9:43
In Wind Tunnels, Ski Jumpers Become Flying Machines
Wind tunnels help Olympic ski jumpers balance between lift and drag.
6:42
For Some Olympians, Winning Medals Is All About Flow
Understanding fluid dynamics helps Olympians shave minutes off race times.
6:32
Crafting the ‘Fastest Ice on Earth’
Marc Norman obsessively monitors the ice at the Utah Olympic Oval to create the perfect skating surface.
9:53
Ice Science a Slippery Quandary for Physicists
Friction researcher and avid curler Robert Carpick discusses the tricky physics of ice.
34:21
Could There Be a Crisis in Physics?
Physicist Lawrence Krauss and Nobel Laureates Frank Wilczek and Brian Schmidt discuss current cosmic challenges.
16:53
Alan Alda’s Challenge to Scientists: Define Color
Alda’s ‘Flame Challenge’ asks scientists to explain color—with children as the judges.
13:36
Sara Paretsky: ‘Critical Mass’
In “Critical Mass,” a crime writer draws inspiration from an overlooked physics pioneer.
16:50
Is the Universe Built on Math?
In “The Mathematical Universe,” physicist Max Tegmark argues that the universe is completely mathematical.
18:01
Wine Science: Deconstructing ‘Terroir’ in the Lab
Chemist Gavin Sacks says talk of terroir may often be simply a clever marketing ploy.
6:10
Out of the Bottle: Tricks of the Trade
Popular wine jargon such as “breathing,” “corked,” and “wine tears” gets translated into chemistry you can understand.