Episodes

  • 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
  • ELI5 Super Mario Bros - how did it fit into 32KB?

    ELI5 Super Mario Bros - how did it fit into 32KB?
    Sep 20 2024
    How did Shigeru Miyamoto come up with Mario, and how has this character evolved over the years? How is it that the first Mario Bros. game was about 32kb, but a JPEG of the game is over 300kbs in 2023? What made the game mechanics so special? Why is the first level of Super Mario still studied today? Who is the real-life Mario that the character is named after? ... 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: mrblackops16, sneaky_gopher, displacedpie, grumblyoldman, summerandtinkles and mrdrofficer 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 Lie Detector Tests - how do polygraph tests work?

    ELI5 Lie Detector Tests - how do polygraph tests work?
    Sep 13 2024
    How does a lie detector test work? If people don’t trust their accuracy, why do agencies like the FBI and CIA still use polygraph tests? How is a polygraph test actually conducted? Are there any proven methods or techniques to "beat" a polygraph test? ... 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: amainterrogator, rhomboidus, slightydamp_clothes, jetscootr, happy_bridge, baliflipper,jarljam and antechronos 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