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24. Is There a Theory of Everything?
November 23, 2023
Searching for a theory of everything is a grand, epic saga. Start your own search with this engrossing investigation of the building blocks of the cosmos and the forces that hold them together, both of which are required to even begin to develop a fundamental theory that answers all questions.
22. Untangling How Quantum Mechanics Works
November 23, 2023
Examine the peculiarities of quantum mechanics in an effort to better understand what
21. Can You Go Faster Than Light?
November 23, 2023
In this episode, Professor Lincoln explains the various ways in which talking about the speed of light can lead to a misunderstanding of whether or not particles can travel faster than light. Learn why it
20. What Banged, and Was It Big?
November 23, 2023
Develop a better, more scientifically accurate mental picture of the Big Bang. What exactly happens is hard to get your head around, but the key involves understanding the links between matter, energy, space, and time. And all you need to grasp this fascinating concept is a common balloon.
19. Why Do Black Holes Get Such a Bad Rap?
November 23, 2023
Few astronomical bodies are more misunderstood (and more mysterious) than black holes. Can they actually reach out and grab matter near them? Do they have a singularity at their core? Find out in this journey that takes you from outside the Schwarzschild radius to inside the event horizon and beyond.
18. E = mc2 and Other Relativity Myths
November 23, 2023
Get the truth about the most famous equation in science. Ponder the most notorious paradox in special relativity, known as the twin paradox. Discover whether or not we really can travel faster than the speed of light. Strengthen your appreciation of how, despite its mind-blowing nature, relativity is the way the world works.
17. How Relativity Is Misunderstood
November 23, 2023
At its core, relativity is about something very simple: how two people in relative motion see the world differently. In the first of two episodes on misunderstandings about relativity, explore the Lorentz transforms, then journey through a seeming paradox that disappears once you use the Lorentz transforms properly.
16. Does Thermodynamics Disprove Evolution?
November 23, 2023
Take on a few of the simpler misunderstandings revolving around heat as it relates to thermodynamics: the ways heat energy moves and changes. Is it correct to say heat always rises? Are entropy and disorder synonymous? How do we often misinterpret the second law of thermodynamics, and what does it tell us about evolution?
15. How Statistics Can Lie to You
November 23, 2023
Consider the best way to read statistics correctly: by understanding the various ways they can be misused to fool you. Here, Professor Lincoln discusses how averages and percentages can make certain statistics seem shocking, reveals how you should rethink the confidence threshold of 95 percent that scientists use, and more.
14. How Does Carbon-14 Dating Work?
November 23, 2023
Clarify oversimplified ideas concerning how carbon dating works and get a stronger appreciation of just how complicated and sophisticated a scientific technique it is. While dating objects under 60,000 years old has become relatively easy, the current accuracy of modern science depends on taking subtle effects into consideration. You
13. Exposing the Truth about Radiation
November 23, 2023
Radiation is one of the most misunderstood of all scientific phenomena. Get the scientific truths about this subject by investigating the four types of ionizing radiation, including alpha radiation, beta radiation, gamma radiation, and neutron radiation. Then consider how much radiation you encounter every day, and how much of it you can ignore.
12. Getting Smarter about Intelligence
November 23, 2023
Focus your attention on popular myths about the human brain. There
11. Humans Are Not Peas: Myths about Genetics
November 23, 2023
It might surprise you to know that most human characteristics (including eye color) aren
10. Nutrition
November 23, 2023
How do misconceptions about nutrition spread? What if what you learned about digestion isn
9. Misconceptions about Evolution
November 23, 2023
It
8. The Truth Is In Here: The Science of Aliens
November 23, 2023
There are some popular misconceptions about alien life that science fiction writers have said often enough that we take them to be likely or true. But are they? Professor Lincoln unpacks the possibility of silicon-based life and truths about the Drake equation, which posits the number of possible civilizations in our universe.
7. What
November 23, 2023
Discover a very different idea about the real essence of matter as it relates to the molecules and atoms of chemistry. Learn to think about matter as entirely empty space, not tiny balls; consider the inside of a proton and neutron; and ponder the question of where, exactly, mass comes from.
6. Myths of Orbital Motion
November 23, 2023
In this episode, revisit some of the common misconceptions we have about how the universe works, with a focus on our solar system. Two myths you
5. From the Sky Down: How Falling Works
November 23, 2023
Introductory physics classes tell you that a ball thrown on the surface of the earth follows a parabola. What happens when you take away the simplifying assumptions in this scenario? How do we factor in air resistance and the Earth
4. From the Ground Up: How Flying Works
November 23, 2023
Get a whirlwind introduction to the scientific truths about how planes fly through the air. This episode overturns the (often-very-wrong) way flight is taught in introductory physics classes and focuses on two relevant subjects involved in flight: air circulation and how the wing pushes air downward.
3. The Ideal Gas Law (It
November 23, 2023
Here, Professor Lincoln reveals the ways in which common teachings about gases and their properties are idealizations that ignore important considerations such as the size of atoms. Topics include the limitations of the Ideal Gas Law (PV=nRT) and the importance of the van der Waals equation.
2. Franklin
November 23, 2023
It turns out the usual story of Benjamin Franklin
1. What the World Gets Wrong about Science
November 23, 2023
Start your journey through some of the most jarring misconceptions of science with this introductory look at the nature of science itself. You
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Where to Watch Understanding the Misconceptions of Science
Understanding the Misconceptions of Science is available for streaming on the The Great Courses website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Understanding the Misconceptions of Science on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
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Premiere DateNovember 23, 2023
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