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Is it possible to create a perfect vacuum? - Rolf Landua and Anais Rassat

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The universe is bustling with matter and energy. Even in the vast, apparent emptiness of intergalactic space, there’s one hydrogen atom per cubic meter. But is there such thing as a total absence of everything? Is it possible to make a completely empty space? Rolf Landua and Anais Rassat explain the science behind vacuums.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Rolf Landua, Anais Rassat
  • Director Ricky Earl
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Animator Ricky Earl, Henry Chung, James Hing, Noel Wong, Robert Thomson
  • Storyboard Artist Toby Parry
  • Composer Tom Jordan
  • Sound Designer Tom Jordan
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Pen-Pen Chen
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Ever wonder exactly what a vacuum chamber is? This lesson: Brian Cox visits the world's biggest vacuum chamber might give you some more clues. Neil Degrasse Tyson also explores the vacuum of space here. The SciShow also has a great video about what happens if your body is exposed to the vacuum of space. Now watch this Veritasium video: Empty Space is NOT Empty.

Dark energy has you perplexed? This video, What exactly is Dark Matter and Dark Energy?, might help. Here is a TED Talk by physicist Patricia Burchat: Shedding Light on Dark Matter.

The LHC-Large Hadron Collider discussed in this lesson is an amazing device. Watch this TED Talk by Brian Cox who provides a down to Earth discussion of how it works.

This TED-Ed lesson may also help fill in any voids you have on cosmic radiation: How cosmic rays help us understand the universe - Veronica Bindi.
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09/07/2017 • 
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Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Rolf Landua, Anais Rassat
  • Director Ricky Earl
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Animator Ricky Earl, Henry Chung, James Hing, Noel Wong, Robert Thomson
  • Storyboard Artist Toby Parry
  • Composer Tom Jordan
  • Sound Designer Tom Jordan
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Pen-Pen Chen

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