Want to prove Einstein's Special Relativity? Build this.

[@bhavyapal]

I love how easily he explains complex things

[@reed_reed]

I love lamp

[@donkeyhobo34]

I wish someone would love me

[@poppers7317]

@@donkeyhobo34 you need to love yourself first.

[@donkeyhobo34]

@@poppers7317 I do

[@invader_jim2837]

I still think his Hawking Radiation ep is one of the best videos goin round. .

[@iplaythebasslol]

The "lenght-contraction" part blew my mind. Everyone stays at the "time dilation" part and maybe that's why I never fully grasped this part of Relativity. Until now. Thank you so much.

[@Lucky10279]

I really like that Emily has been in more videos lately. It works really well that you explain stuff to her and clarify as needed, since it gives you a better idea of when the audience needs clarification. Plus, you guys just have great chemistry, so it's fun listening to you talk to each other.

[@ScienceAsylum]

Yeah, we're actually considering doing it even if we're not recording it. That way it'll help me write the script.

[@Lucky10279]

@@ScienceAsylum Is she working on every video with you now? I remember a while ago you guys announced she was quiting her job to work full-time with The Science Asylum. I'm kind of curious what she does though, if you guys don't mind sharing (and no worries if you'd rather not share), other than serve as a sounding board for you though, since she doesn't have the physics knowledge you do?

[@ronbennett7885]

@@Lucky10279 I hope she is still working or at least is still maintaining her certifications, job contacts, etc. Reyling on KZbin for one's main income is fraught with peril. Live and die by the algorithm. Also, there are people out there who sabotage channels to cause loss of income or even be demoted. Again, hope both of them have planned ahead. Patreon has its own issues and not something one should rely much on either. As happened with Twitter and Reddit, things can change quickly and illustrate how little control users really have over these platforms.

[@ScienceAsylum]

@@Lucky10279 Yes, she's working with me now on the videos. Her work is (mostly) behind the scenes though. She deals with sponsors, keeps my schedule on track, reminds me to post on social media, reminds me to take breaks, etc. For this video, she did a lot of the research on how to build a cloud chamber, what to buy and where, etc. She sits in on filming sessions behind the camera to make sure I don't misspeak, to give suggestions on tones of voice, to keep me from talking too fast, and to keep my clothes looking decent on camera with all the changes for clone shots. I also use her as my primary sounding board and she watches through the first draft of the videos to give critiques before we upload. Em is quite busy and I'm less overwhelmed because she's involved. We're a great team.

[@ScienceAsylum]

@@ronbennett7885 Working for yourself is not for everyone. It's never not scary. We can mitigate some of it by diversifying the income sources (AdSense, Patreon/memberships, sponsor, etc.), but that only does so much. We've actually been having a rough 2023, but that happens from time to time. Things are starting to turn around and we always have a buffer saved to get us through times like that. (Inconsistent income requires planning, but I'm a pro at that after teaching part-time for 12 years.)

[@luizucchetto2528]

Again a great video! As a former Physics Teacher I actually had a small set up cloud chamber to see these cosmic rays. I also had a piece of uranium ore and used a Geiger counter to hear the radioactive particles and then used the cloud chamber to "see" them. Please keep making these wonderful videos that makes physics understandable to all!!!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Very cool! I'm sure your student appreciated the hands-on aspect of it.

[@miinyoo]

That is very cool. What a treat for your students.

[@richardforster1239]

In my physics degree we did that same experiment to see radiation from a small piece of radioisotope. You never quite believe in radioactivity until you see those streaks shooting though the little chamber. The funniest part in hindsight was the way we got the dry ice. Place a sturdy sock over the end of a fire extinguisher and give it a good blast. The sock will collect more than enough dry ice to be useful in the grapefruit sized chamber we used. I think the lab technicians did this for us, but even so I expect health and safety probably had kittens when they found out. This was when the precession of gyroscopes experiment had an open air ring of mercury to provide the near friction free electrical contact for the motor in the gyro itself. 😁

[@0-by-1_Publishing_LLC]

(2:40) Your household items pricing is way off. ... You forgot to adjust for cosmic inflation.

