Cosmic Microwave Background Challenge | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios

March 9th, 2016

If a photon leaves the train station shortly after the Big Bang …

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REFRESHER EPISODES:

Space Used to Be Orange!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tCMd1ytvWg

Why the Big Bang Definitely Happened
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPStj2ZuXug

Question #1: What physical distance did the light from the CMB travel through an expanding universe to reach us today?

Question #2: What average distance could a photon travel before being scattered by an electron just before recombination? (show your work!)

Choose one question to answer.

Email answers to pbsspacetime@gmail.com

Make sure you title your email: “CMB Challenge”

5 random winners will receive a PBS Space Time Digital Studios t-shirt!

Good luck!
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If you would like to attend Matt’s gravitational waves seminar on March 14th in NYC, email pbsspacetime@gmail.com with the subject line “NYC Gravitational Waves” for more details!
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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

What’s Wrong With the Big Bang Theory? | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios

March 2nd, 2016

There’s a problem with the Big Bang Theory.

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Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

Now that we have a primer on the aspects of the Big Bang Theory that we know definitely happened, let’s look further into what we don’t yet know, and how the theory could progress in the future. Since there is a discrepancy between general relativity and quantum mechanics, we continue to search for a grand unifying theory… one which may finally lead to a description of the actual moment of the Big Bang! On this week’s Space Time, Matt describes what specifically needs fixing within the current theory, and the reasons why.

FURTHER READING:

Electroweak Era
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroweak_epoch
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COMMENTS:

ElectroMechaCat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPStj2ZuXug&lc=z13iinc5vyemsbk5l04cjrbalxjqd5pgzcw

Kalakashi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPStj2ZuXug&lc=z13ov1c4ipqydv0cm235ydgjszy2jpzou04

James Beech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPStj2ZuXug&lc=z12jgfjafmufg54fj23od1ibvny4jpl5404

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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

Why the Big Bang Definitely Happened | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios

February 24th, 2016

How physics lets us rewind time to the beginning of the universe.

Get your own Space Time t-shirt at http://bit.ly/1QlzoBi

Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

We pretty much know for sure that the universe was once extremely small, and extremely hot. And we know that something set it in motion, expanding rapidly and continuing to do-so today. But the actual moment of ‘the Big Bang’ is still a bit of a grey area within physics. The theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics disagree on this pivotal “beginning of time,” and physicists continue to search for an all-encompassing theory to unify the study of our universe. On this week’s Space Time, we begin to discuss the current state of the Big Bang Theory, and where it could go from here.

FURTHER READING:

Overview of Big Bang theory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang

Timeline of the Big Bang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronol…

MinutePhysics made a truly superb video on what the Big Bang really is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3MWR…

Kurzgesagt does a great job describing some of the events of the very early universe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNDGg…

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COMMENTS:

Brendon Binns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw-i_VKd6Wo&lc=z12ivbbraz3xxdwj304citqwksadvr2pkik

David Mulyk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw-i_VKd6Wo&lc=z12wjbig0kq0z5gni22mgbdquvztil2ti

John Proctor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw-i_VKd6Wo&lc=z123yzqjqtvkxvcil04cjnjzkx3fufiisac

Lawrence Stanley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw-i_…

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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

Planet X Discovered?? + Challenge Winners!

February 17th, 2016

Will there be 9 planets again?

Get your own Space Time t-shirt at http://bit.ly/1QlzoBi

Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

Some funky orbits near the Kuiper Belt are hinting towards a brand new planet, the elusive ‘Planet X.’ Our friends Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin of Caltech are working hard to finally spot the potential gas giant through powerful telescopes, and the odds are looking extremely promising! We will keep you posted on any updates here on Space Time.

FURTHER READING FROM CALTECH:
https://www.caltech.edu/news/caltech-researchers-find-evidence-real-ninth-planet-49523
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PHOTON CLOCK CHALLENGE ANSWER:

A photon clock moving towards you at half the speed of light would appear to tick FASTER that a clock moving away from you at the same speed.

PHOTON CLOCK CHALLENGE WINNERS:

Benjamin Clark
Emma May
Lizzie (digitelanimefan)

EXTRA CREDIT WINNERS:

Marcin (Borobej)
Peđa Čačić
Raphaël Viguier

FURTHER READING:

Relativistic Doppler Effect:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativ…

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COMMENTS:

Jono Storm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRqi…

Vlad Tchompalov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRqi…

AFastidiousCuber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRqi…
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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

LIGO’s First Detection of Gravitational Waves!

February 11th, 2016

The lasers have wiggled!

Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

Today, over 100 years after Einstein proposed his theory of general relativity, we are proud to announce that his final major prediction has been verified! Gravitational waves have officially been detected by LIGO! We are still getting details as the teams of physicists go over the data, but this is a huge deal, and is an exciting new step in understanding our universe.

