Natural Phenomena Explored by Brian Cox
In a captivating new series airing on BBC One, renowned physicist Brian Cox takes viewers on an exhilarating journey through the wonders of planet Earth. Titled "Forces of Nature," the programme aims to explain the startling beauty of our world by delving into the fundamental natural forces that shape it.
Before embarking on this ambitious project, Cox had only worked for BBC Two and Four. However, Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, reassured him that he could stick to his creative formula, ensuring the series would be as informative, educational, and entertaining as his previous works.
"Forces of Nature" uses dramatic TV to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a broader audience, much like the way Carl Sagan's Cosmos did decades ago. The series employs spectacular events and illustrative examples to bring big ideas to life, from the human tower building festival in Spain that demonstrates gravity, to the tidal wave pororoca in Brazil, which is used to explain the rhythm of tides.
Notable figures such as the Minister for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson, and Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society, have shown their support for the series. An event attended by eminent scientists, schoolchildren, and representatives from the cultural sector was held to celebrate its launch.
One memorable moment for Cox during the making of the series occurred while explaining why water is blue in Iceland's Silfra. The series also delves into the six-fold structure of snowflakes, which can be understood in terms of water's molecular make-up, drawing on Johannes Kepler's work "On the Six-Cornered Snowflake."
In an episode dedicated to the concept of 'block time' or a 'block universe,' Cox uses a wood in Oxfordshire to illustrate the idea. Richard Feynman's explanation of tides is also featured, relying on rotating frames of reference, the center of mass of the Earth-moon system, and fictitious forces.
The series also highlights the extraordinary challenges faced by Nepalese villagers who climb precipitous cliffs on rope ladders in search of honey, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who live in harmony with nature.
Brian Cox, a professor of public engagement and a passionate advocate for investment in science, stars in this compelling new series. Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, declared that "Forces of Nature" is in the spirit of the great Reithian tradition of creating programs that inform, educate, and entertain. With its blend of physics and nature, presented in an accessible manner by Cox, "Forces of Nature" promises to be a captivating and enlightening watch for viewers of all ages.
- The new BBC One series, "Forces of Nature," delves into the environmental-science aspect of our world in a manner that is informative, educational, and entertaining.
- In an effort to make complex scientific concepts accessible, the program incorporates dramatic TV elements akin to how Carl Sagan's Cosmos approached the topic decades ago.
- The series employs lifestyle examples such as the human tower building festival in Spain to illustrate gravity and the tidal wave pororoca in Brazil to explain the rhythm of tides.
- Beyond drawing attention to our natural world, "Forces of Nature" also provides insights into data-and-cloud-computing concepts like 'block time' or a 'block universe.'
- To better understand sustainable-living topics, viewers can learn about the six-fold structure of snowflakes, which can be linked to water's molecular make-up and the work of Johannes Kepler.
- The series spotlights various technology-related aspects, including Richard Feynman's explanation of tides, which relies on rotating frames of reference, the center of mass of the Earth-moon system, and fictitious forces.
- Additional topics covered in "Forces of Nature" include social-media platforms, entertainment, general-news, learning resources, and personal-growth as they relate to the wonders of planet Earth and the importance of education-and-self-development in understanding our environment.
