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Science

The Hyperfine Physics Podcast

Derek Padilla and Zak Espley

Physics puzzles and deep dives into physics topics.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated Oct 8, 2022

Episodes20

Newest first
  • Oct 8, 2022 · 37 min

    Nobel Prize in Physics 2022 - The universe is not locally real. What does that mean?

    The 2022 Physics Nobel Prize, awarded to Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger "for experiments with entangled photons, establishing the violation of Bell inequalities and pioneering quantum information science" https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2022/press-release/ Scientific American article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-universe-is-not-locally-real-and-the-physics-nobel-prize-winners-proved-it/ Bell's Theorem and EPR episode of Hyperfine https://thehyperfine.com/#bell Encryption: Diffie-Hellman & RSA episode of Hyperfine https://thehyperfine.com/#encryption CGP Grey video "The Trouble with Transporters" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQHBAdShgYI The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Jul 8, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min

    Acoustic Levitation w/ Special Guest Dr. David Jackson

    Zak and Derek discuss acoustic levitaiton with Dr. David Jackson, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Dickinson College. Their published paper at AAJP (requires subscription), "Acoustic levitation and the acoustic radiation force": https://aapt.scitation.org/doi/10.1119/10.0002764 You can contact Dr. Jackson to request a copy: https://www.dickinson.edu/site/custom_scripts/dc_faculty_profile_index.php?fac=jacksond Ming-Hua Chang's senior thesis, "Using Schlieren Optics to Visualize Ultrasonic Standing Waves In Acoustic Levitation": https://scholar.dickinson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1391&context=student_honors Dr. Daniel A Russell's Acoustics and Vibration Animations: https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/demos.html Selected gifs of wave motion: https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/Reflect-Particles/Reflect-Particles.html https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/phase-p-u-sine/phase-p-u-sine.html https://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/SWR/SWR.html Physics Girl video building an acoustic levitator on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABjRnSYw-4k Acoustic levitation on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_levitation The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Jun 17, 2021 · 1 hr 7 min

    Gravitational G and How Science Works

    Zak and Derek discuss the "controversial" value of Newton's gravitational constant G. They cover the history of its measurement and how the value (and confidence in that value) has changed over time. Gravitational G wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_constant Relative uncertainty of phsyical constants: https://codata.org/blog/2015/08/04/codata-recommended-values-of-the-fundamental-physical-constants-2014/ Different G experiments with uncertainty bars: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344933668/figure/fig2/AS:1019607263477760@1620104723443/The-eleven-values-of-G-adopted-in-CODATA-2014-after-2000-and-our-latest-two-values.png The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • May 16, 2021 · 57 min

    Cosmology and the Arrow of Time

    Zak and Derek discuss the big question: why is the future different than the past? Why do we remember the past but not the future? Much the discussion comes from Sean Carroll’s book, “From Eternity to Here: The Quest for the Ultimate Theory of Time“ The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • May 4, 2021 · 57 min

    Is Anything Truly Random? w/Special Guest Grant Ciffone

    Zak and Derek chat with special guest, Grant Ciffone! Grant joins us as a non-physicist who asks “Is anything truly random in the universe?” Interested in being a guest on the show? Come ask us a question! Email us at hbar@thehyperfine.com The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Apr 20, 2021 · 57 min

    How to Keep Time

    Zak and Derek discuss a mystery in a hospital, where an MRI machine seems to have taken out only iPhones; Android was unharmed. This leads to a conversation on how watches work, fundamentally. The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Apr 8, 2021 · 1 hr 24 min

    Entropy & Statistical Mechanics

    Zak and Derek discuss the statistical origins of entropy and how it connects from there into thermodynamics. They also encourage using flashcards 🙂 The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Mar 23, 2021 · 1 hr 14 min

    Thermodynamics

    Zak and Derek discuss the basics of thermodynamics, including the so-called thermodynamic potentials. Topics: energy, temperature, entropy, pressure, volume, enthalpy, Helmholtz free energy, Gibbs free enthalpy. Modern Thermodynamics: http://www.av8n.com/physics/thermo/ Legendre transformation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legendre_transformation The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Mar 6, 2021 · 57 min

    Benford’s Law

    Zak and Derek discuss Benford’s Law, including the strange places it pops up, and some fundamental origins of the law. Some of the references discussed: The Mathematics of Benford’s Law – A Primer Arno Berger and Theodore P. Hill April 22, 2020 A Simple Explanation of Benford’s Law R. M. FEWSTER The American Statistician, February 2009, Vol. 63, No. 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benford%27s_law The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Dec 8, 2019 · 1 hr 6 min

    Planck, Einstein, and the Origins of Quantum Mechanics

    Zak and Derek discuss Max Planck’s work in the foundations of what would turn into quantum mechanics, and Albert Einstein’s role in its promulgation. How did Max Planck fix the blackbody radiation problem with the ultraviolet catastrophe, or is that actually what happened? References discussed: Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity by Thomas Kuhn (Amazon book) Einstein and the Quantum: The Quest of the Valiant Swabian by Douglas Stone (Amazon book) Revisiting the Quantum Discontinuity (PDF) The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Sep 3, 2019 · 1 hr 26 min

    The Physics of Hurricanes

    Zak and Derek discuss the physics of hurricanes, including the energy involved, and rotating reference frames, including Coriolis effects. Why do they rotate in different directions in the northern and southern hemispheres? The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Jul 27, 2019 · 1 hr 38 min

