Physics experiments that changed the world - with Suzie Sheehy

Twentieth-century physics has changed the world - and some of the most important discoveries happened right here at the Royal Institution. Watch the Q&A here: • Q&A: Physics experimen...
Suzie's books 'The Matter of Everything' is out now: geni.us/Qi5U
Subscribe for regular science videos: bit.ly/RiSubscRibe
Join Suzie as she brings physics down to earth, and explains how scientists can walk into a lab and discover ground-breaking things about our universe. She uses stories, demonstrations, and a bit of Ri history, to explore how physics experiments have impacted our lives. From the discovery of X-Rays, to the history of women in physics, to the race to split open the atomic nucleus.
This talk was recorded at the Royal Institution on 3 May 2022.
0:32 Introduction
0:52 Physics at the turn of the 20th century
4:35 Predicting the future in 1900
7:57 Wilhelm Röntgen and the discovery of X-rays
14:22 J.J. Thompson and the discovery of the electron
24:09 Harriet Brooks and understanding radioactivity
29:51 Victor Hess and discovering cosmic rays
33:30 C.T.R. Wilson's cloud chamber
41:10 The women who pioneered particle photography
45:55 The first particle accelerator
54:32 The emergence of big science after WW2
57:40 Helen Edwards and the superconductor
1:03:27 Hope for the future
Suzie Sheehy is a physicist, academic and science communicator who divides her time between her research groups at the University of Oxford (where she is a Royal Society University Research Fellow) and the University of Melbourne (where she is Senior Lecturer). Her research focuses on developing new particle accelerators for future applications in areas such as medicine and energy.
An award-winning public speaker, presenter and science communicator, Suzie is dedicated to sharing science beyond the academic community. She has delivered professional lectures and keynote presentations, written and delivered live shows to tens of thousands of students, is an expert TV presenter of Impossible Engineering for Discovery Channel and in 2018 delivered her first TED talk as part of TEDx Sydney, which has received over 1.4M views.
----
A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially:
Andy Carpenter, William Hudson, Richard Hawkins, Thomas Gønge, Don McLaughlin, Jonathan Sturm, Microslav Jarábek, Michael Rops, Supalak Foong, efkinel lo, Martin Paull, Ben Wynne-Simmons, Ivo Danihelka, Paulina Barren, Kevin Winoto, Jonathan Killin, Taylor Hornby, Rasiel Suarez, Stephan Giersche, William Billy Robillard, Scott Edwardsen, Jeffrey Schweitzer, Frances Dunne, jonas.app, Tim Karr, Adam Leos, Alan Latteri, Matt Townsend, John C. Vesey, Andrew McGhee, Robert Reinecke, Paul Brown, Lasse T Stendan, David Schick, Joe Godenzi, Dave Ostler, Osian Gwyn Williams, David Lindo, Roger Baker, Greg Nagel, Rebecca Pan.
---
The Ri is on Patreon: / theroyalinsti. .
and Twitter: / ri_science
and Facebook: / royalinstitution
and TikTok: / ri_science
Listen to the Ri podcast: anchor.fm/ri-science-podcast
Our editorial policy: www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks...
Subscribe for the latest science videos: 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.

[@nycbearff]

It turned out that I already knew all the facts in this lecture, but Professor Sheehy kept my attention all the way through anyway, and put the narrative together in a very interesting way. Excellent lecture.

[@jayg6138]

Sort

[@jayg6138]

Sure

[@christopherkirkland7174]

After all the years I have been interested in physics, I love finding out new things about how the discoveries were made, and the people involved.

[@khizzard_069]

Same here. The difference is that it's my beginning. And I love it. الحمدللہ ❤️

[@TheAMadMan]

Whith the X-Ray, the Kay of its rapid spread wasn't his willingness to spread the idea, but his willingness to share it with everyone by not patenting it. The patent system: hampering development one decade at a time.

[@Iridium43]

If you’re rich you don’t need to make money. You can do all kinds of stuff as a hobbyist.

[@das250250]

This is a part of science that is too often not taught but should be. To understand the history is to understand the way to think when conducting science ,to understand the tools needed to find answers to questions , the methodology, the patience , the danger , the thankless circumstance some people found themselves in, the severe bias towards male recognition. So may aspects of this that are not written in equations or statistical data . Thanks for touching a very small part of this big story .

[@ybaydur]

An excellent subject and lecture! Thank you!

