In this episode, we look at the development of a theoretical model of electron behavior for Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom by Niels Bohr. We begin with a brief introduction to light and spectra before considering the groundbreaking work of Max Planck and Albert Einstein and then finally to Bohr's radical solution to electron behavior around a nucleus. This is the first episode in the series where things get really strange.
Mar 15, 2015•37 min•Season 2Ep. 19
A look at the life of Ernest Rutherford after the Great War, including the first transmutation of an element, the discovery of the neutron and the splitting of the atom.
Mar 08, 2015•41 min•Season 2Ep. 18
A biographical sketch of the life of Ernest Rutherford from his birth in New Zealand to the outbreak of the Great War.
Mar 01, 2015•38 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In this episode, we develop the atomic models of Hantaro Nagaoka (Saturnian Model), J.J. Thomson (Plum Pudding Model) and Ernest Rutherford (Nuclear Model). We also consider the theoretical work of Perrin and Anton van den Broek along with the experimental contributions for Hans Geiger, Ernest Marsden, Charles Barkla and Henry Moseley.
Feb 22, 2015•40 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In this supplemental episode we cover the life of Marie Curie.
Feb 15, 2015•33 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode, the work of first Rontgen and Becquerel is discussed followed by the discoveries of the Curies and Ernest Rutherford.
Feb 08, 2015•29 min•Season 2Ep. 14
This episode begins a multipart series discussing the discoveries at the turn of the 20th century that led to the downfall of Dalton's atom and a new understanding of the nature of matter. This episode focuses on the work of JJ Thomson at the Cavendish laboratory that led to the discovery of the electron.
Feb 01, 2015•44 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In parallel with the chemical research being done to provide support for an atomic theory of matter, there was also work being done in the discipline of physics. In this episode we discuss developments in the fields of thermodynamics and kinetic theory that supported the idea of atoms moving through a void. Also, please leave a comment or review for the podcast on any of the sites or services you use to access it. Your support is deeply appreciated.
Jan 25, 2015•44 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this episode, developments in electrochemistry by Berzelius, Faraday, Arrhenius, Oswald, van't Hoft and Werner are discussed.
Jan 18, 2015•44 min•Season 2Ep. 11
A discussion of the development of the periodic table beginning with Prout's protyle and ending with Mendeleev. Much of the material for this episode has been developed from Eric Scerri's, "The Periodic Table, Its Story and Its Significance."
Jan 12, 2015•44 min•Season 2Ep. 10
This episode discusses the life and contributions of John Dalton with particular focus on his development of the Billard Ball model of the atom.
Jan 04, 2015•29 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Reflections on chemistry by Michel Eugene Chevreul on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
Dec 28, 2014•23 min•Season 2Ep. 8
A discussion of Carl Scheele, Joseph Priestly, Antoine Lavoisier and the discovery of oxygen.
Dec 25, 2014•29 min•Season 2Ep. 7
An examination of the work in pneumatic chemistry from Black to Lavoisier that established chemistry as an fully experimental science. A discussion of the rise and fall of the phlogiston hypothesis as a scientific case study is included.
Dec 22, 2014•39 min•Season 2Ep. 6
From Bruno to Boscovitch, this episode of the podcast suveys the development of the intellectual and experimental lanscape of Renaissance Europe as it moves closer to answer the question of the nature of matter.
Dec 14, 2014•30 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this supplemental episode we look at the scholarly work of the first of the great Arabic "hakim" and the foundations of developing a scientific method.
Dec 11, 2014•20 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode, we look at how atomism survives 1500 years of opposition and neglect to reemerge after The Great Mortality.
Dec 08, 2014•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Here we work through the responses to Democritus' atomism by Plato, Aristotle and Epicurus.
Nov 30, 2014•32 min•Season 2Ep. 2
This podcast introduces a new series on the history of the atom and begins the discussion with the ideas of the earliest Greek philosophers beginning with Thales and culminating with the atomism of Democritus.
Nov 23, 2014•27 min•Season 2Ep. 1
A discussion about some of the misconceptions people have about scientific inquiry and those who pursue it. Topics include creativity in science, the moral obligation of science and scientism.
Nov 16, 2014•35 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Unscripted thoughts on the landing of the Philae probe on comet 67P.
Nov 12, 2014•27 min
Tools and structures scientists use to move ideas forward and do scientific reasoning. Models and organizing principles are discussed as is serendipity. Basic reasoning structure is explained through deductive, inductive and abductive methods.
Nov 09, 2014•38 min•Season 1Ep. 5
A discussion of the progress of scientific ideas from hypotheses to laws to theories. What makes each one different from the others and how does an idea start as a hypothesis and end up as a theory.
Nov 02, 2014•30 min•Season 1Ep. 4
A discussion of three attributes that characterize scientific inquiry and distinguish it from from other types of research. This includes a discussion of of the three levels of information gathering and methods of scientific communication.
Oct 26, 2014•27 min•Season 1Ep. 3
A discussion of why studying science is not only useful but necessary in today's world along with an explanation of inquiry and a brief tour of different fields and types of scientific research.
Oct 19, 2014•24 min•Season 1Ep. 2
This is the beginning, the pushing off, the setting out. It is here that the voyage commences and we set our sights on new horizons and far off vistas. This podcast is where I tell you what this whole thing's about: who your guide is, the vehicle we'll be traveling in and where we might be going. It's a journey with a thousand or more steps and this is the first one.
Oct 13, 2014•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1