Have Gravitational Waves Been Discovered?!?
http://bit.ly/1JKxRXM
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COMMENTS:

TheRealBileth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TCUGDltqM&lc=z13gdvez5onxhvsuh235cf24dobqvf0z104

Laura Lorca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TCUGDltqM&lc=z12cspcahpuzvtvxe04cirt5szicvxsasxk0k

Fabio Brady
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TCUGDltqM&lc=z13evprazrrywlc4y04cf1br4pmsvxo4kec

Chris Valentine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TCUGDltqM&lc=z123efmavte1c1ehb04cfzabaobrh5rgf2w

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FURTHER READING:

NASA’s HAVOC Program
http://go.nasa.gov/1C8VWky

Andy Howell on the science of The Martian
http://bit.ly/1OtaAs2

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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

Will Mars or Venus Kill You First?

February 3rd, 2016

Which is the deadlier planet: Mars or Venus? And be sure to order your PBS Space Time t-shirt. http://store.dftba.com/collections/space-time

Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

Humans have been talking about space colonization for quite some time, but our neighboring planets are not exactly the most hospitable places. If we are ever going to be successful, we should probably figure out where we could reasonably expect to survive. In this episode of Space Time, Matt discusses which would kill you first… Venus or Mars?

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COMMENTS:

Jono Storm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRqibyNMpw&lc=z13mcnszppvdydcrq04cgpnpwmuee1czqy00k

Vlad Tchompalov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRqibyNMpw&lc=z13nhpxxszq0zzulz234tp3rbk2ky1lg404

AFastidiousCuber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRqibyNMpw&lc=z13qxpq5yrmajjw4j04ceptx1xruerohrt00k

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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

The Origin of Matter and Time

January 28th, 2016

What are… things?

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Now that we’ve broken down our preconceived notions about mass and time, let’s redefine what they really are. Since we know that time is not a universal constant, what is? On this week’s Space Time, Matt defines causal order and explains how even though time may look different to multiple observers, it is the one concrete reality that we can all agree on.

The True Nature of Matter and Mass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSKzg…

When Time Breaks Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GguAN1_JouQ
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FURTHER READING:

Lorentz Transformation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_transformation
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COMMENTS:

Endre Kovács
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GguAN1_JouQ&lc=z12phnyohlrag1l5g04cj3byypregxqwciw

ectoplasm2369
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GguAN1_JouQ&lc=z12ftb25bu3xdpvkr23kxfvjnnz4x54mk

BrunoJMR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GguAN1_JouQ&lc=z13cupk5ivbch53qm04ccjpwjq3jxhebbc0

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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

The Photon Clock Challenge | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios

January 20th, 2016

What time is it??? …And be sure to pre-order a Space Time t-shirt: http://dftba.com/spacetime

Rules: please give an explanation for your answer! Also, if you give an answer in the comments here you’ll be disqualified.

Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

Last week’s episode on Einstein’s photon clock thought experiment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GguAN1_JouQ

Question #1: When the clock is moving towards you, do you observe its hands to be ticking slower, faster, or at the same rate compared to the rate of ticks that you observe when it’s moving away from you?

Question #2: When the clock is moving towards you do you see its hands ticking slower, faster, or at the same rate as a second clock that is stationary with respect to you?

Make sure you title your email: “Photon Clock Challenge Answer”

5 random winners will receive a PBS Space Time Digital Studios t-shirt!

Good luck!
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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

When Time Breaks Down

January 13th, 2016

This episode on the physics of time syncs perfectly with Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon.’

Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

Last week we learned how motion gives matter its mass. But how does motion affect time? Let’s dive deeper into the true nature of matter and mass by exploring Einstein’s photon clock thought experiment, and the phenomenon that is time dilation.

Last Week’s Episode: The True Nature of Matter and Mass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSKzgpt4HBU

The Speed of Light is NOT About Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msVuCEs8Ydo
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Original thumbnail art by Charles Ballard
http://cdesignz2k.deviantart.com/art/Tic-Toc-a-space-time-clock-214287288
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COMMENTS:

Paramdeep Singh obheroi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSKzgpt4HBU&lc=z13gtjkwuv2luzwaw04cjlag3qmitx0ajco

Bernardo SOUSA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSKzgpt4HBU&lc=z123vrbrawvzjdj3i22pflhzekm0tputk

Joshua Hillerup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSKzgpt4HBU&lc=z133jfi4tw2bjdia204cfd1jgozeydsyikg0k

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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

The True Nature of Matter and Mass | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios

January 6th, 2016

Are matter, mass, and time real?

Help translate our videos! http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UC7_gcs09iThXybpVgjHZ_7g

We know that mass is energy… but what is energy? And where did matter and time even come from? Matt begins to dive into these intricate topics by first examining what inertial mass is, how it relates to gravitational mass, and what it all means for mass as a fundamental property.

The Speed of Light is NOT About Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msVuCEs8Ydo

The Real Meaning of E=mc²
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo232kyTsO0

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COMMENTS:

Caleb Limb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kixAljyfdqU&lc=z13quhjzkvituzvmf23fx5oy5pzxilxeh

Felix Feist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kixAljyfdqU&lc=z12fvxor4kn5jxexj04cgrhw2v2bv5rywf0

deathbypowerpoint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kixAljyfdqU&lc=z124hzobmyvhxdx4n04cef5xzrjpwjob52c
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FURTHER READING:

Inertial Mass
http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae305.cfm

Equivalence Principle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivalence_principle
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Written and hosted by Matt O’Dowd
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Posted in Physics |

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