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

Muons are generated in the upper atmosphere due to incoming cosmic rays. Many of those muons reach the ground even though they only last an average 2.2 microseconds. How is that possible?

Nick Lucid - Host, Writer, Editor, Animator
Em Lucid - Producer
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Quantum Field Theory Explained:

Planetary Rings:
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LINKS TO COMMENTS

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TIME CODES

00:00 Cold Open
00:22 Traditional Explanations of Relativity
01:09 Where are the Muons from?
02:26 Cloud Chamber Setup
04:24 Cloud Chamber Results
05:50 Supporter Shoutout
06:19 Muon Half-Life
07:35 Time Dilation
08:48 Length Contraction
09:42 Closing Thoughts
10:58 Summary
11:28 Featured Comment

[bhavyapal]

I love how easily he explains complex things

[luizucchetto]

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!!!

[Lucky]

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.

[sphakamisozondi]

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

[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.

[soumajitsen]

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

[josebarria]

Everything of this video beginning to end was a pure masterpiece

[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!

[LordCogordo]

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

[eigenchris]

Definitely one of the coolest DIY physics experiments I've seen on YouTube! 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.

[-by-_Publishing_LLC]

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

[ninadgadre]

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

[ZBB]

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!

[toamastar]

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

[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.

[lj]

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!

[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!

[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.” 😎❤️

[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

[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.