Physics Girl

Science and Nature Series / 4 Seasons

Join host Dianna Cowern as she puts her MIT physics degree to the test. With experiments, demonstrations, and cool new discoveries, Physics Girl sheds new light on the fun, adventurous side of physical science.

3m 28s

Zero G Ferrofluid Fail - (ft. e-penser & Veritasium)

S2 E21 / 10m 48s

The zero g plane, also known as a parabolic flight, or the vomit comet, flies in parabolic trajectories to give a brief experience of weightlessness. This flight, operated by Novespace in Bordeaux, France, offered 14 weightless parabolas, 2 parabolas with a simulation of moon gravity, and one with Mars gravity. I brought some demos to try out on the vomit comet, with little to no success.

This crystal can split light particles

S2 E24 / 6m 5s

How unusual non-linear crystals can entangle particles of light, or photons. Thanks to non-profit edX.org for sponsoring this video. Go to http://bit.ly/edXPhysicsGirl to learn more about MIT's Circuits and Electronics course or other classes from some of the top universities in the world.

Strange Unexplained Cosmic Rays (ft PhD Comics)

S2 E25 / 6m 57s

Cosmic rays are particles from space. The most energetic and fastest particles we’ve ever detected come from a mystery place. In this video inspired by the book, “We Have No Idea,” we investigate two mysteries where things fall from the sky.

This phenomenon only happens in Hawaii . . . and Cuba & Nigeria & Indonesia & Peru & Sudan & Laos &…

S2 E26 / 3m 28s

There are only certain parts of the year and certain times of day when you can experience the subsolar point or Lahaina noon. There appears to be no shadow because the sun is directly overhead. This phenomenon happens twice a year for latitudes between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricorn at solar noon, when the sun is highest in the sky.

Mantis Shrimp Punch at 40,000 fps! - Cavitation Physics

S2 E27 / 6m 14s

The mantis shrimp punch is fast enough to boil water! How much force do they create, and how is physics preventing them from being any faster? Find out how mantis shrimp cause cavitation!

5 LIFE HACKS BASED ON SCIENCE

S2 E30 / 6m 3s

These short, simple life hacks are based on physics. Detangle your headphones, remove sticker residue, check if sunglasses are polarized, cool your car faster, and avoid getting static shock!

My Path into Physics (at MIT)

S2 E32 / 10m 46s

Dianna Cowern runs Physics Girl full time. Here she discusses her path to studying physics and doing physics research before moving on to other, less prestigious, career pursuits.

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