Explore the fascinating world of materials science and its impact on everyday life in this engaging lecture by Anna Ploszajski. Discover the science behind common materials like glass, plastic, steel, and sugar through captivating demonstrations and storytelling. Learn about glass blowing techniques, the challenges of recycling plastic, the properties of steel in breaking land speed records, and the surprising behavior of frozen candy bars. Delve into the world of metallurgy with a blacksmithing demonstration, understand the physics of brass instruments and harmonics, and witness the mesmerizing Rubens tube in action. Uncover the evolution of the trumpet and the possibilities of unconventional materials in instrument making. Finally, examine the molecular structure of sugar, its combustion properties, and crystal formation. This comprehensive talk offers a unique blend of scientific knowledge and hands-on demonstrations, providing a fresh perspective on the materials that shape our world.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
What is materials science and how does it relate to making?
Intro to glass
What’s the science behind glass blowing? demo
The optical properties of glass
Intro to plastic - and Grandad George
The issues with recycling plastic
Steel – and breaking the landspeed record
What happens when you freeze a Snickers? demo
Why do brittle materials break?
Blacksmithing demo
Intro to brass
How harmonics work
Demonstrating the Rubens tube
How the trumpet has evolved
What can you make a trumpet out of?
Intro to sugar molecules
Why sugar burns
What sugar crystals look like
Conclusion
Taught by
The Royal Institution
