Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains the Smallness of Molecules

How small is a molecule? In this StarTalk explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are here to help you visualize a molecule’s actual size.
To start, Neil gives his favorite thought experiment to help us understand the size of molecules. You’ll learn why this leads Chuck to say he’s never drinking water again. Discover more about “quantum construction” and building things on a molecular level. You’ll learn about Avogadro's number and measuring things in mole.
We explore why it’s remarkable that we were even able to discover molecules at all. Neil explains how our five senses held us back from discovering things until we invented ways outside our senses to discover them. All that, plus, we discuss why there’s a philosophical issue in our own physiology when it comes to communicating things of extraordinary size in the universe.
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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
0:00 - Sponsored by Surfshark
1:15 - Introduction
1:41 - Atoms
2:20 - H20 Molecules
7:00 - Air Molecules
8:10 - Discovery of Molecules
8:33 - Molecular Engineering
9:44 - The Grape Kool Aid Cycle
10:31 - Decoding Reality
11:33 - Avogadro’s Number
14:12 - Closing Notes

[@JWhitePWC]

i hope they never run out of things to explain

[@Buddha.ThaGod]

They literally couldn’t if they tried.

[@jayrajshirali6327]

Knowledge is infinite

[@absoluteradiance5423]

Yeah explaining everything would be the best and worst thing that could happen for science.

[@mgeorgescu]

How could one run out of things to explain?

[@mrpearson1230]

Impossible! Too many things to talk about.

[@johnanderson5500]

"12 grams isn't that much." Yeah tell the judge that! 😂

[@cassuttustshirt4949]

This comment underrated gold.

[@sith4life375]

I was thinking something similar... don't guys charge like $120 for that much?

[@funky_missy]

i ruined the 69 likes on this comment

[@eddillahunt]

😂😂😂😂

[@vib3rations888]

Hey John... that's 12,000 milligrams buddy!

[@NeroThacher]

Be it 3 minutes or 3 hours - this show is always a JOY to watch

[@ViratKohli-jj3wj]

Agreed

[@gregowski_pl]

Neil: "I have nothing else to add to that... oh, by the way..." and he continues his awesome examples :)

[@TheBiggreenpig]

Yeah, I was slightly disappointed he won't mention the star counts... Then he did.

[@ericparrish1515]

I don't think anybody behind the curtain is looking for a good influence.

[@etjamir]

Neil deGrasse Tyson explains EXPLAINING

[@RafiGish]

Can you explain to Neil & Chuck that a VPN doesn't prevent sites to track you though? They really are clueless about the actual functionality of their sponsor... Thanks a lot!

[@theduder2617]

@@RafiGish Except that criminal scammers utilize VPN's all of the time to avoid being tracked. A vpn can block tracking technology. It is why internet criminals use a vpn. To avoid being tracked and located. All a website or ISP would be able to determine is that a person is using a VPN. And not every website or ISP are able to even detect that, much less track anything else on a system running a VPN. Where the risk actually lies in regards to VPN's is that the creator of the VPN can track your every single move. Many actually do so actively. Norton for example offers VPN service. Except they track EVERYTHING done while using the service. Talking passwords, home addresses, mother's phone numbers, who a user talks to online. The list is unbelievably long.

[@IncubusOfDeath]

😄😄😄

[@thebarebodkin238]

Cosmic Queries used to be my favorite thing about Startalk, but these explainer videos go in depth about topics in a more manageable time commitment

[@bullettube9863]

My mind becomes numb whenever scientists start talking about immense numbers. I think I'll get myself a drink.

[@theduder2617]

Consume the square root of the weight of one mole of carbon in drinks, then try again. If that does not work, multiply the previous amount by 1.5. By then the numbing should either fade, or increase to the point of no longer caring. Either way, just don't be driving for several hours. lol

[@nqinadlamini]

You're welcome. It is with reference, to the fact that the water you're about to drink, has probably passed through my kidneys. Carry on.......

[@pramwilson]

...of water.

[@lyssakay2228]

Same

[@banananerlandia]

Googleplex brought me to this comment

[@johnlocke9108]

I have to say thanks to y’all (Neil & Chuck) for this excellent content. We laymen are privileged to have such excellent educational content that’s entertaining as well

[@TheRabbitRonin]

Drinking water as he says i'm drinking molecules that has passed through someone else.

[@TheRabbitRonin]

Those too

[@marcoottina654]

Some of those molecules probably once were your mother. Just to say.

[@BattleBunny1979]

i think yr taking about atoms. those molecules wont stay the same for long as they constantly exchange atoms. watermolecules for instance are constantly exchanging hydrogen atoms with one another.

[@marcoottina654]

@@BattleBunny1979 yes, that's what I meant

[@mosquitobight]

@@marcoottina654 Gestation and breastfeeding already give someone a lot of molecules from their mother.

[@jeromemyles7320]

i know i may be alone in this but ive clearly understood the concept of mole in just 2 minutes of Neil's explanation than all the combined classes of my chemistry teacher

[@banananerlandia]

Avogrados number! C:

[@flavioa6351]

That’s because you didn’t pay attention in class

[@heavencanceller1863]

I'm so grateful for people like Neil and chuck to put so much effort into their craft but also taking the time to educate and entertain us. Great work guys. Keep it up

[@banananerlandia]

Because of Star Talk I can sleep at night and not have too many panic attacks

[@jeremyrodriguez324]

Amazing how these guys make learning so fun. Can't get enough of these videos.

[@jesselopez5174]

LOVE HOW HE EXPLAINS EVERYTHING WITH SUCH A PASSION AND STILL HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR ! BOTH OF YOU GUYS ARE GREAT 💯💯💯

[@stevenvanhulle7242]

Yes, but that's no reason to shout at us. #allcaps

[@paulaguaraldi8990]

wow! I love Neil and Chuck-together they really make this so much fun! I learn, I laugh, I get grossed out--what more can you ask for?

[@Prince0bama]

Man, I always love these videos! They are always so funny and fascinating, as well as educational

[@SeanKennardRN]

Whatever camera you guys are using now, it's a really nice aesthetic. Digging it 👍🏾

[@GiddyThis]

I love how the sponsored ad was spiced up with the sea animals and vpns are important. Great episode as usual. 👏

[@niveshutube]

Chuck and Neil, you make learning so much fun! All the best to you!

[@zeedee7387]

Only this corner of the internet will truly appreciate how precious it is that, in all of time and space, we exist at the same time as Startalk. A wonderful gift to us all.

[@ScotttheCubeGuy]

Keep making these awesome videos, i'm literally binging all of them and learning a LOT

[@mitchsbecrazy1902]

It has been a while, even though I am a long time subscriber, since I have watched a social distancing version of StarTalk. Reluctantly, this is the first episode i have turned into. And I must say it gives me and mine much hope in adapting to a new method of interaction and exchange of ideas. Watching the prestigious teachings of Dr. Tyson and intellectual yet comedic commentary of Mr. Nice assures all of us we shall continue in our ambitions to experiment, learn, teach, and repeat.

[@ericparrish1515]

So when can we learn more about crayon log books?

[@blessedveteran]

Thank you for being here to take my mind off of all that is going on right now..I appreciate it ❤ I know this was 2+ years ago but it's helping me now 😊

[@makemoneynow5061]

Your videos are splendid! Thank you for giving me a new perspective to contemplate!

[@lghammer778]

Hydration, the StarTalk artwork at the very beginning is really sweet!

[@sweetdurt2143]

Neil: There's also fish poo. 16 years old me: Interesting

[@sahishnoobr3101]

Make that 32 year old me

[@TrainsandRockets]

Now make that 24... average of both of your ages...

[@sweetdurt2143]

@@TrainsandRockets lol

[@claudiocapelli7507]

Along with everyone else poo

[@kylekyle1805]

41 year old me stroking my goatee and nodding. "Fish poo you say..."

[@midnightchurningspriteshaq8533]

Thank you so much for bringing my attention to "quantum construction" on a molecular level. This has potential on a macro level after optimizing it on a micro level. This process could be the missing piece for the next gen computer, food science, and environmental stability. Great episode!

[@dwightdidier7096]

Love these clips/shows..!!!

[@steps0x029a]

The thought of tools being able to manipulate atoms and assemble molecules as we see fit immediately gave me goosebumps! Anyone else thinking of new materials that may have properties we can't even dream of yet? Really exciting stuff! Thanks a lot for Star Talk, you guys are awesome

[@cristineevangelio5223]

some of the elements in our periodic table were created that way by scientists!

[@steps0x029a]

@@cristineevangelio5223 One more reason to dig deeper :) My last real contact with the periodic table was about 20 years ago in school, so...I'm not surprised that a lot has happened since :) Thanks for the heads up

[@BIGREDDOG09]

I've been reading and watching scientific stuff for some time now and hearing this still blew my mind.

[@FrostMarsh]

These guys are great they explain alot of things I've always been thinking about.

[@albertjackinson]

WOW! I'm going to have to research quantum construction in more detail. And this episode in general was MIND BLOWING the whole time!

[@PigRipperLAW]

❤️ All of it. Every concept. Thank you.

[@taqihasan6666]

Lovely to see u guys u r doing great job love 😍 from Pakistan 🇵🇰. I really like ur content ur amazing niel 😍😍

[@Tabarnac2010]

Thanks Neil, always enjoy your discussions

[@bhagyalaxmipotadar3581]

Next video on the topic of warp drive Please

[@gelosaurus]

I'm into this updated production value.

[@moukatelmomo6985]

I love your dynamic duo 😂 Great video

[@marcoottina654]

The more Chuck learns the more he builds up his muscles. Theory: just wait a few years and he will be the next Schwarzenegger.

[@papagrounds]

He's going to turn Austrian? Maybe Ronnie Coleman? 😁🤔

[@angrysocialjusticewarrior]

@@papagrounds Connie Roleman with Austrian accent maybe?

[@mikegray-ehnert3238]

Spent some time recently on FB learning about the English women who discovered the basic building block of the universe. Her, along with many other women, have been left out of the stories of discovery in many STEM fields. I remember the women who actually first saw the double helix of DNA, or the women with he slide rule that checked NASA calculations for early space flights. How about shedding some light on some of those folks in your series?

[@codyj9983]

I laugh and learn so much watching Startalk!

[@bigmacxd43]

4:33 about the glass was so mind blowing

[@DodgyDaveGTX]

H-2-_Woah!_

[@ecospider5]

It would be interesting to see an animation of how a single breath of air spreads across the whole world. Does that happen in 10 years or does it take 10,000 years, or maybe even longer.

[@GiuseppePipia]

To imagine the Avogadro number, just think that it is of the same order of magnitude of the mass (in kg) of Mars. 10^23.

[@posadist681]

it make head hurt 😞

[@calebpoemoceah3087]

I have been playing around with fog water droplets, and it seems to me that it takes more energy to put the fog droplets back togather in one large mass then it does to produce the fog in the first place. Some astronaut said that tiny water droplets tend to bounce off one another because of a coating of air around the droplets. Is this similar to fusion teck ?

[@Idontknow-hv8ci]

Great video once again

[@arnesbeganovic]

I like explanation for Avogadro number.

[@upamanyuz]

I am just hooked to this channel !

[@Ricocossa1]

Even if you already know all this stuff, it's still a pleasure to watch

[@devilliar3786]

Here you go 🍪

[@freddyp319]

This duo is the best.

[@galaxygg8996]

Love you Neil❤️

[@jx995]

I'm new to this channel. I'm of course a big Neil fan. But I like the other guy too. I like that he's not an expert in any of this, but he's smart enough to understand what Neil is saying without misunderstanding something or asking for clarification. Obviously Neil is putting everything he says in very simple terms, but I know many that would misunderstand. But yeah, I like him. Not dumb, and not overbearing.

[@MusicMike512]

13:02 Chuck: That’s insane. NDT: That’s insane. Chuck: Yeah. NDT: Yes. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ShikharMasseyMusic]

Binge watching your all over videos every day every night.. 10 hourse a day. You are my netflix

[@insane_troll]

The size of a football pitch compared to the width of a human hair is roughly the same as the width of a hair to the size of an atom.

[@angrysocialjusticewarrior]

cool username bro

[@DJLiddle]

I'm going to be stealing this interesting fact and passing it off as my own just so you know 😄

[@kasitif]

The best show out there.

[@edsoir1932]

I like this duo an astrophysicist and a comedian, perfect combination!

[@charlesdavis9100]

Reminds me of a quote from a TV Show called Life in the Episode Fathingale. We are none of us alone. Even as we exhale, it is inhaled by others. The light that shines upon me, shines upon my neighbor as well. In this way, everything's connected to everything else. In this way, I'm connected to my friend, even as I'm connected to my enemy. In this way, there is no difference between me and my friend. In this way, there is no difference between me and my enemy. We are none of us alone.

[@L.Scott_Music]

What is the margin of error in the estimate of the mass of the universe measured in galactic masses? (Was going to ask in solar masses but I figure even that is too small to be useful.)

[@phoenix2464]

Hello Neil, can we have a video about frames of reference?

[@hipoojan]

You mean general relativity? lol

[@SpectreKelevra]

Kinda already is one, called "Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains Big Numbers" on this channel.

[@nimeshsingh7]

12:10 a mistake there, 1 mole of silicon will be 28gms since its atomic number is 14.

[@theduder2617]

I think he got ahead of himself and did not catch the mistake before moving on. lol Did your brain scream at you too when you heard it? Or was it just mine I heard having a fit? lol

[@scottallencarr]

I'm sure this is not to be spoken. LOL that's what the drop of Newton spittle told me.

[@stevestumpy6873]

water molecules get broken down through photosynthesis, the atoms are still the same but the molecules are different.

[@InTheMirrorr]

Molecules are broken into Oxygen and Hydrogen ; have you ever seen someone farts Hydrogen before? :D (just joking)

[@stevestumpy6873]

@@InTheMirrorr just methane CH4 and stuff that smells like it.

[@vincescoggins4872]

To create question and response which makes group conversation

[@obi-juanshinobi5624]

Most of the stuff he talks about are things he talks about on cosmos. Which I think everyone should watch

[@Chrisrhamm85]

I got that book as a youngin at a university in Chicago. Early 90’s kids can appreciate it!

[@vykintasmorkvenas6839]

Those facts were brilliantly put in a book by Bill Bryson called "A Short History of Nearly Everything".

[@mrgreenfull3897]

Great book!! 👍🏻

[@scottleacox7516]

I am wondering if the large and small work about the same. In specific, are electrons, protons, and neutrons about at the same relations as the sun and planets. Is the space between about the same like it's a fractal? To say this another way, Is the sun and Neptune a decent example of the relation as a proton and electron.

[@galaxyalexanderh5737]

Best part- " well, all I can say is that somehow youve done it, youve done it neil"....😂😂 my two favorite people ever

[@palaniduraiswamy4448]

I have a doubt, The compass shows north pointing the north pole. As like pole repels how is that possible..?

[@ryanallen7511]

Great talk guys.

[@Gorjino]

14:05 is that the sound of someone uncorking a bottle of wine?😂

[@RemoCODclips]

Love these videos so much

[@pistitoth1363]

Nagy dobásra készülök! Kértem egy mammographia képet . Élet anyaga lessz a kutatásom célja ! OK! Jók vagytok .30 !!!!! Hungari !

[@manuel2673]

I love this show

[@cyborgzulu2011]

The fact that Democritus mentioned atom theory should be spoke upon more in this. Cmon Neil!! Love the show!

[@Bobrapbahizi]

Always a pleasure listening to you guys. Under the existing laws of physics, how small can something be?

[@StaticBlaster]

The smallest length possible according to the laws of physics, would be the Planck length which is 10^-35 m. In fact, if you could get any smaller, you'd end up with a black hole and it would take an incredible amount of energy to create a mini black hole, and more energy results in larger volumes. So inevitably (although it sounds weird) eventually, the micro becomes the macro and perhaps (this is just my conjecture) the macro becomes the micro. So we might live in an extremely weirdly-shaped, contorted universe kind of analogous to the surface of the Earth where if you traveled in one direction you'd eventually end up where you started except in this case it's applied to size scales.

[@ericparrish1515]

@@StaticBlaster if we shrunk to the plank length would we see something smaller since we can't see the plank at this size? Like a size horizon.

[@AtypicalPaul]

Love this show

[@alabanzadedios1]

*SALUD, AMOR, DINERO, PROTECCIÓN, PARA TI QUE ESTAS LEYENDO ESTO, QUE EL UNIVERSO TE MANDE LAS MEJORES VIBRA, AHORA EN ESTE INSTANTE*

[@bulwinkle]

Don't SHOUT!

[@jrgaskin01]

we all share everything on the planet that has lived and will ever live.

[@darshanpatel3890]

Big fan keep it up

[@billintulsa]

At about 6:50, I think Neil misspoke. He said there are 100 molecules per cup of water. I am sure he meant more like 100-thousand or 100-million.

[@wsextreme]

It brings me joy that I have had water that passed thru Neils kidneys ❤️

[@jsmithers.]

It has to be a long enough time for the molecules to spread everywhere, so you may not have. That's why he only brought up historical figures from hundreds or thousands of years ago.

[@wsextreme]

@@jsmithers. way to ruin my parade

[@golightning291]

Chuck is legit having an existential panic attack during the whole bit on water and air molecules being shared by everyone in history lol

[@Milesco]

Avogadro's number is essentially the number of atoms or molecules in N grams of a substance, where N is the mass of one atom or molecule of the substance in atomic mass units. An atomic mass unit is approximately the mass of a hydrogen atom. So an Avogadro's number (called a "mole") of carbon-12 atoms weighs 12 grams. (Carbon-12 has 12 protons and neutrons, and therefore weighs approximately 12 atomic mass units.) Similarly, one Avogadro's number (i.e., a mole) of water molecules weighs 18 grams. (That's about 3/5 of a U.S. fluid ounce.) That's because each molecule of water weighs 18 atomic mass units, because each molecule contains two hydrogen atoms (at 1 amu each) and one oxygen atom (which weighs 16 amu). So, how many water molecules are in 18 grams (a mole) of water? 6.022 × 10^23. That's 602 billion trillion molecules! 🤯

[@Siamect]

So... It must have taken Avogadro a long time to count all the molecules in that mole...

[@cassuttustshirt4949]

Legend has it, he's still counting...

[@carultch]

The mole is a concept that didn't originate until 50 years after Avogadro's death. The reason Avogadro is the namesake of the unit, is because of his contribution to the ideal gas law, that the volume is proportional to the number of molecules, regardless of the substance identity. In other words, the idea that the R in the ideal gas law is a constant, rather than a substance-specific value. Avogadro's idea that population of gas molecules is what ultimately matters to gas laws, is why he is the namesake of the number of molecules in a mole.

[@robertmcdonnold3038]

I really enjoyed your explanation of the size of molecules and water. It was rather ironic, because I had just watched another youtuber "Joe Scott" who was talking about where the water on earth came from. I now know more about water then I think I should know. Thanks. With all this water talk I need to run to the bathroom. Thanks again Bob

[@barretthenderson5808]

Can you guys do live streams about science stuff? That’d be cool

[@phreewill]

oh, thanks Neil. if i did not have enough to do in a day, now i will be thinking about every breath i take

[@SnowmanDTD]

Best duo in the world

[@Kabbaler]

Neil Degrasse Tyson knows every answer of our scientific method before the question is posed. On a whole other level...

[@ProWeb_guy]

How can possibilities be endless when the universe is finite

[@muthuk]

AWESOME 👌

[@tonyturtle5805]

the thoughts in our brains are the exchanges and mixing of these smallest molecules ,so thoughts are actually physical in nature .

[@abhisax]

I kept waiting for him to bring up Avogadro's number and the wait is over at 11:30..

[@Ravenzpeak]

Chuck was channeling the 'KoolAid Hideout' there at the end.

[@vincescoggins4872]

I do understand that this bit of thought can travel faster than the speed of light and the speed of sound

[@killshot2333]

Yeng and yang painting is awesome

[@schoolcraft420]

☯

[@Kevin-ul8ux]

I've heard Neil mention the fact about the number of molecules in a cup of water and in a pair of lungs a couple of times before. I haven't heard him mention the actual numbers though like he frequently has with other things. I'm curious how many molecules in each and how many breaths of air/cups of water there are.

[@natheur3260]

Weren't the same analogies used for the "explaining Big numbers" episode?

[@Broeckhoest]

The biggest explosions in the universe are now audible through gravitational waves. That gives you a grasp on the size of those enormous events

[@jokerdiamondz8981]

this kind of knowledge is going to scare Flat Earth people

[@stochastic_dreams]

Do they even know what an atom is? 🤣

[@JohnyG29]

I refuse to believe there are actually any people alive who really believe the earth is flat. Flat earthers are just attention seekers trying to get attention.

[@vicnad92]

@@JohnyG29 i mean if a religious person believes some sky daddy created earth and humans came from adam and eve. Flat earthers aren't that radical after all.

[@JohnyG29]

@@vicnad92 Being religious is believable as you cannot prove or disprove God(s) exists. However one can easily prove the Earth is a sphere.

[@vicnad92]

@@JohnyG29 just because something can't be 'disapproved' does not make it believable.