[@ScienceAsylum]

😂

[@feynstein1004]

Ba dum tss

[@sphakamisozondi]

Nick, you got a talent bro, taking complex topics and bring them down to our level of understanding without sacrificing accuracy

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks. I work really hard on these.

[@mountaindesert34788]

^this!! Honestly it's probably what's appealed to me about all my favorite science channels! And very much with ScienceAsylum!

[@jasonhildebrand1574]

​@@ScienceAsylum the only thing omitted here that is very crucial would be how you determine the muon half life of a few milliseconds. How is that derived ?

[@josebarria3233]

Everything of this video beginning to end was a pure masterpiece

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks 😊

[@enricofermi67]

It would be if the word 'like' were used as a simile rather than a crutch. Yes, the explanation is there but the lack of language skill makes it more difficult to follow. Also, for those of us who are less knowlegable, we are not 'seeing' the muon but the track it leaves.

[@LordCogordo]

Bring your wife more often! Those episodes when you explain complicated stuff to her are amazing, someone asking "" questions its very helpfull

[@MrPwnageMachine]

Yeah a different angle on crazy really deepens the explanation. She’s a great addition.

[@acmelka]

I love it because she clearly is science literate. ,( biology ) Having someone who wasn't wouldn't work.

[@misslayer999]

Agree, she's great!

[@trisix99]

Her edited reactions are hilarious. I love the muons from space one! 😄

[@soumajitsen1395]

I have watched over a hundred of your videos, this is one of the best, if not THE best. You explain things so well!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks! 🤓 We worked hard on this one.

[@ZBB0001]

I didn't want to comment until I'd built the machine. I have and it's brilliant! Things like this are so important to get people interested and involved. Brilliant!

[@ScienceAsylum]

I'm so glad your version went well!

[@MeppyMan]

You’re going to be a big part of why some kids become physicists one day! I wish I had your videos to watch when I was a kid. I might have not dropped out of physics!

[@ScienceAsylum]

I hope I inspire a few.

[@MeppyMan]

@@ScienceAsylum I have no empirical evidence. But some things are obvious before you have the data. 😂 I.e you absolutely will be.

[@eigenchris]

Definitely one of the coolest DIY physics experiments I've seen on KZbin! I have to wonder if there'd be a way to show the matter/anti-matter difference by applying a magnetic field and watching the particles corkscrew in opposite directions. Alas, I'm not much of an experimentalist so I have no idea how practical that would be for this setup.

[@ScienceAsylum]

It'd have to be a Helmholtz coil if we wanted to trust the measurements. Gotta make sure the field is uniform, you know? If the field was strong enough, I'd bet it would work.

[@narfwhals7843]

That is likely how the positron was first observed(though not "discovered") by Skobeltsyn. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron#Experimental_clues_and_discovery

[@SlimThrull]

@@narfwhals7843 Wonderful. Now I have to worry about being hit by antimatter? /s

[@narfwhals7843]

@@SlimThrull you're being hit by anti matter every time you eat a banana😊

[@videotrexx]

Where's the anti-matter? (rhetorical question, there is NO anti-matter in this experiment).

[@CommanderBeefDev]

it is not "just a demonstration" it is proof that physicists are not crazy and your average person needs to quit calling science mumbo jumbo

[@tommyjones1357]

But it’s ok to be a little crazy!

[@DataJack]

So amazing. Well researched and presented.

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks for the support! I'm glad you appreciate my work. Really proud of how this one turned out.

[@Psychx_]

You have a lovely dynamic with your waifu! The whole thing of the two of you having a dialog about new topics, her asking questions, etc. gives the video a very natural feel.

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks! I think so too.

[@ninadgadre3934]

“Fast fast” gives me immeasurable joy and I am so glad you never forget to add that every time you say fast.

[@lj823]

Emily, you are absolutely perfection in interaction. Simply a fun, amazing video! Also amazing is that you've taken the time to read and respond to so many of our comments. TY!

[@SiddharthSingh-hx1bp]

Remarkable as always💯 Although I do miss your fervor in the past videos as compared to the recent ones... But still engaging though. So, kudos🥳

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks!

[@leverton275]

Thanks!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks for the support!

