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Video An audience of children

Art, culture and society CHRISTMAS LECTURES Maths Physics Technology and engineering

Exploring music – Science, strings and symphonies (1989)

All stringed instruments need to have their sound amplified, Charles Taylor explores how flat plates and hollow bodies work in

Exploring music – Science, strings and symphonies (1989) Read more
Video Charles Taylor holding a large red metal rod, with children smiling in th ebackground of the Ri theatre

Art, culture and society CHRISTMAS LECTURES Maths Physics Technology and engineering

Exploring music – The essence of an instrument (1989)

Charles Taylor investigates the essential features that have to be present in any instrument, if a usable musical sound is to be

Exploring music – The essence of an instrument (1989) Read more
Video Charles Taylor using a machine to blow up a balloon, with a child in the Ri theatre

Art, culture and society CHRISTMAS LECTURES Maths Physics Technology and engineering

Exploring music – What is music? (1989)

Charles Taylor asks whether some sounds musical and others just noise?

Exploring music – What is music? (1989) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his 1977 CHRISTMAS LECTURE

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – Planetary systems beyond our sun (1977)

Carl Sagan asks, do other solar systems exist?

The planets – Planetary systems beyond our sun (1977) Read more
Video Carl Sagan smiling with audience of children during CHRISTMAS LECTURES

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – Mars after Viking (1977)

Carl Sagan asks, is there life on Mars?

The planets – Mars after Viking (1977) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his CHRISTMAS LECTURE in 1977

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – Mars before Viking (1977)

Carl Sagan views Mars through the eyes of Mariner 9.

The planets – Mars before Viking (1977) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his CHRISTMAS LECTURE

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – The outer solar system and life (1977)

Carl Sagan asks whether the origin of life is a cosmic commonplace.

The planets – The outer solar system and life (1977) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his CHRISTMAS LECTURE

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – The Earth as a planet (1977)

Carl Sagan explores our place in the solar system.

The planets – The Earth as a planet (1977) Read more
Video George Porter speaking in the Ri theatre

Chemistry CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The natural history of a sunbeam – Survival under the sun (1976)

George Porter looks at how sunlight powers sustainable energy sources.

The natural history of a sunbeam – Survival under the sun (1976) Read more
Video George Porter spinning a small golden fan in the Ri theatre

Chemistry CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The natural history of a sunbeam – Making light work (1976)

Sir George Porter looks at thermodynamics and its role in helping power our lives.

The natural history of a sunbeam – Making light work (1976) Read more

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