How Things Work
The engineering and physics behind aircraft, satellites, bridges, GPS, and the technologies of modern civilization.
11 articles
How Satellites Work: Orbits, Communication, Remote Sensing, and Space Technology
A comprehensive explanation of how satellites work — orbital mechanics and the different orbit types (LEO, MEO, GEO), how communication satellites relay signals, how weather and Earth observation satellites work, the history from Sputnik to modern mega-constellations, and the growing problem of space debris.
How Bridges Are Built: Structural Engineering, Bridge Types, and Famous Bridges
A comprehensive guide to bridge engineering — the structural principles of tension, compression, and bending, the major bridge types (beam, arch, suspension, cable-stayed, truss), how bridges handle dynamic loads including wind and traffic, famous bridge engineering achievements, and notable failures that changed engineering practice.
How GPS Works: Satellites, Atomic Clocks, Trilateration, and Modern Positioning
A comprehensive explanation of how GPS works — the role of atomic clocks and satellite signals, how trilateration calculates position, the accuracy of GPS and its limitations, augmentation systems like WAAS, the role of general relativity corrections, and how GPS transformed navigation, logistics, and everyday life.
How Nuclear Reactors Work: Fission, Reactor Types, and Safety
A detailed explanation of nuclear power — how fission generates energy, the major reactor designs in operation today, safety systems, and the role of nuclear energy in the global energy mix.
How Electric Motors Work: Principles and Types
Learn how electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical motion, the key types of motors, their components, and applications across industries.
How the Internet Is Physically Built: Cables, Servers, and Infrastructure
Learn about the physical infrastructure of the internet, from undersea fiber optic cables and data centers to exchange points and the last-mile connections.
How Batteries Work: Chemistry, Types, and Applications
Understand the chemistry behind batteries, how they store and release electrical energy, the major battery types, and their applications in modern technology.
How 3D Printers Work: Technology and Applications
Learn how 3D printers create objects layer by layer, the major printing technologies including FDM, SLA, and SLS, materials used, and real-world applications.
How Radar Works: Principles, Types, and Modern Applications
A comprehensive guide to radar technology — how radio waves detect objects, the key types of radar systems, their components, and applications in aviation, weather, and defense.
How Elevators Work: Mechanics, Safety Systems, and Engineering
Discover how elevators work — from traction and hydraulic systems to safety mechanisms, control algorithms, and the engineering innovations that make vertical transportation possible.
How Refrigerators Work: Thermodynamics, Cooling Cycles, and Design
Learn how refrigerators work through vapor-compression cycles, key components like compressors and evaporators, the thermodynamics of cooling, refrigerant types, and energy efficiency.