The Science of Everything Podcast
Alle afleveringen
172 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Episode 119: Computational Chemistry Part 1
30 juni 2021 · 59 min
An overview of techniques of determining molecular structure, including an introduction to valance bond theory covering bond formation and orbital hybridisation, and a discussion of the basics of molecular orbital theory, covering the basics of the Hartree-Fock method for solving the Schrödinger equation and finding molecular orbitals. In the process I also discuss the Pauli exclusion principle, the effect of electron spin, and the indistinguishability of electrons. Lees meer
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Episode 118: Cell Signalling
31 mei 2021 · 59 min
A discussion of cell communication and signalling, including an overview of the purpose of cell signalling, the main types of signals, and applications such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and cytokines. The difference between G protein-coupled receptors, enzyme-linked receptors, and intracellular receptors is also considered, concluding with a summary of the process of signal transduction and the role of second messengers. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 116: The Cell Membrane. Lees meer
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Episode 117: Intracellular Protein Sorting
30 april 2021 · 1 uur 5 min
A discussion of the transportation and sorting of proteins within the eukaryotic cell, including an overview of the endomembrane system, the mechanisms of nuclear transport, transmembrane transport, and vesicular transport. I also consider the structure and functions of the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes, and how they are joined together in a complex network of protein transportation and vesicular traffic. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 116: The Cell Membrane. Lees meer
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Episode 116: The Cell Membrane
31 maart 2021 · 46 min
An introduction to the cell membrane, including a discussion of the structure of the bilipid membrane, an overview of the structure and function of membrane proteins, a review of the fluid mosaic model, and a discussion of mechanisms of membrane transport, including both passive and active transport. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 10: The Cell, and Episode 18: Biochemistry Basics. Lees meer
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Episode 115: Special Relativity Part 2
28 februari 2021 · 48 min
In the second and final part of this series, I discuss the major consequences of special relativity, including the relativity of simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, and mass-energy equivalence. I then provide an overview of some of the experimental tests of special relativity, and conclude with an analysis of some alleged paradoxes in relativity, including the twins paradox, and the ladder paradox. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 114: Special Relativity Part 1. Lees meer
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Episode 114: Special Relativity Part 1
8 februari 2021 · 46 min
The first of a two part series on special relativity, I provide a brief overview of the historical development of relativity theory, including a discussion of the role of the Michelson-Morley experiment, and considerations from classical electromagnetism. I then outline Einstein's two postulates, discuss their meaning, and provide some explanation for how to interpret a constant speed of light. I also provide an introduction to Lorentz transformations and the notion of spacetime. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 13: Newtonian Mechanics. Lees meer
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Special Episode: Visual Processing in Mice
30 december 2020 · 1 uur
I discuss the methods and results of my Master's Thesis, in which I analysed electrophysiological data of the mouse visual system using a variety of statistical and computational techniques. I consider some of the major research questions addressed in my work, including population encoding, stimulus representation, neural network modelling, and state space modelling of information transformation. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 113: Visual Processing. Lees meer
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Episode 113: Visual Processing
7 december 2020 · 40 min
A discussion of higher-order processing of information in the visual system, including an overview of how the brain extracts edges and basic shapes from simple stimuli in the retina, how motion is detected, how parts of objects are distinguished, how object recognition occurs, and the differences between grandmother cell and distributed processing theories of neural encoding. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 47: Vision Part III. Lees meer
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Episode 112: Introduction to Microbiology
1 november 2020 · 1 uur 8 min
