StarTalk Podcast: An Exercise in Physics

What would a quantum stadium look like? Can you race Formula 1 on Mars? How do physics make a soccer ball curve? On this episode of StarTalk Sports Edition, Neil deGrasse Tyson, co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice, and astrophysicist Charles Liu are answering fan-submitted Cosmic Queries covering the physics of sports.
To start, we ponder if any sports of the future can take advantage of wave-particle duality. Charles and Neil investigate what a sports stadium on the quantum level would look like. This leads us to wonder if quidditch takes place in the quantum realm. Is the golden snitch entangled? Or, is it sentient? We also explore quantum chess.
You’ll learn about baseball physics. We investigate if a particular body-type gives you an advantage on the diamond. How would you adapt Formula 1 cars to be able to race on Mars? Neil shares an idea of having NASA-sponsored races featuring rocket engines. The rest of the crew quickly make him realize the issues that might occur when you strap a rocket engine to the back of a car on a grand prix track.
We dive into the physics of throwing a curveball and kicking a free kick. Gary tells us about the physics behind Roberto Carlos’ famous free kick in 1997.You’ll also learn why soccer players put the inflating valve of the ball where they plan to strike the ball. Charles elaborates on the physics of a curveball.
Find out more about Dom-jot, the billiards-style game played on Star Trek: The Next Generation. We debate if injecting science into sports can ruin the fun. All that, plus, we explore the science of hockey skates, the forces of surfing, and whether a higher mass can help you ski faster.
Support us on Patreon: / startalkradio
FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk:
KZbin: kzbin.info...
Twitter: / startalkradio
Facebook: / startalk
Instagram: / startalkradio
About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
"Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver inuit.com/.
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!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

[@hgcduke]

Said it before, im going to say it again. Seeing Chuck's understanding of science and physics increase over this series is amazing.

[@katiakatia2380]

Yeah, and there is hope for others artists😁😉

[@imanny99]

There's no way you can be around Neil for that long and some of it not rub off on you.

[@BeamMonsterZeus]

Going from complete ignorance to regurgitating a few concepts which has been repeated numerous times, usually inaccurately, is not really special in any way.

[@jasper265]

Charles out-geeked Neil from every direction until Neil was only hosting and joking. And it was absolutely fabulous.

[@YoungChaz60]

And that my friend is why Neil and Chuck gives him props every time he's on. 😅

[@nathanrocks2562]

Legend says that Roberto Carlos didn't curve the ball, he curved spacetime.

[@AnhTrieu90]

Because he’s a supermassive star.

[@TG-Maverick22]

Charles Liu is amazing! Thanks for hosting him, NDT and Chuck! Gary was awesome too.

[@480pilot]

Great group!! May the geek be with us!!

[@koendevries8411]

2 videos so short after one another. A true blessing🙏

[@netsperado]

37:52 when you overload Dr. Tyson's geek-o-meter....😂

[@madebydimiakagreekmachine5822]

Hahahaha

[@yousontheloose]

hahaha

[@simplyhuman3982]

I now look forward to finding out what you mean by that.

[@DooMedSean]

Are we going to get a video about how Saturn and Jupiter are aligning for the first time since medieval times, 800 years ago?!

[@arnaudjouanin7561]

2 points are always aligned, I think you mean Saturn, Jupiter & Earth :)

[@GradeEhCanadian]

This was my favorite one so far by far please do it again...

[@Stick-a-fork-in-Gmorks-tort]

I agree, Neil. You all should do this again.

[@cloverc0358]

They really should, I love it

[@HalkerVeil]

This dynamic works so well. I want more of these people.

[@bortiz11]

I had to watch the Roberto Carlos kick because I needed the reference. Wow! I see why the physicis of sports are so important and impressive.

[@FrankLassowski]

hi guys, lying in quarantene and having fun while watching you. Thanks! :-)

[@andremalcolm_studio]

36:50 Charles needs to be a permanent guest on your podcast. Please please please

[@rockdasdot415]

In baseball, if a second baseman makes a diving stop, it helps to be short so you can pop up more quickly. (look at Pedroia and Altuve) A second baseman with a taller frame has a wider range, but can't get up post-dive to throw to first. That extra millisecond makes a speedy runner safe at first. The taller second basemen take longer to get up due to their height, but the short guys can roll over on their left knee and suddenly be standing up! In Football it helps to be a running back with a lower center of gravity. He can visually "hide" behind the offensive line, then be tough to tackle. For example Darren Sproles: 5'6" 190 lbs. The defense said it was like trying to tackle a bowling ball.

