Dr. Carlson's Science Theater

Dr. Carlson's Science Theater episodes:

• 11.16.2009

  Entropy - Episode 39

  Entropy. It's why everything seems to break down and get messy. It is something that comes about when you have lots and lots of little things (like atoms) that can be in several possible "states" (no, not Florida). The more...

  
• 01.16.2009

  Walking on Water - Episode 38

  Winter is in the air, and it's cold out on the lake making it pretty easy to walk on water. Dr. Carlson visits his parents and takes time out to explain some cool science concepts that can occur when your...

  
• 12.22.2008

  Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle - Episode 37

  Physics tells us that you can't know exactly where you are and where you are going at the same time! Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle explains that you can't measure a particle's exact velocity and location, Dr. Carlson takes on the challenge...

  
• 10.20.2008

  A Particle Experiment - Episode 36

  Pity the poor high energy particle physicists. In order to perform an experiment, they have to destroy whatever they're looking at. Dr. Carlson explains how experiments on tiny particles are tricky. It's not easy to run experiments on things that...

  
• 05.07.2008

  Quantum Mechanics - Episode 35

  Can you change reality just by looking at it? Dr. Carlson says no! Watch on to see just what we mean when scientists talk about observers determining reality in this down-to-earth explanation of Quantum Mechanics. Science Theater Episode 35: Quantum...

  
• 04.03.2008

  Brainteaser 02 - A Straight Line

  Is the best path between two points a straight line? The second video in our brainteaser series challenges the viewer (you) to predict and explain any differences in the path of two rolling balls. Can you figure it out before...

  
• 03.20.2008

  Brainteaser 01 - Rolling Uphill

  Do you have what it takes to explain science? Try to explain how this object actually rolls uphill in this episode. This video is the first of several Brainteaser episodes where you, the viewer, are presented with a problem and...

  
• 03.03.2008

  The Sweat Episode - Episode 34

  Yes, he's done freezing by boiling before, but this time Dr. Carlson uses liquid nitrogen, a special tube, and a little water to demonstrate the power of sweat! Science Theater Episode 34: The Sweat Episode

  
• 02.04.2008

  Making Clouds - Episode 33

  How to make a cloud in a bottle in four easy steps. Dr. Carlson takes on a giant glass ball of green liquid in an attempt to eplain how clouds are formed. In a never-before seen feature, this episode even...

  
• 11.28.2007

  Fluorescence - Episode 32

  Fluorescence, it's almost as hard to explain as it is to spell. Dr. Carlson explains how his favorite color (neon) is such a shiny glowy thing and how detergents can get your clothes "whiter than white!" Science Theater Episode 32:...

  
• 11.07.2007

  Liquid Air - Episode 31

  Liquid air? Once Nitrogen gas becomes really, really cold it becomes a liquid. Once you have really, a really cold liquid, you can use it to make other things cold. Really, really cold things behave differently. Join Dr. Carlson to...

  
• 10.24.2007

  States of Matter - Episode 30

  Sure, gas-liquid-solid... you've seen it all before, but have you seen air as a gas, air as a liquid, and air as a solid? Dr. Carlson explains the three most common states of matter and shows off how to make...

  
• 10.03.2007

  Interview with a Scientist - Marc Caffee (Part 2)

  We're back at PRIME lab to take a look at the giant particle accelerator. Learn the process of taking a glacier rock, pounding it to smithereens, and then shooting it down a beam at hundreds of miles an hour, just...

  
• 09.20.2007

  Interview with a Scientist - Marc Caffee

  There's nothing like taking tiny little bits of rock and smashing them with Cesium to send them on an electrical journey at ultra high speeds. That's just what happens in the particle accelerator at Purdue's PRIME Lab. In our most...

  
• 09.07.2007

  Center of Mass - Episode 29

  When does a tower tip and fall? When its center of mass is no longer over its base. Dr. Carlson plays with blocks and walks the plank in order to illustrate the power of center of mass. Science Theater Episode...

  
• 08.23.2007

  Interview with a Scientist - Ken Ritchie

  Lasers and bacterial cells - they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Prof. Ken Ritchie, Professor of Physics at Purdue uses lasers to "light up" individual molecules on the surface of cells. By taking pictures and videos of these...

