The Science of Everything Podcast

Episode 24: Vibrations and Waves

An overview of the basic principles of wave phenomena, including a definition of waves, a discussion of wave mediums, wavelength, frequency and amplitude. I also discuss a variety of interesting wave behaviours including interference, polarization, resonance, reflection, absorption, refraction, diffraction and standing waves. This episode will form the foundation for later discussion of sound and light.

Episode 23: Chemical Reactions

An introduction to chemical reactions, including an overview of chemical equations, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and reversible reactions. Also includes a discussion of collision theory to explain how and why chemical reactions occur.

Episode 22: Our Place in the Cosmos

A journey through Earth’s location in the universe, including a discussion of the Earth-moon system, the sun and planets of the solar system, nearby stars, the Milky Way Galaxy, the Local Group, clusters and superclusters, the large-scale structure of the universe, and speculations as to what may lie beyond.

Episode 21: Introduction to Evolution

An introduction to the basic concepts of biological evolution, including an overview of Charles Darwin’s contributions, a discussion of heredity, a summary of all the major evolutionary mechanisms, and a review of all the major lines of evidence supporting evolutionary theory.

Episode 20: The Reliability of Memory

An analysis of the various biases that effect the accuracy of human memory, including a discussion of spatial memory distortions, the impact of schema on memory, source monitoring failure, and the misinformation effect. I also discuss the interesting research regarding false memories, eyewitness memory, and flashbulb memories.

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Episode 18: Biochemistry Basics

An overview of biochemistry, covering the basic properties, structure and functions of nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins. Also includes a discussion of the nature of organic molecules and the importance of carbon in living organisms. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 15: Chemical Bonding.

Episode 19: Market Failure

A discussion of the principal circumstances in which markets do not produce an optimal outcome. After formally defining market failure, I discuss the ‘big four’ market failures of market power, externalities, public goods and asymmetric information. I conclude with a brief look at transaction costs. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 12: The Price System.

Episode 17: Energy, Work and Momentum

An overview of the basic concepts of linear momentum, angular momentum, work and energy. Includes a discussion of the conservation of momentum, why the concept is needed, and some applications of the concept to collisions and rotating objects. The nature of energy is also discussed, along with the different forms of energy, and how the concepts of energy and work are related.

Episode 16: Profits and Competition

A discussion of the importance of the profit motive and freedom of competition in the efficient operation of a market economy. Includes an overview of the uniformity of profit principle, and an examination of how competition serves as both an opportunity and a disciplining agent for entrepreneurs and firms, thus promoting useful innovations while weeding out bad ideas.

Episode 15: Chemical Bonding

An overview of how atoms bond together to form different chemical substances, including a discussion of the tree main types of bonds (covalent, ionic and metallic), and the relationship of these bonding types to the concept of electronegativity. I also discuss the difference between polar and non-polar bonds, and conclude with some interesting applications of bonding theory to understanding the properties of materials.