Podcasts and Vodcasts by Topic

Cheetah Physics
June 19, 2013
A new study shows that while cheetahs are still the fastest land animal on Earth, it's not their speed that makes the great hunters; it's their acceleration. What's the difference? For that we turn to physics.

Tornado Physics
June 05, 2013
Calla investigates the physics tornadoes and how scientists aim to better predict when, where and how twisters form.
Read more on this podcast's blog post

Mosh Pit Physics
March 27, 2013
Two graduate students have applied their physics coursework to a surprising area: mosh pits at metal shows.

Freeman Dyson: Heretic, Maverick, Visionary
March 20, 2013
Explore nuclear rocket propulsion, WWII bombing strategy, and searches for extraterrestrial life as Mike digs into this fascinating physicist's life.

Mussel Strength
February 20, 2013
Scientists are adapting a shellfish's unique ability to latch onto wet surfaces strongly for medical adhesives and new nanoparticles.

The Good, the Bad, the Radiation
February 06, 2013
Authors of the new book "Radiation: What it is, what you need to know" discuss why radiation is not inherently good or bad. Like any technology, it all depends on how we use it.

Destructive Domino Effect
January 31, 2013
Did you know that with the right set-up you could knock down a
building with nothing but a breath of air? Find out how on this week's podcast.

Curbing The Panic Virus
January 23, 2013
Seth Mnookin is the author of the new book The Panic Virus, which sheds light on the false allegations that vaccines cause autism. The story looks at how the physics community and broader scientific community needs to handle public relations in the 21st century, and who is to blame when a lie is perpetuated.

Magic in Science with Steve Spangler
January 16, 2013
Non-traditional science educator Steve Spangler talks about his efforts to instill a sense of wonder in his science demos and experiments.

Best of Physics 2012
December 26, 2012
Mike and Calla provide a run-down of the most important physics stories in 2012. But what makes one science breakthrough more important than another?

Operation Crossroads
September 05, 2012
In 1946 the United States tested its first atomic weapon after the end of World War II. Physicists wanted to better understand this new weapon they created, but it turned into a clash between science, spectacle and politics.

Crib Physics
August 30, 2012
Our physical intuition heavily influences how we experience and how we
study the world around us. But when and how does this intuition develop? It turns out that is one of the first things our brains start learning when we are born. That’s today on the physics buzz podcast.

Comic Con 2012
August 08, 2012
Mike sees how Physics influenced comic creators Jorge Chaim (PhD Comics) and Bill Amend (Foxtrot)

Science Advisors
July 25, 2012
Even though Hollywood films aren't known for being completely scientifically accurate all of the time, the writers of some of the biggest films and TV shows have been relying on their science advisors to make the science in science fiction all the more believable.

Who is Enrico Fermi?
July 18, 2012
Physicist Enrico Fermi has his name attached to a number of monumental physics items, like Fermilab, fermions and fermium. Who was Fermi, what did he do to earn so much notoriety and the title of "universal physicist"? We'll try to find out in today's podcast.

The Twitter Method
July 11, 2012
Twitter certainly has become an ever-present part of our lives.  Twitter may even be able to tell us what people are really concerned about,what issues are grabbing their attention and what topics are generating the most discussion.  Physicists have devised a method to gather this information and give it meaning beyond just a tweet.

How the Hippies Saved Physics
July 04, 2012
Dr. David Kaiser, author of the book "How the Hippies Saved Physics"
talks about how the culture of the 1970's influenced physics, and
brought the philosophical exploration of quantum mechanics back into
the mainstream.

Crumpled Paper
June 13, 2012
A single sheet of paper is easy to tear, but why, then, do crumpled balls of newspaper work as cushioning in packing boxes? Physicists are studying this unique architecture that maximizes the inherent strength of paper.

The Physics of ZOMBIES
October 26, 2011
What are your chances of surviving a zombie apocalypse? Calla Cofield explains how physics can help you stay alive.

Earthquake
September 07, 2011
The Physics Central team recently got some first-hand experience with the physics of earthquakes.

Comic-Con
July 29, 2011
From a Richard Feynman comic book to cosmic dung, physics and Comic-Con intersect in some unusual places.

Ig Nobel 2010
October 21, 2010
"Sometimes science needs to laugh at itself and that's where the Ig Nobel Prize comes in." Mike Lucibella takes us there in this weeks installment of the Physics Central Podcast.

Maxwell's Demon is back
June 19, 2009
Researchers are tricking atoms and fooling entropy with lasers. Although their experiments don't actually violate the laws of thermodynamics, they have applications to quantum computing and gravity mapping.

Whale Flipper Bumps
October 02, 2008
Why are humpback whales more agile in the water than other whales? Scientists discovered that the bumps on humpback flippers decrease water turbulence. This allows the humpback whales to tilt their flippers up  and achieve greater lift over other whales and hence gives more maneuverability.