Zero-Point Energy Demystified

Let’s talk about the mysterious zero-point energy and what it really can, and really can’t do.

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Previous Episode:
The Vacuum Challenge | Space Time

The quantum field theory predicts that there exists an energy of the vacuum resulting from the non-zero zero-point energies of the quantum fields that fill our universe. As we discussed in our last episode on the vacuum catastrophe, this mismatch between the measured and theoretical values of vacuum energy is one of the greatest unsolved problems in physics.

Written and Hosted by Matt O'Dowd
Produced by Rusty Ward
Graphics by Kurt Ross
Assistant Editing and Sound Design by Mike Petrow

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[nathanimes]

You managed to use a picture of a leopard gecko, the only species of gecko WITHOUT sticky pads on their toes lol....

[johnnordqvist]

I hope there some really high person out there who watched this and now is trying to construct a gecko quantum reactor. Damn reptiles and their quantum secrets.

[elliswrong]

I think we have a different definition of "demystified"

[apbweezle]

I'm going to pretend I completely understand like the rest of you.

[keithfisher]

Just because you don't know how to displace zero-point energy with a net gain, doesn't mean it can't happen.

[KellyWins]

Man I would kill to start my life all over again and start doing physics in like second grade!! So missed out on the cool stuff! 44 now and started getting fascinated in it few years ago.

[eride]

"This is impossible, now this is how it

[TheGeckonator]

That first picture you showed is clearly a leopard gecko, which does not have the toe pads. I ask you to be more sensitive to this vertically challenged species.

[RedGearHeads]

As a lover of science it has become very clear to me that the world is made of two different types of scientist.

Scientists who are bewildered by all of the new findings and remain open minded about the amazing future and possibilities we don’t yet understand.

Scientist who have subscribe to the theory that we’ve got it pretty well all figured out and things cannot be any different than they were taught, and will deny viciously anything that does not fit their existing paradigm.

[johnoldroyd]

In addition to dragging you up the wall, they can also save you 15% or more on car insurance.

[joshmick]

HEY! That piston's upside down! I've been working on cars for years and I'd be really worried if a car came in with the piston in the upside down orientation. Lol

[bophadesnutz]

>talks about clnging geckos
>uses a picture of one of the few geckos that can't cling like that
Nice job y'all!

[CantusTropus]

Interesting to hear this explained. In most science fiction shows that use it, Zero-Point Energy is usually functionally the same as "magic", meaning that it does whatever the story needs it to do and that's it.

[neutronium]

The first gecko you showed is a Leopard Gecko, which doesn't actually have the climbing pads.

[fireclipse]

I think I watched almost all your videos and I want to study increasingly more after each video

[normellow]

Let me debunk something we don’t fully understand.

[malcolmt]

I used a quantum vacuum, and now I can't tell if my rug is clean. Do I even have a rug?

[seanc]

That first gecko is a Leopard gecko which has toenails and not pads that stick to walls.

[nirmalasokan]

I really like the idea you talked about at 4 min about introducing disequilibrium to extract energy from the vacuum. It reminds me of another similar environment, diving deep underwater. You are in a highly energetic environment, the weight of water pressing on you has alot of potential energy in it, but not energy you can use to do work unless you can introduce disequlibrium (air pockets). In diving workers bring compressed air into depths, use it to harness the bouyant force of all the water around them to do work to lift heavy object out of the water. Perhaps in the future we could find the quantum equivalent of bringing compressed air into water depths

[czarpeppers]

I can just imagine Dr. Rodney McKay watching this right now while yelling about it rhetorically at Zelenka.