The Royal Institution

Professor of Chemical Nanoscience Neil Champness explores the future of nanoscale machines. Can we build a machine simply from molecules at the nanoscale? Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The idea of building machines that are only nanometres in size is a dream that has formed the basis of Hollywood movies. How realistic is such a goal and how would we go about tackling the challenges that lie in wait? How do we begin to build a machine simply from molecules? Join Neil Champness to explore the future of nanoscale machines.

Can you smash a wine glass with your voice? Dr Kevin Fong finds out. Subscribe for regular science video‘’ into space. With Tim Peake, Britain's first astronaut on the International Space Station, only days into his 6 month mission, he helps Kevin answer what keeps astronauts safe and on track as they're propelled into orbit. How do you control the energy of 300 tonnes of liquid fuel? What happens to your body if you don’t wear a spacesuit? And how do you catch up with a space station travelling at 17,500 mph to finally get inside? With explosive live experiments, guest astronauts in the Theatre and planetary scientist, Monica Grady, direct from the launch pad in Kazakhstan, learn this and more as we recreate those thrilling minutes of ‘Lift off’. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Dr Kevin Fong takes a trip on a parabolic flight (the ‘vomit comet’) to see what it’s like to play t‘’, where the ball travels in nearly perfect straight lines. In the second his CHRISTMAS LECTURES, space doctor, Kevin Fong explores 'Life in orbit' on board the International Space Station. As British astronaut Tim Peake settles in to his new home on the Station he sends special reports about what it takes to live and work in space. 400 km above the Earth, hurtling at a speed of 17,500 mph, astronauts' bones and muscles waste away, the oxygen they breathe is artificially made, they face constant threats from micrometeorites, radiation and extreme temperatures. If a medical emergency strikes, Tim Peake is a very long way from home! In its 15 year lifetime, the International Space Station has never had a major accident. With a British astronaut in orbit, gravity defying experiments and guest astronauts in the lecture theatre Dr Kevin Fong shows us how to survive 'Life in orbit.' The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Richard Dawkins discusses the key individuals, institutions and ideas that have inspired and motivated him s‘’ in 1976. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe You can buy Richard's autobiography "Brief Candle in the Dark" here - https://geni.us/UNXt In conversation with Professor Alice Roberts, Richard Dawkins describes his life as a scientist that has taken him from the Panama Canal, to encounters with the greatest scientific minds of the 20th Century. He reflects on his efforts to popularise scientific ideas, through bestselling books, fiery debates and presenting the 1991 CHRISTMAS LECTURES. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

Dr Kevin Fong puts his faith in science, and drinks his own wee after it’s been filtered through a semi-permeable membrane. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe In the third and final of the 2015 CHRISTMAS LECTURES, space doctor Kevin Fong explores the 'The next frontier' of human space travel. In a series finale, Kevin investigates how the next generation of astronauts will be propelled across the vast chasm of space to Mars and beyond, with explosive demonstrations, expert guests, and a live spacewalk from the ISS. So, how will life be artificially sustained as we travel the millions of kilometres to the Red Planet and on into the cosmos? How will our food last for 3 years or more? And what is waiting what for us when we finally land? With earth shattering experiments, top space scientists and a spacewalk live from the ISS, Dr Kevin Fong reveals how we'll survive that voyage to space's next frontier’ and beyond... The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

The ideas of genetics are revolutionary. Today, technology is galvanising disruptive change in our understanding and ability to intervene with nature itself. What can we change, and should we? Professor Alison Woollard presents the 2015 Genetics Society JBS Haldane Lecture. Watch the Q&A here: https://youtu.be/iPnkKf2FaTA Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe It is an everyday observation that the offspring of elephants are elephants and the offspring of humans are humans. Our biology is, quite literally, written in our DNA, and the copying and transmission of this genetic information is the most extraordinary process on earth. The ideas of genetics are revolutionary, from Mendel’s perfect 19th century description of the mechanism of heredity, through the molecular revolutions of the 20th century to the present day. Today, new technologies are galvanising disruptive change, not only in our understanding of biology, but in our ability to intervene in the very nature of life itself. What can we change? How? Why? And indeed, should we meddle at all? “The bravest”, said Thucydides, “Are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it”. See if you agree. Find out more about the JBS Haldane Lectures on the Genetics Society website: http://www.genetics.org.uk/Prizes/JBSHaldaneLecture.aspx Alison Woollard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford where she is also a Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford. She gave the 2013 CHRISTMAS LECTURES, 'Life Fantastic' Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsl

Andrew Szydlo returns with a visually spectacular performance explaining the science along the way. Fiery rea

Fay Dowker tells the story of general relativity and its interactions with Newtonian physics, from Galileo to cutti

You can also download this talk as a podcast. Listen here, or search Ri Science Podcast in your ap’

Astrophysicist John Gribbin presents his own version of the ‘Holy Grail’ of physics, bringing quantum theory and the general theory of relativity together in one mathematical package offering the answer to life and the universe. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Watch the Q&A here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL6fWOJWvFc The 20th century gave us two great theories of physics. The general theory of relativity describes the behaviour of very large things, quantum theory the behaviour of very small things. But how can these theories be combined into a ‘theory of everything'? John Gribbin is a Visiting Fellow in Astronomy at the University of Sussex, where he has worked on the problem of determining the age of the Universe. He now spends his time writing and, after working for the journal Nature and New Scientist, he has produced many books including 'In Search of Schrödinger's Cat', 'In Search of the Double Helix' and 'In Search of the Big Bang'. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

We're delighted to announce that... okay, okay, we're just kidding. This was a little April fools silliness. Read all about it here: http://rigb.org/blog/2016/april/2016-april-fools And subscribe for regular *real* science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Michael de Crespigny is Professor of Planetary Research and Engroupings at the University of Pimlico, and Chair of the Interplanetary Harmony Committee. He is a lecturer in cosmic connectivity, and his research group specialises in experimental proofs of celestial motion and its relation to human and animal life on Earth. Michael read Natural Sciences at Uxbridge University, before completing his PhD in quantum pigeonholing. In the past he has worked with research groups and key figures from NASA, CERN and CBBC to search for testable explanations for the way the stars predict his life. Read more here: http://rigb.org/about/news/spring-201... The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Frank James showcases' Humphry Davy's experimental development of his miners' safety lamp, that saved thousands of lives. Watch our short film about the Davy lamp: https://youtu.be/rhavaxv3a40 Watch the Q&A here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i22r058GC0 One of the last acts of Tsar Alexander I before his death in 1825 was to give Humphry Davy a silver-gilt cup — the Davy cup. It was a token of gratitude for Davy’s invention of the miners’ safety lamp ten years before. With appropriately explosive demonstrations, Frank James showcases Davy’s experimental development of his lamp while reflecting on the relationship between science and the state symbolised by the Davy cup, a treasure from the Ri's Faraday Museum. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Is zero really a number? How did it come about? Hannah Fry tells the story of how zero went from n’’t always seen as that, and it still doesn’t act quite like other numbers. Can you divide by zero, for example? Hannah Fry explains how zero came about, from its origins in ancient civilisations, through the resistance it faced from the Roman numeral system, to being the cornerstone of calculus. Watch more of our lovingly crafted animations about science and maths here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZwhNhy8qucR15N1_X1iZJzv And if you enjoyed this video, subscribe: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Writer Ben Miller leads Jim Al-Khalili through our search for alien life in the Universe. Watch the Q&A that followed this discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VDPmqwG9rM Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Ben's book "The Aliens Are Coming!: The Exciting and Extraordinary Science Behind Our Search for Life in the Universe" is available to purchase now - https://geni.us/Sc9Ep For millennia, we have looked up at the stars and wondered whether we are alone in the Universe. In the last few years, scientists have made huge strides towards answering that question. Comedian and bestselling science writer Ben Miller is in conversation with Jim Al-Khalili, taking us on a fantastic voyage of discovery, from the beginnings of life on earth to the very latest search for alien intelligence. Ben Miller is a science writer and comedian. After studying physics at Cambridge and beginning a PhD, he left to pursue a career in comedy. He is now half of one of Britain's most popular TV comedy duo, Armstrong & Miller, and a successful actor, but has always maintained a passionate interest in science. He maintains this interest through science writing. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

Judith Mank leads a tour of how sex is genetically programmed and how sex differences evolve. Watch

