Seeing the Smallest Thing in the Universe

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Published 2015-05-22

Beyond molecules and atoms, how far down can we see below the wavelength of visible light? What is the smallest possible scale in the universe?

Frog animation by Matt Burns

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Thanks to Kyle Kitzmiller for filming.

Image Credits:
SEM Images: Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility
Infrared Images: Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech
LHC Images: CERN
Historical Particle Collider: INFN-LNF www.lnf.infn.it
Molecule images: IBM
Atom Images: Aneta Stoldona; APS

Music: Michael Miller, Kevin McLeod - "Carefree," YouTube - "On the Bach"

All Comments (21)

@thecroft6070 3 years ago

If Physics Girl had been my teacher, I'd have formulated the Theory of Everything by now
@ibrsp2 5 years ago

She explained so many different complex physics concepts (including string theory) in one video and so beautifully. Amazing.
@Asmobia 6 years ago

172cm, I learn something today.
@TheRaghavKhullar 6 years ago

i really like how she is so excited all the time
@SuperRinocicorn 8 years ago

2:05 I just SAW the electron wave function of a hydrogen atom for the first time...I was speechless for a second ^-^ So beautiful...thank you!!!
@brianpso 9 years ago

Wow, you covered many topics in less than 6 minutes, and yet you managed to get the message across very clearly. You really have talent to teaching this stuff, and that's not taking into account your enthusiasm while doing so, which makes the experience much more enjoyable. Really good!
@youtubeisvideocloudstorage5894 5 years ago

1:52 just cured my depression...
@padengregory3504 3 years ago

I genuinely seen the title and thought they found my sole surviving braincell
@CtrlOptDel 7 years ago

There's an obvious joke here... But I'm too much of a gentleman to make it...
@ProlificPianist 8 years ago

1:51 GET FUCKIN WRECKED!!
@bruceanderson7762 2 years ago

I worked at the Stanford Linear Accelerator for a long time, any time I see pics of CERN tunnels, I completely marvel at it's completely beautifully clean organized look...great job, guys.
@Hlebuw3k 4 years ago

"is it possible that they have no size?" PERHAPS
@bluegodofspeed 9 years ago

Looks into my pants Cries
@videogyar2 9 years ago

I like that you used centimeters to describe your height.
@progunantilife4777 3 years ago

Looks at title, Looks down at pants "This is your time to shine, Boy"
@hughmungus2946 3 years ago

smallest thing in the universe? * cough * * cough *
@TheSharungo 9 years ago

I went to the LHC last year (best day of my life)
@ScienceAsylum 9 years ago

Nice! I was just wondering yesterday when your next video was going to be :-) I particular loved the big blue ball hitting the frog at 1:50 ...fantastic!
@brucecrane9605 2 years ago

Best physics teacher ever. Your illustration and analogies really help us understand the concepts. Your fantastic.
@arhattuladhar4906 3 years ago

I'm sure most of students would love to have teachers like her.