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EPISODE · Jun 14, 2026 · 19 MIN

The Magnet That Swallowed Physics

from The Breaking Point · host Podcaster

In 1820, a Danish professor's lecture demonstration went sideways when a compass needle twitched near a wire—and suddenly electricity and magnetism weren't separate forces anymore. This accident didn't just unite two phenomena; it revealed that light itself is an electromagnetic wave, setting the stage for everything from radio to quantum mechanics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 1820, a Danish professor's lecture demonstration went sideways when a compass needle twitched near a wire—and suddenly electricity and magnetism weren't separate forces anymore. This accident didn't just unite two phenomena; it revealed that light itself is an electromagnetic wave, setting the stage for everything from radio to quantum mechanics.

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The Magnet That Swallowed Physics

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In 1820, a Danish professor's lecture demonstration went sideways when a compass needle twitched near a wire—and suddenly electricity and magnetism weren't separate forces anymore. This accident didn't just unite two phenomena; it revealed that...

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