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The Conversation
The Conversation
Jacqueline Reber, Associate Professor of Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate, Iowa State University

Granular systems, such as sandpiles or rockslides, are all around you − new research will help scientists describe how they work

Tennis Headache
Sand is one type of granular system – hundreds of grains act collectively. Nenov/Moment via Getty Images

Did you eat cereal this morning? Or have you walked on a gravel path? Maybe you had a headache and had to take a pill? If you answered any of these questions with a yes, you interacted with a granular system today.

Scientists classify any collection of small, hard particles – such as puffed rice, sand grains or pills – as a granular system.

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