[@Hammeredmedusa]

Absolutely captivating, thank you

[@shesagoodgirl]

what a great way of explaining with a love for the subject .....thank you

[@jogon1052]

Very well presented and informative. Well done Suzie and I will buy her book.

[@audiodiwhy2195]

Outstanding lecture. Interesting and fun. Thank you.

[@johneonas6628]

Thank you for the video.

[@harveytheparaglidingchaser7039]

Really inspiring talk. Thank you so much

[@andrewmays3988]

What a sweet breath of fresh air in the foggy world of physics!! Thank you!!😇

[@Cinetyk]

I am no particular critic of Capitalism, but in 2022 I find it's a particular beautiful thing that Roentgen shared his findings and thus allowed them to be publicly available like this AND, in particular, I FINALLY found what the "Roentgen" scale in the Netflix's show "Chernobyl" actually meant. Honestly, I feel like the late 19th century, early 20th century was when we found the utmost professional people in their field together with people utmostly positive and inspiring. Cheer on this lecture!

[@jorymil]

The particle physics lesson that people can work together on large problems is really a unique point that I've never heard before. Such a hopeful way of looking at the world, in spite of some pretty major environmental and social issues.

[@howardlandman6121]

The 1931 giant Van De Graaff generator that now lives in the Museum Of Science Boston was able to reach +5 MV on one sphere and -5 MV on the other, so it could give 10 MeV energies to charged particles and ions. I ran an experiment inside it in 2010; the original wooden workbenches from 1931 were still there.

[@keopsequinox1624]

Great lecture, thank you!

[@user-it6oy6pu5f]

A very envigorating presentation which leaves me yearning for some more.Am impressed with the additional in depth knowledge she simplified for all enthusiasts to comprehend.

[@teleskees]

Great lecture! Thanks!

[@noneofyourbizness]

1:46 "...the 20th century in physics was an enormous decade of change." so enormous, in fact, that it seemed as though it could have contained fully ten decades of change !

[@rohitchat5538]

Most wonderful channel for the point of great learning it's art of great experience based truth so interesting makes easy day today ..about mostly all fields of faculties like 👍..I am minutely listening yours great study experience..

[@peterbalogh2646]

Fascinating! Which made it even better is the speaker. Knowledgeable, loves the topic, and despite the fact that her haircut has more understanding of science and history then I could reach in 3 lifetimes, she still managed to be this lovely character. Kudos!

[@NInjaTunazier]

Amazing lecture Suzie and excellent way of taking a stand on the nature of science and how we have used it and how we should use it. You could have even talked more about the scientist+civilians "sacrificing" or loosing their lives after doing experiences with new inventions etc. Many lives were lost due the lack of safety issues back in the days or just due to not knowing all the side effects etc. Excellent job Suzie. I am very amazed by your work and by your wisdom.

[@dazio7035]

What a fantastic journey through the discovery of physics..... Fascinating! Well done Suzie for making a difficult subject to understand so accessible. Frankly, I didn't think that this would be an easy watch, but it was well explained and your excitement for science is quite infectious. I'm looking forward to reading your book. Excelsior!!!!!!!

[@MyMy-tv7fd]

1. Wilhelm Röntgen, 1895: X-ray 2. J. J. Thompson, 1897: electron 3. Ernest Rutherford, 1919: radioactive half-life 4. Victor Hess, et al. 1913- : cosmic ray 5. Ernest Rutherford, 1932: neutron, alpha particle, etc 6. Fermilab, 1983-2011, Tevatron, top quark, certain baryons, etc 7. Large Hadron Collider, 2012, Higgs boson

[@sebastianelytron8450]

Without timestamps this comment is effing useless

[@MyMy-tv7fd]

@@sebastianelytron8450 true

[@RealitysVoice]

@@MyMy-tv7fd try the Edit option

[@fburton8]

@@sebastianelytron8450 Not as useful as it could be, but still useful to see the topics covered in order.

[@spiralsun1]

Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤️‍🔥

[@dhindaravrel8712]

If I was to predict the future now, I'd make future architecture look more like hobbit holes for rural areas, and artificial hills with forest-cover up top for the urban ones. For we either manage to bring some space for nature back, or we won't have a future.

[@franklinadams7826]

Great communicator for all and everyone

[@freddyjosereginomontalvo4667]

Awesome channel with awesome content and great quality as always say 💖🌍

[@tresajessygeorge210]

THANK YOU... Ms...!!!

[@mellertid]

My chemistry teacher actually had us do some basic glass blowing 🤓

[@ftumschk]

An informative and inspiring lecture. Thank you!

