Astrophysicist Explains Gravity in 5 Levels of Difficulty | WIRED

Astrophysicist Janna Levin, PhD, is asked to explain the concept of gravity to 5 different people; a child, a teen, a college student, a grad student, and an expert.

Levin is the Claire Tow Professor of Physics & Astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University and author of "Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space."




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Astrophysicist Explains Gravity in 5 Levels of Difficulty | WIRED

[itzzconnor]

Level 7, gravity explains itself to the astrophysicist

[AtricosHU]

This is a perfect example of "the more you learn about something the more you understand that you don't understand anything".

[johns]

Her ability to step down and competently explain the topic to a child all the way up to an expert is incredible. It's had as an expert to go back to basics and simplify. She does this incredibly.

[pierresauce]

"That's such a good question!" is my favorite response to anything I've ever heard. She sounded so genuine, like she just wants to pass along the knowledge and not be superior about it. That's my ideal teacher, wish there were more like her.

[ThiccSiccNicc]

They should've had 6 levels for this video, which goes Flat Earther, Child, Teen, College Student, Graduate, and Expert.

[qwertynable]

"So, what have you learned?" - the most terrifying question known to mankind.

[mimos_kitten]

She’s that teacher we all want to listen to because of her passion which makes the subject more interesting

[HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

I love listening to her explain Physics! She is so articulate and explains in a way that allows you to understand, not condescending and her passion is infectious.

[chlxe]

level one: what they teach in class
level five: what comes in the exam

[jenlightenment]

Level 1: What is gravity?

Level 5: Why is gravity?

[winterkeptuswarm]

I love that kid, she has supportive parents who did the experiment with her 💕 Clearly she's being raised in a curious question-asking environment!

[JJSijbesma]

I always liked the simple explanation of an orbit as "falling sideways fast enough that you miss the ground"

[docbp]

Little kid: gravity is easy

Full PhD professor: we know nothing

[Olivia-nohl]

When they got to the expert, those two looked like two science nerds who were so excited to see each other

[gun]

Being told “we don’t have that yet” is absolutely terrifying yet interesting that we are still learning things today. Makes me wonder where technology and knowledge will be in say 50 or 100 years. Cool !

[Annutka]

Wow, this professor's narrative is so captivating. Makes you think about the impact a good teacher can have on their students' lives. I'm a linguist but understood most of what she said. And not because of my science teachers - they were lousy and uninspired. My mom was a physicist and after each boring lesson at school I'd go to her for a proper, fun explanation. Unfortunately, the rest of the class did not have a physicist mom.

[blewt]

that little 8-year-old girl was so engaged and in tune with the information given to her, her parents should be proud

[labiamajorasmask]

Astrophysicist: You're a little taller in the morning than in the evening.
8-year-old: Whoa
Me: Whoa

[susiealavi]

If you can capture the child’s imagination and teach effectively a concept such as gravity, while simultaneously evoking pertinent questions and realizations, you have started the child on a lifelong journey of learning. She is an awesome teacher.

[danluzurriaga]

Fantastic review for me. Received my BSEE in 1972 and haven't reviewed temperature in statistical thermodynamics for half a century or considered it to be analogous to gravity in the way she said it. The expert was really good; he should put out scientific vlogs! But I have always loved science, even retired now at age 73.