Shirtloads of Science

Science writer and former astrophysicist Marcus Chown joins us to discuss the elusive graviton - the theoretical particle behind gravity. 

 In this chat we dig into the four fundamental forces of nature, why gravity is so uniquely hard to pin down, and why detecting a graviton would require a detector larger than Jupiter. Marcus also unpacks string theory, the only framework that manages to fold gravity in with the other forces, and why it's fallen out of favour with much of the physics community.

www.marcuschown.com/

A bonus episode straight from the audience at Geraint Lewis' book launch for "The Shortest History of Reality." Listeners fire off some big questions: where do we sit with the 95% of the universe we can't explain? What is dark energy? Why does time feel so different experientially? Along with other questions concerning the Theory of Everything, whether light really has a speed, what happens to our mass when we die, consciousness and the Twin paradox!

Join us for a special live episode of Shirtloads of Science, recorded at Willoughby Library for the launch of Professor Geraint Lewis' new book, "The Shortest History of Reality" - a compelling journey tracing the evolution of humanity's understanding of reality.

In this live session, Geraint touches on a number of deep and puzzling concepts concerning reality (according to an astrophysicist) - from the baffling fact that 95% of the universe remains a mystery, to the clash between relativity and quantum mechanics, space and time, dark matter and dark energy, the mind-bending one-electron theory, and the ever-elusive Theory of Everything.

https://www.geraintflewis.com/

Motor journalist Toby Hagon returns to Shirtloads of Science for round two on electric vehicles. Toby shares how he got into motoring journalism and what the job really involves.

We break down 400V vs 800V batteries, charge cycles, and the reality of battery degradation, decode WLTP vs NEDC ratings, and marvel at just how powerful EVs really are. evcentral.com.au outbacktravelaustralia.com.au

evcentral.com.au
outbacktravelaustralia.com.au

Motor journalist Toby Hagon joins Shirtloads of Science to talk all things electric vehicles. We break down the often-confused difference between kilowatts and kilowatt-hours, compare EVs against petrol cars on performance, energy use, and cost, and explore everything from single to quad-motor setups.
Toby unpacks AC vs DC charging and battery basics, looks at how servicing costs stack up, and separates real EV fire statistics from the hype. This was a big one, so we split it in two - catch part two next week
evcentral.com.au
outbacktravelaustralia.com.au