The physical world: waves and relativity - for iPod/iPhone

The physical world: waves and relativity - for iPod/iPhone

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This album explores the science of waves. Five video tracks feature two pair trawling fishermen from the Cornish village of Looe. Their lives and livelihoods depend on gadgets like radio, GPS and radar. This album explores the physics behind this technology, gives a simple introduction to wavelengths and looks back to the discovery of electromagnetism and the invention of radio. To demonstrate just how vital waves are, the two captains turn off their modern communication tools and try traditional methods of keeping in touch. In addition, two bonus video tracks explore Newton's laws of motion and Einstein’s special theory of relativity, which give us our most basic insight into space and time. This material forms part of the course S207 The physical world.

The Open University


    • Aug 11, 2009 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 4m AVG DURATION
    • 16 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The physical world: waves and relativity - for iPod/iPhone

    The physical world: waves and relativity

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 1:08


    An introduction to this album.

    Transcript -- The physical world: waves and relativity

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- An introduction to this album.

    Radar and radio waves

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 6:33


    Introducing the modern communication technology fishermen use.

    Transcript -- Radar and radio waves

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- Introducing the modern communication technology fishermen use.

    The nature of sound waves

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 7:13


    Find out what makes a wave, how sound travels and how fishermen stayed in touch at sea before the invention of radio.

    Transcript -- The nature of sound waves

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- Find out what makes a wave, how sound travels and how fishermen stayed in touch at sea before the invention of radio.

    Electromagnetic waves

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 4:59


    Radio waves are the basis for our communications industry. The discovery of a link between electricity and magnetism led to the very first radio transmissions.

    Transcript -- Electromagnetic waves

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- Radio waves are the basis for our communications industry. The discovery of a link between electricity and magnetism led to the very first radio transmissions.

    Make your own radio

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 5:04


    The skippers take a closer look at each of the radio components, and how they work.

    Transcript -- Make your own radio

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- The skippers take a closer look at each of the radio components, and how they work.

    A guide to wavelengths

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 2:56


    Sound, light, heat, radio, television and microwave. The universe contains more radiation than matter, in fact, we're surrounded by a sea of electromagnetic waves.

    Transcript -- A guide to wavelengths

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- Sound, light, heat, radio, television and microwave. The universe contains more radiation than matter, in fact, we're surrounded by a sea of electromagnetic waves.

    Einstein and special relativity

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 5:06


    This famous theory connects time and motion. Presenter Robert Llewellyn and British athlete Kris Akabusi hit the track to show how speed actually slows down time.

    Transcript -- Einstein and special relativity

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- This famous theory connects time and motion. Presenter Robert Llewellyn and British athlete Kris Akabusi hit the track to show how speed actually slows down time.

    Experimenting with Newton's laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009 0:42


    What happens when you fire a toy cannonball from a moving train set? This demonstration tests Newton's laws of motion, the starting point for Einstein's theory of relativity.

    Transcript -- Experimenting with Newton's laws

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2009


    Transcript -- What happens when you fire a toy cannonball from a moving train set? This demonstration tests Newton's laws of motion, the starting point for Einstein's theory of relativity.

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