Why do buildings fall in earthquakes? - Vicki V. May

Earthquakes have always been a terrifying phenomenon, and they’ve become more deadly as our cities have grown — with collapsing buildings posing one of the largest risks. But why do buildings collapse in an earthquake? And how can it be prevented? Vicki V. May explains the physics of why it is not the sturdiest buildings, but the smartest, that will remain standing.

 Lesson by Vicki V. May, animation by Pew36 Animation Studios.

If matter falls down, does antimatter fall up? - Chloé Malbrunot

Like positive and negative, or debit and credit, matter and antimatter are equal and opposite. So if matter falls down, does antimatter fall up? Chloé Malbrunot investigates that question by placing two atoms — one made of matter, and the other antimatter — in the cockpit of a plane, ready to jump. What do you think will happen?

 

How do we study the stars? - Yuan-Sen Ting

Our best technology can send men to the Moon and probes to the edge of our solar system, but these distances are vanishingly small compared to the size of the universe. How then can we learn about the galaxies beyond our own? Yuan-Sen Ting takes us into deep space to show how astronomers study the stars beyond our reach.

 Lesson by Yuan-Sen Ting, animation by Kozmonot Animation Studio.

 

What can Schrödinger's cat teach us about quantum mechanics? - Josh Samani

The classical physics that we encounter in our everyday, macroscopic world is very different from the quantum physics that governs systems on a much smaller scale (like atoms). One great example of quantum physics’ weirdness can be shown in the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment. Josh Samani walks us through this experiment in quantum entanglement.

 Lesson by Josh Samani, animation by Dan Pinto.

 

How do tornadoes form? - James Spann

Tornadoes are the most violent storms on Earth, with wind velocities that can exceed 200 miles per hour. How do these terrifying cyclones form? Meteorologist James Spann sheds light on the lifespan of tornadoes as they go from supercell thunderstorms to terrible twisters before eventually dissolving back into thin air.

 Lesson by James Spann, animation by Província Studio.

 

Why aren't we only using solar power? - Alexandros George Charalambides

Solar power is cheaper and more sustainable than our current coal-fueled power plants, so why haven't we made the switch? The real culprits here are the clouds, which make solar power difficult to control. Alexandros George Charalambides explains how solar towers and panels create electricity and how scientists are trying to create a system that can function even under cloud cover.

 Lesson by Alexandros George Charalambides, animation by Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., LLC.

Why is ketchup so hard to pour? - George Zaidan

Ever go to pour ketchup on your fries...and nothing comes out? Or the opposite happens, and your plate is suddenly swimming in a sea of red? George Zaidan describes the physics behind this frustrating phenomenon, explaining how ketchup and other non-Newtonian fluids can suddenly transition from solid to liquid and back again.

Lesson by George Zaidan, animation by TOGETHER.

 

What we can learn from galaxies far, far away - Henry Lin

In a fun, excited talk, teenager Henry Lin looks at something unexpected in the sky: galaxy clusters. By studying the properties of the universe's largest pieces, says the Intel Science Fair winner, we can learn quite a lot about our own world and galaxy.

 

How fast are you moving right now? - Tucker Hiatt

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-fast-are-you-moving-right-now-tucker-hiatt

"How fast are you moving?" seems like an easy question, but it's actually quite complicated -- and perhaps best answered by another question: "Relative to what?" Even when you think you're standing still, the Earth is moving relative to the Sun, which is moving relative to the Milky Way, which is...you get the idea. Tucker Hiatt unravels the concepts of absolute and relative speed.

 Lesson by Tucker Hiatt, animation by Zedem Media.

 

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.

 

The death of the universe - Renée Hlozek

The shape, contents and future of the universe are all intricately related. We know that it's mostly flat; we know that it's made up of baryonic matter (like stars and planets), but mostly dark matter and dark energy; and we know that it's expanding constantly, so that all stars will eventually burn out into a cold nothingness. Renée Hlozek expands on the beauty of this dark ending.

 Lesson by Renée Hlozek, animation by Giant Animation Studios.