An overview of the field of microbiology, beginning with a brief history of the discipline, and then proceeding through a summary of the structure and function of various microbial life forms, including protists, yeasts, bacteria, archaea, viruses, and prions. The episode concludes with a discussion of microbial growth and methods to reduce it. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 10: The Cell. Lees meer
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Episode 111: Plate Tectonics
24 september 2020 · 57 min
An introduction to the theory of plate tectonics, beginning with an overview of the internal structure of Earth, the differences between oceanic and continental crust, subduction and other forms of plate boundaries, the formation of volcanic arcs, the origin of the Earth's magnetic field, and the mechanisms underlying tectonic plate movement. The episode concludes with a summary of the varies lines of evidence in favour of continental drift, including seafloor spread, biogeography, and polar wandering. Recommended prelistening is Episode 74: Minerals and Rocks. Lees meer
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Episode 110: Weather Part II
30 augustus 2020 · 47 min
Building on the basic concepts discussed in the previous episode, this episode examines the formation and development of a wide range of weather phenomena, including air fronts, midlatitude cyclones, tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 109: Weather Part I. Lees meer
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Episode 109: Weather Part I
2 augustus 2020 · 48 min
An introduction to key concepts relevant to understanding weather, including relative and absolute humidity, atmospheric stability, cloud formation and classification, types of precipitation, and the formation and classification of air masses. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 90: Climate Systems. Lees meer
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Episode 108: Political Institutions and Sustained Economic Growth
1 juli 2020 · 1 uur 25 min
In this sixth and final part in our series on economic growth and development, I discuss in more detail some of the key institutions necessary for economic growth to begin, focusing on property rights, enforcement of contracts, and control of corruption. I review the importance of these institutions in the context of historical case studies of countries ranging from the Soviet Union to Mexico, and outline how the most critical institutions vary with the level of development, giving rise to a middle income trap. I also discuss the Washington Consensus and critically analyse the arguments of critics that such institutional reform is not essential for growth. I conclude with a summary of all we have learned and discussed throughout the growth series. The recommended pre-listening is Episode 107: Economic Growth and Development Part V. Lees meer
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Episode 107: Cultural, Geographic, and Political Explanations of Poverty
15 juni 2020 · 1 uur 14 min
In this fifth part of our series on economic growth and development, I examine the major factors that have been advanced as explaining differences in growth outcomes between countries. I provide a summary of the arguments and evidence for and against the importance of culture, dependency, democracy, geography, education, and institutions in accounting for differential growth outcomes, and conclude with a comparative empirical analysis in which I argue that institutional differences explain the majority of growth differences. The Recommended pre-listening is Episode 106: Economic Growth and Development Part IV. Lees meer
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Episode 106: Theories of Economic Growth and Development
31 mei 2020 · 1 uur 11 min
In this fourth part of our series on economic growth and development, I outline the major theories of economic development developed over the past sixty years. I trace the development of such theories beginning with the Harrod-Domar theory, and proceeding through the Solow-Swan model, the Ramsey model, Romer's spillovers model, and endogenous growth theory, in each case discussing their key features, and analysing their strengths and weaknesses. The episode concludes with a brief survey of a range of more recent growth models focusing on modelling coordination failures and poverty traps, emphasising the work of Daron Acemoglu on economic institutions. The Recommended pre-listening is Episode 105: Economic Growth and Development Part III. Lees meer
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Special Episode: Mario Livio on Galileo
16 mei 2020 · 44 min
Astrophysicist Mario Livio joins me to discuss his latest book 'Galileo and the Science Deniers', which chronicles the scientific discoveries of Galileo Galilei and how his advocacy of the heliocentric theory led him into confrontation with the Pope. Our conversation covers the significance of Galileo's discovers, the strengths and weaknesses of his case for the heliocentric theory, his role in establishing the modern scientific method, and what we can learn from this episode in history about the importance of intellectual freedom and science communication in the present day. Lees meer
Check out Mario's book on Amazon.