Matthew Tosh, one of the UK’s leading pyrotechnicians, explains how fireworks and explosions are safely performed in a journey from fundamental combustion to the complex and visual effects seen around the world. Subscribe for more talks like this: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe How do we make gunpowder and launch fireworks in the air? How do they create the intricate patterns in the sky at firework displays or the bangs, whistles and crackles for sound effects? Matthew Tosh reveals the inner workings of a pyrotechnic extravaganza with fiery demos and explosive bangs. Matthew Tosh is a presenter, broadcaster and pyrotechnician. He’s built a reputation for bringing energy, enthusiasm and creative “spark” to events, live performances, television, radio and education projects. He is particularly well-known for his live event work involving fireworks and pyrotechnics all over the UK. Matthew has supervised fireworks as part of the London 2012 Torch Relay, as well as at many live orchestra concerts, awards ceremonies and, of course, Bonfire season displays. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Do you have weight in space? Is weightlessness an absence of gravity, or actually an absence of forces°’s a more subtle understanding of weight as something we feel and discuss every day. How these two ideas fit together can cause some confusion, particularly when the idea of weightlessness and astronauts in orbit on the ISS is introduced. When we tackled weightlessness for the 2016 CHRISTMAS LECTURES and our online series, A Place Called Space in December last year, we spent a long time thinking about weight. This video shares some of those thoughts. For example, when you’re in freefall, are you weightless? Is weightlessness a consequence of freefall, or is freefall, in fact, a consequence of weightlessness? Andy explains. You can watch our series all about space: https://youtu.be/IcjYdEW_HLQ?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZya_Zn8tCOgnzVG1-poingi Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Evolutionary biologist Sean B Carroll reveals how a few simple rules govern all life on earth, from

In the first of a new series, Kate answers your questions from the comments sections. If nitrogen triiodide is so unstable, how do you make it in the first place? How many dimensions are there? And why doesn’t the Earth fall into the sun? Kate has the answers. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Have more questions you’d like Kate to answer? Stick them in the comments section below! Watch the videos featured: Slow Motion Contact Explosive - Nitrogen Triiodide: https://youtu.be/DFfRqoIdArM?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyfUXqroIlSf2hOznnThqM0 The Story of Spacetime – with Fay Dowker: https://youtu.be/XtptrdsToXU?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz256ho3Q4gt7YrF2xApo5g Four Dimensional Maths: Things to See and Hear in the Fourth Dimension with Matt Parker https://youtu.be/1wAaI_6b9JE?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZz256ho3Q4gt7YrF2xApo5g Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Have new brain imaging techniques really revealed that wome‘’ for their gender roles? Or has neuroscience become misappropriated to justify gender gaps? Professor of cognitive neuroimaging Gina Rippon investigates. Subscribe for weekly science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Watch the Q&A: https://youtu.be/1swI97JbuUA You can buy Gina's book "The Gendered Brain" now - https://geni.us/EHzSGx There is a long history of debate about biological sex differences and their part in determining gender roles, with the ‘biology is destiny’ mantra being used to legitimise imbalances in these roles. The tradition is continuing, with new brain imaging techniques being hailed as sources of evidence of the ‘essential’ differences between men and women, and the concept of ‘hardwiring’ sneaking into popular parlance as a brain-based explanation for all kinds of gender gaps. But the field is littered with many problems. Some are the product of ill-informed popular science writing (neurotrash) based on the misunderstanding or misrepresentation of what brain imaging can tell us. Some, unfortunately involve poor science, with scientists using outdated and disproved stereotypes to design and interpret their research (neurosexism). These problems obscure or ignore the ‘neuronews’, the breakthroughs in our understanding of how plastic and permeable our brains are, and how the concept of ‘hard-wiring’ should be condemned to the dustbin of neurohistory. This talk aims to offer ways of rooting out the neurotrash, stamping out the neurosexism and making way for neuronews. Gina Rippon is Professor of Cognitive Neuroimaging at Aston University. Her research involves the application of brain imaging techniques, particularly electroencephalography, (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), to studies of normal and abnormal cognitive processes. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-s

Fusion energy has the potential to be one of the most important

Andy uses a carrot gun to discuss the hazards of micrometeoroid impa’’re familiar with it is really determined by the chemical bonds that holds it together, rather than the atoms and molecules themselves. At extreme speeds, collisions have so much kinetic energy that all of an object’s chemical bonds are likely to be broken, in effect resulting in a high-energy explosion as unbound atoms hurtle out in all directions. So how do spacecraft protect themselves from these superfast threats? One approach is to use a Whipple shield – two layers of shield separated by a gap. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

In a lightning tour of human reasoning, world-renowned psychologist Richard Nisbett shines a new light on the ––Malcolm Gladwell Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