[@melanezoe]

Charles Liu is extremely interesting. In fact, all y’all make for interesting and informative entertainment. Love it.

[@alexanderjohnson2309]

I'm $100 closer to asking Neil my questions...I can't wait.

[@user-cf2pl9uy5k]

This was fun, a talk about how the theory can be applied instead of just the theory

[@suivzmoi]

Charles Liu is amazing...i'd like to see him back on the show

[@AliJ]

Always a pleasure to see gary o'reilly

[@MarkLoweCEO]

41:00 😂😂😂 The Justin Wilson reference 👌

[@sterlinghoward5859]

This guy is the most interesting person i have ever seen. He has input for every question and every subject. It would be so cool to meet Sir Chuck

[@DaBlondDude]

This was awesome and that was perhaps the simplest most beautiful clear explanation of wave particle duality (and Quiddich =P) I've heard to date

[@rumburaczek1102]

Thank you Neil for the interview for Karol Paciorek, it was a great suprise to see you there, cause im polish that subscribes both of your channels and i even have your books.😁

[@kavehsarkhanlou8608]

Charles Liu is very polite and a delight.

[@coder001]

The whole crew, get the popcorn ready, yea buddy

[@erinmcginnis4991]

Favourite episode ever! I think if mass aided skiing in any significant way it would be evident by now through the variety of skiing sports.

[@jameskerry41]

5:00 after all the pleasantries...it begins

[@mr.j2415]

Thank you!

[@illmaticnj1991]

A new video 24 hrs later?? I love it!

[@CaptPhiI]

Not really into sports that much, but I really enjoyed this vid. There was great chemistry between everyone.

[@yousontheloose]

Love the episodes with Dr Charles and Chuck

[@Leftyotism]

Charles Liu on the next Comic-con.: Kylo Ren with his own hair! :D

[@simewn]

That was a great episode, another one with the same guests would be nice.

[@dttears8911]

How are we so blessed to be able to view this?

[@andrewmalin9570]

Matter, all matter waves of particles of duality, random chaotic order comes into play. "Round ball, round hole" quantum mechanic's come into play. I know... I've played sports. Basketball, Baseball, football. Man, I wrapped my head around this one on LSD!!! HAHHAHAHAH

[@impeachy1518]

Oh woe is me. I might have been first to comment when this post was fresh. I've been looking at the notification all day. More rare is the opportunity as channels grow quickly. But this sportcentric science content is durable enough to give even a Biff Tanner insight into his bets!

[@ericvacca551]

We need Neil and Michio together in a video.

[@logankerlee]

This video here is so great! I really enjoyed the discussion/explanation on players in baseball playing with a lower center of gravity! Very well done. :)

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

We need a whole episode about Ant Man and quantum stuff :DDDD

[@jfreshh330]

I was wondering where charles was! He hasn't been on StarTalk in a while

[@mikeforeal3216]

Thanks guys! Love ya

[@HerbalistMax]

Some of what professional athletes can do DEFY Physics!

[@stevestumpy6873]

Like in pod racing were the sand people shoot at the pods.

[@val287]

Of course, Barrett Strong sang the original song. If you know, you know! ☺️

[@dylan3657]

electron is a wave when high enough voltage is behind it and could be used to make observation in double slit experiment

[@garytucker8696]

Balance and scatter is normally larger one side!!

[@vincentmiller420]

In the ice/water-solid/liquid ice skating question part of this video. I have an idea to perhaps figure out these models with an experiment I just came up with. Maybe anyway...

[@Real28]

As a lifelong F1 fan, I can tell you the SRB and rocket engines for F1 would sound WAY better than the hybrid turbo v6s that sound so boring

[@garytucker8696]

Rolling motion low wheel base is more controlled.

[@DeadRoyaleClown]

great video watched until the end +1 comment for the algorithm

[@vinniejudilla3921]

You still need atmosphere for down force to push the car into the ground to go around the turns

[@GavaTron-fk3pi]

Hello there

[@StaticBlaster]

Lol. You sound like Obi-Wan.

[@joshuacotton2326]

General kenobi

[@severikarjalainen]

Ah yes the negotiator

[@GavaTron-fk3pi]

@@StaticBlaster that’s what I was going for thank you

[@madebydimiakagreekmachine5822]

37:32 Neil generally sounds concerned and looks crazy hahahah

[@fequalsma8678]

Hi, Dr. Tyson. Can you share the calculations that helped you derive with the date for the Manhattanhenge?

