- Cloud computing ***
- Computer-aided design (CAD) *
- Computer models ***
- History of computers ***
- Keyboards *
- Laptop repairs ***
- Memory (general, RAM, ROM, etc) *
- Memory (flash memory) ***
- Mice ***
- Networks ***
- Printers ***
- Computer screens, touch-sensitive *
- Concrete, reinforced ***
- Converters, catalytic *
- Cookers:
- Microwave ***
- Halogen cooktops ***
- Pressure cookers *
- Solar cookers *
- Copiers (photocopiers) ***
- Copper ***
- Cranks and cams *
- Criminal investigation *
- Cryptography ***
- Cycles ***
- Cycle helmets *
D
- d3o and energy-absorbing plastics ***
- Data-matrix codes ***
- Deafness, hearing aids for *
- Decibel sound level meters ***
- Defibrillators *
- Dehumidifiers *
- Design, computer-aided (CAD) *
- Detectors, smoke ***
- Detective work and criminal investigation *
- Detergents and soaps *
- Dictation (speech recognition) software ***
- Diesel engines *
- Digital technology (general introduction) *
- Digital cameras:
- Digital pens ***
- Digital radio ***
- Diodes and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) ***
- Diodes, laser ***
- Directional loudspeakers ***
- Dishwashers *
- Diving, scuba ***
- DLP® television projectors ***
- Doorbells, electric *
- Dry-stone walls ***
- DVDs and CDs ***
- Dynamometers ***
E
- Earbud headphones *
- Earthquakes ***
- E-books (electronic books) *
- Eco-homes *
- Efficiency, driving ***
- e-commerce ***
- Electricity:
- Introduction *
- Electrical energy monitors *
- Electric cars *
- Electric bikes ***
- Electric doorbells *
- Electric hub motors ***
- Electric motors ***
- Electric showers *
- Electric toasters ***
- Electric toothbrushes *
- Electric guitars ***
- Electricity generators ***
- Electricity transformers ***
- Electric surge protectors ***
- Fuses ***
- Piezoelectricity ***
- Voltage optimisation ***
- Electrolysis ***
- Electrolyzers ***
- Electromagnetic spectrum *
- Electronic books (E-books) *
- Electronics:
- Introduction ***
- Capacitors *
- Diodes and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) ***
- Resistors *
- Transistors ***
- Electron microscopes ***
- Electroplating *
- Electrostatic smoke precipitators *
- Elevators (lifts) *
- Encryption ***
- Endoscopes *
- Energy:
- Energy-absorbing plastics ***
- Engines:
- Environment:
- Essays, how to write them *
- Ethernet (computer networks) ***
- Exams, how to pass ***
- External sound cards ***
- Eyeglasses, photochromic ***
- Eye surgery, laser ***
F
- Fair trade ***
- Fax machines *
- Fiber optics *
- Field glasses and binoculars ***
- Filament (incandescent) lamps *
- Film cameras and basic photography ***
- Filters, HEPA *
- Fingerprint scanners ***
- Fire:
- Candle flames *
- Fire blankets *
- Fire extinguishers *
- Fire fighting *
- Fire hydrants *
- Fire sprinklers *
- Fire-retardant fabrics (Nomex®) ***
- Smoke detectors ***
- Fireworks *
- Flames, candles *
- Flares *
- Flash memory ***
- Flatscreen television ***
- Flight (airplanes) *
- Flush toilets *
- Flywheels (regenerative brakes) *
- Foam mattresses ***
- Forensic science *
- Fresnel lenses *
- Fridges (refrigerators) ***
- Fuel cells ***
- Fuel efficiency ***
- Fuels, biofuels ***
- Fuses ***
- Fuses and surge protectors ***
G
- Galvanometers ***
- Gas central heating boilers *
- Gases, liquids, and solids *
- Gas, liquified petroleum (LPG) *
- Gasoline engines ***
- Gas springs ***
- Gauges, strain ***
- Gears *
- Geiger counters *
- Geoengineering ***
- Generators, electricity ***
- Glass:
- Introduction *
- Heat-reflecting (low-E)***
- Bulletproof glass *
- Photocatalytic, self-cleaning glass ***
- Photochromic (sun-reactive) glass ***
- Global warming and climate change:
- Introduction ***
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) ***
- Carbon offsets ***
- Geoengineering solutions ***
- Glues (adhesives) ***
- Goggles, night vision *
- Gold *
- GORE-TEX® waterproof clothing ***
- GPS satellite navigation *
- Gramophone *
- Gravity, center of *
- Green eco-homes *
- Greywater ***
- Green energy (renewable energy) *
- Griffin iMic external sound cards ***
- Guitars, electric ***