Russell Foster, Debra Skene and Stafford Lightman discuss the science of sleep. Why do we need sleep and what are the physiological processes driving our circadian rhythm? When is our circadian clock disrupted and how does this affect our health? Cognitive neuroscientist Vincent Walsh chairs the debate. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The science behind sleeplessness can help us understand our rhythms so we can live better and healthier lives. While hormones, such a melatonin, play a role in driving our circadian clock, the amount of sleep we get and our sleep cycles also affect our hormonal release patterns, with far-reaching implications on our health. Cognitive neuroscientist Vincent Walsh chairs a discussion with a panel of experts who specialise in circadian rhythms. They explore how light detection plays a role in our sleep-wake cycles, how hormone release is regulated and the implications of changes to our circadian clock and sleeplessness over time. This event was supported by British Psychological Society and Society for Endocrinology. Russell Foster is Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. The research interests of his group range across visual neuroscience, circadian rhythms and sleep. You can buy his book "The Rhythms Of Life" now - https://geni.us/N1AjGJx Debra Skene is Professor of Neuroendocrinology at the University of Surrey. She leads the research group 'Sleep, Chronobiology and Addiction' and her research focusses on links between human circadian clocks, sleep and metabolism in health, circadian disorders and metabolic diseases. Stafford Lightman is Professor of Medicine at Bristol University. Researching the mechanisms of stress-related disease, his research has particularly looked at how neuroendocrine rhythms signal to other tissues in the body. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr:

Carol Robinson’s ecce–

Climate models have revolutionised our understanding of the world. Julia Slingo, Met Office Chief Scientist and High Level Group Scientific Advisor to the European Commission, examines the processes which control the climate system and how they are encapsulated in models. Watch the Q&A here: https://youtu.be/8kk96tTcdJo Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Climate change is arguably one of the greatest challenges that human civilisation will face in the 21st century. We may be taking the planet into uncharted territory, so how can climate science help us to navigate the challenges ahead? Dame Julia Slingo is the Met Office Chief Scientist and has responsibility for its scientific research and development. She is also visiting professor at the Unviersity of Reading's Department of Meteorology. In 2015, Julia Slingo was appointed one of the seven members of the High Level Group of Scientific Advisors of the European Commission Scientific Advice Mechanism. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Sheila Rowan explains the nature of gravitational waves, where they come from

Do ghosts exist? Is there any evidence for the paranormal? With millions believing in parano‘’. Opinion polls show that the majority of the general public accepts that paranormal phenomena do occur. Such widespread experience of and belief in the paranormal can only mean one of two things. Either the paranormal is real, in which case this should be accepted by the wider scientific community which currently rejects such claims; or else belief in and experience of ostensibly paranormal phenomena can be fully explained in terms of psychological factors. Chris French provides an introduction to the sub-discipline of anomalistic psychology, which may be defined as the study of extraordinary phenomena of behaviour and experience, in an attempt to provide non-paranormal explanations in terms of known psychological and physical factors. Chris French is Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London. His research focusses on the psychology of paranormal belief and ostensibly paranormal experiences, the belief in conspiracy theories and false memories. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

From the statisticians forecasting sports scores to the intelligent bots beating human po

In the last decade we have started to answer ageo-old questions like the age of the Universe and what it contains. Hiranya Peiris unravels the detective story, explaining what we know and how we know it. Watch the Q&A: https://youtu.be/63JbKXfedRE Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Modern fundamental physics contains ideas just as revolutionary as those of Copernicus or Newton; ideas that may radically change our understanding of the world; ideas such as extra dimensions of space, or the possible existence of other universes. Testing these concepts requires enormous energies, far higher than what is achievable by the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and in fact, beyond any conceivable Earth-bound experiments. However, at the Big Bang, the Universe itself performed the ultimate experiment and left clues and evidence about what was behind the origin of the cosmos as we know it, and how it is evolving. And the biggest clue is the afterglow of the Big Bang itself. In the past decade we have been able to answer age-old questions accurately, such as how old the Universe is, what it contains, and its destiny. Along with these answers have also come many exciting new questions. Join Hiranya Peiris to unravel the detective story, explaining what we have uncovered, and how we know what we know. Hiranya Peiris is Professor of Astrophysics in the Astrophysics Group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London. She is also the Principal Investigator of the CosmicDawn project, funded by the European Research Council She is also a member of the Planck Collaboration and of the ongoing Dark Energy Survey, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Her work both delves into the Cosmic Microwave Background and contributes towards the next generation galaxy surveys that will yield deep insights into the evolution of the Universe. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_s

