Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Why Rocks Float

Do rocks float? On this StarTalk explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the idea that rocks are light...in density.
You'll learn more about density as Neil and Chuck dive into the evolution of ships and how asymmetric advantages would work in an alien invasion. How did Earth’s early days impact the composition of its crust? Neil explains why rocks are the third lightest stuff on Earth.
You'll also learn why the Earth is like a layered cocktail, how geophysicists figure out the density profile of the Earth, and why there seem to be so many meteorites in Antarctica.
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
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[@jnjairo]

So... the earth is basically made of Heavy Metal and Rock 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@KM-se6mz]

Hhhhhhhhhh

[@ActionJackson669]

Righteous dude

[@jaketowle7416]

Gas comment

[@ginnyjollykidd]

Now you gotta fit Magma rock in there. Whose gonna write Magma rock now?

[@RayRay-zt7bj]

Well, at least it used to be.

[@Rhekon]

The Earth is fine, but deep down it's dealing with some heavy stuff.

[@ashwinpillai2114]

hahaha

[@ViratKohli-jj3wj]

All dads are laughing

[@godofthisshit]

🥁

[@isMatvei]

LOL

[@stephaneroy3976]

I thought for sure you were about to quote George Carlin: "The Earth is fine, the people are f*cked!" from his Save the Planet skit

[@ashtonvaughncharles6900]

Neil: "You gotta find the Iron ore" Chuck: "...the Iron or what?? 👀" Neil: "😶😐...😂😂🤣🤣" I just LOVE their relationship 💀

[@s1zeuq]

Me too 😂 bro

[@Seekay_]

Or else!

[@djcaymann]

Greatest Chuck joke ever!

[@VajiraLasantha]

Come on, you spoiled that for me.

[@lautabott_uy]

@@VajiraLasantha Why you reading comments before watching the video tho ? lol

[@rusteshackleferd8115]

Niel : rocks are light Ten year old me : tell that to my skull!.

[@madeonearth6506]

Wow that’s rough g

[@brianbrian1769]

Stay away from Muslim countries. Just to be certain

[@FeLiNe418]

@@brianbrian1769 yay being an imbecil I mean a racist is cool!

[@eagle___shadow]

@@brianbrian1769 What do you mean

[@AquaPeet]

Which parent gives their kid a skull to play with?!? Oh wait...

[@PeterSserwangaShow]

I never understood why we were so confident about where metiorites came from until this video.

[@JAMES-my8bf]

I love the story that Neil told about the Coffee Shop Employee that told him that the Cream sank to the bottom of the Cup! 😂

[@Tachyon-db1bz]

it was actually hot chocolate I think. but yeah, the laws of physics cease to exist in that cup hahaha

[@JAMES-my8bf]

@@Tachyon-db1bz 🤣 It was something like that yeah... great stuff!

[@victorb145]

@@Tachyon-db1bz So you think he walked into a hot chocolate shop? It's been a minute but I thought he was just at a restaurant.

[@theanuragsoni]

I also remember that

[@RPIdemon]

Chuck coming through with the dad joke. I needed that

[@alejandradenizphotography]

“The iron or what?” 😂😂 always get a kick out of these episodes 👍🏼👍🏼

[@joanhall3718]

I’m so proud of myself! For once I actually guessed what Neil was going to say about the earth’s crust before I listened. I’m sure this was a first for me 😁

[@PeterSserwangaShow]

10:42 "The iron or what.."? HILARIOUS! thank you!!

[@thomaslane1547]

The iron ore rocks.

[@SubparSkill]

The thing i love about these video's is the detail and random facts throughout. I was watching thinking about Pumice and how it floats and the last point they talk about is exactly that. I love this channel

[@theCodyReeder]

This is a topic that I cover in a video that I’m working on.

[@suniavuki4316]

can't wait to watch this one!

[@Alex-cn9uj]

Such a swell fello, I'm going to go check that video out.

[@alonelyspaceman]

Title: “Why do rocks float?” Me: oh cool *wait*

[@zanop15]

What do you mea... Oh

[@zanop15]

@Sam Huamán Rock = plane ( Ez )

[@JackieFrankieful]

rocks float above iron core

[@alonelyspaceman]

@@JackieFrankieful This is true.

[@Willam_J]

“Iron ore.” “Iron or what?” Who’s on first?