[@tomfowler2091]

Excellent lecture Suzie. I love learning, and this lecture is fascinating.

[@leonhardtkristensen4093]

I think that the most amazing thing in this lecture was the last statements. Basically don't disregard an opinion or idea just because the suggester doesn't have a top education and don't just mix with people with your own education and knowledge.

[@andiholman2543]

Suzy is amazing here, I love the nervous energy!

[@russellbrooks5073]

I love the 19th century post cards. We didn't end up playing croquet under the sea, but did play golf on the moon!

[@X1Y0Z0]

Excellent

[@BrianPeiris]

Thanks!

[@TheRoyalInstitution]

You're welcome, Brian - glad you enjoyed it!

[@LordZero666]

Great lecture to enjoy with my lunch.

[@DaveWhoa]

proud to have an Australian at the Royal Institution!

[@qbarnes1893]

For once a deeply intelligent interesting discussion, someone who can articulate their lower mandible to be coherent. Brilliant, thank you 🥰

[@800-high9]

1:48 The 20 th century in physics was an enormous decade of change?

[@FergusScotchman]

This is such a great summary! I've never heard the chronology and people involved over this span of time, and that wasn't overshadowed by relativity. Thank you! I would love to just stand at that table and soak in the genius.

[@Danoz_die_wreckt]

You go girl👍

[@miriamreiss]

Well, in Germany Lise Meitner is well known for her contribution on the first fision by Otto Hahn in 1938.

[@peterjongsma2779]

If you take things for granted, this lecture will cure you.

[@webgpu]

"this, that, this,that" (CHUCKLES) "this, that, this,that" (CHUCKLES) "this, that, this,that" (CHUCKLES) "this, that, this,that" (CHUCKLES) "this, that, this,that" (CHUCKLES) "this, that, this,that" (CHUCKLES) "this, that, this,that" (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) DO YOU TELL HER, OR DO I?

[@Dr10Jeeps]

Well done. As others have said, hands-on demonstrations of how things were discovered and the people behind these discoveries is fascinating. Thank you RI and Dr. Sheehy.

[@spiralsun1]

There is nothing I enjoy more than sparkly scientists. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 The sparklier the better! 🤩💃👍🏻 thanks 🙏🏻 This was extremely interesting and beautiful and helpful. Thank you so much 🥰❤️‍🔥

[@starlightlake9666]

Please explain the scientific term 'At this point in time' .

[@fredflintstoner596]

Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam ." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea !" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"

[@rs.7610]

electron isnt a particle its a charged electrical field

[@pmfx65]

A wonderful talk! Just a small thing, but our main server at our company is called "Marietta" in honor of Marietta Blau!

[@jagmarc]

I've just discovered by accident reverb effect improves enormously the sound of the presenter talking. I think RI should add add reverb or slight echo to all their future video soundtracks. .. Edit: Nothing new. .. Just discovered the BBC have used subtle reverb on talking since the 1930's

[@viktorbaraga4514]

I admire her presentation. It's different and I have to give her credit for making us listen until the end. I get bored with polished presenters. They can talk as long as they stick with the script. There is one man I'm missing, which I'm shore is not presenter's fault, and his name is Nikola Tesla. He was the most prolific inventor and he was particularly able to convert his ideas and lucid dreams into a working product. I can only guess why he was ignored, his lab burned down, car hit, investors turned away when he most needed them There are number of patents and ideas that were copied from him such as; Telegraph, Roentgen tube, rays, harp, death rays, x-rays, scalar longitudinal electric waves, Tesla’s inventions included the following; AC Power (alternating current) Tesla Coil Magnifying Transmitter Tesla Turbine Shadowgraph Radio Neon Lamp Hydroelectric Power Induction Motor Radio Controlled Boat Looking at this list I'd conclude that Tesla breakthrough inventions are the basis for a lot of todays or future inventions. There is a lot of controversies regarding Tesla, but if one is prepared to study his works from various sources, he/ she will learn how much ahead he was and how much more could he participate to humanity if he was not step sided and ignored for 30 years.

