ABSTRACT
The problem of explanation in physics is studied by reference to four experiments (the falling of a body, the emission of a photon, cold fusion, the spreading of a gas into a vacuum) and two theories (the free-electron theory of metals, the uncertainty principle). From these some conclusions emerge regarding the nature of explanation in physics of which the most important perhaps are the crucial role of the background knowledge that is assumed to be valid, the ability to invent new general concepts, and the need to mutate reality.