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Episode 105: Agriculture, Urbanisation, and Structural Change
30 april 2020 · 1 uur 4 min
In this third part of the series on economic growth, I discuss the process of structural change as economies progress from underdeveloped to developed, beginning with an overview and historical analysis of Rostow's Stages of Growth model. I then discuss the structures of agricultural production around the world, focusing on barriers to adoption of more modern agricultural techniques and proposed reforms, such as adoption of cash crops, land reform, and improving the security of land tenure. I conclude with an analysis of the benefits and problems associated with urbanisation, incorporating a discussion of agglomeration economies, spillover effects, urban gigantism, and the informal urban sector. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 104: Economic Growth and Development Part II. Lees meer
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Episode 104: The History of the World Economy and Growth
13 april 2020 · 1 uur 13 min
In the second part of our series on economic growth and development, I provide a brief history of the world economy, beginning with the key features of premodern economies and the Malthusian trap. I then outline critical developments and points of debate in subsequent economic history, including the Great Divergence, the First and Second Industrial Revolutions, the Great Depression and era of central planning, the Bretton Woods era and the gold standard, and the modern period of neoliberalism and globalisation. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 103: Economic Growth and Development Part I. Lees meer
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Episode 103: Introduction to Economic Growth and Global Poverty
31 maart 2020 · 1 uur 11 min
In this the first in an eight-part series covering the causes of economic growth and development, I provide an introduction to the key concepts of absolute and relative poverty, different theories of development, and how GDP is defined and measured. I also discuss the differences between rural and urban poverty, give an overview of the different levels of development of various countries around the world, and outline some of the major methodological challenges in studying causes of economic growth around the world. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 12: The Price System, and Episode 56: The Gains from Trade. Lees meer
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Episode 102: Photosynthesis Part II
11 maart 2020 · 40 min
Continuing the discussion of photosynthesis from the previous episode, here I outline the importance of the oxygen evolving complex in oxidising water molecules, the importance of photosystem I in extracting additional energy, and the role of light-independent reactions of the Calvin cycle in carrying out carbon fixation. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 101: Photosynthesis Part I. Lees meer
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Episode 101: Photosynthesis Part I
27 februari 2020 · 53 min
An overview of photosynthesis, including the structure of chloroplasts, phototransduction of energy by chlorophyll, the macromolecular complexes of the thylakoid membrane. I also discuss the mechanisms of electron transfer along the electron transport chain, and the role of ATP synthase in generating ATP. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 75: Cellular Respiration, Episode 32: Light and Optics, and Episode 18: Biochemistry Basics. Lees meer
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Special Episode: History and Future of the Show
12 februari 2020 · 26 min
A special episode in which I discuss some of the ideas and principles behind the production of the show, sources I use for episodes, and my motivations for starting the podcast. I also talk about my own background and research interests, my thoughts about the relationship between science and philosophy, and some ideas for the future of the Science of Everything Podcast. Lees meer
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Episode 100: Unsolved Problems in Science
18 januari 2020 · 1 uur 22 min
In this special celebratory 100th episode, I discuss six major unsolved problems in science: the P vs NP problem in computer science, the mystery of dark matter in physics, the existence of the island of stability in chemistry, the historical occurrence of a snowball Earth scenario from geology, the protein folding problem from biochemistry, and the origin of the Cambrian explosion in evolutionary biology. I also discuss some important ideas relating to the future of the podcast. Lees meer
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Episode 99: Plant Reproduction and Fruit
6 januari 2020 · 1 uur 2 min
A discussion of the method of reproduction of flowering plants, including an overview of the structure and function of the different components of the flower, pollination, double fertilisation, and seed formation, dispersal, and germination. I also discuss the different types of fruit and vegetables and how the different components of the plant relate to the parts that we consume. I conclude with a brief overview of non-edible plant products, including fibres, resin, and sap. Recommended prerequisite is Episode 97: Plant Structure and Function. Lees meer
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Episode 98: Electromagnetic Radiation
27 december 2018 · 48 min
An overview of the nature and properties of electromagnetic radiation, including a discussion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the nature of photons, the speed of light, near and far field radiation, and technological applications of electromagnetic radiation in AM and FM radiation and microwave ovens. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 61: Magnetism and Episode 57: Electric Current and Circuits. Lees meer
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Episode 97: Plant Structure and Function
27 juni 2018 · 58 min
An overview of the basic morphology and physiology of plants, including a discussion of the main types of plants, stems, roots, leaves, plant transport, meristems, plant nutrition, and plant sensory systems.
