Entropy - Episode 39

Entropy. It's why everything seems to break down and get messy. It is something that comes about when you have lots and lots of little things (like atoms) that can be in several possible "states" (no, not Florida). The more things or more states you have, the more entropy you're going to have. Dr. Carlson has entirely too much fun playing with coins and blocks while he tries to explain how Chemists think of Entropy. (Stay to the end and you'll even see a rubber band, whee!)

Science Theater Episode 39: Entropy

Walking on Water - Episode 38

Winter is in the air, and it's cold out on the lake making it pretty easy to walk on water. Dr. Carlson visits his parents and takes time out to explain some cool science concepts that can occur when your lake freezes over. That's right, Dr. Carlson freezes his tooshie, just so you can expand your mind!

Science Theater Episode 38: Walking on Water

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle - Episode 37

Physics tells us that you can't know exactly where you are and where you are going at the same time! Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle explains that you can't measure a particle's exact velocity and location, Dr. Carlson takes on the challenge of explaining it all in this special, third anniversary, episode of...

Science Theater Episode 37:Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

A Particle Experiment - Episode 36

Pity the poor high energy particle physicists. In order to perform an experiment, they have to destroy whatever they're looking at. Dr. Carlson explains how experiments on tiny particles are tricky. It's not easy to run experiments on things that are smaller than your tools.

Science Theater Episode 36:A Particle Experiment

Quantum Mechanics - Episode 35

Can you change reality just by looking at it? Dr. Carlson says no! Watch on to see just what we mean when scientists talk about observers determining reality in this down-to-earth explanation of Quantum Mechanics.

Science Theater Episode 35: Quantum Mechanics

Brainteaser 02 - A Straight Line

Is the best path between two points a straight line? The second video in our brainteaser series challenges the viewer (you) to predict and explain any differences in the path of two rolling balls. Can you figure it out before the episode is over?

Science Theater Brainteaser 02: A Straight Line

Brainteaser 01 - Rolling Uphill

Do you have what it takes to explain science? Try to explain how this object actually rolls uphill in this episode. This video is the first of several Brainteaser episodes where you, the viewer, are presented with a problem and are challenged to explain the science behind the solution by the end of the episode.

Science Theater Brainteaser 01: Rolling Uphill

The Sweat Episode - Episode 34

Yes, he's done freezing by boiling before, but this time Dr. Carlson uses liquid nitrogen, a special tube, and a little water to demonstrate the power of sweat!

Science Theater Episode 34: The Sweat Episode

Making Clouds - Episode 33

How to make a cloud in a bottle in four easy steps. Dr. Carlson takes on a giant glass ball of green liquid in an attempt to eplain how clouds are formed. In a never-before seen feature, this episode even includes Director's Commentary for the first segment. Yes, it's a feature, not a bug.

Science Theater Episode 33: Making Clouds

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Note, technically this episode is 33b, as it takes the place of The Sweet Spot - Episode 33, removed due to a few mistakes in the science of hitting balls with bats.

Fluorescence - Episode 32

Fluorescence, it's almost as hard to explain as it is to spell. Dr. Carlson explains how his favorite color (neon) is such a shiny glowy thing and how detergents can get your clothes "whiter than white!"

Science Theater Episode 32: Fluorescence

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Liquid Air - Episode 31

Liquid air? Once Nitrogen gas becomes really, really cold it becomes a liquid. Once you have really, a really cold liquid, you can use it to make other things cold. Really, really cold things behave differently. Join Dr. Carlson to find out how cold things behave in...

Science Theater Episode 31: Liquid Air

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States of Matter - Episode 30

Sure, gas-liquid-solid... you've seen it all before, but have you seen air as a gas, air as a liquid, and air as a solid? Dr. Carlson explains the three most common states of matter and shows off how to make a snowcone out of Nitrogen gas.

Science Theater Episode 30: States of Matter

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Interview with a Scientist - Marc Caffee

There's nothing like taking tiny little bits of rock and smashing them with Cesium to send them on an electrical journey at ultra high speeds. That's just what happens in the particle accelerator at Purdue's PRIME Lab. In our most recent Interview with a Scientist episode, Prof. Marc Caffee explains how he can find the age of asteroid rocks from outer space or determine how long ago rocks were exposed from glacier movement.

Science Theater Interview 05: Marc Caffee (Part 1)

Science Theater Interviews: Real Scientists, Real Science

Center of Mass - Episode 29

When does a tower tip and fall? When its center of mass is no longer over its base. Dr. Carlson plays with blocks and walks the plank in order to illustrate the power of center of mass.

Science Theater Episode 29: Center of Mass

If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to visit my new home page at: www.ScienceTheater.net!

Interview with a Scientist - Ken Ritchie

Lasers and bacterial cells - they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Prof. Ken Ritchie, Professor of Physics at Purdue uses lasers to "light up" individual molecules on the surface of cells. By taking pictures and videos of these cells he can study cellular processes that help single cell organisms build their membranes and orient themselves in their environment.

Science Theater Interview 04: Ken Ritchie

Mirrors and Images - Episode 28

Mirrors don't let you see things that aren't there, they let you see things from an entirely different position! Your image in a mirror is what someone else would see if they were standing behind the mirror. It's all a matter of tracing the path of light from your eye to an object, or from the object to your eye.

Science Theater Episode 28:Mirrors and Images

If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to visit my new home page at: www.ScienceTheater.net!

The Doppler Effect - Episode 27

When cars go screeching by your ear, their pitch changes due to the Doppler Effect. See and hear the Doppler Effect explained before your very eyes! Learn how the Doppler Effect even helps astronomers look at stars.

Science Theater Episode 27:Doppler Effect

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Interview with a Scientist - Erica Carlson

What does a condensed matter physicist study? Floating magnets for one. In our second interview segment, Dr. Carlson meets Professor Carlson to discuss her research. Prof. Erica Carlson discusses her research on one-dimensional electron gasses (and how it applies to superconductivity!)

Science Theater Interview 03: Erica Carlson

Electricity - Episode 25

Electrons and protons are tiny, but they can move large objects! Watch several demonstrations showing the power and behavior of electrons, electricity, and their response to electromagnetic waves.

Science Theater Episode 25: Electricity

Angular Momentum - Episode 24

Ice skaters spin faster by hugging themselves tight, but what does that have to do with riding a bicycle? In both cases, the law of conservation of angular momentum is in effect. Watch a few more angular momentum examples!

Science Theater Episode 24: Angular Momentum