How do you power a particle accelerator firing beams of protons 50 times a second into a heavy metal target? The ISIS neutron and muon source provides a near constant stream of particles for a huge range of research uses. Take a look at what it takes to keep a decades-old particle accelerator running. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Building up enough power in a proton beam to pull neutrons out of atoms requires a huge amount of energy. To efficiently power the machines, the research facility at ISIS relies on a custom electrical system that uses a resonance circuit to establish the strong magnetic fields needed many times per second. This system, however, is built in-part around rigid technology that was inherited from a previous machine when ISIS was built. We take a look at the major engineering project to upgrade the power system of a particle accelerator, and see what it takes to keep control of a machine this complex. ISIS is owned and operated by the UK government, through the Science and Technology Facilities Council, as a major resource and facility for UK researchers. This video is supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Particle accelerators aren't just for studying particle physics. Suzie Sheehy explains how accelerator

In particle accelerators, beams of particles are focused and fired forward at almost the speed of light. But how are those particles controlled? With the help of two visual demonstrations, Suzie Sheehy explains. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Watch Suzie's lecture on her research and the future of particle accelerators: https://youtu.be/jLmciZdh5j4 And watch our film on how to power a particle accelerator: https://youtu.be/-F9EqYLQKYI Keeping a handle on particles is key to the huge range of applications particle accelerators have. The machines accelerate beams of particles using electric and magnetic fields. Suzie uses a ‘Paul trap’ to show how rapidly oscillating currents are used to keep particles on track. A ball on the saddle apparatus is kept in the centre by the rising sides. But that only controls the ball in one direction, meaning it can drop off. Magnetic or electric fields are similar, and can only direct particles in one plane at a time. When the kit begins to spin, though, the alternating position of the rising sides means the ball is contained in the center. This has the same effect that quadrupole magnets in an accelerator have, constantly alternating gradients to keep particles in line. Using a more sophisticated setup, a quadrupole linear Paul trap, pollen grains can be held in place in a beam just as particles in an accelerator would be. Oscillating fields established across rods on opposite corners of the system keep the pollen particles trapped. Without the rapidly changing fields, the particles would just shoot off in one direction; it’s the changes that keep them from escaping in one or the other direction. These simple analogies show how particle accelerators guide particles into focused beams, to be harnessed for a huge range of applications. This video is supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://ww

What can a particle accelerator teach us about biology? Dr Sylvia McLain explains her research into one of the most fundamental questions of life: how water is involved protein folding. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Watch our film about the ISIS Neutron Source in our video on powering a particle accelerator: https://youtu.be/-F9EqYLQKYI?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZx0mVe9wGxg5kyKdofRJJ7m And find out how accelerators actually trap particles: https://youtu.be/LR_aNOcnH0Q?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZx0mVe9wGxg5kyKdofRJJ7m Water’s role in sustaining life is well known. But for many years, scientists assumed that water was something of a passive medium in which biological processes happened. Proteins fold in precise ways again and again, and the role of water has long been belittled. Most techniques used to study proteins cannot take into account the presence of water. Dr Sylvia McLain, a University Research Lecturer within the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, and her team are using the ISIS Neutron Source to test the role water plays in protein folding, and are finding that it may not be quite as passive at it seems. This film is supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Thanks to St Peter's College, Oxford for letting us film in their beautiful library. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Nobel Prize winner Art McDonald tells the story of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory,

Psychologist Charles Fernyhough reveals how our inner voices play a vital part in thinking t

Particle accelerators do more than just particle physics research. Suzie Sö’t take long for the destructive power of these rays to be turned to medicinal benefit. X-rays kill cancer cells through ionization. By stripping electrons from water molecules, the X-ray photons leave a highly chemically reactive wake. The reactive water molecules bind to, and destroy, DNA. But X-ray beams don’t differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, so their destructive force is hard to localize to the problem zones alone. One option is to use protons, rather than X-ray photons. Particle accelerators can take protons from inside a Hydrogen atom, form them into high energy beams and more specifically target a tumour. However, instead of passing through the body like X-ray photons, the protons stop at the tumour, thanks to a phenomenon called the ‘Bragg peak’. By tuning the energy of a proton beam, the dose can be much more carefully controlled. This video is supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Watch the rest in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZx0mVe9wGxg5kyKdofRJJ7m The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Dr Yuval Noah Harari explains how revolutions in technology and society will transform our bodies and minds.’– Daniel Kahneman, author of Thinking, Fast and Slow Dr Yuval Noah Harari has a PhD in History from the University of Oxford and now lectures at the Department of History, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specialising in World History. 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind', published in 2014, was on the Sunday Times bestseller list for over six months in paperback, was a New York Times top ten bestseller and has been published in nearly 40 languages worldwide. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