[@leverton275]

@@ScienceAsylum your work is simply outstanding. Frankly i have learned more from your channel and i have a deeper technical appreication that i never had or got from an ivy league education. Your attention to detail is second to none; and i love your passion for the subject.

[@toamastar]

Very cool demonstration and a wonderfully concise explanation! Thats why we love The Science Asylum! :D

[@timrwilson1]

Thanks! Your videos are wonderful.

[@ScienceAsylum]

Wow! Thanks for the support!

[@timrwilson1]

@@ScienceAsylum I watch a lot of your videos -- they're all great. Thought it was time to show my appreciation and help keep you going. Cheers

[@gutspraygore]

Awesome. I can guarantee this would have been a very exciting experiment in my physics class. And, even better, it looks like there are many physics lessons to explore just in that demonstration alone. Great stuff as always!

[@nick76dune]

Thanks!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thank _you_ for the support!

[@JCtheMusicMan_]

I was literally watching a video by The Thought Emporium on this topic when the notification of your video dropped! 😂 Your video came at the perfect time for me to get the “how to conduct your own lab to explore this topic further.” 😎❤️

[@ScienceAsylum]

Awesome! 🤓

[@alczhou]

Thanks for making these fantastic videos. A little greeting from Shanghai China.

[@ScienceAsylum]

Glad you like them. Thanks for the support!

[@alfadog67]

Mind == Blown. Leave it to Nick and Emily to drop it like this! Well done!

[@chockumail]

Thanks!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thank you!

[@1234j]

🎉oh, this was just excellent! It gives a huge immediacy to our awareness of the amazing universe we are in, when a fish tank, IPA, felt and dry ice between bakeware...shows us those tiny, ephemeral particles in real-time. What a WOWW factor. Thank you and cheers from England

[@atarixle]

Not only that I watched you seeing Relativity in the first place, but you also refresh the knowlegde the meaning of time and distance contraction in nice pictures. This video is one of the most importants for explaining Relativity if you ask me.

[@TheAyoubi]

This is what I would like to see on youtube daily.. Great job..

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks!

[@nate9672]

Such a cool video! I had no idea you could create a particle detector at home

[@olavl8827]

It's called a cloud chamber and there are different designs for it on the internet that you can make.

[@johnbash-on-ger]

@@olavl8827 You can also buy ready to use out of the box cloud chambers. Or to assemble kits.

[@garyhuntress6871]

Great demonstration. I would LOVE to see you repeat it with a local radioactive source, magnets and electric fields to see how you can perturb the paths!

[@kt420ish]

One of my favorite scientists to watch on KZbin! Always excited for some content!!

[@esra_erimez]

I love these types of episodes. You're a great team.

[@IllIl]

For some reason I was grinning throughout this video. Really cool demo and also nice to listen to you two talk science.

[@feliperamedeiros]

Very good explanation! As a man with no math skills, I can somewhat grasp some of the bizarre reality of our universe, and the analogy with a real event happening in front of our eyes is so on point! Thank you, and I agree with others here too: Emily is awesome, as a feller biologist I really appreciate her presence!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks! We're glad you enjoyed it 🤓

[@philjamieson5572]

I think that this is so well presented and explained that I'm going to watch it again immediately. Thanks for all you're doing for amateurs like me.

[@markkettlewell7441]

Nick Lucid what amazing videos you make for us crazies 😅

[@donniesmith3328]

Thanks! I love the crazy 🤪

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks for the support!

[@Life_42]

I never miss a video! You and your wife are awesome! Every viewer of this channel is awesome!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks!

[@diegofernandez4789]

Amazing! Why did you wait so long for a cool video like this one? Loved it!

[@ScienceAsylum]

The best videos take time.

[@williammorton8555]

Just a great presentation. That you were able to explain the concepts to a biologist is magnificent.

