In this PBS NewsHour segment, science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on a contest launched by actor and author Alan Alda that challenges scientists to explain the science behind a flame, while flexing their communication muscles. The judges are thousands of 11-year-olds.
I missed the part where Alda specificaly attacks jargon, so I’m not sure where the title came from. He explains why communication is important (we swim in an ocean of science) and how great is was that the students were so enthused about science, and wanted something more substantive than quick answers.
Flames are exothermic free radical reactions producing visible black body radiation temperatures. 12 words White diamond at 1000 C and burning hydrogen demonstrate high temperature and visible emission can be uncoupled.