Cosmic Rays and Their Impact

The video explores how cosmic rays, high-energy particles from space, can cause unexpected events by flipping bits in electronic devices. It discusses a 2003 Belgian election anomaly where a candidate received extra votes due to a bit flip, likely caused by cosmic rays. The video delves into the history of cosmic ray discovery, their composition, and their impact on technology, including potential effects on airplanes and video games. It highlights the importance of understanding cosmic rays and developing problem-solving skills to mitigate their effects.

What unexpected event in Belgium was linked to cosmic rays?

• A speed runner's glitch

• A plane crash

• An election recount

• A computer virus outbreak

What was the peculiar number of extra votes received by Maria Vindevogel?

• 1,024

• 2,048

• 8,192

• 4,096

What is the primary composition of cosmic rays?

• Electromagnetic waves

• Protons and helium nuclei

• Neutrons and electrons

• Gamma rays

Which device was used to first observe cosmic rays?

• Spectrometer

• Electroscope

• Cloud chamber

• Geiger counter

What was the suspected cause of the Super Mario 64 glitch?

• A software bug

• A cosmic ray bit flip

• A hardware malfunction

• A player error

What was the main cause of the Airbus A330 incident?

• Cosmic ray-induced bit flip

• Mechanical failure

• Weather conditions

• Pilot error

How are modern computer chips made resilient to bit flips?

• Reducing clock speed

• Increasing power supply

• Implementing ECC memory

• Using larger transistors

Why is the computer on the Perseverance Rover considered outdated?

• It is not radiation-hardened

• It uses an old operating system

• It has limited storage

• It is 20 years old

What natural phenomenon helps protect the solar system from cosmic rays?

• The heliosphere

• The ozone layer

• The Van Allen belts

• The magnetosphere

What role might cosmic rays have played in the history of life on Earth?

• Increasing mutation rates

• Causing mass extinctions

• Flipping genetic bits

• Creating new species