FLASHCARDS! Avocados + Avogadro's Number = A Delicious Molement
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
Release Date: 08/01/2025
REPOST: Quantum Computing & Brahmagupta: From Zero to Qubits
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
This episode bridges the ancient and the cutting-edge, tracing the legacy of 7th-century mathematician Brahmagupta, who formalized the concept of zero, to today’s quantum computing revolution. We explore how his foundational work in numerical systems underpins binary logic and, ultimately, the qubits powering modern quantum processors like Microsoft’s Majorana 1 and Google’s Willow. From historical insight to the promise of quantum-driven solutions for climate change, medicine, and cybersecurity, this episode is a testament to how human innovation builds across centuries. The key points...
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FLASHCARDS! Brunelleschi to Beams: Construction Sounds Thru Time
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
Construction noise outside Gabrielle’s studio becomes the perfect backdrop to this week’s Flashcard Friday episode. From ancient geometry and Pythagorean ropes to Brunelleschi’s Renaissance dome and today’s AI-assisted architecture, this episode explores how math and science have always been at the heart of building human civilization. Whether it's the silent symmetry of Islamic domes or the loud clatter of skyscrapers rising, construction is the sound of applied mathematics — past and present. Three take-aways: How ancient builders used geometry, Pythagorean triples, and astronomy...
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REPOST: How “Scientist” Became a Word
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
In this episode of Math! Science! History!, Gabrielle explores the unexpected origin story of the word scientist. It all started with Mary Somerville’s 1834 book On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, which sparked a humorous yet historic review by William Whewell. From ridicule to resistance, the term evolved amid fierce linguistic debate, public mockery, and eventual global adoption. Discover how one word came to define a profession, and why that battle still matters today. Key topics: The origin of the word "scientist," and why it was initially mocked by 19th-century intellectuals....
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FLASHCARDS! Avocados + Avogadro's Number = A Delicious Molement
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
On this Flashcards Friday episode, Gabrielle serves up a tasty blend of chemistry, humor, and history. Coinciding with National Avocado Day, this episode dives into the life and legacy of Amedeo Avogadro, the 19th-century chemist behind the foundational theorem of gas volumes, and how his name unexpectedly became linked with everyone's favorite green fruit. From moles to molecules to memes, Gabrielle brings the science home, one chip at a time. 🌱 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode: 1. Who Amedeo Avogadro was and what his theorem states about gas volumes. 2. How the mole (6.022 ×...
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Lise Meitner's Walk that Changed the World
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
Lise Meitner changed the world, and the world nearly forgot her. In this episode of Math! Science! History!, Gabrielle Birchak explores Meitner’s brilliant mind, her escape from Nazi Germany, her critical role in discovering nuclear fission, and why the Nobel Committee turned a blind eye. Join us as we honor a scientist who refused to let science become a weapon. 3 Things Listeners Will Learn: Why Lise Meitner was central to the discovery of nuclear fission, and how her contribution was overlooked by the Nobel Committee. How the rise of Nazi Germany forced her to flee her lab and...
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FLASHCARDS! Alfred Russel Wallace: The Forgotten Co-Founder of Evolution
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
In this Flashcard Friday episode of Math, Science, History, host Gabrielle Birchak takes you into the steamy jungles of the 19th-century Malay Archipelago, where a fever-stricken explorer had a revelation that would change biology forever. Meet Alfred Russel Wallace, the naturalist whose fieldwork and tropical travels led to the theory of natural selection, at the same time as Darwin. From his challenging journey to his humility in the face of discovery, Wallace’s story reminds us that science doesn’t always happen in a lab. It sometimes happens in a mosquito-filled hut, guided by sheer...
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The Truth Behind the Loch Ness Monster: History Daily Podcast Swap
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
In this special podcast swap episode, Math Science History teams up with History Daily to bring you one of the most enduring mysteries in modern folklore — the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. From ancient Scottish lore to one of the most infamous photographic hoaxes of the 20th century, this captivating narrative blends history, myth, and media manipulation. Gabrielle Birchak, host of Math Science History, also shares a brief reflection on Hypatia of Alexandria and her latest book Hypatia, The Sum of Her Life, now available on Amazon. Enjoy this rich collaboration with History Daily, and...
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FLASHCARDS! Why Your Suitcase Is a Math Problem
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
In this episode of Flashcards Friday at Math! Science! History! Gabrielle Birchak unzips the fascinating world of packing problems, the mathematical puzzles behind fitting everything into your suitcase. Discover how optimization theory and combinatorial math are at play every time you pack, ship, or store something efficiently. Whether you're prepping for vacation or running a tech company, the same mathematical rules apply. 3 Take-aways! (Pun intended!) 1. What packing problems are and why they matter in math, logistics, and data storage. 2. Why packing problems are so difficult, and why...
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Peter Higgs and the Hidden Force That Shapes the Universe
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
In this episode of Math! Science! History! we take a walk through the Scottish Highlands with Peter Higgs, figuratively and historically, to uncover the quiet moment in 1964 when a simple hike sparked a revolutionary idea in physics. Discover how the weak nuclear force and electromagnetism are deeply connected by symmetry, why mass was such a mystery to physicists in the 20th century, and how the Higgs field changed everything. From the elegance of theoretical predictions to the drama of the 48-year search for the Higgs boson, this story is not just about particles, it's about patience,...
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FLASHCARDS! Why Airline Prices Change After You Search
Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak
✈️ Episode Overview Have you ever searched for a flight, left the tab open, and then gasped when the price jumped just a few hours later? In this Flashcards Friday episode of Math! Science! History!, Gabrielle Birchak explores the mystery behind fluctuating airline prices—and reveals that it’s not magic, but a powerful blend of mathematics, algorithms, behavioral psychology, and dynamic pricing strategies. From fare buckets and revenue management to the cookies on your browser, Gabrielle breaks down how airlines control pricing and what you can do to outsmart the system and save...
info_outlineOn this Flashcards Friday episode, Gabrielle serves up a tasty blend of chemistry, humor, and history. Coinciding with National Avocado Day, this episode dives into the life and legacy of Amedeo Avogadro, the 19th-century chemist behind the foundational theorem of gas volumes, and how his name unexpectedly became linked with everyone's favorite green fruit. From moles to molecules to memes, Gabrielle brings the science home, one chip at a time.
🌱 3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode:
1. Who Amedeo Avogadro was and what his theorem states about gas volumes.
2. How the mole (6.022 × 10²³) became a central concept in chemistry.
3. Why Avogadro’s legacy lives on in both labs and lunchrooms (thanks to Avocado Day puns!).
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
National Avocado Day Info – National Today
History of the Mole Concept – American Chemical Society
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