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   BBC Horizon 2009 How Long Is A Piece Of String PDTV XviD AC3

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[#123099] Written by: artistharry [18/11/09, 14:07]
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How long is a Piece of String?
Alan Davies discovers that answering that question is much harder than he originally thought. Alan
visits mathematician Marcus du Sautoy to help him find an answer. However, this creates more
questions, which requires a trip to a place dedicated to measurement, the National Physics
Laboratory. Finding out the exact length of the string proves even more troublesome when Marcus
proposes the string could be infinitely long, thanks to the theory of fractals. After leaving
Marcus, Alan visits a physics teacher to see if measuring the string in atoms can help him find an
answer. However, this means exploring Quantum Mechanics. Alan goes to a lab to explore the theory of
Quantum Mechanics in more detail to see if his string can be in two places at once, confusing him
even further.
Still no closer to an answer Alan is introduced to the theory that his string may have multiples
lengths at the same time, all with the help of a stuffed cat.
Alan doesn’t believe Quantum Mechanics is important on a basic scale, but photosynthesis and the
ability to smell might just change his mind. If Alan was to find the most accurate way of measuring
his string he could theoretically create a black hole. Trying to find the solution to this question
has been a philosophical journey for Alan, but he still visits Marcus du Sautoy to tell him his
personal answer.

[#123128] Written by: zaghloul [19/11/09, 00:58]
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Crap episode. Very very basic. More like a junior high science video.