H
- Hall-effect sensors ***
- Halogen cooking hobs ***
- Happiness:
- Science of happiness ******
- History of happiness ******
- Hard drives ***
- Harvesters, combine *
- HDTV (high-definition television) ***
- Headphones:
- How they work *
- Buyer's guide ***
- How noise-cancelling headphones work ***
- How to repair headphones ***
- Hearing aids *
- Hearing-impaired people, telephones for ***
- Heat:
- Introduction ***
- Heat engines ***
- Heat exchangers ***
- Heating elements ***
- Heat insulation ***
- Heat pumps ***
- Heat-recovery ventilation (HRV) ***
- Heat-reflecting (low-E) windows***
- Helicopters ***
- Helmets, bicycle *
- HEPA filters *
- History:
- Home automation and smart homes ***
- Home insulation ***
- Holograms *
- Hosting web, buyer's guide***
- Hot-water systems, solar ***
- Hovercraft *
- HSDPA and mobile (cellphone) broadband Internet ***
- Hub motors ***
- Humidity meters (hygrometers) *
- HVAC air conditioners *
- Hybrid and electric cars *
- Hybrid solar lighting (HSL) *
- Hydrants, fire *
- Hydraulics ***
- Hydrocolloidal plasters and wound dressings ***
- Hydrofoils *
- Hydrogen electrolyzers ***
- Hydrogen fuel cells ***
- Hydroponics ***
- Hygrometers *
I
- Incandescent (filament) lamps *
- Induction chargers ***
- Induction motors (Linear motors) ***
- Infrared remote control ***
- Injection lasers (semiconductor laser diodes) ***
- Inkjet printers ***
- Insulation, heat ***
- Integrated circuits ***
- Intercoms and baby-monitors *
- Interferometers ***
- Internet:
- Introduction ***
- Broadband Internet ***
- Wireless Internet ***
- World Wide Web (WWW) ***
- Intruder alarms ***
- Inverters ***
- Ionization smoke detectors ***
- Iris scanners ***
- Iron and steel ***
J
- Jackhammers/pneumatic drills ***
- Jet engines (airplane engines) *
- Jet Ski® and Sea-Doo® *
- Jobs in science and technology *
K
- Kevlar® ***
- Keyboards, computer *
L
- Laminates *
- Lamps:
- Energy-saving fluorescent lamps ***
- Incandescent lamps *
- Lasers *
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) ***
- Neon lamps *
- Strobe lights ***
- Xenon lamps ***
- Laptop repairs ***
- Lasers:
- How lasers work *
- Laser interferometers ***
- LASIK laser eye surgery ***
- Laser printers ***
- Semiconductor laser diodes ***
- Laws of motion *
- Lead *
- LCD (liquid-crystal display) screens ***
- LEDs (light-emitting diodes) ***
- LEDs, organic (OLEDs) and LEPs (light-emitting polymers) ***
- Lenses:
- Lenticular printing *
- LEPs (light-emitting polymers) ***
- Lie detectors (Polygraphs) *
- Lifts *
- Light *
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) ***
- Lights:
- Energy-saving fluorescent lamps ***
- Hybrid solar lighting (HSL) *
- Incandescent lamps *
- Lasers *
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) ***
- Neon lamps *
- Organic (OLEDs) and LEPs (light-emitting polymers) ***
- Strobe lights ***
- Xenon lamps ***
- Limbs, prosthetic *
- Linear motors (induction motors) ***
- Linux (computer operating system) ***
- Liquids, solids, and gases *
- Liquid-crystal displays (LCD televisions) ***
- Lithium-ion batteries ***
- Local campaigns, how to run ***
- Locks ***
- Locomotives, steam ***
- Logic gates ***
- Loudspeakers ***
- Loudspeakers, directional/parametric ***
- Low-e, heat-reflecting windows***
- LP records and cassette tapes: converting to MP3 files ***
- LP record players *
- LPG (liquified petroleum gas) *
- Lubricants *
- Luminescence *
M
- Machines, simple ***
- Magnetic compasses *
- Magnetism *
- Magnetrons ***
- Mass spectrometers ***
- Matter, states of *
- Mattresses, visco-elastic (memory-foam) ***
- Media players (streaming media) *
- Memory, computer *
- Memory flash ***
- Memory-foam mattresses ***
- Metals:
- Aluminum ***
- Chromium ***
- Copper ***
- Gold ***
- Iron ***
- Lead ***
- Nickel ***
- Platinum ***
- Silver ***
- Tin ***
- Titanium ***
- Tungsten ***
- Zinc ***
- Metal detectors ***
- Meters, moving-coil ***
- Microfiber cleaning cloths *
- Microphones *
- Microscopes, optical *
- Microscopes, electron ***
- Microwave ovens ***
- Micro-wind turbines ***
- Milk pasteurization *
