What You Need To Know About X-Rays, Rocket Science and Airplanes

What is the rocket equation? How do airplanes fly? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic Chuck Nice go through some things you thought you knew about how airplanes fly, x-rays, and how to fuel a rocket. Can you fly a plane upside down? Learn about the wings of airplanes and how they are engineered to take off into the air. Discover how differences in air speed create lift, extra features that reduce drag, and what happens when a plane stalls in the air. Plus, what is the best direction for take off and landing? What do airport x-ray machines have to do with black holes? We dive into astrophysics’ connection to the everyday x-ray machine and Riccardo Giacconi’s Nobel Prize-winning work. Learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and what it means to be transparent. Are all substances transparent to different bands of light? What if you took a road trip and never stopped for gas? We learn about how to fuel a rocket for a trip to space and how you might need more fuel than you think you need. Learn about rocket boosters and how rockets are water-powered. Why does a rocket launch in stages? NOTE: StarTalk Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, ’To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery’ on Amazon: Support us on Patreon: FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson 00:00 - Introduction 01:02 - How Airplanes Fly 07:43 - Sustaining Lift & Bernoulli 9:08 - Innovation in Wings 11:51 – What Direction to Take Off 17:20 – More Airport Stuff 19:00 – X-ray Machines & Astrophysicists 21:19 – Riccardo Giacconi Going Through Security 23:49 – Learn About Solgaard 24:16 – What It Means To Be Transparent 26:53 – The Invention of X-rays 27:50 – What X-rays Can Be Used For 31:37 – More Rocket Equation: How Much Fuel? 36:06 – Filling Stations in Space 36:29 – Burning Oxygen 40:45 – Liquid Hydrogen & Oxygen 42:33 – Closing Thoughts