[@SteveN-uc4xh]

Just started seeing Chuck's Tide commercials 😎👍👍👍 he even added science into them, awesome. I'd totally buy it now if I wasn't allergic 😩

[@user-ec6kt2fg7m]

So what you are saying is Mars can have Speed Racer like races & cars?

[@jws1948ja]

I like Chuck too. Definitely ensightful

[@jakemruz8405]

Our F1 cars strike a balance with aerodynamics. They want to create as much downforce as possible without creating to much drag at high speeds. This way they get maximum grip and the ability to achieve high speeds. On Mars you’d want to focus heavily on downforce since there’s less atmospheric pressure to limit your to speed

[@StylianosKoupepides]

the G-wagon has a better drag coefficient than an F1 car (because of downforce). the G-wagon doesn't need downforce, it has weight.

[@rockdasdot415]

.and also for short players, look at how Ricky Henderson reduced the size of the strike zone by batting with his elbows on his knees (all-time MLB walks leader)

[@thirstfast1025]

Chuck Chuck, BOOM!

[@richardbem4313]

Watch Ronaldinho 14 tricks on you tube. This guy is insane soccer player. Amazing footage in middle of video where he is on a field kicking the ball from almost mid field off the goal crossbar one after another as ball flies back to him. Superhuman!

[@kenkubycheck3077]

You can overthrow a curve ball by having the forward velocity to be too high so that the curve spin does not "grab the air". The same thing happens if you try to throw a hooking bowling ball.

[@danielg6566]

I can imagine for the racing vehicles on Mars that weight is something that you may want to add to the chassis unlike on Earth. Maybe extra lead bars would be attached around the level of the wheel axles, perhaps a bit lower, which would add wheel traction.

[@werebaneceo]

Love star talk

[@corazoncubano5372]

Great show.

[@alangriffin8146]

I’m not a huge fan of English football, nor did I know who Gary O’Reilly was until I googled him, but what a silver fox! Dang Gary.

[@jacobschmid2898]

I am going to teleport from the effects of my cardiovascular system on the arteries of my brain interating with the additional effects of the nutriotional effects of the cardiovascular system on my nervous system under the influence of lsd euphoria.

[@alejandroruiz7050]

Some day are we going to get videos about how to Stargazing with Neil? 🤭

[@garytucker8696]

Surface tension looking inside out or outside in!!

[@ashokkumar-zw8vi]

Neil is going crazy when Dr Liu is explaining about the Star Trek game. 2 times Neil go crazy. I have to say,there is a reason Neil call him Greek In Chief. He is the man when you wanna get geeky all in. Dr Liu is crazy fun and crazy knowlegeable. I love him so much. He is a real actual geek. He always never fail to amaze me with his knowledge. He knows the most crazy stuff. I dont know how he do it man. Really fun guy to hang out with. And lastly,i have to say,this group of 4 people,Neil,Chuck,Charles and Garry is the best team ever. If you see these 4 guys together in an video,you bet its going to be crazy fun to watch. Love you guys for the knowledge and entertainment too. Stay safe guys. From a Startalk fan,from Malaysia.

[@PaulHallelujahMaranatha]

Dark matter resolved at marst,io /mass-deficit. E lensing in G wells creates new matter as per m =E /c ^2

[@BloodyEik11]

37:51 min. Exactly my thought. Cool nonetheless. :D

[@gaoutkast5847]

I Paused 5 mins to say....the Geekiest Geek, the Social Geek, the Funny Geek n Sports Geek combo is AmazGeeking! I'll be back! -Arnold who?

[@gaoutkast5847]

I'm back at the end and BLESSINGS TO ALL and I Love This Channel! Nerd Talk!

[@Hostilenemy]

Charles does look like Adam Driver.

[@bratosin1]

After 20 years in china

[@emperorgizmo3014]

@@bratosin1 Chinese Kylo Ren. Got it!

[@ignorasmus]

@29:00 : This really was a ridiculous shot. Literally, nobody even moved except Roberto Carlos - and the ball. The name for aerodynamic phenomenon that Charles did not mention, is "The Magnus effect". You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXjIfo1pqZ2dpJY

[@animarte4795]

I came from the future to say that I came from the future.

[@superbspurge]

Ahahaha

[@ompatel4760]

I am from your past to see you here'.......

[@nanovisiontv]

Give me some lotto numbers man for next week

[@jeffboley9058]

Well now that breaks the first law of time travel

[@XxUndeadSoldier1]

You say it like its weird but you coming from the future was supposed to happen and youre secretly telling the truth but nobody reading this actually believes you therefore our time line is unchanged and continues on at its regular pace

[@BonnieBeats]

Hate that beeping before breaks, sounds like my buzzer and I'm too para 😆

[@doublekvideos]

Anyone remember Super Baseball 2020 for Sega Genesis? Minus an atomic explosion...that had most promise!

[@kiethyrich]

can you store liquid oxygen and inject into an internal combustion engine to account for the lack of atmospheric oxygen?

[@tonywooten596]

no but NO2 - nitro does that

[@listenhere1623]

Dear Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson. I would love to have the opportunity to speak with someone of your stature and thirst for knowledge. Having said that I understand that your time is valuable so even if I had the money to grant me the possibility of your time at the current moment 15 minutes wouldn't be long enough to go down all the rabbit holes we would end up in. Star talk is the first anything I've ever thought about giving money to. Can I start at the lowest patreon level and work my way up to actually speaking with you. The fact that it would be recorded and possibly viewed by the masses would only be icing on the top. My topic would be about why aliens would want to explore earth given that they possibly have "seen it all" why would they care about anything that happens on earth like biology chemistry or material science. Signed someone that actually cares

[@Lightning_Lance]

Season two of Queen's Gambit: accepted AND declined.

[@emory442]

I would have liked to heard a bit about bowling and billiards

[@kartykeya7741]

Smack the quantum particles which pops in and out with quantum hammer .. that would be interesting game

[@flutzq3119]

They dream about sports. I dream about piloting a life size jet transformer mech suit.

[@colonelkurtz2269]

The problem of adding more weight while surfing is submerging your board. You'll look like a submarine that is diving. Boards have a liter volume and based on your weight, will let you know if you're too heavy for it. What the board is made of may impact as well. Best to learn on higher volume and longer boards, say greater than 7-7.5ft. Use a Volume Calculator to see what your volume range is. 🤙

[@mathewhudson7649]

Gary, Gary it's a football you played football...teach them... It's FIFA not FISA lol...Great show

[@iamdb1990]

I hate football, but I looked for that free kick Gary mentioned, it's impressive

[@farhanullahsarki6720]

want sports edition: Cricket 🏏

[@farhanullahsarki6720]

@Aditya Pratap Singh what??

[@farhanullahsarki6720]

@Aditya Pratap Singh Pakistan

[@farhanullahsarki6720]

@Aditya Pratap Singh q india 36 p out hogaya isliye?

[@dereckdonath2335]

Golden Snitch! I almost broke my ribs

[@hubersportsvideos]

Would love an explanation on the physics of a knuckleball

[@DudleyCreekStudio]

More massive skiers are faster. They accelerate more slowly but go faster once at speed. If more muscular they can push off with their poles to overcome the slower acceleration.

[@misterx168]

Who runs the channel, Neil or chuck?, or someone else?

[@davidl.4888]

2 Chucks at the most opposite ends of the spectrum 😂😂😂

[@ZeniferJenZ]

1:29 Ro·lo·dex 👈 for the kids /ˈrōləˌdeks/ noun a desktop card index used to record names, addresses, and telephone numbers, in the form of a rotating spindle or a small tray to which removable cards are attached.

[@richardlazarski4553]

Definitely efficient but it required the presence of said mechanism. Difficult to carry in your pocket.

[@ZeniferJenZ]

@@richardlazarski4553 Touche'

[@GOzHARd901]

Money is a Barry Gordy song, i believe...

[@twonumber22]

Me trying to figure out Chuck's shirt 🕵️

[@daydrip]

Slamz Dunk Soviet communism moon landing 🤔

[@dang1099]

Wade Boggs? Isnt that the guy who drank seventy beers on a plane ride across country then destroyed the Seattle Mariners the next day?

[@j-dubb614]

Gary O'Reilly coming to you from your local college geology lab.

[@queer_person]

Hi Neil, I was hoping for some confirmation about another channel that might be impersonating you. The channel is “Neil DeGrasse Tyson Office” and they are posting your content but audio only. Are you affiliated with this channel? I tried to report it for impersonating, but KZbin continually tells me “StarTalk” doesn’t exist as a channel. Lol. Love you keep it up