- Mirrors ***
- Misters and aerosol cans *
- Mobile phones ***
- Models, computer ***
- Modems *
- Molecular beam epitaxy ***
- Molecular manufacturing(nanotechnology) ***
- Motion *
- Motors:
- Mouse, computer ***
- Moving-coil meters ***
- MP3 players ***
- Multi-factor authentication (security tokens) ***
- Musical instruments:
- Electric guitars ***
- Synthesizers ***
N
- Nabaztag Wi-Fi rabbits ***
- Nanotechnology ***
- Navigation:
- Neon lamps *
- Neoprene wetsuits ***
- Networks, computer ***
- Nickel ***
- Newton's laws of motion *
- Night vision goggles *
- Noise-cancellingheadphones ***
- Noise-reduction (soundproofing) ***
- Nomex® ***
- Nonnewtonian materials (energy-absorbing plastics) ***
- Nonstick cooking pans(Teflon® and PTFE) *
- Nuclear power:
O
- Obesity and orson Welles ***
- Ohmmeters ***
- Office photocopiers ***
- OLPC: One laptop per child *
- One-time passwords (security tokens) ***
- Optical fibers *
- Optical scanners *
- Optical smoke detectors ***
- Organic food and farming ***
- Organic LEDs and LEPs (light-emitting polymers) ***
- Orson Welles and obesity ***
- Oscilloscopes ***
- Outboard motors *
P
- Padlocks *
- Paint *
- Pagers ***
- Paper and papermaking *
- Parametric loudspeakers ***
- Passwords, one-time ***
- Pasteurization *
- Pedometers *
- Pendulum clocks *
- Pens, digital ***
- Personal Water Craft (PWC)—JetSki® and Sea-Doo® *
- pH meters ***
- Phones (Cellphones/cellular phones/mobile phones) ***
- Phones (landlines) ***
- Phonograph *
- Phosphorescence *
- Photocatalytic air purifiers ***
- Photocatalytic self-cleaning windows ***
- Photochromic lenses ***
- Photocopiers ***
- Photoelectric cells ***
- Photography:
- Introductory guide to photography ***
- Camcorders *
- CCDs (charge-coupled devices) ***
- Digital cameras ***
- Digital cameras, what's inside? *
- Film cameras and the basic photographic process ***
- Schlieren photography ***
- Photovoltaic (PV) cells ***
- Pianos ***
- Piezoelectricity ***
- Planes (how they fly) *
- Plasma flatscreen televisions *
- Plasters, hydrocolloidal ***
- Plastics:
- Plastics (ordinary petrochemical plastics) ***
- Bioplastics and biodegradable plastics ***
- Energy-absorbing plastics ***
- Platinum ***
- Pneumatic drills/jackhammers ***
- Pocket calculators *
- Pod coffee makers ***
- Point-of-sale scanners, barcode ***
- Pollution:
- Air pollution *
- Water pollution ***
- Polygraphs ("lie detectors") *
- Power plants (power stations) *
- Power plants, CHP cogeneration ***
- Power, solar electric ***
- Power, solar thermal ***
- Pressure cookers *
- Pressure washers *
- Printers and printing:
- 3D printers *
- Inkjet printers ***
- Laser printers ***
- Lenticular printing *
- Privacy policy ***
- Probes, Hall-effect ***
- Projection television ***
- Projection television, DLP® ***
- Propellers ***
- Prosthetic limbs *
- Protective materials ***
- Pulleys *
- Pumps and compressors ***
- Pyranometers *
- Pyrometers ***
Q
R
- Radar ***
- Radiation detectors (Geiger counters) *
- Radiation, electromagnetic (electromagnetic spectrum) *
- Radio:
- Radio, analog ***
- Radio control ***
- Radio-controlled clocks (RCCs) *
- Radio, digital ***
- Radio pagers ***
- Radio, two-way (Walkie-talkie) *
- Rainforests *
- RCD circuit breakers ***
- Reality, augmented ***
- Reality, virtual ***
- Rechargeable batteries ***
- Record players *
- Recycling *
- Reed switches *
- Refrigerators ***
- Regenerative brakes *
- Relays ***
- Remote control ***
- Renewable energy *
- Repairing a laptop computer ***
- Residual-current device (RCD) circuit breakers ***
- Replacement (prosthetic) limbs *
- Resistors *
- RFID tags ***
- Rivers *
- Robots:
- Rockets (space) *
- Rollercoasters *
- Roomba robot vacuum cleaners *
- RSS *
- Rubber ***
S
- Satellite navigation, GPS *
- Satellites *
- Saving fuel and energy ***
- Schlieren photography ***
- Scanners:
- Scanners *
- Scanners, barcode ***
- Scanners, fingerprint ***
- Iris scanners ***
- Science of buildings ***
- Science of chocolate ***
- Science of happiness ******
- Scuba diving ***
- Sea-Doo® and Jet Ski® *