[@ryans.5998]

Yes.

[@thomaslane1547]

Iron ore rocks.

[@The.RandomTube]

I read it as Why Rockets Float, said to myself "Yeah, I know that one" and then I read it again.... "Oh boy, here we go!"😂

[@jotcw81]

Hey, you read wrongly!

[@Evangq]

@@jotcw81 Thank @LiteralLarry

[@jotcw81]

@@Evangq You are very welcome, glad to help out!

[@raym6791]

Brought a pistol to a laser fight 😂😂 Chuck always hits my funny bone

[@sujitp6995]

Neil said that 2 seconds before him

[@bobbailey7235]

I just wish to say how nice it is to have the humor of Chuck Nice incorporated with this show. Just when I need a laugh this man with his great intellect interjects humor into my ears for my brain to enjoy. Thank you from all of us!

[@Merto6]

In "the fires within" by Clarke we discover a civilization of dense beings living deep underground. Both we and them didn't think possible for life to exist in such dense/near vacuum environments.

[@breoganrey]

But how do the hypotheses/theories on the evolution of early Earth take into account the fact that the closer you are to the centre of the sphere the less total gravity field a mass experiences? Is density and buoyancy still relevant in that case?

[@ManuelPragash]

Second round was "COSMETICS" that cracked me up. 🤣🤣🤣

[@godbear2930]

I was very confused when I read the title. When I hear float I immediately think water.

[@phillipstroll7385]

My first thought was volcanic rock and moon rock. Both are mostly air and float. I knew the guy who invented acid wash jeans. He soaked volcanic Rick in bleach then washed jeans with thousands of little pieces of volcanic bleach soaked rocks.

[@AmarSinghDixit]

Dwayne Johnson knows how to swim,that's why rocks float.

[@rishavraj5661]

😂

[@scottgrohs5940]

Which beings to mind a related question: why does muscle float?

[@jsmithers.]

@@scottgrohs5940 Because muscle isn't dense.

[@lightningcoreeygja9678]

I want to hear more about Cores. More knowledge will help solidify my New Energy.

[@mrfriz4091]

I love these guys. Humorous and informative, what more do you need?

[@annereyes8476]

You don't know how much watching your videos cheers me up!!! Keep rocking~

[@waqqiali2960]

Nice explanation!

[@saimiaomiao]

Love your explainers! 😺

[@damslifevlog5031]

MADE my Day, Keep it up Guys

[@vansdan.]

Not a question I was asking but glad to have the answer. Thanks once again Neil.

[@gauravdhyani_021me8]

Please explainer on relation of pressure and temp

[@jaredhowell7104]

You guys always make me smile after a long crap day. And I learned something

[@jadecoley]

Love StarTalk

[@TheBiggreenpig]

Magnesium is actually lighter than Silicon (rock stuff), so I wonder why Neil mentioned it along Nickel and Iron.

[@dhilipraja]

can u link the wiki for astrophysics in the description? I can't find it .

[@samismos6892]

These are dangerously fun to watch

[@daveswampSC]

Just the right amount of info..!

[@rubencolvill736]

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Ok class, Today we will learn about why rocks float. Student: will this be on the test?

[@vickychaney-little4059]

More Chuck!!!! (autocorrect almost got me in trouble there...) LOL

[@averageaf4321]

I liked for the iron ore joke, keep doing you chuck!

[@skullboi_cue]

That Iron Ore line was the best😂🤣 these dudes make learning fun

[@matthewlofton8465]

How did they build up that catalog of values with respect to density and seismic waves? Also, how do they tease out if a signal has passed through multiple variances? Obviously they're collecting lots of signals from lots of points but If iron slows a signal by 6, gold slows a signal by 7, and diamond slows a signal by 13, how do you determine that the whole area is a mix of gold and iron rather than one gigantic diamond?

[@seththunder2077]

Does anyone have the link to Neils wiki that ge talked about early on

[@zybrinskiebangcado9403]

If its Sir Neil explaining uninteresting topics become mind blowing and eye opening and comedian chuck brings extra laughter! Thank you sirs!

[@JeremyMasters87]

Oh boy. These guys make interesting stuff funny. Love listening to them.