How do you go about designing a particle accelerator? Suzie Sheehy discusses how they work, what f’’s idea. Watch Suzie’s lecture to learn more about her research: https://youtu.be/jLmciZdh5j4?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZx0mVe9wGxg5kyKdofRJJ7m This film was supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Direction, illustration and animation: Andrew Khosravani andrewkhosravani.com/ Illustration, animation: Clara Cebrian: claracebrian.com/ Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Ex Royal Navy chief of staff Dan Stembridge, Olympic gold medallist Anna Watkins MBE, Aston Martin's Marek

Suzie Sheehy chairs a discussion between accelerator physicists from across the field on what’s next for particle accelerators. Watch our full series on particle accelerators: https://youtu.be/V_hirIK9eFs?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZx0mVe9wGxg5kyKdofRJJ7m Watch the Q&A that followed this event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XblwzEemP90 Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Particle accelerators seem to be getting bigger, more powerful and more expensive in the quest for knowledge that helps us understand the Universe. This panel discussion brings together top researchers from around the world to discuss the challenges in designing today's accelerators for use in answering tomorrow's research questions. Representatives of four possible future projects discuss how and why these machines are being considered, where the major challenges lie and present their long-term vision for the future. Suzie Sheehy is particle physicist with a knack for science presenting. She currently holds a joint appointment with STFC and ASTeC to work at Oxford University on high power hadron accelerators. After presenting a Discourse and a series of videos on accelerators at the Ri, she is returning with physicist friends and colleagues to discuss the future of particle accelerators. Prof. Kenneth Long is a Professor of Particle Physics at Imperial College, London and spokesperson for the Muon Ionisation Cooling Experiment (MICE) at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Prof. Phillip Burrows is a Professor of Accelerator Physics, University of Oxford, Associate Director of John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science and spokesperson of the international Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) collaboration. Dr. Stuart Mangles is a Senior Lecturer and University Research Fellow, Imperial College London and an expert in laser wakefield acceleration. Dr. Frank Zimmerman is a Senior Scientist at CERN and Deputy Study Leader for the global Future Circular Collider (

Ed Yong explores the tens of trillions of microbes swarming around your body, diving into the microbiome and the grand v’

80 years after they were first broadcast on television, historian Rupert Cole looks at the sto’‘The Chemical History of a Candle’ which produced perhaps the most popular science book ever published. As the Royal Institution’s flagship lecture series it was an obvious candidate for broadcasting by the BBC’s fledging television service in 1936. In the post-1945 period several lectures were televised, but it was not until the 1966/7 series that they started being broadcast annually. These two talks (see the other here: https://youtu.be/duaC3JOxGYo) illustrated by clips, experiments and perhaps the odd explosion, consider the development, content and impact of these lectures. Rupert Cole is a PhD student in the History of Science, jointly at the Royal Institution and University College London. His research is specifically concerned with the recent history of the Royal Institution and its role in communicating science to the public. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Frank James explores the history of the CHRISTMAS LECT’‘The Chemical History of a Candle’ which produced perhaps the most popular science book ever published. As the Royal Institution’s flagship lecture series it was an obvious candidate for broadcasting by the BBC’s fledging television service in 1936. In the post-1945 period several lectures were televised, but it was not until the 1966/7 series that they started being broadcast annually. These two talks (see the other here: https://youtu.be/A_R66fJtyns) illustrated by clips, experiments and perhaps the odd explosion, consider the development, content and impact of these lectures. Frank James, Professor of the History of Science at the Royal Institution, has edited the complete extant correspondence of Michael Faraday and is currently working on the background to Humphry Davy’s career. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

OK, so ‘Monthly Mailbag’, might have been a slightly over-ambitious title. But we’re back answering questions from the comments section, this time on the topic of gravitational waves. Do the gravitational waves of black holes affect us here on Earth (0:27)? What’s the difference between gravitational fields and ethers (1:15)? Why do we think gravitons should exist (2:53)? Does the Earth’s weight change over time (3:53)? Jon explains all. Watch Sheila Rowan’s full lecture on Catching Gravitational Waves here: https://youtu.be/P9k4FP_b1fo After Sheila’s talk, there were loads of great questions about the nature of gravity and gravitational waves. This month, Jon dives into the murky waters of the comments section to explain a few of the finer points. Watch the previous episode, with Kate talking about nitrogen triiodide and multiverses, here: https://youtu.be/BeRl5aVIrVo Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Fields medal winner Cédric Villani takes us through the very éédric Villani is a French mathematician who works primarily on partial differential equations, Riemannian geometry and mathematical physics. He was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal in 2010 – an award often viewed as the highest honour a mathematician can receive. He is a member of the Science and Technology Advisory Council and DIrector of the Institut Henri Poincaré. The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