[@mellertid]

X-rays are called Röntgen rays in several languages 👍

[@MonkeyKong21]

5:38 the underwater breathing apparatii of their day weren't self-contained, so I think that's an accurate prediction. the automation isn't so far off either

[@TheRoyalInstitution]

What do you think has been the most world-changing physics experiment? Let us know in the comments. You can watch the Q&A for Suzie's talk here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXariX17e7iZqqc

[@Daniel-ih4zh]

When isaac newman threw that apple against that tree or sumtin

[@John.0z]

There are many experiments that led to our understanding of the world. But I think it was the discovery of the electron. As Dr. Sheehy pointed out, it led quickly, and directly to so many things that are now seen as indispensable parts of our everyday lives.

[@TheRealFranc]

x-rays hands down. If you can't see how many nickels the child swallowed then you can't save him.

[@dariuschong4574]

Michelson Morley experiment

[@fburton8]

Electromagnetism - specifically Michael Faraday’s first electric ‘motor’ at the Royal Institution.

[@fburton8]

“It cools down so quickly; look the colour’s gone already.” I’d still wait a few minutes before touching it!

[@pauldiani]

We want more

[@alanmodia]

Nifty. How the electron was discovered.

[@rohitchat5538]

Wonderful absolutely 👍 way to explain journey on basis practicality how step by step mass take place ..frequencies waves sounds patterns colors has immense role related to human history..How 🌈 emerged ..cosmic rays high energy protons..most advance theory ..super saturated stage ..

[@donaldhoot7741]

Life expectancy is very deceiving since most deaths were babies and children in 1900 thus lowering the average! It has not improved drastically since.

[@Jeff121456]

John Ambrose Fleming invented the Fleming valve not Alexander Fleming.

[@donaldasayers]

Traditionally the gold foils in an electroscope were attached using a smear of earwax obtained by inserting a finger.

[@crazyfacts6909]

I am also want to study there

[@DavidRexGlenn]

Clicked on this because I thought, from looking at the tiny thumbnail, that Weird Al was the lecturer

[@iain5615]

Some of the things she stated as known, are not and are only supposition. When a scientist states we know you should take it as an assumption that may or may not be the best known explanation we currently have. Sometimes it is complete supposition that is not science but scientism.

[@donho1776]

Very interested in the science and history but could do without the giggling.

[@ifkekanrunning4768]

Thanks! I quick question - what is the half- life of a Hydrogen atom, and what is the result? (Since halfing everything must ultimately result in Hydrogen atoms… 😊)

[@schmetterling4477]

We don't know. There is no well established half life for the proton, yet. :-)

[@Gesundheit888]

I never understand who was counted when they tell us life expectancy like in the 1900. My ancestry goes back way further than that and unless they died in infancy or of a farming accident or as soldiers in a war, the vast majority live to be between 75 -80 years of age. Go to an old cemetery in any country in Europe and see how old the deceased were and you'll find, aside from what I have mentioned, they lived to the age of 75-80.

[@nacnud_]

Interesting...

[@MAT3RO1]

Truly a remarkable presentation!! I read probably my most highly inspirational book by my newfound role model, Fundamentals: The Ten Keys to Reality by Frank Wilczek who he references experiments as well as other interesting findings in this presentation. There’s also the book, QED The Strange Theory of Light and Matter by Richard P. Feynman which this video helps me visualize the x-rays excitements. These all ultimately lead me to a sense of motivation and question as to what’s left to discover? Well I position myself towards LIGO Virgo KAGRA into understanding gravity and gravitational waves. Of course education follows, but for now I am currently reading a booklet called Relativity the 100th anniversary; as instructed I have not proceeded further until I am fully convinced on the requirement needed in chapter 8. For the vitality of humankind.

[@annesaffer629]

Loved the lecture, loved the T-shirt, hate the giggles.

[@artsmith1347]

Agree, too many giggles. I suppose it is natural to be nervous in a venue with such a history. If a woman wants to highlight the contributions or women in science, fewer giggles could help the cause.

[@RFC-3514]

2:42 - This is a bit misleading, namely because it's missing three words. The number she's quoting isn't "the life expectancy of people in 1900", it's the *average* life expectancy *at birth* of people (born) in 1900. Most people alive in 1900 were actually likely to live well past the age of 45 (though two world wars may have skewed that a wee bit ;-). Until the middle of the 20th century, child mortality was over 50% of all mortality. But if you made it past 10, there was a pretty good chance you'd live past 60 (still not as long as nowadays, but the difference isn't quite as huge as saying "the life expectancy of people was 45" suggests).

[@The-KP]

Great presentation. I appreciate the focus on women's contributions to our fundamental understandings of particle physics -so refreshing. In school, all male but for Mme Curie.