[@turb0s_hye161]

Neil can you give your input on CTMU

[@Sunshine-fi5fq]

Rock is light 🔥 u know, I always wondered what’s going on behind the scenes 😁 this is awesome! Love you guys ❤️

[@Lanhoj]

*I love it when Neil & Chuck just joke around...* @9:04

[@hawnflip808]

Where can I ask a startalk, cosmic queries question?

[@Fightin1rish327]

Man i would love to just meet with Neil and have a conversation. He is such a awesome dude

[@babungus2099]

Can we just take a moment to admire Chuck's exquisite lineup? Who is this man's barber?

[@sullya5130]

Chuck! Read The Safehold series. 60% of the book talks about advances in warfare, specifically Naval warfare and iron ships.

[@w0nd3rlu573r]

4:18 Oh, so that's why rock`n`roll came first, and then heavy metal took over. As we progress we learn more. This makes perfect sense indeed! \m/

[@blakekemak2340]

Do atoms and particles flow the same way, similar to a vehicle speeding off the wind goes the opposite direction you're moving or are they volatile and don't have any dedicated path or direction?

[@peteredwards2318]

Just a quick question on the tangent about meteor rocks. Meteors fly through space, getting soaked in hard radiation from the Sun, cosmic rays, and so on, then, finally, they hit the Earth. To make it easier to find them, without going to special places, why not build a gieger counter onto a rig like a metal detector, that you could sweep across the ground ANYWHERE, not just broad, open places?

[@d.a.b.2336]

What about certain corals actual composition ? I would love to hear Neil's opinion of the guy that built the Coral Castle by himself without modern machinery. Is there something you can do to the coral to make it very light temporarily ? Bc if not this guy might have been an alien lol

[@charlidog2]

He mastered leverage.

[@absoluteradiance5423]

The earliest use of metal warships, that I can recall, was during the American Civil War concerning control over the Mississippi River. If you know of any earlier uses let me know.

[@abdulrahmanthebest715]

So how gravity affect us why it always downward? What is the relationship between this thing and space time Curvature

[@Golden_Tonberry]

So regarding the big rip, why are black holes not ripping the universe itself even though they are infinitely pulling at space time? And if we make it to the beginning of the big rip, could we use black holes to keep the universe stitched together?

[@glennalderton1313]

So has there been sufficient time for the geological forces of our planet to change the form of all the rocks that originally came to form the planet? Would there be any original space-based (interplanetary?) "rocks" still in the original form left?

[@nicholasvansteenwyk6406]

Since the universe is expanding and everything is moving apart, is that also happening at the atomic level? If so, are the protons and neutrons and everything that makes up atoms growing larger as well? Just a curious dad that likes science?

[@dopebreakz]

thank u so much Chuck & Dr. Tyson for making me laugh and at the same time expanding my knowledge of the universe !!!

[@bandeshswami6870]

thanks Neil and Chuck :)

[@blueangel2040]

@scholagladitoria do you want to add some context to the guns vs bow and arrow comment?

[@narutokunn]

That was a rock solid explainer.

[@sotowarrior8837]

I love you Neil!!! you inspire me so much

[@botein]

So funny when you guys have that much fun!!

[@ShikhaPrasadCraft]

That pumice stone one was really awesome!! 😂😂🤣🤣

[@blackdeutrium746]

I love startalks

[@namespacefnz]

I was at my parents house & a Tide commercial came on in Spanish, I glance & it’s....-> CHUCK!!!!😲 👍🏽 🧼 👨🏿 💵

[@AR-xs9uk]

Same. I said well we are in a pandemic Chuck needs to make money without stand up shows 😆

[@HeaDzmold]

Love da Neil n Chuck!!

[@Magnusfication]

I always hit the link before i read the conclusion of the sentence, Dr. Tyson explains..... Never been dissapointed yet.

[@kjb711]

Why rocks float huh? Cant wait to watch this!!! Great videos by a Great man!

[@trumanburbank6899]

On an unrelated topic....If you could redefine our calendar years, what astronomical event or alignment of planets would be significant enough that you would define that as year zero?

[@canislupusminecraft2670]

3:02 did we bring a pistol to a laser fight, or did they bring a laser to a pistol fight?

