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StarTalk Podcast: Physics All Around Us, with Neil deGrasse Tyson

StarTalk・45 minutes read

Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice discuss the physics of everyday life, emphasizing the interconnectedness of scientific disciplines, the symmetry and asymmetry in nature, the potential for silicon-based life, and the societal implications of advanced technologies. They also touch on black holes, the value of physics and mathematics degrees, solar energy challenges, and the laws of physics governing natural phenomena like thunder formation.

Insights

  • Physics encompasses understanding natural operations, not just facts, allowing for broad applications in various scenarios.
  • Nature's asymmetries, seen in molecular structures and amino acids, suggest potential differences in extraterrestrial life forms and showcase the interconnectedness of scientific disciplines.

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Recent questions

  • What is StarTalk about?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts StarTalk.

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Summary

00:00

"Physics of Everyday Life with Neil deGrasse Tyson"

  • Neil deGrasse Tyson is the host of StarTalk, based at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
  • The episode features a Cosmic Queries edition with co-host Chuck Nice.
  • The topic of discussion is the physics of everyday life.
  • Physics is not just a collection of facts but an understanding of natural operations.
  • Learning foundational physics principles allows for application to various scenarios.
  • Physics books are not as extensive as other fields like accounting or human physiology.
  • Biology is essentially chemistry in action, showcasing the interconnectedness of scientific disciplines.
  • The periodic table of elements is not a perfect rectangle due to inherent asymmetries in nature.
  • Nature's asymmetries are evident in molecular structures, affecting taste and biological functions.
  • Life on Earth exhibits a specific handedness in amino acids, suggesting potential differences in extraterrestrial life forms.

11:29

Symmetry and Asymmetry in Nature and Science

  • Symmetry in nature is discussed, highlighting the inability to find a single negative pole in a magnet due to the presence of two poles.
  • The concept of symmetry is further explored through the example of cutting a magnet into halves, resulting in four magnets with both positive and negative sides.
  • The asymmetry in Maxwell's equations is mentioned, showcasing the difference between magnetism and electricity.
  • The periodic table of elements is lauded for its remarkable symmetry, with elements lining up in columns based on similar properties.
  • The possibility of creating silicon-based life, akin to carbon-based life, is discussed, emphasizing the periodic table's role in capturing such facts.
  • Heavier elements are noted to exhibit more complexity, leading to groups of elements behaving similarly but not fitting into one column.
  • The discovery and creation of elements, including artificial ones, are highlighted, with humans surpassing nature in this aspect.
  • The discussion shifts to the human body's asymmetries, such as the heart's size difference and the prevalence of right-handedness.
  • The idea of symmetry in nature, as seen in the Vitruvian Man, is critiqued for its unrealistic perfection when applied to actual human forms.
  • The potential admiration of advanced alien races for humanity's progress and engineering feats is pondered, with a reflection on the misallocation of resources towards destructive purposes.

23:10

"Galaxies, Black Holes, and Physics Discoveries"

  • In the 1920s, the distinction between spiral fuzzy objects in the night sky being within our galaxy or separate galaxies was unknown.
  • Our galaxy is just one of 100 billion in the universe, a fact discovered after some people were already alive.
  • Astrophysicists would welcome the idea of not being alone in the universe, despite some individuals being content with limited knowledge.
  • Some people resist considering new concepts beyond their current understanding.
  • Impressive engineering technologies, like smartphones, would likely impress extraterrestrial beings.
  • Black holes do not act as giant sucking machines but have gravity proportional to their mass.
  • The mass of a black hole determines its impact on its surroundings, potentially leading to planets orbiting it.
  • Black holes can allow objects to get extremely close, causing spaghettification, a unique phenomenon.
  • Merging black holes increases their size linearly with mass, affecting their physical dimensions.
  • Physics and mathematics degrees are both valuable, with physicists having more societal applications, but both fields offer employability and problem-solving skills.

34:50

Billionaire's Unique Hiring Approach and Solar Energy

  • The billionaire mentioned is known for his wealth and unique approach to hiring employees.
  • He hired individuals with backgrounds in physics, mathematics, and engineering to tackle business challenges.
  • Early employees included a woman with a PhD in Mathematical Physics who worked for Bloomberg.
  • The discussion shifts to solar energy and the challenges in its widespread adoption.
  • The conversation highlights the need for subsidies to shift the economics in favor of solar energy.
  • Battery technology is discussed as a crucial aspect of storing solar energy for nighttime use.
  • The potential for advancements in battery technology to drive solar power proliferation is mentioned.
  • The conversation delves into societal preferences for cost-effective solutions in energy consumption.
  • The laws of physics are discussed, emphasizing that established principles expand but do not change.
  • An explanation of thunder formation during thunderstorms is provided, linking it to lightning and the rapid expansion of heated air.

46:32

Sound delay in thunder and shuttle launches

  • Thunder and lightning are not always synchronized due to the nature of sound waves and lightning strikes. Lightning can take different paths back to the cloud, resulting in sound waves reaching an observer from multiple angles, creating the characteristic crackling sound of thunder.
  • Observing a shuttle launch from a distance showcases the delay between the visual and auditory experience due to the speed of sound. The shockwave of the launch moves through the air silently until it reaches the observer, creating a unique and thrilling experience.
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