Continental drift is common knowledge now, but when the idea was first proposed it was revolutionary. Helen Czerski tells the story of how the maps of one of history’s finest cartographers shifted our view of the planet. Subscribe for new science videos each week: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe In the early 20th century, Alfred Wegener proposed a revolutionary idea: that the Earth’s continents were once joined together, and had gradually moved apart. The idea contradicted almost everything scientists thought at the time, and it took the detailed work of a brilliant cartographer to prove him right. Conventional ideas held that the ocean floors were flat, featureless planes. As expeditions started to go around the world collecting ocean depth measurements, Marie Tharp – not allowed to join the expeditions herself – processed the data and began to craft detailed, revealing maps of the hidden ocean depths. She discovered that the ocean floor was in fact a complex assortment of peaks and troughs. In particular, her profiles revealed stark rift valleys, which supported Wegener’s controversial ideas. Even then, it took a long time to convince the scientific community that her findings were correct. Eventually, however, she was proved right, and Marie Tharp took her rightful place as one of history’s finest cartographers. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Albert Einstein is widely considered to be the greatest genius of all time. But in the final decades of his life, he was mostly ignored by his colleagues. Writer David Bodanis explores the genius and hubris of the titan of modern science. Watch the Q&A: https://youtu.be/q9B539L3drw Subscribe for regular videos like this: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe David's book "Einstein's Greatest Mistake: The Life of a Flawed Genius" is available to purchase now - https://geni.us/nExwU6B Widely considered the greatest genius of all time, Albert Einstein revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos with his general theory of relativity and helped to lead us into the atomic age. Yet in the final decades of his life he was also ignored by most working scientists, his ideas opposed by even his closest friends. Bestselling author of E=mc², David Bodanis, discusses Einstein's Greatest Mistake, a brisk, accessible biography of Albert Einstein that reveals the genius and hubris of the titan of modern science. David Bodanis was born in Chicago, lived in France for a decade, and makes his home in London. He studied mathematics, physics and history at the University of Chicago, and for many years taught the "Intellectual Tool-Kit" course at Oxford University. He is fascinated by story-telling and the power of ideas. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

Why is there a zeroth law of thermodynamics? What use is such a simple-sounding law? And how can it be used to smash g’’ll have explosive demonstrations, unique animations and even a musical number. Sign up to receive each instalment by email from rigb.org/advent The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

With the a little hydrogen, a few balloons and a couple of makeshift rockets, Valeska Ting launches into an ex‘’, or ‘energy is always conserved’. But what does that mean? Chemical engineer Valeska Ting explains. The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://rigb.org/advent?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

How Richard Feynman’s classic analogy of building blocks explains the conservation of energy. Professor Andrea Sella recalls Feynman’s illustration of the first law of thermodynamics with a child’s building blocks and wily mother. This animation is day 6 of our thermodynamics advent calendar: http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Chemist Andrea Sella recalls Richard Feynman’s analogy explaining the conservation of energy. A evolving negotiation over toy blocks between a mother and son comes together to illustrate the first law of thermodynamics. There are many ways to describe the first law of thermodynamics, and many ways to explain it. In this unique animation, chemist Andrea Sella recalls one of Richard Feynman’s descriptions of the law. In a classic analogy, Feynman imagines a child with a set of building blocks, and a mother struggling to ensure he doesn’t lose any. Each day, the total number of blocks remains the same, although some do stray from their original location. This consistent fact – that the blocks cannot be created or destroyed – allows the mother to calculate how many blocks are in a box without even looking. And this consistent fact, that energy itself is also always conserved, lays the foundation for one of physics’ greatest rules. The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://rigb.org/advent?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tu

A majestic musical tribute to the first law of thermodynamics, and energy itself. Day 7 of ’

