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Physics Girl

How do touchscreens work?

Season 2 Episode 3 | 6m 03s

How does a touchscreen work? Why can you text with your finger, but not with a q-tip? The physics of smartphones is a complicated and amazing mixture of engineering, physics, electronics and computer science.

Aired: 10/05/16
Extras
Watch • 7:55
Physics Girl
Exploding soda cans with electromagnets in SLOW MOTION ft Joe Hanson
Watch a soda can rip itself apart in a fiery explosion!
Episode: S1 E27 | 7:55
Watch • 6:09
Physics Girl
Why RED BUBBLES are impossible… or are they?!
Take a look at bubbles and you’ll see that they're actually missing colors!
Episode: S4 E30 | 6:09
Watch • 10:12
Physics Girl
I WAS THERE! How David Blaine flew helium balloons to the height of jets (and jumped)
I got invited to see David Blaine float 25,000 feet up in the sky!
Episode: S4 E29 | 10:12
Watch • 11:01
Physics Girl
Fact-Checking this Viral Bottle Trick
What is cavitation?
Episode: S4 E28 | 11:01
Watch • 12:19
Physics Girl
The Science of Ventilation
How likely are you to get sick on an airplane?
Episode: S4 E27 | 12:19
Watch • 9:00
Physics Girl
Insanely Fun DIY Science Experiments at Home
Fun DIY at-home science experiments.
Episode: S4 E26 | 9:00
Watch • 14:56
Physics Girl
Ballistic Ping Pong Ball vs. Tennis Ball at 450km/h!
What happens when you shoot a ballistic ping pong ball going 450kph at a tennis ball?
Episode: S4 E22 | 14:56
Watch • 9:52
Physics Girl
Unique At-Home Science Experiments!
Dianna from Physics Girl walks through 5 experiments.
Episode: S4 E24 | 9:52
Watch • 20:41
Physics Girl
Candid Interview with COVID-19 ER Nurse and Epidemiologist
ER Nurse Practitioner and Epidemiologist talk about their experiences with the pandemic.
Episode: S4 E23 | 20:41
Watch • 6:30
Physics Girl
HOME CHALLENGE: 20 Easy Experiments in 5 Minutes
Bored adult or a parent stuck at home during the coronavirus quarantine? Try this!
Episode: S4 E21 | 6:30
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • Physics Girl Season 4
  • Physics Girl Season 3
  • Physics Girl Season 2
  • Physics Girl Season 1
Watch • 7:55
Physics Girl
Exploding soda cans with electromagnets in SLOW MOTION ft Joe Hanson
Watch a soda can rip itself apart in a fiery explosion!
Episode: S1 E27 | 7:55
Watch • 6:09
Physics Girl
Why RED BUBBLES are impossible… or are they?!
Take a look at bubbles and you’ll see that they're actually missing colors!
Episode: S4 E30 | 6:09
Watch • 10:12
Physics Girl
I WAS THERE! How David Blaine flew helium balloons to the height of jets (and jumped)
I got invited to see David Blaine float 25,000 feet up in the sky!
Episode: S4 E29 | 10:12
Watch • 11:01
Physics Girl
Fact-Checking this Viral Bottle Trick
What is cavitation?
Episode: S4 E28 | 11:01
Watch • 12:19
Physics Girl
The Science of Ventilation
How likely are you to get sick on an airplane?
Episode: S4 E27 | 12:19
Watch • 9:00
Physics Girl
Insanely Fun DIY Science Experiments at Home
Fun DIY at-home science experiments.
Episode: S4 E26 | 9:00
Watch • 14:56
Physics Girl
Ballistic Ping Pong Ball vs. Tennis Ball at 450km/h!
What happens when you shoot a ballistic ping pong ball going 450kph at a tennis ball?
Episode: S4 E22 | 14:56
Watch • 9:52
Physics Girl
Unique At-Home Science Experiments!
Dianna from Physics Girl walks through 5 experiments.
Episode: S4 E24 | 9:52
Watch • 20:41
Physics Girl
Candid Interview with COVID-19 ER Nurse and Epidemiologist
ER Nurse Practitioner and Epidemiologist talk about their experiences with the pandemic.
Episode: S4 E23 | 20:41
Watch • 6:30
Physics Girl
HOME CHALLENGE: 20 Easy Experiments in 5 Minutes
Bored adult or a parent stuck at home during the coronavirus quarantine? Try this!
Episode: S4 E21 | 6:30