[@ZBB0001]

Absolutely brilliant. If it were a spaceship, I'd steal it. - Zaphod Beeblebrox

[@Salmach808]

WOW this is crazy cool man!!! such an easy, cheap and fun experiment to do. thank you for the upload

[@Electric_Bagpipes]

I think a good way to represent the speed of light would be to get a cloud chamber on an ultrahigh speed camera. Get a collab with the slomo guys or something, put it next to something like an explosion or a bullet for comparison, and show that even at those ridiculous shutter speeds its still instantaneous. Also I kinda wonder what it’d look like honestly

[@ashroskell]

That was a wild ride from the sun to the Earth via relativity! I totally loved the combination of smart questions asked by the audience analogue (your wife) the illustrations and the practical demonstration that people can really do at home! This show just gets better! Thank you. Really enjoyed that enthralling bit of practical physics, brought down to Earth, literally! Loved it.

[@feynstein1004]

Wow, this was amazing. MOAR PLZZZZZZZ 😊

[@TheZaratustra1989]

This demonstration was WILD! Amazing video

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks!

[@douglasboyle6544]

This is one of the rare times I actually knew the solution to the problem before Nick revealed it, I felt very proud of myself. 😊

[@ScienceAsylum]

Cool!

[@alexandroskappa642]

Awesome video as always! Super interesting knowledge, in super simplified language. Dinosaur couch plushie comes as a bonus!

[@c4ashley]

I love these demonstrations, because they're so accessible. But two things elude me. What kind of reaction is actually occurring that makes the streaks visible? And why does the streak itself look quite slow? I'm guessing that once a particle hits a bit of vapour, either it or the alcohol molecule changes in some way and that's what continues the streak, or maybe the muon just loses a bunch of its momentum upon collision? Either way, I'd love a bit of a deep-dive on the physics of the streaks themselves. Maybe a slow-mo? (Slow-slow!)😀

[@FriedrichHerschel]

No reaction. Just condensation.

[@oasntet]

The alcohol/air solution is super-saturated. The alcohol is totally ready to stop being a gas, it just needs a nucleation point to get started. So along comes a tiny particle, which interacts with a few molecules of the alcohol, giving it somewhere to condense, and it's a chain reaction from there. It's slow compared to the speed of the particle itself because we're actually seeing the alcohol condensing, not the particle itself.

[@jergarmar]

To clarify, the nucleation happens because the particle ionizes the alcohol; that is, knocks electrons loose. Alcohol is polar, so it will be attracted to these ionized particles, clumping together, which develops into a nucleation site for condensation. Now, as to the speed of the track itself, it's actually kind of tricky to measure exactly. There's a complicated chain-reaction happening at the atomic scale all the way up to the visual scale, so the speed at which the track propagates does not have a direct correlation to the speed of the particle. One thing though, the muon is losing momentum, but not THAT much momentum per collision. How do I know? Because momentum includes direction, and the direction doesn't change much. For muon tracks, they are usually identified by straight and skinny lines. They are still way more massive than the electrons they are colliding with.

[@JonBrase]

The streak forms too quickly to see, but it's initially just a trail of ions along the path of the particle, which isn't visible. The streak is "slow" because the actual coalescence of visible droplets around the ions takes time, so it's a while before the streak thickens enough to be visible. Meanwhile, the droplets get blown around on air currents, so as the streak thickens, it's already starting to be pulled apart.

[@c4ashley]

This just gets more fascinating with every reply! Thanks, all. 😄 If anything, it makes me want a Science Asylum video on the topic even more.

[@matej1769]

Best time dilatation and length contraction explanation ever!

[@albertmaheswara9968]

Wow, i didnt know you can make a muon detector with stuff you can find in your home. Im excited :3

[@ronnyvbk]

Can the government please sponsor this couple. You make science cool, interesting, comprehensible, fun, visual, tangible, for everyone. One can not find better science ambassadors. Many Thanks!

[@Gerastenok]

This is one of the best facts that shows time dilation isn't an illusion at all. It's real and due to it we can have things we couldn't without it

[@artdonovandesign]

Very, VERY cool! What a fascinating video and demonstration!

[@joz6683]

How to make a cloud chamber and have fun proofing the partial theory of matter as well as relativity. Thanks for a great video. I have always wanted to build one.

