Podcast Summary
Exploring the connections between electricity and biology: Learn about voltage, amperage, resistance, and their significance in understanding electricity. Discover how the human body uses electricity and modern applications of electrotherapy. Gain insights from a science communicator on writing about complex topics and potential future implications of electricity in biology.
The importance of understanding the fundamental concepts of electricity and their connections to biology. In the latest bonus episode of "This Podcast Will Kill You," Erin Welsh invites Dr. Timothy Jorgensen back to the show to delve deeper into the intricacies of electricity. Previously, they discussed lightning strikes and their impact on the human body, but they didn't cover the basics of electricity itself. Dr. Jorgensen, an accomplished science communicator and author, shares his expertise on the topic, helping listeners grasp the concepts of voltage, amperage, resistance, and their significance in understanding electricity. They also explore the human body's use of electricity, modern applications of electrotherapy, and the historical and future implications of electricity in the realm of biology. For those interested in science communication, Dr. Jorgensen offers valuable insights on how to write about complex topics like electricity in an engaging and accessible way. He also discusses the potential for graduate and medical schools to incorporate science communication training and shares advice for aspiring science communicators. Overall, this episode offers a comprehensive exploration of electricity and its intersections with biology, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of this fascinating topic.
Exploring Electricity through Storytelling: Understanding voltage, amperage, and resistance as the pressure, number, and opposition to the flow of electrons, respectively, forms a solid foundation for grasping the intricacies of electricity.
Professor Tim Jorgensen's book "Spark: The Life of Electricity and Electricity of Life" uses the storytelling format to explain the concept of electricity and its connection to biology. The book is an extension of his previous work on radiation, where he noticed the interest in the electrical aspect. Jorgensen's strategy is to tell a human interest story and explain the technical aspects as a "Trojan horse," allowing readers to absorb technical information passively and remember it due to the context of the story. Electricity is the flow of electrons, and the difference between voltage, amperage, and resistance lies in their relationship to this flow. Voltage is the pressure that pushes electrons, amperage is the number of electrons flowing, and resistance is the opposition to the flow of electrons. By understanding these fundamental concepts, we can gain a better foundation for exploring the vast world of electricity and its applications.
Understanding Conductivity: Metals vs. Non-Metals: Metals conduct electricity well due to their loosely bound electrons, while non-metals like wood and plastic resist electricity flow due to tightly bound electrons.
All materials have some degree of conductivity, but some are better conductors than others due to their resistance to the flow of electrons. Metals, like copper, are good conductors because their electrons are loosely bound and easily move, while materials like wood and plastic are poor conductors because their electrons are tightly bound and resist movement. This property is important in understanding electricity, which can be thought of as a flow of electrons. Voltage is the pressure pushing the electrons to move, amperage is the rate of electron flow, and resistance is the opposition to electron flow. Electricity flows due to an imbalance of electrons, with electrons moving from areas of high density to low density. Early forms of electricity, such as static electricity, were generated by rubbing materials together to transfer electrons. Good conductors, like copper wires, are essential in facilitating the efficient flow of electricity.
The contrasting conductivity of metals and plastics impacts electricity transmission: Metals conduct electricity well due to their closely held electrons, while plastics do not. AC transmission is preferred for long distances due to its efficiency.
The conductivity of materials like metals, which have closely held electrons in a crystal lattice structure, allows for easy electron flow and the transmission of electricity through the use of alternating current (AC), which can transmit power over long distances at high voltage. In contrast, materials like plastics, with mostly covalent bonds and no weekly charged electrons, do not conduct electricity well. The historical battle between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over the use of direct current (DC) versus AC for household electricity transmission led to the widespread adoption of AC due to its ability to be transmitted efficiently over long distances and stepped down to appropriate household voltages. It's important to note that while voltage causes the sensation of pain, it's the amperage that can cause injury or even death.
Exploring the relationship between electricity and the human body: Throughout history, electricity has influenced neuroscience and vice versa, leading to advancements in understanding the body and curing diseases using electricity, including brain-machine interfaces.
Electricity and the human body have a complex relationship. While electricity can be dangerous, it also plays a crucial role in operating the nervous system. Throughout history, humans have used electricity to understand the body, and vice versa. From measuring electricity through frog legs to modern brain-machine interfaces, the fields of neuroscience and electrical science have influenced each other significantly. Today, we use electricity to stimulate different areas of the brain to cure diseases or power artificial limbs. The ability of electricity to send binary signals, similar to computers, makes it an ideal candidate for merging these two systems. This merging has led to advancements in neuroscience and the development of brain-machine interfaces that can write information from computers into the brain and pick up electrical signals from those cells. This journey started with observing the effects of static electricity and frog legs and has continued to evolve to the present day.
