The week in physics: 29 March-2 April

Art, sound, and science; Molten cakes; Cocktail party frogs. Forward this email  View in your browser THE WEEK IN PHYSICS: 29 MARCH–2 APRIL Frogs have solved the cocktail party problem A mechanism in the lungs of tree frogs helps filter noise and other amphibian sounds from that of their own species. Alex Lopatka Art, sound, and science Several collaborations between scientists and artists explore how sound can demonstrate and incorporate scientific concepts. Toni Feder Advertisement WHAT IF STEPHEN HAWKING'S TRUE TALENT WAS SELF-PROMOTION? When Stephen Hawking died, he was widely recognized as the world's best physicist, and even its smartest person. He was neither. Science journalist Charles Seife explores how Stephen Hawking came to be thought of as humanity's greatest genius. "[An] engrossing, sometimes unsettling account" (Kirkus), Hawking Hawking uncovers the authentic Hawking buried underneath the fake. FROM THE VAULT: February 1969 Analysis of musical‐instrument tones Comparison of real and computer-generated tones reveals the important parameters that lead to humans' recognition of musical timbre. Jean‐Claude Risset and Max V. Mathews The science behind molten chocolate cake This annotated recipe offers a taste of the physics concepts behind cooking and baking techniques. Michael Brenner, Pia Sörensen, and David Weitz Advertisement RGA and Process Gas Monitor – PrismaPro® The Pfeiffer Vacuum PrismaPro quadrupole mass spectrometer is designed for both qualitative and quantitative gas analysis, as well as RGA and leak detection. The PrismaPro is built rugged and features a distinctive combination of high sensitivity with a detection limit of <3E−15 mbar, maximum stability, and intelligent operation. Q&A: Physicist Kathryn Schaffer moves in the art world A toxic culture led her to nearly leave physics. Toni Feder New books: April 2021 A listing of newly published books spanning several genres of the physical sciences. Webinar Illuminating Batteries, Semiconductors and 2D Materials with Correlative Raman Microscopy The power of confocal 3D Raman microscopy and correlative Raman-AFM and Raman-SEM imaging for advanced analysis will be illustrated in the contexts of energy storage devices, semiconductors and 2D materials. Register now. FROM THE APRIL MAGAZINE Medieval weather prediction Meteorological practices that developed in the first millennium did not die in the Middle Ages but were radically improved with an international science of weather forecasting. Anne Lawrence-Mathers Get notified about our webinars and whitepapers Sign up Get Physics Today delivered for just $25 per year Subscribe FEATURED JOBS > John Paul Schaefer Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences-Assistant/Associate/Full Professor T/TE  |  James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences > Postdoctoral Researcher in physical chemistry/applied physics/quantum information  |  Backlund Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Are you hiring? Do you want your job to appear here? Post with Physics Today and select the "Featured Job Listing: Physics Today 'The Week in Physics' e-newsletter" upgrade to easily showcase your job to 66 000 physicists and engineers. Physics Today is published by the American Institute of Physics 1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740 USA +1 301 209 3100 © 2021 American Institute of Physics. Unsubscribe  |  Email Preferences  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us