Spontaneous Ionization to Subatomic Physics: Some Vignettes from Cosmic Ray History
In 1879 Crookes discovered that air seemed to ionize spontaneously. With the discovery in 1896 of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel it appeared that the mystery was solved. However a number of physicists sought a quantitative agreement between the....
More details | Watch nowThe Quantum Mechanics of Light: Interference, Entanglement – and Ghosts
The early days of the quantum theory presented many dilemmas connected with interference phenomena and what we have come to call the entanglement of states. We are much better able to deal with these problems now, both in theory and experiment, but t....
More details | Watch nowFive Decades of Lasers, Six Decades of Progress, and a Proposed Space Experiment to test Einstein’s Assumptions
Even though this is the 51st year of the Laser, progress in its control and application in precision measurements is still accelerating. The Optical Frequency Comb technology exploded in 1999-2000 from the synthesis of advances in independent field....
More details | Watch nowLaser Spectroscopy of Hydrogen
The simple Balmer spectrum of atomic hydrogen has provided the Rosetta stone for deciphering the strange laws of quantum physics during the early 20th century. Four decades ago, Doppler-free laser spectroscopy opened a new chapter in the exploratio....
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In October 2011 we celebrated the centenary of the Solvay conferences that played a unique and important role in the development of twentieth century physics, most notably in the quantum revolution whose birth overlapped the initiation of these meeti....
More details | Watch nowThe Real M-Theory
How can one advance a working hypothesis that will not be wrong tomorrow and ridiculous the day after? Beyond the Standard Model we find uncertainty and confusion, with both unclarity as to which might be the correct theory, as well as little in the ....
More details | Watch nowCreating Artificial Magnetic Fields to Act on Neutral Atoms
Cold, quantum degenerate gases of neutral atoms have proved to be useful in simulating the behavior of quantum systems like electrons in solids. For example, cold atoms moving in optical lattices (periodic potentials created by interfering laser be....
More details | Watch nowNeutrinos: a Golden Field for Astroparticle Physics
Neutrinos have been the origin of an impressive number of ‘surprises’. We know that neutrinos have tiny masses and that oscillations are occurring spontaneously between neutrino species. But additional new discoveries may be ahead of us and t....
More details | Watch nowThe LHC at CERN and the Higgs
The strong interactions, the forces responsible for the interactions between quarks and notably supposedly responsible for quark confinement, profited from the development of gauge theories. In the wake of the gauge theory of weak interactions also....
More details | Watch nowWhat is Color?
FSU undergrad, Daniel Stribling, investigates the intimate relationship between light and color. Daniel discusses the history, physics, and theory of light to engage young learners and encourage them to be excited about science.
More details | Watch nowLongboard data analysis
Longboard physics
A few (surprising?) thoughts on how the wheels on a longboard or skateboard actually move.
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Jonathan describes his adventures with a longboard and some different methods of making a speedometer for it.
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Abbie describes why bridges must be designed to counteract the effects of unwanted vibrations.
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Physics' students Rosie & Carine explain the physics behind concert hall acoustics.
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The UK coast is constantly being bombarded by sea waves. There is a massive amount of power available from these waves. Jonathan describes three different ways of generating electrical power from water waves.
More details | Watch nowHow does a transistor work?
A short video explaining how transistors work. At the heart of our high-tech society with radios, mobile phones, computers and space exploration are tiny electronic components called transistors. They have revolutionised electronics and in the pr....
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A short video on solar cells explaining with accompanying information sheet. How they work and how Jonathan uses solar power at home.
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With some simple circuitry and a homemade hand powered generator Jonathan makes AC and DC electricity that could be used for charging a mobile phone or attaching to a wind turbine.
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Jonathan makes some simple paper windmills/turbines and experiments with a simple generator to power house hold devices such as torches, calculators and even a radio.
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Jonathan shows us with a cheap and simple homemade demonstration how your mobile telephone generates radio waves in order for you to use it to communicate. As you will see you can use this method to explore many aspects of your mobile phone!
More details | Watch nowElectrical Generator
This short video shows one of the demonstrations for the Physics SEPNet exhibition - "Who will keep the lights on?" which travelled around the southern UK from February 2009. We describe and explain the electrical generator demonstration which Jona....
More details | Watch nowThe Fresnel Lens
Early lighthouses used coil and wood fires before moving on to gas and then electricity powered lights. Massive improvements took place by using a lens system around the light. The development of the Fresnel lens brought what we now regard as the....
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