How Small Is It - 03 - The Atom (1080p)

Corrections:
@ 12:10 – your velocity to v = 2.2·10⁶ m/s = 2200 km/s
@ 17:28 - r.h.s. should be h/4π
@ 25:50 - proton is 1.76 millions of a nanometer

In this segment of our “How small is it” video book, we cover the atom.

We start with J.J. Thompson’s Plum Pudding model of the atom. We then introduce radiation, and show how Ernst Rutherford used it in his scattering experiments to develop his version of the atom. We then cover Niels Bohr’s quantized atomic model along with input from Louis de Broglie who used the wave nature of electrons to show that they take the form of standing waves enveloping the nucleus instead of point particles orbiting the nucleus.

We then introduce Schrodinger’s Equation, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and the Pauli Exclusion Principle together with electron spin to fill out what we know about electrons around atoms. We explain electron tunneling as an example of these concepts and introduce the Scanning Tunneling Microscope based on these concepts to see atoms by feeling them.

In closing, we introduce the atomic nucleus and Chadwick’s discovery of the neutron, review how small the nucleus is and ask how it is that protons can hold together in the nucleus when there like charges should push them apart.

STEM

[caseygtr]

Love this. Nothing is dumbed down, but it's so well explained that you can grasp it.

[KenMac-uivb]

LOVE the breaking bad music. You don't speak fast, but you don't speak slow. You don't talk over us and you don't talk under us. I LOVE your videos. LOVE THEM. Thank you.

[MrKmanthie]

I LOVE these series by David Butler. So refreshing! No condescending TV documentaries, no TV-physicist-celebrities analogizing, simplistically about how the universe works, etc. I much prefer to watch these videos, where Butler speaks plainly & clearly & without relying too much on math equations and how he just tells it like it is, so to speak. I've already learned much more watching these than on a whole bunch of those Discovery channel or discovery "space" channel, etc. or the once-good but now focused on non-historical things at all (like Alaskan hobos, ice truckers, pawn shop workers, tattoo shops, etc.-talking about History Channel -the US one, as opposed to History International, which does still present educational, not pandering, documentaries that are a wonder to behold. That still doesn't make up for the aforementioned complaints. This is the one to watch in order to learn about these things. And, what's great about these, since they're videos, one can always go back to watch something again (or a 3rd or 4th time) until you understand it and the way Butler does this, it is possible to do just that. Bravo!! I also thought it was cute how, at the 17:30 or so part of this vid., when he starts talking about Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, they played a bit of that theme/incidental music that was a part of Breaking Bad (get it? Walter White called himself "Heisenberg")!! Keep up the great work!!

[BubuSnow]

The Breaking Bad theme was the icing on the cake that is this awesome series of video!

[papibou]

Notice the importance of his voice, that helps to relax and understand the message

[SpaceCadetJesus]

I found myself repeatedly stopping the video, replaying a short section, understanding what I heard and saying to myself.... God...I love this stuff !!
Thank you Dr Butler, I'd love to be your student.

[johnsmith]

This is one of the more cogent and well presented flows of instruction on this subject I have seen, and I have seen very many. Nice work, very well timed and paced and produced.

[homayounshirazi]

This was the best description of quantum physics I have listened to, including when I was in college!
An anthology of hydrogen atom.

[danable]

These videos are nothing short of remarkable, its the visualization of things that cant be truly visualized depicted here that really make this amazing to watch

[ParalysedGekko]

I saw (literally!) hundreds of explainations of Heisenbergs Unschärferelation, Bohrs Atomic Model, Rutherfords Nucleus Experiment and so on. I NEVER saw it in such a well explained composition. Thumbs up. If i would have seen this video years ago, i would not have wasted years of trying to understand how to imagine all that quantum mechanic phenomenons visually. It was just badly explained to me all the time. There are SOOOO bad documentaries out there focussing this subject...take dazzlers like Brian Greene for instance that just focus on audiovidual effects without explaining anything. And even books are either written in physic latin or plainly monochrome in depth of it all, analysing just a single aspect or theory. And leaving me behind with more questions than before. But this vid just explained it all perfectly. You did it sum up SO well. Thank you for that!

[ricardocalderon]

David, I really do not understand how it is that I could have lost your videos, not knowing that they were on youtube. I've watched hundreds of videos for years and never ran into yours until a week ago. Well I will try to see them all hoping that you do not unsubscribe from youtube. Thank you so much.

[dereksawle]

One of the best QM vids I've seen. Covers all the basic properties of atoms in a very clear way. Recommend though watching at 1.25 speed.

[rcs]

As a non-specialist, this is one of the clearest explanations I have seen and finally feel I understand these concepts. Thanks for the clear explanations and diagrams.

[tezlashock]

This is a video that everyone should watch. It explains everything you need to know about quantum physics and why atoms are the way they are. No jargon, no confusion, just pure information. Brilliant 👏

[MrTeerl]

That hydrogen atom at the beginning was the spookiest thing I've ever seen in a video. You should direct horror movies. 10/10

[psakthisivram]

I have gone through lots and lots of videos related to atom. This one in Amazing. Precise and yet covered in full. Thanks for sharing immense and wonderful video article. Great and simple animation.

[SuperDave-vjen]

What a brilliant and concise explanation of the atomic facts and scientific research on this subject matter. You, sir, are a genius of your own accord. Thank you for putting this into layman terms and understanding that even the general public is capable of comprehending. You have pointedly helped answer many questions that I have had regarding this understanding of atoms. For this, I am grateful. Thank you!

[stevelochhaas]

I am weak in math but very interested in physics and astrophysics. Your presentations have helped me immensely to visualize the calculations and processes.
I would recommend this series be integrated into every high school curriculum.

[djd]

I was gonna poke fun at the obvious and horrible green screen in the beginning, but then this video turned out to be extremely top notch. Thank you, and subscribed!

[codownhill]

Can't even lie that purple atom that came out from behind your chair in the beginning scared the crap out of me 😂