[@kathryntate6809]

Thank you for these videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@eugenewillsey2135]

Hi Neil , On Earth we orient ourselves from the North Star. To get our position on Earth. When we say we're going on vacation. We're going up North. Seeing's how the voyager 1 and 2 are less influenced by planetary magnetic fields. Has there been an effort to find the universes up or north pole? Which way is up in space?

[@prla5400]

9:40 One of the many...

[@miltonenglish1679]

Chuck, where did you get that shirt? I want me one

[@ManaBDew]

I do appreciate you expanding About Jupiter is the big guy On the block like a frisbee It slings these back out into space 🤘😎👍😁

[@Fey44]

what does Chuck's t-shirt says ? :D

[@stevestumpy6873]

The first battle between metal boat took place in the civil war, both were metal and they tied.

[@victorb145]

This episode rocks!

[@deathnote4171]

Sir kindly kindly make a video on ""Will starlink company destroy Astronomy research and study ""?????? Please it's very important

[@calvinsharara]

Im still wondering why I thought of Rocs (rockets) instead of Rocks

[@ShadDenzel]

mind blowing!

[@Masterra-Matrix]

There is one thing, i didn´t understand. The "final" fusion step in the stars are iron, even in our sun. But most of the astrophysics says, that the white dwarf ,to what the sun will become, will have a core mainly out of carbon. How can that happen?

[@stankfaust814]

Matter stratifies by density within a gravity well. Lightest stuff (gasses) at the top end and the densest (and likely ferrous) matter at the core or center. General relativity and rotation: Obviously, the increase in gravitational acceleration does not stop at the surface of the earth. The deepest point of the gravity well is at the center of the body and this is also where the greatest acceleration is. It's best to visualize this with 3 clocks. One in deep space, one on the surface of the earth and one at the center. We know from experiments that the clock in deep space will run faster than the one on the surface. The clock at the center will be running progressively slower than the one on the surface and much slower than the clock in deep space. We know that as an object falls toward a gravity well like the earth, it accelerates the closer it gets. Acceleration and time are inextricably linked. The slower the relative time, the faster the acceleration. What does this have to do with the rotation of the earth? In an earth sized body that is in rotation (not tidally locked) the strata closer to the core will spin faster in the direction of rotation than the matter at higher levels from the core. This is a general relativistic principle. As much of the dense matter at the core is also ferrous, this dissimilar spinning from the core out to the crust produces our magnetosphere. The same is true with jupiter or the sun or any other planet with a magnetosphere.

[@stingaz3k]

I love the videos but I think this content would benefit from using the stereo.com platform.

[@jmm95076]

Actually the Comanche Indians defeated the US cavalry with bows and arrows. They were able to shoot off multiple arrows before the troops could reload. So, at 2:19, it would be incorrect to say that the first person with a gun had an asymmetric advantage over a person with a bow. The Comanche were ultimately defeated when the revolver was invented.

[@joefuller2336]

new topic? what is the heaviest thing/particle? How big does something need to get to collapses in on its self? ?2 what is the smallest particle/thing. how small does something need to be so as not to have mass. (radiation? photon? quork?) ?3 does the 2nd law of thermodynamics (as I understand it, everything will eventual find a point if equilibrium. ( expanding universe)) take into account gravity?

[@BALBIRSingh-ts9ee]

Great 👍

[@helpme100]

I'm going to say these talks rise my insides. 💠 ❣️

[@davidano1]

I was hoping for more about pumice raft islands from volcanic rocks... ACTUAL floating rocks!

[@64bitUnity]

Chuck has gotten so much better, props Chuck!

[@prla5400]

Chuck has evolved

[@craigscott2315]

The waves are not able to return from the core for it to be clearly determined what it is made of. Using other principles and observations it is a high probability. Last i heard we are not even able to determine if the core (inner) is solid or liquid.

[@Ash-ng4mn]

I hate that I need to preface my comment....but, as an American, I am soooooo thankful for scientists like NDT.

[@mr.chessboard558]

I have question to next video from your field : So we know that moon is slowly drifting away from earth , So when he will be that far away that we wont be able to see the eclipse.

[@charlidog2]

A guy was showing me his new shop. He pointed to a corner and said, "That's my step-ladder. I never knew my real ladder."

[@mitchellvicat2651]

You should talk about concrete battle ships.... aka my ancestors!!!

[@janrdoh]

Neil always finds a way to explode my mind.