What is a pulsar?

In less than 100 seconds, Tim O'Brien of the University of Manchester in the UK provides a fly-by tour of pulsar science. When the first pulsar signal was detected in the 1960s, for a short time it was referred to as "little green man 1" because the regular pulsing appeared to be a message from aliens. However, it did not take long for astronomers to figure out that these signals come from rapidly rotating neutron stars, which beam radiation from their magnetic poles.

 

How do figure skaters exploit Newtonian physics when they spin?

Legendary MIT physics professor Walter Lewin describes some of the science that was in action during the Winter Olympics in Sochi. He explains how ice-skaters use their arms to moderate their moment of inertia, which in turn affects the angular velocity of their spins. The biomechanics is fairly straightforward, but Walter Lewin always manages to make his lessons engaging thanks to his trademark charisma.

 

Is a quantum wavefunction a real thing?

In less than 100 seconds, Daniel Mortlock ponders whether the quantum wavefunction could be more than a mathematical function.

 

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.

 

What is cosmic inflation?

In less than 100 seconds, Andrew Jaffe explains why cosmologists believe that the universe underwent a period of vast and raid growth when it was just fractions of a second old.

 

What is the anthropic principle?

In less than 100 seconds, Roberto Trotta explains this often-misunderstood philosophical idea: why it seems so unlikely that conditions in the universe are so perfectly tuned for life to exist.

 

Why do neutrinos change flavour?

In less than 100 seconds, Kenneth Long describes neutrinos in the context of quantum mechanics, explaining how they can oscillate between varieties.

 

What do plastic bags have in common with metal?

In less than 100 seconds, Adrian Sutton explains why metals and plastic bags deform in different but related ways.

 

Can we see the motion of electrons on the atomic scale?

In less than 100 seconds, Amelle Zair provides a brief introduction to the field of attosecond science.

 

How do we know that the universe is flat?

In less than 100 seconds, Roberto Trotta explains how astrophysicists calculate geometries in the universe.

What is M-theory?

In less than 100 seconds, Leron Borsten explains how M-theory has the potential to unify the various forms of string theory with the theory of supergravity.

 

How do we see beneath the surface of tissue with light?

In less than 100 seconds, Bruce Tromberg provides an introduction to the art of seeing beneath skin using light.

 

How do aircraft remain in the sky?

In less than 100 seconds, Kara Peters puts our minds at ease by explaining how lift force can overcome gravity.

 

What is a frequency comb?

In less than 100 seconds, Paul Williams explains how optical frequency combs fill an important technological gap between the light bulb and the laser.