- Security marking *
- Security tokens ***
- Self-cleaning windows ***
- Semiconductors (integrated circuits) ***
- Semiconductor laser diodes ***
- Seismometers and seismographs (covered under Earthquakes) ***
- Sensors, Hall-effect ***
- Shape-memory alloys ***
- Shear-thickening, energy-absorbing plastics ***
- Showers, electric *
- Silver ***
- Simple machines ***
- Simulations, computer ***
- Smart homes ***
- Smoke detectors ***
- Smoke scrubbers, electrostatic *
- Snowmobiles (includes snowmachines and Ski-Doos) *
- Soaps and detergents *
- Solar energy:
- Solar cells and solar-electric panels ***
- Solar cookers *
- Solar hot-water panels ***
- Hybrid solar lighting (HSL) *
- Soldering and welding *
- Solids, liquids, and gases *
- Sound:
- Space rockets *
- Space Shuttle ***
- Space telescopes ***
- Spam—how to block it ***
- Spectrometers, mass ***
- Speech recognition software ***
- Speedometers ***
- Sphygmomanometers (blood-pressure meters/monitors) *
- Split-testing websites***
- Springs *
- Springs, gas *
- States of matter *
- Static, anti-static-electricity coatings ***
- Steam engines ***
- Steam turbines ***
- Steel and concrete (reinforced concrete) ***
- Steel and iron ***
- Step counters (pedometers) *
- Sterilizing with autoclaves *
- Stone (dry-stone) walls ***
- Strain gauges ***
- Streaming media *
- Strobe lights ***
- Submarines ***
- Subway stations *
- Suicide in young people ***
- Sunglasses, photochromic ***
- Sunscreen *
- Supercapacitors ***
- Superconductors ***
- Surfing *
- Surge protectors ***
- Surgery, laser eye ***
- Switches, reed *
- Synthesizers ***
T
- Tapes, magnetic, and LP records: converting to MP3 files ***
- Teflon® and PTFE nonstick cooking pans*
- Telescopes in space ***
- Telephones ***
- Telephones for hearing-impaired people ***
- Television:
- Television (general principles and cathode-ray tube TVs) ***
- Television (3D) ***
- DLP® television projectors ***
- LCD televisions***
- HDTV (high-definition television) ***
- Plasma televisions *
- Projection televisions ***
- Thermal insulation ***
- Thermocouples ***
- Thermometers *
- Thermometers, infrared (pyrometers) ***
- Thermostats ***
- Thermos® flasks *
- Thin-film deposition, molecular beam epitaxy ***
- Three-dimensional (3D) printers *
- Three-dimensional (3D) television ***
- Tin *
- Titanium ***
- Toasters ***
- Toilets:
- Flush *
- Composting ***
- Tokens, security ***
- Tools and machines ***
- Toothbrushes, electric *
- Touchscreens *
- Tractors *
- Transformers (electricity) ***
- Transistors ***
- Transmitters and antennas *
- Trash recycling *
- Tungsten ***
- Tunnels *
- Turbines
- Introduction ***
- Micro-wind turbines***
- Wind turbines *
- Steam turbines ***
- Turbochargers *
- Turbochargers *
- TV remote control ***
- Typewriters ***
U
- Ultrasound *
- USB *
V
- Vacuum cleaners *
- Vacuum cleaners, Roomba robot *
- Vacuum flasks *
- Vacuum fluorescent displays ***
- Valves *
- Vehicles, electric *
- Virtual reality ***
- Visco-elastic, memory-foam mattresses ***
- Vision, night *
- Voice recognition software ***
- Voltage optimisation ***
- Voltmeters ***
- Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (VSTOL) aircraft *
W
- Walkie-talkies *
- Walls:
- Washing machines:
- Waste recycling *
- Watches and clocks (quartz) *
- Watches and clocks, radio-controlled *
- Water *
- Waterproof GORE-TEX® clothing ***
- Water pollution ***
- Water filters ***
- Weather stations *
- Webcams ***
- Websites:
- How to set up ***
- How to speed up ***
- How to test and optimize with PHP ***
- Web hosting buyer's guide***
- Weights and balances *
- Welding and soldering *
- Wetsuits ***
- Wind-speed meters (anemometers) ***
- Wheels and axles *
- Wi-Fi rabbits, Nabaztag ***
- Wind tunnels *
- Wind turbines *
- Wind turbines (micro)***
- Windows, self-cleaning ***
- Windup (clockwork) mechanisms *
- Winston Churchill ***
- Wireless Internet ***
- Wireless remote control ***
- World Wide Web (WWW) ***
- Wound dressings, hydrocolloidal ***
X
- X-10 (home automation and smart homes) ***
- X rays ***
- Xenon lamps ***
Y
- Yale locks *
- Yo-yos *