[@dantebg100]

You are amazing 😍🤩😍

[@traiandanciu8139]

Curiosity and serendipidity

[@seamusandpat]

Sir Godfrey Hounsfield, please.

[@alexandramiroshnikova5885]

PARLAPHONE WAS THE BEATLES RECORD LABEL.

[@MrLiDavey]

Imagine two protons crashing @ an "Exact", 90% angle, to each other, in the beginning of time. With all the chaos of the universe. What do you think happened?

[@bryandraughn9830]

Everything happened.

[@gyrojomo]

Creating electrons with the RI.

[@CLipka2373]

"Edison couldn't find a use for it" Wow. Edison, master of making money off other people's inventions, totally misses out on the opportunity to make money off what might be the only thing he invented himself...

[@tokajileo5928]

I miss the invention of laser and what it means today

[@avinashbandpatte3630]

Why we exist? That's the main topic in physics so we know Why we exist What happened nxt I'm very curious 😁

[@musiqtee]

Our future is a wave function of probabilities. We just need to collapse it with dignity for all…

[@richardredic]

Pretty interesting talk. I appreciate the speaker's motivation to point out women's contributions to science that have been popularly ignored. I do think it is worth noticing that in all likelihood, for each one of the women she is pointing out, there are probably dozens of men that history has also ignored. Consider the group photo with Harriet Brooks who the speaker presumes (correctly) that no one in the audience would recognize. How many men are in that same picture that similarly no one could name? I count about seven. That isn't to say women got the recognition they deserved, but that doesn't mean that same thing isn't true for many men too. I wouldn't be surprised if the historical low recognition rate of women in science is similar to the historical low participation rate of women in science, and isn't at all about some misogynistic agenda.

[@MrPwnageMachine]

Participation rates would surely have been higher had they been given the same freedoms. Financial support and being able to continue working after marriage for example.

[@miriamreiss]

At that time many women weren't even allowed to attend any university. Even Marie Curie had troubles when she went to paris. She was allowed to study, but no one wanted to support her ambitions to become a doctor. She needed to convince Bequerel that she is capeable of.....we know how that story ends. Two Nobelprizes for her and one for her daughter.

[@zebra3962]

Lord kelvin said it in 1901, so you can't fast forward to 1896 .at 653 minutes

[@silence8806]

I am glad i live in a time and area in the world, where women can work easier in more fields, than a hundred years ago.

[@gabotron94]

So cool to see the electroscope from over 100 years ago working! She's a great presenter, too

[@dh2032]

so at 12:38, EMI, so we have The Beetles, to thank for for contributing all record sales, cash, in to CT Scanner creation? not something you here the band talk about?

[@Tysto]

Discussion of inventions begins at 7:00

[@peterjongsma2779]

The question is : What's the Half Life of Gold?

[@Herzeleydt_Diesentrueb]

Röntgens lab - kind of austere compared to LHC ...

[@michaeltrillium]

Not sure if it was an accident or calculated, but delicious showing 1900’s cartoons trying to predict life in the 2000’s, the 2000’s woman didn’t remember what the profession which makes clothes is called… (Tailor.)

[@jnhrtmn]

Michelson and Morley only showed that space has no absolute location with which to establish a drift velocity. It didn't prove that light speed was "relative to the observer," but that is how it turned out thanks to the "belief" in what math tells you. So, using math, Relativity changes your data using transform equations so that light speed can become the constant that it is declared to be, even though it don't look constant before the transformation. This means that there is at least one alternative non-transformed theory that is completely ignored. A transform is a number between 0 and 1 that is a scale factor to adjust length, mass, and time to keep light speed c. It is not smarter than that which makes it faith in math after it CHANGED your reality.

[@timbrown9961]

Sounds like your a flat earth type bible basher type. When you quote "belief "

[@das250250]

You might also take with your next talk newspaper clippings showing people advertising x-rays to be used as a cosmetic youthful treatment .Needless to say that ended very tragically for the women who bought those treatments ..time hasn't changed .

[@simonrigac8201]

18:55 Hermione Granger

[@neddyladdy]

And there has been an almost infinite increase in statistics.

[@helifynoe9930]

You can do an experiment in your head. Picture motion from all angles, and do so until you understand it fully. In my videos you can see what the outcome is. No physics background education is required to do the same. In short, you can be your own Einstein.

[@spiralsun1]

Thank you I love you so much 🥰👍🏻

[@shivjikhanath3586]

when physics get political , very true ma'am

[@wienerjoseph7554]

Ahha CERN T shirt