    Hadrons – Quark Systems

    Zak and Derek discuss the composite systems of quarks in baryons and mesons, as well as the eightfold way and multiplet organization of quark particles. This is a follow up to the Standard Model episode. Further reading: “Introduction to Elementary Particles” by David Griffiths Eightfold way (physics) on Wikipedia Murry Gell-Mann on Wikipedia List of baryons on Wikipedia The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • May 22, 2019 · 1 hr 16 min

    Neutrinos

    The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • May 12, 2019 · 1 hr 21 min

    The Standard Model Part 1

    The first of a multi-part series on the Standard Model of particle physics. This is an overview of the particles that make up the standard model. Derek’s main reference book: The New Cosmic Onion Zak’s main reference book: The Theory of Almost Everything The Standard Model on Wikipedia The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Apr 13, 2019 · 54 min

    Domino Amplifier

    Zak and Derek discuss toppling larger and larger dominos in a chain reaction. How does the potential energy work? What are the limits of the setup? World Record Largest Toppling Dominos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODHofgWv2QM&feature=youtu.be&t=86 The gravity-powered LED light: https://deciwatt.global/ The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Apr 7, 2019 · 1 hr 11 min

    Bohmian Mechanics – Pilot Wave Theory

    Zak and Derek follow up their Bell’s Theorm and EPR discussion with a survey of Bohmian mechanics, often called pilot wave theory, one of many interpretations of quantum mechanics. Looking Glass Universe “Bohmian Mechanics- An Alternative to Quantum” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbRVnC92sMs Looking Glass Universe “A problem with Bohmian Mechanics? Contextuality” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz4CHI_W-TA Veritasium “Is This What Quantum Mechanics Looks Like?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIyTZDHuarQ de Broglie–Bohm theory on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Broglie%E2%80%93Bohm_theory Copenhagen interpretation on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_interpretation Holland, The Quantum Theory of Motion: https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Theory-Motion-Broglie-Bohm-Interpretation/dp/0521485436 Rosenblum & Kuttner, Quantum Enigma: https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Enigma-Physics-Encounters-Consciousness-ebook/dp/B005H5O1DU/ The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Mar 31, 2019 · 1 hr 2 min

    Relative Motion (Not Relativity)

    Zak and Derek discuss a drone flying in an accelerating car. Does it stay in place? Fly to the back, front, ceiling, or floor? (And does the plane take off?) The original Reddit post. (The actual question has been removed, but the replies feed the discussion.) https://old.reddit.com/r/Physics/comments/8makbf/i_dont_know_if_this_is_the_right_place_to_ask_but/ Drone in a car YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjTj-tGPSWE Smarter Every Day balloon (and bubble) in a car: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8mzDvpKzfY The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Mar 21, 2019 · 1 hr 13 min

    Bell’s Theorem and EPR

    Zak and Derek discuss nothing less than the fundamental nature of reality. They start with the arguments made in the Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen paper from 1935, which were then tackled by John Bell in 1964 with Bell’s Theorem and Bell inequalities. References: The original Bell paper (1964): https://cds.cern.ch/record/111654/files/vol1p195-200_001.pdf The original EPR paper (1935): http://www.drchinese.com/David/EPR.pdf Bohr’s response to EPR (1935): http://cds.cern.ch/record/1060284/files/PhysRev.48.696.pdf Bohm’s physics textbook. Specifically, page 29, and Chapter 5 section 3, and Chapter 22 Section 19. (1951): https://books.google.com/books?id=hEHCAgAAQBAJ David Mermin’s paper (1985): http://cp3.irmp.ucl.ac.be/~maltoni/PHY1222/mermin_moon.pdf David Mermin talk at Berkeley (2008): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta09WXiUqcQ Tim Maudlin’s talk “What Bell Did” (2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg5z_zeZP60 Bell’s Theorem in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (good historical overview): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/bell-theorem/ GHZ (3-particle) experiments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GHZ_experiment Bell’s Theorem in popular Youtube channels: Veritasium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuvK-od647c Through the Looking Glass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-s3q9wlLag MinutePhysics & 3Blue1Brown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcqZHYo7ONs 3Blue1Brown & MinutePhysics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzRCDLre1b4 Physics Girl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6WxIblKVZI (Note: At about 46:40, Derek says “This now gets at the Schrodinger’s Cat problem, which was a reply to the EPR and Bohm papers,” but should have said “EPR and Bohr papers”.) The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Nov 29, 2018 · 1 hr 7 min

    Climbing Magnets

    Zak and Derek try to tackle the “climbing magnets” puzzle from Veritasium’s Youtube channel. Both taking different approaches until watching the result together. Video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0oNkO2YI-w The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks

  • Nov 22, 2018 · 1 hr 6 min

    Balloons Inside Balloons and Sweet Spots

    Zak and Derek first discuss what happens to a balloon which holds another balloon that pops while inside the first. Then they try to tackle the physics of sweet spots on bats. The balloon gif: https://i.imgur.com/96ld4oz.gifv Sweet spot discussion starts 18:50 The podcast lives at https://www.thehyperfine.com/ Join our listener community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheHyperfine/ Follow the show on Instagram @thehyperfine: https://www.instagram.com/thehyperfine/ Derek on Instagram (and Twitter) @liketortilla: https://www.instagram.com/liketortilla/ Zak on Twitter @phyzaks: https://twitter.com/phyzaks