Warning: Contains flashing images. You know those videos showing working perpetual motion machines?’’re not real. Perpetual motion machines violate the fundamental laws of our universe. In this video, we teamed up with YouTuber Tom Scott to provide three simple ways to debunk persistent claims of perpetual motion: a guide to protect you from the bunk. People have been peddling perpetual motion for centuries. On his channel, Tom Scott gets his hands on Thomas Young’s machine from our museum, explains why it doesn’t work, and imagines just what would happen if we really could make a perpetual motion machine. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Why do we need the first law of thermodynamics? What use is it? Dr Suzie Sheehy explains what it means to a particle physicist. Day 9 of our advent calendar. Watch all the videos here: http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent The four laws of thermodynamics touch almost every type of science, and impact on research and understanding in different ways. In this animation, particle accelerator physicist Suzie Sheehydiscusses why the first law of thermodynamics is so important to particle physics. To describe the motion of almost any system, from a car on a road to particles in an accelerator, you have to be able to trust that certain quantities are conserved. From the simple rule that energy is conserved, you can deduct incredible information. In a particle accelerator, particles are collided with each other, or with other matter. The result is a spray of the component particles, but some of these can’t be detected by modern machines. For example, neutrinos have almost no mass and as such are almost impossible to directly detect. But because energy is always conserved, the physicists can tell what properties they haven’t detected by calculating the difference between the initial input and the output they find. The first law of thermodynamics gives a predictive power that lets scientists understand the world. This video was supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRi

Neuroscientist and former addict Marc Lewis makes the case that addiction isn't a disease at all, although it ha’

What is entropy? Why is it always increasing? And what does that even mean? Dr Valeska Ting explains the second‘’, will always increase within a closed system. Ultimately, this is one of the key elements dictating an arrow of time in the Universe. And how is it possible that complex ordered organisms and structures have developed, if everything should be becoming less ordered over time? Valeska explains. The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

In the 1950s, Russian chemist Boris Belousov reported a bizarre reaction. A reaction that oscillates bet’’t seem to make up its mind. As two liquids are mixed together, a colour change occurs, then reverses, then happens again, then flips back… What’s going on? Could this seemingly spontaneously reversing reaction be violating the second law of thermodynamics? Chemist Andrea Sella demonstrates the startling Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction and explains why, in the end, no laws are broken. The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Why did the Royal Institution used to have a froggery? Before more sophisticated methods for detecting electricity eme…’s legs would twitch when sparked with electricity. Michael Faraday and his mentor Humphry Davy were at the forefront of early experiments with electricity and electromagnetism, but imagine trying to do those experiments without any reliable way of testing your circuits. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

As we experience it, time flows in a single direction. But entropy, and its description in the second law of thermody’’ view of it, as a dimension rather than linear path. We muse on one phenomenon that is intrinsically linked to directional time: entropy, and explore the link between the second law of thermodynamics and time itself. The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Valeska Ting explains the relationship between entropy, temperature and absolute zero. Watch all four laws films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZxmZmL3fZHPTeoUO8amBox2 Valeska Ting completes her series of films explaining the four laws of thermodynamics. The third law states that entropy decreases to zero as temperature approaches absolute zero. But what does this mean? Valeska tackles the theoretical concept of absolute zero, explains the nature of a perfect crystal, and uses a fire extinguisher to illustrate the relationship between entropy and temperature. The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://rigb.org/advent?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Crystals bring order out of chaos. Does their formation violate the laws of thermodynamics? Material

Why did the Universe have such low entropy at the start? Are the laws of physics consistent across the multiverse? Can we see evidence of other regions of the multiverse? Sean Carroll discusses thermodynamics and the Universe. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe This is the 21st video in our advent series on thermodynamics. Watch them all here: http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Sean Carroll is a theoretical physicist who thinks about the fundamental laws of nature, especially as they connect to cosmology. Visit his website: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/blog/about-sean/ and watch his lectures on our channel: Black hole firewalls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8bhtEgB8Mo The particle at the end of the universe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwdY7Eqyguo The 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter

Armed with a hammer made from mercury, Olympia Brown explains the third law of thermodynam’’s a liquid at room temperature and pressure. In its liquid state the atoms have enough thermal energy to overcome the rigid metallic bonds that confine most metals to solids at room temperature. The third law of thermodynamics links temperature and entropy. Olympia Brown explores this relationship, freezing mercury into its less-familiar solid state to make a tiny hammer. Our 2016 advent calendar explores the four laws of thermodynamics with a new short film each day, with explosive demonstrations, unique animations, and even a musical number. Open the calendar at http://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/supercharged-fuelling-the-future/thermodynamics-2016-advent-calendar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=201612_channel_advent Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter