Zap, Crackle and Pop: The Story of Electricity

Dr Marty Jopson leads us through the story of electricity in a show buzzing with demonstrations. Have we tamed electricity? From the Ancient Greeks to Faraday’s genius, this show puts the awesome back into electricity.
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Join Dr Marty Jopson, the BBC One Show’s resident scientist as he takes a sparky journey through the story of electricity. Do you know the difference between current and voltage? With the aid of the audience, Marty will explain. From the Ancient Greeks, through Faraday’s genius, this show aims to put the awesome back into electricity. You may think we have electricity tamed, but are you sure? A show chock full of demonstrations and a plucked chicken. Expect an electrifying performance.
Marty Jopson is a science TV presenter, live show performer, writer and strange prop builder. He is most famous from the BBC's The One Show, on which he has reported on the mathematical formula, Benford’s Law, the origins of the seismograph, the sound mirrors of Denge, the ban on lead in petrol, and the invention of lava lamps.
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[@hankw5086]

I greatly appreciate having heard the following explanation of voltage vs. current in the first semester of my college electronics program: If you compare an electrical circuit to a plumbing system, the current equates to the flow rate, the voltage equates to the water pressure, and the resistance or impedance equates to a partial blockage in one of the pipes.

[@BkkaPunyosuk]

рнлмм

[@MadScientist267]

The water analogy is useful only at about that level... It breaks quickly. But yes it's a useful tool in the introduction phase. Get completely out of it as soon as you can, or you will just confuse yourself later.

[@owenlatchford1758]

Dude I wish I had a teacher as passionate as this Guy

[@robertdiggins7578]

Unfortunately, after 20 years working in university teaching/education colleges,I can tell you that they are purging experts and streamlining their dumbing down strategy by only hiring "education" majors as faculty. So, they're experts in... teaching. But they have no expertise to depart to the students. So, the schools are full of "teachers" who teach "teaching"? No. They teach obedience and authoritarianism, as a priority. There are exceptions, but they are decreasing in number. I just pulled my child out of middle school. There's no reason to waste so much time there and lose all family and social time outside of school. It's gotten exponentially worse, since I was in school, and many parents either don't realize it or don't have the ability to be home with their children. My parents and grandparents were teachers. I grew up with respect for public institutions. They're no longer public. What's coming is even worse. Social Impact Bonds.

[@gehtdianschasau8372]

He has so much energy, it's electric (or coke)

[@michaelferguson5611]

True. Did wish a bit more detail about Ohms law to the kids. Either way love his passion as a teacher.

[@tuyetang8372]

Q1

[@S-I-T]

How could anyone dislike this vid? This guy is brilliant.

[@shishkabobby]

Another really good reason to use the back of hand to test for electricity is if you do get shocked, your muscle will contract. if you end up grabbing a wire, you are in for serious damage. So using the back of the hand is much safer.

[@qqqqqqqqqq7488]

Once you get a lot of experience, you'll want to use a multi-meter or other test equipment because it is a lot safer than using your heart as a fuse.

[@catnium]

thats why we use Tesla's AC system so you can actually let go

[@shishkabobby]

@@catnium Having smelled burnt electrician in the Cavendish Laboratory, I can assure you that you cannot let go if you contact a hot AC line, no matter which side of the Atlantic you are one.

[@doggonemess1]

Mark Twain mixed with Simon Pegg.

[@jondunmore4268]

... with a little bit of Russell Brand mixed in...

[@Bob-yl9pm]

A single unit device that converts chemical energy to electrical energy is a CELL. A BATTERY is actually a group of more than one cells (usually in series).

[@ShaunBauidhNoBas]

Looked forward to these lectures every Xmas as a kid. Great to find them here. Thoroughly entertaining.

[@Ivorbiggin]

Same Here

[@totalfreedom45]

This cool dude awakens the child in all of us. Excellent hands-on presentation. Thanx Dr Jopson! 😊

[@heynando]

loved this guy, his vibe passion and charisma are quite unique, extremely captivating.

[@obone8015]

hahahahahahahaa nice one lmao

[@78tag]

Reminds me more of a carnie show.

[@seekter-kafa]

he's on the brink of a coronary

[@dragonmage9148]

50 seconds in and I feel the same!

[@shawniscoolerthanyou]

At 18:08 you can see his display flip out when he discharges the van de Graaff.

[@polomolo8159]

Very entertaining and educative. I enjoyed watching it till the end.

[@thundercloud7850]

This is a fantastic presentation delivered with excellence!

[@gabrielgonzalez1993]

This was great information on the genesis of pre-modern electricity. I would liked to have seen him continue his talk and bring us into modern technology; very entertaining lecture.

[@MadScientist267]

Except it's so far off on so many levels. Dumbed *too* far down. 🙄

[@bangyahead1]

Great talk. Can't help but appreciate his enthusiasm..

[@mixolydian2010]

Little boy playing with feathers is funny at 31:00. Cheers for the lecture great fun for all the kids there.

[@m032682daniel]

what a nice bloke. dr. Jopson sir, i am a fan.

[@alstewart9212]

My grandson Jeff told me about this interesting site to inspire young people.

[@claytonmatthews6301]

cool

[@benh8312]

" my guys Galvani and Volta" - one of my favourite lines from this

[@fazalabbas7347]

8iiooi. B6

[@fazalabbas7347]

Hhuuji898

[@arumutami9177]

@@fazalabbas7347 hhhhxjj

[@RAMII19780529]

I love the enthusiasm of this guy!

[@DeputatKaktus]

39:08 Doc: ...so you won’t be struck by lightning. Cayla: *grinning* Doc: Unfortunately.... Cayla: O.o

[@SimplyARobin]

I love his energy!

[@-_Nuke_-]

So... I had to wait for 25 years untill this man makes me understand what volts realy are... shame on my teachers on school...

[@-_Nuke_-]

Eddie Wu haha

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

So you waited 25 years when you could have picked up a book? Teachers aren't responsible for your lack of learning,.

[@PeterMilanovski]

You still don't understand even after watching this man, he's talking but not even he has realize what he is saying. His first mistake, static electricity? WTF? There's no such thing!... In order for electricity to be electricity it has to have a current.... He also talks about positive and negative electrons? What he doesn't understand is that when you rub the two different item's together, electrons transfer from one item to the other and then you have one item that has an excess of electrons and the other with less than it started off with... This is basically what you would call a static electric CHARGE... Yeah it's changed and it's not moving so there's no current and no electricity until you create and complete a circuit... Once the circuit is complete, the electrons begin to flow, the transformation from a charged static state to a flow of current takes place, this is literally the spark that you see... When the items reach equilibrium in their states of charge, they return to their neutral states and the current of electrons stops and then you are essentially back to the beginning.... Remember! Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, you can only transfer or transform it... Watch the video again and you can clearly see that he's talking a lot but he really doesn't understand what he is saying and basically just confusing people even more! The topic of static electricity is that one topic that very few people understand due to the fact that everyone calls it electricity, when in fact it's a electric CHARGE... The two are definitely related but they are not the same thing! Once you can understand that! Everything else just falls into place and begins to make sense... You didn't know this, and that's the reason why it's taken so so long to make any sense of it...

[@humphrex]

yeah watch again, he is talking about static electricity-generators aka non-moving parts in the generator

[@iamjackalope]

@@PeterMilanovski I was thinking the same thing and was wondering why he wasn't using water as an analogy that people can actually understand as they are so similar that they share a lot of the same terminology like current, banks, flow, static, etc. Water is used in most electrical text books 101 to describe the behavior of electricity and is easily understandable. He also doesn't mention any thing about electricity going to ground which is a basic fundamental of electricity. Especially when you are talking about lightning. Plus he doesn't give a hats off to Tesla who brought electricity to the masses with AC power.

[@fireangel6038]

As a maintenance electrician judging by all the times I've had the piss shocked out of me id say no, we have not tamed electricity

[@TheMeanAdmin]

Seconded...

[@bitTorrenter]

That awful feeling when you feel like someone is shaking your arm too vigorously.

[@gurtek08]

This is such a great presenter. Clear precise and engaging

[@BrainStirmKZ]

This is the funniest demonstration i've watched so far. Now off to find the next one.. and the next.. :D

[@billhopen]

this dude is a high voltage teacher...greatshow

[@blackguard93]

...heh

[@milesk7465]

Awesome presentation!!!!

[@themadengineer1050]

funniest teacher ever! i hope i get a professor like you even though that might be a stretch

[@weirdandfatf1175]

HyujjjjkkkkloloooyuyggggyyhhhyhhuooooooooooollllllllllllllolkKmmubvgfvh. Jkkjijjjjjjjuii

[@nikf3188]

Brilliant chap - perfectly suited to presenting & has character....a credit to science :)

[@dangerdackel]

Absolutely great lecture and the delivery, wonderful.

[@sarcasmo57]

This speech is why I called my son Zaps. the family was against it but I don't regret a thing.

[@marcm1428]

Awesome! Thanks for your help!

[@xapemanx]

Good Show!, Tuning in from Canada!

[@Iphap420]

Toronto : )

[@eugenetalley7447]

You are todays Faraday. One that inspires us all.

[@medo2011m]

59:30 we used on everyday electricity untamed shutdowns So i think i have the wisdom "experience-wise" to give u some preventive tips: A- since ur mobile device is 2014 or newer. *- install any enjoyable offline game. *- pack ur entertainment ;), who knows it's never enough. B- don't go out, the dogs think it's the planet of apes i mean dogs

[@divalivingston1664]

Doesn't sound like the odds are in your favor if caught in an electrical storm. Decades ago, I remember walking and seeing one in the distance, thinking how the sky looked so amazing. Listening to his talk, I'm glad I didn't get hit by a lightning bolt! Yikes! Such a great talk with lots of demonstrations keeping the audience and viewers engaged.

[@skookapalooza2016]

Cool demonstrations with great presentation by the lecturer.

[@isaacmaina3616]

Excellent presentation this electromagnetic lectures for real Marty is fantastic indeed.

[@Dr10Jeeps]

Another excellent, informative, and interesting talk hosted by the Royal Institution. Thank you RI and Dr. Jopson.

[@gilloselton824]

Dr Marty Jopson and Andrew Szydlo are my two faves :)

[@nahidbonna6485]

Infinite love and respect.......

[@tensevo]

For greater impact for home viewers you could pass the audio and video cables close to the electrical demonstrations to get live interference - giving more immersion.

[@Adinga123]

One of the best physics lecture I've ever seen😍😍😍😍

[@peterbustin8604]

Inspirational stuff. Would love to go to one of his lectures !

[@MadScientist267]

Why 🙄 He's destroying half of the explanations

[@eimearoboyle209]

That guy was doing that experiment in my school today. Hes really lively and funny!

[@PBeringer]

Aww, my doggie got so adorably confused by the squeaking rubber chicken.

[@josephdavis3472]

The Royal Institution hosts always entertain while they explain.

[@james6401]

Excellent video! Faraday is my hero 😍

[@theblueadventurer615]

I knew this video would not disappoint. Wish this guy would be my teacher in university.

[@jamesgornall5731]

A highly charged presentation. Well done!

[@dragonslairchess5638]

Looooll

[@NathanOkun]

This can be used in a Holloween "ghost" show in all sorts of spooky ways. Great!

[@abdullahalmosalami2801]

Oh my! This guy is awesome just from talking! Great lecture :D

[@voltare2amstereo]

I enjoyed that, thanks

[@sohangchopra6478]

The wand thing in the beginning would make a good magic trick!

[@zack_120]

Fantastic demonstration of electricity at the scientifically most prestigious room👏👏👏 The best live science lecture ever seen!

[@mickmcknight162]

Great stuff, I enjoyed that...:)

[@sours-orchard]

Love this guy

[@ramamurthycherukupalli2873]

That surely was an Electrifying lecture . It felt as though the great Faraday has come down to his favourite lab under the name Dr Marty Jopson just to see if these later Fellows are upholding the wonderful scientific tradition he has created. Time machine is not a future invention. It is this very laboratory where the audience gets transported to wherever they want to go.

[@ArjunKafirnew-eo1ev]

He is a passionate teacher😊

[@Jemppu]

Oh, oh! I've been thinking for the whole lecture who mr. Jopson reminds me of... there's something very Ismo Leikola about him (a Finnish stand-up comedian). In looks, mannerism, speech pattern and the subdued humour ^^'

[@SirHiggalot]

That kid REALLY wanted to ask a question.

[@jamieh4148]

Shut up kid.

[@paulahowell1420]

The real me that my I was hoping he would do ....answer the question!😊

[@delphini8055]

Answer a rhetorical question

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

He wanted answer the question not ask one.

[@seweywuwey]

😐

[@samygunamm3328]

It was a most realistic lecture i had ever heared

[@basteagui]

you two could make a superasian supergay baby

[@gazzacroy]

love this fella what a really good lecture :)

[@altareggo]

"Why cats??".... lol this guy is cool!!

[@catnium]

Because.

[@MegaDicksplash]

4:58 that is all.

[@simonsbriggs337]

Excellent

[@heron5045]

Allthough I actualy knew all the principles and things he said (with ecception of the real inventor of the lightbulb), I foun this video verry entertaining, and can recomand it to people of al ages and knowledge levels

[@gmotionedc5412]

Awesome teacher!!

[@chemisrtyfromzerobyajitsir754]

Mindblowing👌👍👍🤗. I really became your fan dear sir🙏

[@tayoneumann9533]

This is great fun!

[@ThomasWinders]

I feel some Ricky Gervais in the way he talks. And I do really appreciate that.

[@Ma_X64]

Awesome lector! :D

[@thealstars2633]

Love it carry on with the work hard

[@KrolPotato]

Wow, this is Kenneth Branagh's best performance!

[@AhmedAminNasr21]

Great and stimulating...Please could you add to me what heart condition that contraindicate static electricity...

[@thephilosophersstonebook8223]

great video!

[@faza553]

Excellent showmanship - especially effective for teaching children. Adverse effects on health of excessive electrification of modern living?

[@gnamp]

The words 'horse has bolted' and 'stable door' spring to mind. 17:08 #bolt

[@christophercaballa1987]

i was amazed by how he deliver those ideas i hope for more demonstrations hope to see it live need more demo for my class

[@lochinvar00465]

Wonderful explanation on the importance of cats. I had no idea that cats were the key that led us to electricity. Especially since they don't like it. There actually exists anti-cat mats to be put around a Christmas tree that charge up to high voltage which causes the cats hair to stand if it tries to walk on it.

[@gilloselton824]

Great teacher :)

[@seweywuwey]

22:00 poor chicken

[@rahul2000]

I wish i have you as my teacher I would have cleared my engineering entrance in 1st attempt...but have to give second attempt to get in a good college and now I'm in a good college with great placements but still do not have any professor like u in my college

[@jme2261]

All teachers should have his enthusiasm

[@schmetterlingsjaeger]

This guy is electrified!

[@realulli]

I think Thales' discovery didn't go like Marty describes it, but rather like this: Thales is sitting in some kind of comfortable position, a cat on his lap, cat purring, Thales petting the cat. Thales is wearing some kind of rounded, polished piece of Amber jewelry, and rubs it along the cat's back (cat doesn't mind). Cat fur reacts (gets attracted), Thales wonders, "Hmm.. funny. Why does it do that?" The rest is history... ;-)

[@markissboi3583]

ive watched this years ago ago ❓ but uno like movies you never take it all in the 1st time 51:30 Now here,s the 1st actual light bulb💡 unreal

[@HowTo-ge4kc]

Your daily fact: The longest wedding veil was longer than 63 football fields.

[@olivermahoney2309]

Wow! Fun and full of enthusiasm!

[@gorillaau]

Agreed. A great lecture for children and adults alike.

[@ytubeanon]

41:30 I'm almost certain I've heard the right thing to do in a lightning storm is to lay flat on the ground

[@paulriggall8370]

Wow. I thought I was the only person to use the word "awesomosity".

[@ashutoshbhakuni303]

Can someone please tell me what kind of vacuum pump did he use for Lindsay's bulb? What is its name and where can I get it online?

[@physicsno1]

I would have put the lightbulb time line as Humphrey Davy, Warren De La Rue and then Joesph Swan. Thanks for the Lindsay connection.

[@benh8312]

This guy was so ahead of his time, warning about the dangers of corona events 57:30 and wearing PPE 1:01:30 - he is the new Nostradamus.

[@TheRecycledToys]

at 26:00 moisture in the room with all the bodies. Bet it worked during earllier test without bodies

[@extrastuff9463]

Well can't say I've learned anything new in this, his overly active and excited presentation style probably isn't for everyone. But I do think Marty Jopson presented something valuable and entertainning, especially for a younger audience that probably did pick up a few tidbits here and there while being entertained (and hopefully be willing to spend more time on the less exciting formal stuff/boring safe experiments at school).

[@stv111play]

the real hx of electricity would stagger the mind. what hasn't been researched is astounding

[@kashmirha]

What a sweet thunderstorm girl :D

[@cyberprompt]

I usually love the speakers at the Royal Institution. Usually.

[@PPanos1968]

How is forward bending in a storm prevent, in case of a lightning, your back, hips and legs from exploding like a tree does? Human body is also full of conductible fluids, and in case of thousands of Amps they will also (like the tree) convert to steam and kill you instantly.