Natural Phenomena Explored by Brian Cox
The BBC One series "Forces of Nature with Brian Cox" is a captivating documentary that takes viewers on a grand tour of our planet, shedding light on the fundamental forces that shape Earth's natural beauty.
Professor Brian Cox, a household name and a passionate advocate for science, serves as the host of this visually stunning series. Known for his work on BBC Two and Four, Cox found a new platform on BBC One, reassured by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, that he could maintain his creative formula.
The series finds its narrative inspiration in "On the Six-Cornered Snowflake", written by Johannes Kepler, and shares a resemblance with Carl Sagan's Cosmos, featuring spectacular events that illustrate big ideas.
Each episode delves into various natural phenomena, making complex scientific concepts accessible and visually engaging. From the hexagonal shape of honeycombs, which can help reveal the deeper laws of nature, according to Cox, to the pororoca, a tidal wave that surges down the Amazon, used to explain the rhythm of tides, the series is a testament to the power of dramatic TV in bringing science to a broader audience.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the series is the exploration of gravity. We learn that gravity works equally in all directions, causing the Earth to become a sphere, and that any cosmic object smaller than around 200km across may be lumpy due to insufficient gravity, a concept known as the 'potato radius'.
The program also illustrates gravity with a remarkable festival in Spain, where human tower builders ('castellers') construct living towers before a crowd of 10,000 people. Children as young as five participate in the festival, wearing helmets and arranging themselves geometrically to build up to ten tiers of people.
Cox also discusses the concept of 'block time' or a 'block universe', where space-time is seen as an unchanging four-dimensional block. This concept is further exemplified in the series through the explanation of tides, relying on rotating frames of reference, the center of mass of the Earth-moon system, and fictitious forces, as proposed by Richard Feynman.
A standout moment for Cox was during a stunt to explain why water is blue, submerging in 4 deg C crystal clear waters in Silfra, Iceland. The series also delves into the history of science, such as Henry Cavendish's description of the chemical composition of water in 1784, marking the first step towards cracking its molecular structure.
Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, declared that "Forces of Nature" is in the spirit of the great Reithian tradition of creating informative, educational, and entertaining programs. Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society, introduced Brian Cox at a recent event, further highlighting the importance and impact of this series.
In conclusion, "Forces of Nature with Brian Cox" is a visually rich and educational documentary series that investigates the physical forces responsible for shaping the Earth, presented in a way that combines scientific insight with beautiful cinematography. The series is currently available for purchase and streaming digitally, providing a unique opportunity for viewers to embark on a journey through our planet's natural wonders.
- Although previously known for his work on BBC Two and Four, Professor Brian Cox found a new platform on BBC One to present "Forces of Nature with Brian Cox," a captivating documentary series on our planet's natural beauty and the fundamental forces shaping it.
- The series, inspired by Johannes Kepler's "On the Six-Cornered Snowflake," resembles Carl Sagan's Cosmos in its exploration of complex scientific concepts, making them accessible and visually engaging for a broader audience.
- One episode delved into gravity, explaining that it works equally in all directions, causing the Earth to become a sphere, and that cosmic objects smaller than around 200km across may be lumpy due to insufficient gravity, a phenomenon known as the 'potato radius.'
- The program also showcased the human tower builders ('castellers') in Spain, who construct living towers at festivals, illustrating the concept of gravity through their geometrically arranged structures.
- Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, declared that "Forces of Nature" is in the spirit of the great Reithian tradition of creating informative, educational, and entertaining programs, with learning opportunities available for viewers who purchase and stream the series digitally.
