TED-Ed: How simple ideas lead to scientific discoveries - Adam Savage

The video explores the power of curiosity and simple questions in scientific discovery. It recounts stories of Richard Feynman, Eratosthenes, and Armand Fizeau, highlighting their contributions to physics and geography. Feynman's childhood curiosity led to his Nobel Prize-winning work. Eratosthenes calculated Earth's circumference using basic observations, while Fizeau measured the speed of light with simple tools. The video emphasizes that science is an open field accessible to all, driven by curiosity and exploration.

What childhood experience influenced Richard Feynman's approach to science?

• A letter from the town of Sweden

• An experiment with a tooth wheel

• A visit to the Great Library at Alexandria

• A conversation with his father about inertia

How did Eratosthenes calculate the Earth's circumference?

• By using a tooth wheel

• By analyzing the Earth's shadow on the moon

• By observing shadows in different cities

• By measuring the speed of light

What common misconception about the Earth's shape is addressed in the video?

• That the Earth is the center of the universe

• That Columbus discovered the Earth is round

• That the Earth is flat

• That the Earth is a perfect sphere

What is highlighted as a key difference between ancient and modern scientific discoveries?

• The involvement of multiple scientists

• The reliance on human observation and intellect

• The speed of communication

• The use of advanced technology

What was Armand Fizeau's contribution to measuring the speed of light?

• He confirmed Galileo's speed of light experiment

• He discovered the Higgs boson

• He calculated the Earth's circumference

• He used a tooth wheel to send light pulses

What tool did Fizeau use to measure the speed of light?

• A deep well

• A telescope

• A tooth wheel

• A mirror and a lamp

What is emphasized as the essence of scientific discovery?

• Advanced technology

• Independent corroboration of facts

• Theoretical predictions

• Historical records