Gravitational Lensing

In a long line of intellectual triumphs, Einstein’s theory of general relativity was his greatest and most imaginative. It tells us that what we experience as gravity can be most accurately described as the bending of space itself. This idea leads to consequences, including gravitational lensing, which is caused by light traveling in this curved space. This is works in a way analogous to a lens (and hence the name). In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains a little general relativity, a little gravitational lensing, and tells us how this phenomenon allows us to map out the matter of the entire universe, including the otherwise-invisible dark matter.

 

Does The Moon Really Orbit The Earth?

According to Newton’s law of gravitation, the sun should “pull” way harder on the moon than the Earth does. So does the moon actually orbit the Earth? Why?

 

Why Isn't "Zero G" the Same as "Zero Gravity"?

This Quick Question explains the difference between gravity and g-force, and how you can experience zero-g in space even when it’s not zero gravity!

 

Brian Cox visits the world's biggest vacuum chamber

Human Universe: Episode 4 Preview - BBC Two

Programme website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0276q28

Brian Cox visits NASA’s Space Power Facility in Ohio to see what happens when a bowling ball and a feather are dropped together under the conditions of outer space.

The Physics of Weightless Flight ft Emily Calandrelli

Ever wanted to know how those vomit comet planes simulate weightlessness?

 

Big Mysteries: Extra Dimensions

The weakness of gravity compared to the other subatomic forces is a real mystery. While nobody knows the answer, one credible solution is that gravity has access to more spatial dimensions than the other three known forces. In this video, Fermilab's Dr. Don Lincoln describes this idea, with the help of some very urbane characters.

 

Gravitational Lensing

KIPAC visualization expert Ralf Kaehler and his colleague astrophysicist Tom Abel joined forces with Carter Emmart, the history museum's director of astrovisualization, and Mordecai-Mark Mac Low, a museum curator and professor at Columbia University. They turned numerical simulations calculated by Abel and then-KIPAC astrophysicist Oliver Hahn into striking scenes.

 

What is quantum gravity?

In less than 100 seconds, Leron Borsten explains that general relativity and quantum mechanics are very successful in their own domains, but the jury is still out on how to unify these two great theories of physics.

 

Inside the ISS: Splitting Hairs About Gravity

An astronaut in microgravity is being accelerated by the force provided by a single hair.

 

Do We Expand With The Universe?

The universe is expanding...do we expand with the universe?

 

Public Lecture—The Dark Universe Through Einstein's Lens

Lecture Date: Tuesday, July 23rd. Debbie Bard, a staff scientist at SLAC and a member of the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, delivered the July 23 SLAC Public Lecture, "The Dark Universe Through Einstein's Lens."

 Bard's talk explains the phenomenon known as gravitational lensing and how astrophysicists use it to explore the 95 percent of the universe that remains unseen: dark matter and dark energy.

 

NASA | What is a Sungrazing Comet?

Sungrazing comets are a special class of comets that come very close to the sun at their nearest approach, a point called perihelion. To be considered a sungrazer, a comet needs to get within about 850,000 miles from the sun at perihelion. Many come even closer, even to within a few thousand miles.

 

NASA | It Doesn't Take a Planet to Make Some Rings

A study by NASA scientists sounds a cautionary note in interpreting rings and spiral arms as signposts for new planets. Thanks to interactions between gas and dust, a debris disk may, under the right conditions, produce narrow rings on its own, no planets needed.

 

Free falling in outer space - Matt J. Carlson

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/free-falling-in-outer-space-matt-j-carlson

If you were to orbit the Earth, you'd experience the feeling of free fall, not unlike what your stomach feels before a big dive on a roller coaster. With a little help from Sir Isaac Newton, Matt J. Carlson explains the basic forces acting on an astronaut and why you probably shouldn't try this one at home.

 Lesson by Matt J. Carlson, animation by Josh Harris.

 

Particle Physics Gravity and the Standard Model

Lawrence Berkeley Lab Scientist Andre Walker-Loud presents to high-school students and teachers, explaining the nature of the four fundamental forces, and how the standard model of particle physics relates to cosmology. He also talks about Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and why his profession is both important and rewarding.

 

Hewitt-Drew-it! 50.Circular/Elliptical Orbit

Paul distinguishes circular and elliptical orbits with force vectors for each.

 

Hewitt-Drew-it! 49.Satellite Speed

Paul shows how a satellite's orbital speed in close Earth orbit relates to Earth's curvature.

 

Space Flight: The Application of Orbital Mechanics

This is a primer on orbital mechanics originally intended for college-level physics students. Released 1989.

 

Hewitt-Drew-it! 48.Ocean Tides

Paul explains how the Moon, and also the Sun, cause ocean tides.

 

Hewitt-Drew-it! 47.Tunnel Through Earth

Paul considers a tunnel bored through Earth and your motion if you were to fall into it.

Other Hewitt-Drew-it! videos