[@ronmcc100]

Awesome demonstration and explanation! Keep up the great work!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Glad you liked it! 🤓

[@brothermine2292]

When Em mentioned a "baby Earth" when viewed from the muon's frame of reference, it sounded like she thinks Lorentz length contraction is a contraction in all 3 spatial dimensions. It's contraction only in the direction of the muon's motion, so the Earth looks flattened into a disk... not shrunk into a small globe.

[@jamesmnguyen]

An important distinction for sure.

[@johnbash-on-ger]

Interesting, thanks for clarifying / correcting / providing more detail.

[@ospididious]

I love your videos. I'm glad you and your wife make them together. I hope that many someones see you as their Bill Nye. Keep it up.

[@nate9672]

Are you able to perform this demonstration indoors? And if so, how are the alpha particles/electrons/muons able to pass through the roof but then collide with the alcohol vapor? Apologies if this is a silly question 😅

[@ScienceAsylum]

Good question! Indoors is actually necessary because you need it to be dark. I did this in my garage and those muons came _through_ the wall. Remember, the wall is just a bunch of microscopic nuclei held together by even smaller electrons in a diffuse cloud. There's plenty of space for something like a muon to sneak through. As for the other particles, there are radioactive atoms (like radon) in the air everywhere.

[@lj823]

Thanks for asking the question! I hadn't even thought of it yet.

[@OnTheRiver66]

This was so good i had to subscribe! I have 2 Geiger counters and I have watched them side by side to see if a cascade would excite both at the same time. It seemed to happen at times, but I really need to take a time lapse video of them to see if it really happens. A really strong cascade, which doesn’t happen often, should be evident.

[@BronzeDragon133]

"That was a long one!" That's quite literally what she said. Fascinating video, thank you.

[@ScienceAsylum]

😆 (Also, glad you enjoyed it.)

[@jamesdriscoll_tmp1515]

@@ScienceAsylum laughing so hard!

[@TalYehuda-pj4oh]

Great video, explaining on camera is very effective (when you do it).

[@duprie37]

It's kinda spooky when you're so used to dealing with models. Like, hey these things are really out there, they really do exist!

[@Fred-yq3fs]

Whoa, this is great content. Simple words for hard concepts. Just the right mix of fun, spark, focus, reasoning, clarity, and a crazy good script! Nick and Emily: your alchemy works so well! Talent and hard work. I'll recommend your channel to friends and colleagues: their children will get hooked too.

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks! It would be nice if the KZbin algorithm felt the same way.

[@Marzano15]

Haha pretty cool stuff. Had no idea how easily one could just witness the presence of a cosmic ray in their kitchen.

[@Bora_H]

Pretty wild that these things are flying through us and having no apparent effect! ✴🙃

[@tomdonaldson8140]

I love this. So simple. And as you say, relatable.

[@potawatomi100]

Love your videos for their educational value, information and entertainment. The inclusion of your lovely wife is a really good addition.

[@cesarmoreno987y]

great video nick!

[@yad-thaddag]

Building my own cloud chamber. I need to try this! 👍

[@ScienceAsylum]

Awesome! Just remember, safety first.

[@eritronc]

Nick, you are the best!!! Thank you, and nice to see you gf sharing screen with you, you make a great couple!!

[@ludvercz]

Very cool demo. And I don't just mean it's temperature

[@ScienceAsylum]

😆

[@ghostlyfieldclub2930]

This is so fascinating, I just wish I had the space for one of these. And the explanation is really clear and comprehensive too!

[@sadderwhiskeymann]

Although I've seen this experiment before, i really enjoyed your presentation. Well done❤

[@ScienceAsylum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Iamthelolrus]

I love cloud chambers

[@ScienceAsylum]

Aren't they cool?!?!

[@cocoscacao6102]

Awkward M trying to keep straight face while saying "muons from space" was hilarious. You really need a separate channel to upload accompanying blooper videos. Btw, theory is all well and nice, but I like these occasional videos with "garage experiments" where you can literally see the effects. Awesome one

[@ScienceAsylum]

I love the theory stuff the most, but I acknowledge that isn't a widely held opinion.