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Special Episode - Jared Bauer on Science and Philosophy in Movies
3 april 2018 · 54 min
In this special episode I am joined by Jared Bauer, cofounder of Wisecrack, to discuss science and philosophy in movies and popular culture. We cover a range of topics including how science is portrayed in movies, how the film medium leads to science and history being presented in particular ways, and how movies and popular culture can be used as a vehicle for promoting scientific and philosophical inquiry. Lees meer
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Episode 96: How Computers Work Part VI - High Level Programming and Software
2 maart 2018 · 45 min
In the final episode of our series on computers, I give an introduction to high-level programming languages, how they relate to assembly language and machine code, and how the compiler converts high level programs into a form that can be executed by the processor. I then outline some of the key components to high-level programming, such as data structures, control structures, and algorithms, before sketching an example implementation of a simple game. I conclude with an integrative summary of computer structure from silicon up to the operating system. Lees meer
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Episode 95: How Computers Work Part V - Assembly Language and the Operating System
13 februari 2018 · 1 uur 11 min
In this the fifth episode of the series 'how computers work', I begin with a summary of some of the major methods of improving the performance of the central processing unit, including pipelining, cache memory, branch prediction, and parallel processing. Following a brief introduction to assembly langague and its relationship to the machine code, I then discuss the operating system and how it interfaces with the hardware to manage program memory, system calls, input/output, and processes. Lees meer
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Episode 94: How Computers Work Part IV - Processor Architecture and Machine Code
4 februari 2018 · 1 uur 11 min
In this fourth part in our series on computers, I begin with an overview of the von Neumann architecture used in most modern computers. This leads in a discussion of the structure and operation of the central processing unit, covering the instruction register, the program counter, main memory, the data and address buses, the ALU, and the control Unit. I then discuss the purpose and implementation of a number of key operations in the instruction set architecture, including arithmetic operations, data movement operations, and conditional branches. Lees meer
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Episode 93: How Computers Work Part III - Logic Gates and Components
19 januari 2018 · 1 uur 7 min
In this third part of the series on computers I begin with an overview of Boolean algebra, including a discussion of key logic functions such as NOT, AND, and OR, and also discuss how CMOS logic gates implementing these functions are fabricated from transistors. I then survey the wide variety of logic components used in electronic circuits, including the multiplexor, adder, tristate buffer, flip-flops, comparator, and clock generator, and discuss the functions fulfilled by these devices in modern computers. Lees meer
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Episode 92: How Computers Work Part II - Silicon and Transistors
9 januari 2018 · 1 uur 12 min
In this second episode in the series, I explain binary digital coding to motivate a discussion of the operation of transistors. Beginning with an examination of the properties of semiconductors and why they are useful for constructing transistors, I then examine how MOSFET transistors are constructed by combining pMOS and nMOS semiconductors. Lees meer
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Episode 91: How Computers Work Part I - What is a Computer?
30 december 2017 · 44 min
We begin our series discussing how computers work with an overview of the theory of computation, including a discussion of Turing machines and Turing completeness, and a brief history of early analog and digital computers. I also provide an introduction to the key components of a modern computer, and review the different levels in the hierarchy of computer organisation. Lees meer
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Episode 90: Climate Systems
1 december 2017 · 1 uur 2 min
An analysis of the major factors influencing climactic variation over Earth's surface, including a discussion of the effect of differential heating at different latitudes, the impact of continentality and sea breezes, the causes of monsoons, the coriolis effect, atmospheric circulation cells, the jet streams, and thermohaline circulation currents in Earth's oceans. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 88: Cartography and Earths Seasons, and Episode 89: The Atmosphere. Lees meer
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Episode 89: The Atmosphere
23 november 2017 · 49 min
An overview of the composition and layers of the Earth's atmosphere, including a discussion of the exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere. I also discuss the ozone layer and ozone depletion, the Karman line which marks the boundary of space, and the ionosphere. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 42: Gases and Gas Laws. Lees meer
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Episode 88: Cartography and Earths Seasons
29 september 2017 · 1 uur 6 min
A discussion of the shape of the Earth and the difficulties and conventions involved in describing a three-dimensional surface on a two-dimensional map, including an overview of some of the major map projections and their various limitations. This leads in to an overview of Earth's axial tilt and variation in solar insolation by latitude as an explanation for the seasonal variation in weather across the planet. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 87: The Geography of Planet Earth. Lees meer
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Episode 87: The Geography of Planet Earth
26 augustus 2017 · 1 uur 2 min
An overview of some of the key geographic features of planet Earth, including a discussion of the concept and classification of continents, the major mountain ranges and major river basins around the planet. I also discuss the major world biomes, their major climactic and botanical features, and their relative locations across the Earth. Lees meer
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Episode 86: The Evidence for Evolution
12 augustus 2017 · 46 min
