Calcite: The Miracle Mineral of the History of Polarization

So one rock proved so problematic to the history of physics that it really deserves it's own special place in the history books. Because without it we'd have never found out about polarization or the transverse wave nature of light. Meet Calcite.

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Calcite's made of Calcium Carbonate - a molecule as important to physics as it is to building materials and global climate change! Learn about it here:

While you're at it, become illuminated in your thinking about light:

Or, discover the history of the term PC and find out if a Mac is in fact a PC too:

What about the awesome video about algorithms? Never fear, find it here - they aren't that scary!

Questions or Comments? Post them below!

And as always, keep thinking!

~Tech

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[DrewKF]

I'm just 40 seconds in so far, not watched any of your stuff before, and already inclined to tell you your videos are awesome!
I'm more of a zoologist gone rogue (via Palaeontology, biochemistry and geology, I told myself I'd never start obsessing over rocks, ffs!) ...and you're fuelling my must-know-all-the-things tendencies, aaaah!... but thank you, really, I'm looking forward to rummaging around your channel! :D

[chessu]

Calcite microcrystals in the pineal gland of the human brain: first physical and chemical studies
Simon Baconnier et al. Bioelectromagnetics. 2002 Oct.

[MsLmariie]

Didnt pick up everything....but i liked listening...where i live has calcite as well

[michaeljin]

Wonderful history in the findings led to the concepts of Polarization --- Now it's very close to Quantum Physics.

[novaexx]

dude... you need more views and subscribers

[ElektrikDunyam]

Was this the same material used by the Vikings to find the direction in partially cloudy day just looking at the clear sky among the clouds?

[komradkyle]

So the quantum experiment that has light bifurcate into 2 wavelengths, does Calicite convert light into a wave form, and then can sound influence light waves?

[curtisstrain]

Now how do I make a calcite crystal of my own?

[nickidaisyreddwoodd]

You look just like Captain Kirk from Starship Enterprise.

[deeqzvee]

I have more than 50kg Calcite Crystals...anyone interested?