  
• 08.08.2007

  Mirrors and Images - Episode 28

  Mirrors don't let you see things that aren't there, they let you see things from an entirely different position! Your image in a mirror is what someone else would see if they were standing behind the mirror. It's all a...

  
• 07.23.2007

  The Doppler Effect - Episode 27

  When cars go screeching by your ear, their pitch changes due to the Doppler Effect. See and hear the Doppler Effect explained before your very eyes! Learn how the Doppler Effect even helps astronomers look at stars. Science Theater Episode...

  
• 07.05.2007

  Waves - Episode 26

  Waves of light, waves of sound, waves of water, waves of fire. Wait, waves of FIRE? Check out the three main categories of waves, and try to guess where waves of fire fit into the mix... Science Theater Episode 26:...

  
• 06.21.2007

  Interview with a Scientist - Erica Carlson

  What does a condensed matter physicist study? Floating magnets for one. In our second interview segment, Dr. Carlson meets Professor Carlson to discuss her research. Prof. Erica Carlson discusses her research on one-dimensional electron gasses (and how it applies to...

  
• 06.14.2007

  Electricity - Episode 25

  Electrons and protons are tiny, but they can move large objects! Watch several demonstrations showing the power and behavior of electrons, electricity, and their response to electromagnetic waves. Science Theater Episode 25: Electricity

  
• 05.31.2007

  Angular Momentum - Episode 24

  Ice skaters spin faster by hugging themselves tight, but what does that have to do with riding a bicycle? In both cases, the law of conservation of angular momentum is in effect. Watch a few more angular momentum examples! Science...

  
• 05.16.2007

  Eddy Currents - Episode 23

  Sure, Spiderman can stop a block of falling metal, but so can science! Find out how magnets force electrons to move around in little circles, which can cause a falling piece of metal to slow down and nearly stop. Magnetic...

  
• 04.26.2007

  Interview Special Part 2 - Daniela Bortoletto

  Prof. Bortoletto gives us a tour of her lab where they construct tiny chips used in particle accelerators to detect high energy particles. You've heard the theory, now see the hardware! Science Theater Interview 02: Daniela Bortoletto (part 2)

  
• 04.18.2007

  Special! - Interview with a Scientist - Daniela Bortoletto

  Tune in to hear an interview with a real, live high energy physicist! In the first of an occasional series, Dr. Carlson sits down with an actual Physics professor to discuss her research. This week, we meet Prof. Daniela Bortoletto...

  
• 04.05.2007

  Shoot the Monkey - Episode 22

  Dr. Carlson shoots a monkey in this classic demonstration of two dimensional motion. If you want to hit an object that is about to be dropped, do you aim above, at, or below it? The answer is a few short...

  
• 03.21.2007

  Motion in Two Dimensions - Episode 21

  If you can drop it, you can throw it. Dr. Carlson throws stuff around to show how projectiles fall. (Also known as 2-dimensional motion) Science Theater Episode 21: Motion in Two Dimensions

  
• 02.14.2007

  Pendulums - Episode 20

  Dr. Carlson faces down fear and speeding bowling balls in an effort to demonstrate his faith in Physics and Pendulums. Science Theater Episode 20: Pendulums

  
• 12.19.2006

  Thermal Conduction - Episode 19

  Ever boil water in a paper cup? The power of fire and flames is harnessed to explain how heat can move around in: Science Theater Episode 19: Thermal Conduction

  
• 11.21.2006

  Buoyancy - Episode 18

  Why do you feel "lighter" when you are floating around in a tub of water? What does that have to do with bringing home balloons in your car? Find out the answers in: Science Theater Episode 18: Buoyancy

  
• 11.02.2006

  The Bernoulli Effect - Episode 17

  Want the fastest way to redecorate a tree using toilet paper? Use Science! Specifically, use the Bernoulli Effect - one of the principles involved in helping airplanes fly! Science Theater Episode 17: The Bernoulli Effect

  
• 10.11.2006

  Circular Motion - Episode 16

  What do merry-go-rounds have to do with artificial gravity? Lean about the science of spinning when Dr. Carlson talks about circular motion and the centripetal force. Science Theater Episode 16: Circular Motion

  
• 09.27.2006

  Fun with a Vacuum - Episode 15

  If you have an empty jar, is it really empty? Take all the air out of it and you have a vacuum. When the pressure drops due to a vacuum, everything begins to behave in strange ways. Watch and see!...