 

All of the energy in the universe is... - George Zaidan and Charles Morton

The energy in the universe never increases or decreases -- but it does move around a lot. Energy can be potential (like a stretched-out rubber band waiting to snap) or kinetic (like the molecules that vibrate within any substance). And though we can't exactly see it, every time we cook dinner or shiver on a cold night, we know it's there. George Zaidan and Charles Morton get excited about energy.

 Lesson by George Zaidan and Charles Morton, animation by Pew36 Animation Studios.

 

Is time travel possible? - Colin Stuart

Time travel is a staple of science fiction stories, but is it actually possible? It turns out nature does allow a way of bending time, an exciting possibility suggested by Albert Einstein when he discovered special relativity over one hundred years ago. Colin Stuart imagines where (or, when) this fascinating phenomenon, time dilation, may one day take us.

 Lesson by Colin Stuart, animation by TED-Ed.

 

Why does ice float in water? - George Zaidan and Charles Morton

Water is a special substance for several reasons, and you may have noticed an important one right in your cold drink: ice. Solid ice floats in liquid water, which isn't true for most substances. But why? George Zaidan and Charles Morton explain the science behind how how hydrogen bonds keep the ice in your glass (and the polar ice caps) afloat.

 Lesson by George Zaidan and Charles Morton, animation by Powerhouse Animation Studios Inc.

 

The uncertain location of electrons - George Zaidan and Charles Morton

The tiny atoms that make up our world are made up of even tinier protons, neutrons and electrons. Though the number of protons determines an atom's identity, it's the electrons -- specifically, their exact location outside the nucleus -- that particularly perplex scientists. George Zaidan and Charles Morton show how to make an educated guess of where those itty-bitty freewheeling electrons might be.

 Lesson by George Zaidan and Charles Morton, animation by Karrot Animation.

 

How atoms bond - George Zaidan and Charles Morton

Atoms can (and do) bond constantly; it's how they form molecules. Sometimes, in an atomic tug-of-war, one atom pulls electrons from another, forming an ionic bond. Atoms can also play nicely and share electrons in a covalent bond. From simple oxygen to complex human chromosome 13, George Zaidan and Charles Morton break down the humble chemical bond.

 Lesson by George Zaidan and Charles Morton, animation by Bevan Lynch.

 

The physics of sperm vs. the physics of sperm whales - Aatish Bhatia

Traveling is extremely arduous for microscopic sperm -- think of a human trying to swim in a pool made of...other humans. We can compare the journey of a sperm to that of a sperm whale by calculating the Reynolds number, a prediction of how fluid will behave, often fluctuating due to size of the swimmer. Aatish Bhatia explores the great (albeit tiny) sperm's journey.

 Lesson by Aatish Bhatia, animation by Brad Purnell.

 

Light waves, visible and invisible - Lucianne Walkowicz

Each kind of light has a unique wavelength, but human eyes can only perceive a tiny slice of the full spectrum -- the very narrow range from red to violet. Microwaves, radio waves, x-rays and more are hiding, invisible, just beyond our perception. Lucianne Walkowicz shows us the waves we can't see.

 Lesson by Lucianne Walkowicz, animation by Pew36 Animation Studios.

 

A trip through space to calculate distance - Heather Tunnell

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-trip-through-space-to-calculate-distance-heather-tunnell

 Imagine two aliens racing across outer space to their moon. Who can we deem the fastest alien? With DIRT -- or the equation Distance = Rate x Time -- we can calculate their rates, using the distance they traveled and the time they took. Heather Tunnell explains how to use this helpful equation to determine which of our alien friends is truly faster.

 Lesson by Heather Tunnell, animation by Karrot Animation.

 

Four ways to understand the Earth's age - Joshua M. Sneideman

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-earth-s-age-in-measurements-you-can-understand-joshua-m-sneideman

The Earth is 4.6 billion years old -- but how can humans relate to a number so colossal, and where do we fit on the geologic timeline? Comparing the Earth's lifetime to one calendar year, events like the extinction of dinosaurs and Columbus setting sail took place relatively recently. Joshua M. Sneideman reminds us of our time and place in the universe.

 Lesson by Joshua M. Sneideman, animation by Powerhouse Animation Studios Inc.