2004 Clips from The Whys GuyTM
Remember: Science is fun, but some of the experiments shown here are dangerous and should not be tried at home.
For best results, the latest version of Windows Media Player should be used to view the streaming video clips posted below.
1/7/2004:
Clip 1 - Mars Rover, Polarization of light (9 MB)
Clip 2 - Polarizers, calcite, birefringence (10 MB)
Assignments for next time:
Please check out the Mars Rover websites (here and here)
and send me any interesting questions that come to mind.1/14/2004:
Clip 1 - Polarization & optically active materials (tape & plastic) (11 MB)
Clip 2 - Polarization & optically active materials (stress & syrup) (10 MB)
Assignments for next time:
Explain what a liquid crystal display has to do with polarization.1/21/2004:
Clip 1 - How LCD displays work (not taped)
Clip 2 - Using microwaves to show how polarizers really work (not taped)
- My VCR messed up; sorry.
Some great websites explaining LCD displays can be found here and here.
Assignments for next time:
Give me some suggestions for how we might measure the speed of light on next weeks show.1/28/2004:
Clip 1 - Measuring the speed of light with a microwave oven and an egg (10 MB)
Clip 2 - Measuring the speed of light with a pulser and oscilloscope (9 MB)
Assignments for next time:
Give me some suggestions for how we might measure the speed of light on next weeks show.2/4/2004 (With Paul Kwiat):
Clip 1 - Measuring the speed of light with a laser (8 MB)
Clip 2 - Slowing light down with a piece of glass (9 MB)
Assignments for next time:
1. Explain the "Mystery Tube" (see second clip).
2. Give me some ideas for measuring the speed of sound.2/11/2004 (surprise Valentines Day segment):
Clip 1 - How a Love Meter works and what this has to do with "Dunking Birds" (9 MB)
Assignments for next time:
What kinds of materials are good at conducting heat?2/18/2004:
Clip 1 - Heat conduction (rods in LN2) & dud LN2 explosion (12 MB)
Clip 2 - Much better LN2 explosion (2 MB)
Assignments for next time:
What are some ways that insects make sounds ?2/25/2004:
Clip 1 - Insects making sound (8 MB)
Clip 2 - African scorpion & Mr. Spider the Tarantula (9 MB)
Assignments for next time:
How can we measure the speed of sound in water ?3/3/2004:
Clip 1 - Measuring the speed of sound in air and in aluminum (12 MB)
Question for next time:
How does an ultrasound machine work ?3/10/2004:
Clip 1 - Ultrasound (7 MB)
Clip 2 - Ultrasound & Doppler Shift (10 MB)
Question for next time:
How do clouds form?3/17/2004:
Clip 1 - Making cloud in a bottle - good explanation but demo fails (9 MB)
Clip 2 - Making cloud in a bottle - demo works great (2 MB)
Look here for instructions on how to make your own clouds.
Question for next time:
What are some common simple machines?3/31/2004:
Clip 1 - Simple Machines: Pulleys, Ramps (9 MB)
Clip 2 - Simple Machines: Levers (8 MB)
Question for next time:
What is the Coriolis effect and what does it have to do with weather?4/7/2004:
Clip 1 - Hurricanes - convection and latent heat (8 MB)
Clip 2 - Hurricanes - Coriolis effect (8 MB)
Question for next time:
How do magnets work and why are they important?4/21/2004:
Clip 1 - Measuring the earths magnetic field (9 MB)
Clip 2 - Making a ball launcher using magnets (8 MB)
Question for next time:
What should we do for Roberts birthday?4/28/2004:
Clip 1 - Making ice cream for Robert (10 MB)
Question for next time:
Why do we have seasons?5/12/2004:
Clip 1 - Why we have seasons (12 MB)
Clip 2 - Tracking the movement of the sun (7 MB)
Question for next time:
What causes the different phases of the moon?5/19/2004:
Clip 1 - The moon: Why it has different phases. (10 MB)
Clip 2 - The moon: Tides. (9 MB)
Question for next time:
How come lasers are red?5/26/2004:
Clip 1 - Light & Lasers. (10 MB)
Clip 2 - Light & Lasers. (9 MB)
Question for next time:
What is the Transit of Venus, and why should you care?6/2/2004:
1 - Planets and Orbits.
2 - The Transit of Venus.6/23/2004:
Clip 1 - Electric Pickle. (11 MB)
Clip 2 - Summer solstice. (7 MB)
Next time: 4th of July preparation special6/30/2004 (pre July 4th special):
Clip 1 - Chemical booms (10 MB)
Clip 2 - LN2 Explosions. (9 MB)
More Exploding Watermelons: clip1, clip2.
Click here for an explanation. (See also June 30, 2004 clips)7/7/2004 (From the Orpheum Science Museum):
1 - Preview of some exhibits.
2 - Simple machines & plug for Saturday program7/21/2004:
Clip 1 - Surface tension ("floating" metal on water). (9 MB)
Clip 2 - Surface tension (boat races). (7 MB)7/28/2004:
Clip 1 - Soap Bubbles (how they work & what they do). (13 MB)
Clip 2 - Soap Bubbles (and light). (8 MB)
Look here for a good website with bobble facts & recipes.8/4/2004:
Clip 1 - Lightning (VandeGraaff). (8 MB)
Clip 2 - Charges & Hair (VandeGraaff). (8 MB)
Look here for a good description of lightning & thunder.