Episodes

  • ELI5 Volcanoes - can they be used for dumping trash?

    ELI5 Volcanoes - can they be used for dumping trash?
    Nov 15 2024
    Why can't we just throw our trash into volcanoes to incinerate it? Why do some volcanoes erupt explosively while others have gentle lava flows? Why is Yellowstone National Park considered a super volcano? Which volcano created the loudest sound ever recorded? Can we use volcanos as energy sources? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: notofyourworld, forams__galorams, cultish_alibi, pearlsb4pigs, explosivelydehiscent, norrisn and queltis6000 To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    9 mins
  • ELI5 Lab Grown Diamonds - why do they have lower resale values?

    ELI5 Lab Grown Diamonds - why do they have lower resale values?
    Nov 8 2024
    How are lab grown diamonds made? Are they exactly the same? Why do they have different prices and resale values? Which is more environmentally friendly? How have cultural and social attitudes evolved? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: pahpichulo, greenstrong, h0ly_s0x, twin_spoons and krimmson_ To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • ELI5 MRIs - how do they work and why are they so noisy?

    ELI5 MRIs - how do they work and why are they so noisy?
    Nov 1 2024
    How do MRIs work? Why are they so expensive? Why are they so noisy?Are MRIs related to other scans like x-rays, CT scans and PET scans. Why aren’t full body MRIs more part of routine checkups? Why are they so expensive? If there is iron in our blood, is this affected by the magnetic fields in an MRI? Why was there controversy with the nobel prize awarded for MRI technology? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: danielaumbrella, superdad0206, duferino, 8daysuntiltheweekend, war-ear, glittering-ocean1, let_me-out, one2manythrees and truguido To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 mins
  • ELI5 Aircraft Engines - why propellers on military planes vs jet engines?

    ELI5 Aircraft Engines - why propellers on military planes vs jet engines?
    Oct 25 2024
    Why do military planes like the Hercules C-130 and Airbus A400M military transport planes use propellers instead of jet engines? What makes them more versatile for shorter runways? Why is a turboprop engine not the same as regular piston propeller engines? Explain the difference between a turbojet, turbofan and turboprop. ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: elena1995x, dirschau, airbornerodent, frat_guy_pa, arztnur, noxious89123 and kaiisim To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 mins
  • ELI5 Speed of Light - why can’t we exceed it?

    ELI5 Speed of Light - why can’t we exceed it?
    Oct 18 2024
    How did we even measure it if it’s so fast? Why can’t anything go faster than the speed of light? If I were to take a really really really (light years) long stick and push something on the end of it, would it happen “instantly”? What are some of the loopholes that would allow us to theoretically exceed the speed of light? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: sometimesokayideas, diogeneskuon, maadmaxx, acrazygerman and tofuattack, thrasher1236969 and javanator999 To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    6 mins
  • ELI5 QR Codes - how do they work even with portions covered or obscured?

    ELI5 QR Codes - how do they work even with portions covered or obscured?
    Oct 11 2024
    How are QR Codes better than regular barcodes? How do they work? The fourth corner square is kinda important - what kind of processing is going on for a QR code to be decoded? Why is error correction so important in QR codes? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: puppett_master, berael, middlefingerin, jagedmetalos, superpansy, simbonegtp and jcdu To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • ELI5 Dyson Sphere - did aliens already build one?

    ELI5 Dyson Sphere - did aliens already build one?
    Oct 4 2024
    What exactly is a Dyson Sphere? What materials would be required? What is a Dyson Swarm and a Dyson Bubble? Could any other civilizations have built a dyson sphere already? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: apprehensivemedia999, loki-l, kriss3d and joushmark To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    5 mins
  • ELI5 Skyscrapers - which NYC skyscraper could have fallen over?

    ELI5 Skyscrapers - which NYC skyscraper could have fallen over?
    Sep 27 2024
    Are the 100+ year old skyscrapers still safe? How do skyscrapers get built straight up without any leaning or imperfections or off angle walls? How does the concrete get poured so perfectly? How have designs changed over the years? What NYC had a 6% chance of falling in any given year? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: troyisawinner, justasking1t, johnproof, monkshabit, torostein, hopefulmonstr, hippityhoppityboop, flannelheart and krisalyssa To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 mins