[@cocoscacao6102]

@@ScienceAsylum Don't get me wrong. Without theory, all of this is basically magic. I like these videos because, usually, my assumption is that to test/see any of the effects related to relativity/particles, you need a super secret, underground, James Bond villain, government labs... and yet... you're having fun in your garage :P

[@nigeldepledge3790]

Many years ago, we used cloud chambers at school to observe the emissions from a radioactive source. We saw lots of tracks in a short time. However, our cloud chambers might have been too small to distinguish muons from other kinds of particles. They were sufficient unto the purpose for which they were used.

[@mjolnir3309]

Very helpful. Much more intuitive explanation of time dilation and length contraction.

[@nate5land]

Flat Earth confirmed (if you’re a particle traveling at 99.9% of C)! 🤣👍

[@c4ashley]

😂 I actually snorted. Well done. 👏

[@pryles2000]

That was an excellent video....really good demonstration ...thanks

[@ScienceAsylum]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤓

[@Optimal_Living01]

Don't you EVER for a second stop publishing videos, I NEED THEM TO STAY SMART!!!

[@Mr_OoOsH]

This also explains the visions astronauts say they experience, the visible particles here show what astronauts were explaining, except their particles were visible when travelling through their eyes in space. I may be slightly off but I’m pretty sure that about sums it up.

[@mountaindesert34788]

Omg I love your wife's hair in this! And your videos as always! I can learn something interesting every day! This experiment is just crazy that we can do this pretty easily without a whole science lab or place like CERN! They handle vety small, fast particles so I'm curious now! I know there is a laboratory set up to detect muons, thats pretty cool! I don't know much about muons but they are fascinsting! Ive mainly been learning about outer space though and it makes sense why you wouldn't hear much about muons since I dont know where they exist besides around Earth if theyre crewted here, not sure if the same conditions exist so muons exist elsewhere too. I need to learn more and thanks to channels like yours, I will!

[@ScienceAsylum]

I'll let her know you love the hair 🙂. As for CERN, they don't need the fancy expensive equipment to detect the particles. The machines also create the particles in large quantities _and_ can control the speed at which they collide with each other _AND_ allow them to take very accurate measurements of the particle properties. We can't do any of those things in my $85 cloud chamber.

[@thedagit]

That was great. Now please make a video exploring/explaining the physics that made your pan sing when you set it on the dry ice.

[@TheWunder]

Nice to see you doing well.

[@pikiwiki]

thank goodness the lady is there. She makes it easier to understand

[@blech71]

Such a wonderful vid, love the enthusiasm!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pamelacollins1153]

Once again you have boggled my mind and sparked joy for being able to learn this totally awesome stuff. Thanks guys ❤

[@harthur2010]

Very cool video! Muons are cool. I think they also make Geiger counters click when not near a radioactive source. Also, I know they use muons to do things like peer inside large, dense objects like the pyramids.

[@acmelka]

This is fantastic! Who knew anyone could see radiation elementary particles and relatively with a set up this simple. I'm rigging this up this weekend!

[@SoundzAlive1]

Nick, Demonstration using our mark one eyeball is a great way to engage the masses. Kudos to you. André in Sydney

[@itsame1277]

Thanks Nick so interesting and a great demonstration

[@ScienceAsylum]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤓

[@christianmaxschafer8696]

Great Experiment and very good dialogues

[@josephk9992]

This is awesome! Right now my son is only 17 months but in a few years this looks like a great introduction to science, will definitely be doing this someday

[@ShaggyMonk]

Awesome video as always!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Thanks!

[@rjk471]

Awesome. I can't wait to do this experiment in my garage.

[@mvsawyer]

I've been wanting to build a cloud chamber for awhile. Your setup is the easiest I've seen. I'm going to do it with my kids this weekend!

[@ScienceAsylum]

Awesome! Just remember, safety first.

[@mvsawyer]

@@ScienceAsylum Always!

[@rinokentie8653]

Excellent video! First time I hear a good practical example of relativity impact on time.

[@ScienceAsylum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@juzbecoz]

Woah! You are back !!! Let it reach million

[@ScienceAsylum]

I haven't gone anywhere. My guess is, I've just been posting videos about topics you're not interested in (and the algorithm knows).

[@juzbecoz]

Sir ,first a youtuber is replying in KZbin comment section as of we are talking WhatsApp,Great salute to you and you morals.