Up Next
Back to Show
NOVA
Is Electricity Instant? A Shocking Experiment from 1746
How fast does electricity move – and why? In 1746, a French physicist electrocuted a large group of monks to learn about electricity, and he concluded that it moves with “infinite speed.” That wasn’t quite right, but it would take decades to figure out the real answer and its reason.
Support Provided By
53:40
A long-lost ancient cemetery opens the door to a unique period in Egyptian history.
53:35
Fossils reveal how birds survived the killer asteroid and became today’s only living dinosaurs.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:40
Follow the race to build a world-class airport on the site of one of America’s busiest flying hubs.
53:40
Mysterious bodies are found under one of the world’s most famous cathedrals.
53:40
From electric flight to artificial noses, engineers are finding new ways to preserve our planet.
53:40
Humans are born to roam. See how engineers are inventing new ways to explore and extend our range.
53:40
Is engineering humanity’s superpower? See how we can amplify our natural abilities in amazing ways.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Visit strange, frozen worlds to discover the bizarre ice that forms beyond Earth.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Discover the powerful volcanic eruptions that have shaped worlds across our solar system.