How Brownian Motion Helped Prove the Existence of Atoms

We’re going to see a type of motion over and over again because it’s all over the microcosmos, found in and around many different types of organisms. And this kind of random motion may seem almost too trivial to discuss, but this motion that you see is a proof of something fundamental not just to life, but to existence itself. This movement… is proof… of atoms.

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[PowerhouseCell]

Beautiful how interconnected physics is with biology and all of science. Wonderful video!

[zoroasper]

One small thing:
while it is true that Plato and Aristotle and the a lot of the greek intelligentia believed that matter was comprised of the 4 elements, water earth wind and fire, the opposition of Democritos was more to the idea that matter was continuous and could be "cut" indefinitely. It was a big discussion at the time because mathematically you can, let's say, cut length indefinitely. Some philosopers at the time, like Plato and Aristotle, believed that the universe was contiguous and had no "void" while atomists like Democritos believed otherwise.

[shaiktanveer]

This is something new, a botanist shedding light on completely different branch of science

[elliottcoleman]

I got done with my daily reading faster than everyone in my class when I was in elementary school one day so I got bored and picked up a book that mentioned atoms. It was maybe 3rd grade so it was the first time I'd ever heard of it and it totally changed my world. I kept looking at things wishing I could see the atoms that make them up haha

[DontMockMySmock]

Albert Einstein wrote his paper on Brownian motion in the same year that he wrote his Nobel-prizewinning paper on the quantum nature of the photoelectric effect AND his two papers on the special theory of relativity, including of course the famous E=mc^2. He was about 26 years old.

[SevenPrme]

This is so excellently presented. I like how your enunciate words and pause for emphasis and fluctuate your tone to fit what you are conveying.

[mariodegroote]

amazing how all is connected, and how the best brains in the world draw the links bit by bit. an amazing work, respect, it was a joy to be a part of

[jjchouinard]

Hey Hank! I almost didn't reconize your voice. I really enjoy how chill and relaxed your voice is for this video, if the entire channel is like this then I'm watching them all twice!

[ericvilas]

I love this, using this channel to explain Brownian motion. Kinda sucks that you needed to rush the explanation to stop this from turning into a 20 minute video, but what are you gonna do

[NewMessage]

I thought they were called 'Adams' until I was 10. I figured there were so many of them, they would run out of names if they tried to give them each their own, so they just branded them all with one.



I ate a lot of paste back then.

[hagerty]

3:30 The four classical elements are earth, air, fire and water. Your recitation of "air" and "wind" are essentially the same thing.

[ChaosXification]

The best part of these videos is Hank's relaxing voice. Great video as always. :D

[thehyperscientist]

This was a beautiful episode. Never thought that someone just wanting to use a microscope like James lead to such a fundamental discovery

[edwarddelgado]

After all these years, we still need proof

[tkjyxrb]

What a beautiful channel you guys have! Perfect visuals, perfect narration, interesting material, pleasant music

[thelaughinghyenas]

Super cool, ultra informative of physics, biology and science in general and oh so relaxing with Hank's wonderful narration. Everything you could want.

[WorldsHypocrisy]

"An invisible world that built an entire universe" - that sums up the beauty of your channel for me :-)

[hopefulbloom]

At 3:32 I think Hank meant to say "Earth, Water, Air, and Fire" instead of "Earth, *Wind*, Air, and Fire"

[Persivefire]

super informative and peaceful as always. Thank you for making this

[markedis]

Best Brownian motion generator…. A nice hot cup of tea!