Dalton and the Atom

Short description of MyScience Prep's podcast on chemistry and physics (Season 2).

Arguably known as the "Father of Chemistry", the English chemist, physicist, and meteorologist John Dalton is discussed with regards to his fundamental contributions to atomic theory. In this episode, Mark and Jack lead listeners down the path of understanding matter from a particle perspective while also looking at the life of this humble man. Click here to view show notes.

In this podcast, Jack and Mark discuss the general notion of a physical property.  They then focus on the physical property called time and how difficult it is to define and measure. To gain a practical understanding of this important idea, the evolution of the calendar is described. This is followed by an overview of Einstein's concept of spacetime and his famous claim that time is just an illusion. Click here to view the show notes.

Not given credit for his contributions to molecular chemistry for half a century, Amedeo Avogadro was eventually recognized for his work and now holds the honor of having his name attached to the ubiquitous chemical quantity that all high school chemistry students know well; the mole (Avogadro's number). In this podcast, Avogadro's ideas are discussed and the classification of matter from a particulate perspective is described.  Listeners will come to see why Avogadro's work was so important and why he deserves his name on the unit used most commonly in chemical calculations.

In this podcast, Jack and Mark discuss the amazing scientific contributions of Lise Meitner and her escape from Nazi Germany. Meitner was the first scientist to explain the physical process she called "nuclear fission" while simulataneously dealing with the difficulties of sexism and World War II. Not given the credit she deserved for this important work, Meitner lived a life of integrity in the midst of difficult personal circumstances and under the mistaken attribution of as the "mother of the atomic bomb." Click here to view the show notes.

Listeners to this podcast will take away an appreciation for two great illuminators in science; one a candle and the other Michael Faraday.  Although known for innumerable contributions to chemistry and physics, Faraday's efforts to educate the public are discussed, particularly with regards to his famous lectures series on the chemical history of the candle.  Those intrigued by candles should find their intellectual curiosity satisfied as Mark and Jack discuss the chemistry and physics of candles along with Michael Faraday and the Famous Royal Institution where he did his greatest work. Click here to view the show notes.

Jack and Mark talk about how certain "big ideas" in physics, called conservation laws, are built upon deep symmetries that are found in nature and in the laws that describe nature. This connection was first discovered by German mathematician Emmy Noether. Listeners will hear how symmetry and violations of symmetry help scientists understand the universe, perhaps explaining why there is more matter in the cosmos than antimatter. In other words, the assymmetry may be related to the the question, "Why is there something rather than nothing." Click here to view the show notes.

In this podcast, the goal of all chemical processes is discussed; equilibrium.  More than just the establishment of chemical equilibrium, this episode considers the perturbation and response of an equilibrium chemical system when a disturbance is placed upon it which is known as Le Chatelier's Principle.  Henri Le Chatelier's educational/professional life, which is strangely similar to that of Mark and Jack's (but with a much higher degree of success!) is also discussed by the twins. Click here to view the show notes.

In this episode, Jack and Mark talk about the concept of a physical interaction. They discuss Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion as fundamental for students of physics to understand. The Third Law explains how physical interactions work. Namely, that forces always occur in pairs with equal magnitude and in opposite directions on the two objects of an interaction. The audience is invited, along with Mark, to test their understanding of this concept through a series of scenario-based questions posed by Jack. It's through these types of examples that most students come to be proficient at identifying forces found in interactions. The podcast concludes with discussion of the impact Newton's ideas had the science of his day and how they continue to be important in today's world both practically and philosophically. Click here to view the show notes.

Short description of MyScience Prep’s podcast on Chemistry and Physics (Season 1).