  
• 09.12.2006

  Inertia, Newton's First Law - Episode 14

  If you want to move it, you have to push it! Things don't change their movement on their own, and scientists often call this the Law of Inertia. Watch as Dr. Carlson shows off an amazing series of demonstrations where...

  
• 08.30.2006

  The Return of Density - Episode 13

  Some things float in water and others sink, but can the same thing both float and sink? Better yet, Dr. Carlson demonstrates water that sinks in water. Science Theater Episode 13: Density Changes

  
• 08.16.2006

  Density - Episode 12

  Long-time viewers realize that Dr. Carlson is dense. In this episode, dignity is again laid on the line as we find out exactly how dense is... Dr. Carlson. Science Theater Episode 12: Density

  
• 08.01.2006

  Thermodynamics and Temperature - Episode 11

  Is nothing as thrilling as watching ice melt? Why do metals feel cold, while wood feels warm to the touch? All this and more in... Science Theater Episode 11: Thermodynamics and Temperature

  
• 07.26.2006

  Welcome to 2006 AAPT visitors

  I recently travelled to Syracuse, NY to present a short paper on podcasting science content at the AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers). For those who attended my talk (and any other curious folks), you may download the powerpoint file,...

  
• 07.23.2006

  Concentration and Reaction Rates - Episode 10

  Making Elephant Toothpaste is as simple as mixing two chemicals - causing an explosion of foamy science goodness. We take a look at two reactions with hydrogen peroxide to see how the concentration of H2O2 affects the rate of the...

  
• 07.07.2006

  Newton's Third Law - Episode 9

  How can a rocket engine lift itself off the ground? Push a wall and you will be pushed back. Newton's Third Law of Motion states that every force has an equal force applied in the opposite direction. If air, trapped...

  
• 05.27.2006

  Special Edition - Orange Crush Chemistry

  Who doesn't like a student pep rally? See the amazing blue colors turn orange! Marvel at the amazing orange colors turning blue! In this film, recently recovered from the archive, we see how science can have just as much orange...

  
• 04.27.2006

  Packing Peanuts - Episode 8

  The mystery of styrofoam packing peanuts is revealed in this shocking episode demonstrating.... hmm, well it demonstrates cool stuff. After all, if you can't dissolve packing peanuts when you feel like it, what's the point of science anyway? Science Theater...

  
• 04.16.2006

  Free Fall - Episode 7

  What does it feel like to float in outer space? How do satellites orbit the Earth? These mysteries, and more, are explained in this short video about gravity, orbits, and free fall. Science Theater Episode 7: Free Fall

  
• 03.22.2006

  Freezing by Boiling - Episode 6

  It seems unnatural, but the laws of physics don't lie. Liquids require heat to boil, and if the conditions are right one liquid can be boiled in order to freeze a second. Under a vacuum, the water in an acetone/water...

  
• 02.22.2006

  Temperature - Episode 5

  Hot stuff and cold science explain temperature and its affect on chemical reactions. Crowd-pleasing lightsticks make their return in this episode focusing on temperature. Science Theater Episode 5: Temperature

  
• 02.01.2006

  Air Pressure - Episode 4

  Can-crushing, balloon-inflating, juice-box-drinking action in this study of air pressure: how it happens, what it is, and why. Science Theater Episode 4: Air Pressure

  
• 01.14.2006

  Protein Folding - Episode 3

  Eggs turn white when fried because their protiens are unfolded by the heat. Much of your body is made of large molecules called proteins that can perform chemical reactions. Proteins are like long strands of pearls that can fold up...

  
• 01.06.2006

  Photons of Light - Episode 2

  LEDs and photosensitive paper show light be a particle in this demonstration explaining how light comes in little "packets" that we call photons. Colored LEDs make phosphorescent paper glow only if their color (frequency) of light is high enough in...

  
• 12.22.2005

  Episode 1 - Mixing Light

  Liquid light can be mixed to create pure white light. In the premiere episode, "lightstick juice" is used to demonstrate how red, green, and blue light can be mixed to create white light. All it takes is a few colored...