Double Vision - Sixty Symbols

A huge crystal of calcite is used to demonstrate birefringence, a side-effect of light's refraction through certain materials.

Featuring Professor Mike Merrifield.

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This project features scientists from The University of Nottingham
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/physics/i...

Sixty Symbols videos by Brady Haran

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Anthony De Vellis]

If there is a God, then our purpose is to explore scientific knowledge. I'm sorry you don't see it the way that every other scientist does. If there is a God and you just sit there and accept what other people tell you, then I would imagine that a God would take pity on you. If I were a God, I would deem you inferior to those who do pursue scientific knowledge. Ignorance is not the way to advancement.

[benharel4]

Believe. With the help of someone who took me seriously I purchased a beautiful piece of Calcite around that size.

[Stricidium]

If everyone thought that we would still live in caves.

[Anthony De Vellis]

Knowledge (and wisedom) is everywhere, it doesn't matter what area of life you're in. A grocery clerk is only inferior to a physicist (in terms of mental capacity) if he has no intention of doing a good job, and does not care about his job.

[Anthony De Vellis]

Wow, constructive comments. *I* have never been so struck by the implied truth of a youtube comment before: there is hope. Thanks for the compliment, don't dismiss knowledge, opinions or viewpoints because you personally (I.E. religiously) disagree with them. Not that you can't be religious, just understand the difference.

[WTFCATLOAF]

only two polarization's of the light

[adeel256]

but why only 2 squares?

[MacManGames]

"Everyone's gonna want one of em'"

LOL, Yup! :P

[rationalconscience]

19 soft scientists watched this video...

[Triposphere]

I got small square-shaped Pokemon-cards with this property when I was like 5 years old. To me they weren't that special, like, there were no shiny Charizard if you know what I mean so I never even traded them. One day I brought one of these to my class in like 2nd grade and let me tell you, a ring gathered around me and that day I could get anything I wanted.

Life was so easy when you were young...sigh.

[vampiressae]

No. Why should we?