An outline of the various lines of evidence in favour of the theory of evolution by natural selection, including a discussion of natural and artificial examples of natural selection in action, as well as a review of the evidence from the fossil record, comparative anatomy, biogeography, and molecular evidence. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 21: Introduction to Evolution. Lees meer
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Episode 85: Introduction to Quantum Field Theory
29 juli 2017 · 1 uur 6 min
A discussion of some of the major conceptual aspects of Quantum Field Theory, including the concept of a quantum field, classical field theory, harmonic oscillators, second quantisation, interacting theories, and the relationship of QFT to other branches of physics. Recommended pre-listening is Episodes 83 and 84, Advanced Quantum Mechanics parts I and II. Lees meer
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Episode 84: Advanced Quantum Mechanics Part II
7 juli 2017 · 45 min
Continuing on from the previous episode, here I discuss some more advanced topics in Quantum Mechanics, including Noether’s theorem, the particle statistics of Bosons and Fermions, perturbation theory, and the EPR paradox. Recommended Pre-listening is Episode 83: Advanced Quantum Mechanics Part I. Lees meer
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Episode 83: Advanced Quantum Mechanics Part I
26 juni 2017 · 59 min
An examination of some more advanced concepts of quantum mechanics, focusing on describing Dirac's bra-ket formulation of quantum theory. I discuss the formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of vectors in Hilbert spaces, Hermitian operators as corresponding to observables, orthogonality of eigenstates, incompatible observables, and Schrodinger's equation. Recommeded pre-listening is Episode 14: Principles of Quantum Mechanics. Lees meer
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Episode 82: Racial Differences in Intelligence
11 maart 2017 · 59 min
A discussion of the evidence and methodological issues pertaining to explaining the causes of racial differences in intelligence, with a focus on evaluating the hereditarian hypothesis that such differences are largely genetic. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 81: Intelligence Part 2. Lees meer
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Episode 81: Intelligence Part 2
24 februari 2017 · 57 min
Continuing the series on intelligence, in this episode I discuss the genetic and neurological correlated of intelligences, the efficacy of measures to increase intelligence, and the causes and consequences of the Flynn effect. Also includes an analysis of the heritability of intelligence and how to properly interpret heritabilty research. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 80: Intelligence Part 1. Lees meer
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Episode 80: Intelligence Part 1
12 februari 2017 · 1 uur
The first in a three part series on human intelligence, covering debates about the definition of intelligence, how intelligence is measured, factor analysis and the origin of the g factor, and interpretations of the g factor as corresponding to intelligence. Also includes an analysis of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, and the cross-cultural validity of intelligence tests. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 79: Basic Concepts in Statistics. Lees meer
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Episode 79: Basic Concepts in Statistics
22 januari 2017 · 1 uur 4 min
A concise introduction to key concepts of statistics, explained in as clear a manner as possible. Includes a discussion of key concepts of probability, types of statistical data, sampling methods, the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics, statistical significance, and p-values. I conclude with a brief look at three common statistical tests; the chi-square test, t-test, and linear regression. Lees meer
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Episode 78: Hearing
17 september 2016 · 45 min
An explanation of the process of human hearing, covering the structure and function of the outer, middle, and inner ears, with a focus on explaining how the hair cells of the cochlea transduce mechanical motion into electrical signals that are interpreted as sound. I also discuss the mechanisms of sound localisation, some of the causes of deafness, and briefly outline the workings of the cochlea implant. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 53: Sound and Music. Lees meer
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Episode 77: Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity
30 juli 2016 · 1 uur 1 min
An introduction to the physics of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus, with a focus on explaining the different modes of radioactivity, alpha, beta, and gamma decay, as well as different ways of measuring radiation and some of its biological effects. I also discuss some applications of radioactivity in radiometric dating, radiotherapy, nuclear power, and nuclear weapons. I conclude by discussing a few popular misconceptions about radioactivity. Recommending prelistening is Episode 8: History of the Atom. Lees meer
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Episode 76: GDP and Unemployment
2 juni 2016 · 50 min
An introduction to the economic concepts of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and unemployment, including a discussion of how these concepts are defined, how they are measured, their relevance to understanding economic activity, and some limitations of these concepts as they are currently employed. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 65: Inflation and Interest Rates. Lees meer
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Episode 75: Cellular Respiration
6 mei 2016 · 53 min
An overview of the processes involved in the generation of energy in cells, including a discussion of the role of ATP in energy storage, glycolysis, the krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP synthase. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 18: Biochemistry Basics. Lees meer
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Episode 74: Minerals and Rocks
30 december 2015 · 49 min
A discussion of minerals, including their main properties such as crystal structure, habit, cleavage, lustre, and hardness, followed by a brief overview of some of the major mineral classes, with a focus on the various types of silicate minerals. I also discuss the rock cycle and the relationship between the three major types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Lees meer