Manipulating electrical activity in the brain through modern therapies: Deep brain stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy effectively treat conditions like Parkinson's disease and depression by manipulating electrical activity in the brain
Modern therapies like deep brain stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy have proven effective in treating various conditions such as Parkinson's disease, depression, and epilepsy. The exact mechanisms behind their success are still debated, but it's believed that they work by manipulating electrical activity in the brain. For instance, deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease involves implanting electrodes to stimulate specific brain areas, reducing tremors and improving motor control. Similarly, electroconvulsive therapy for depression involves applying electric currents to the brain to trigger a controlled seizure, which can help alleviate symptoms. These therapies build upon our understanding of electricity's role in the human body and the nervous system, as seen in natural phenomena like the electric torpedo fish, which generates electricity through ion transport.
Electric Fish and Our Nervous System Use Electricity Differently: Electric fish generate electricity for hunting and communication, while our bodies use it for functions like muscle contractions and nerve impulses. Electric fish have specialized cells called electrocytes that produce large voltages and release them in bursts to stun prey, while we rely on ion pumping for electrical signals.
Both electric fish and our nervous system transmit electrical signals through ion pumping, but while electric fish generate electricity for hunting and communication, our bodies use electricity for various functions such as muscle contractions and nerve impulses. Electric fish, like the torpedo and electric eels, have specialized cells called electrocytes that produce large voltages and can release them in a sudden burst to stun prey. These fish also have the ability to sense interruptions in their electric fields, which they use for navigation and hunting in murky waters where sight is limited. Volta was inspired by electric fish to investigate methods of generating electricity, leading to the discovery of electrochemical reactions, a fundamentally different process. Electric fields, similar to magnetic fields, surround electrically charged objects, and fish use their electric fields for both sensing and generating electricity.
From Electric Eels to Radiation Protection: Effective communication of complex scientific concepts is crucial for public understanding and safety.
Electricity, as discovered by experimenting with an electric eel, is a form of energy that can be harnessed and utilized in various ways, from scientific research to medical therapies. Dr. Jorgensen, a radiation sciences expert and science communicator, shared her personal journey from researching the effects of radiation on DNA and cell transformation to teaching future radiation protection professionals. She accidentally entered the field of science communication during the Fukushima crisis, answering public questions about radiation risks and later realizing the need for accessible resources to explain complex scientific concepts. Through her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating scientific knowledge to the public.
The lack of accessible, unbiased scientific information for the public: Dr. Johnston emphasizes the need for clear, unbiased scientific communication to reach a wider audience, lamenting the lack of training for students in this area
There is a significant lack of accessible, unbiased scientific information for the general public. Dr. Johnston's experience in writing a science-based book without an agenda led him to realize this issue. He noted that many books either have a clear agenda or are written in scientific jargon that is inaccessible to non-experts. Furthermore, much of the lay press and media present information as black and white debates, leaving little room for nuance or understanding. As a science communicator, Dr. Johnston strives to convey technical information in an engaging way, telling stories that illustrate the importance of scientific concepts. However, he lamented that graduate students and medical students are not adequately trained in this style of communication. Instead, they are taught to write scientific papers in jargon and passive voice, making it difficult for them to effectively communicate complex scientific ideas to a broader audience.
Improving Science Communication: Personal Interest and Compelling Stories: Identify personal interest, craft a compelling story, practice succinct explanations to engage and intrigue non-experts, and focus on captivating elements for effective science communication.
Effective science communication is essential for scientists to engage with the public, and it requires active voice, clear storytelling, and the ability to explain complex concepts in an accessible way. The Allen Alda Center for Science Communication at Stony Brook University offers valuable resources for scientists to hone these skills. A key starting point for improving science communication is identifying the personal interest and crafting a compelling story around it. Additionally, practicing "elevator talk" or succinctly explaining one's work to non-experts is an effective way to engage and intrigue others. For future projects, I'd like to explore the field of sound, which is a physical science, health-related, and has the potential for captivating stories. By focusing on these elements, scientists can bridge the gap between their research and the public, leading to a more informed and engaged society.
Exploring the Fascinating World of Electricity: Dr. Jorgensen's book, 'Spark: The Life of Electricity and the Electricity of Life', offers expert insights into the world of electricity and its impact on our lives. Check it out on our website for more information.
Fascinating world of electricity and its impact on our lives. We had the pleasure of diving deeper into this topic with expert insights from Dr. Jorgensen's book, "Spark: The Life of Electricity and the Electricity of Life." For those interested in learning more, we'll post a link to the book on our website, thispodcastwillkillyou.com. Our website also offers transcripts, Quarantini and Placeba Reader recipes, a bookshop.org affiliate account, links to music by Bloodmobile, merchandise, and Patreon support. A special thanks to Bloodmobile for the music and to our generous patrons for their continued support. Stay tuned for our next episode on a new topic, and until then, keep washing those hands!
