Big Bang Theory: Preparing for the physics bowl

In this scene, the boys are training for the physics bowl, i.e., a quiz about physics. Sheldon wants to prove he is smarter than anybody else by answering all the questions.

(Season 1, episode 13: The Bat Jar Conjecture)

 

Transcript:

Penny: Okay, next question. What is the quantum mechanical effect used to encode data on hard disk drives? Howard.

Sheldon: And of course, the answer is giant magneto resistance.

Penny: Right.

Howard: Hey, I buzzed in.

Sheldon: And I answered, it’s called teamwork.

Howard: Don’t you think I should answer the engineering questions? I am an engineer.

Sheldon: By that logic I should answer all the anthropology questions because I’m a mammal. 

Leonard: Just ask another one.

Penny: Okay. What artificial satellite has seen glimpses of Einstein’s predicted frame dragging? (Raj buzzes.)

Sheldon: And of course it’s Gravity Probe B.

Leonard: Sheldon, you have to let somebody else answer.

Sheldon: Why?

Penny: Because it’s polite.

Sheldon: What do manners have to do with it? This is war. Were the Romans polite when they salted the ground of Carthage to make sure nothing would ever grow again?

Penny: Leonard, you said I only had to ask questions.

 

Vocabulary:

quantum mechanics = a fundamental theory in physics that describes the behavior of nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles

to encode = If you encode a message or some information, you put it into a code to send it secretly.

hard disk drive = a type of data storage device that is used in laptops and desktop computers

to buzz = to press a buzzer in order to get someone’s attention

anthropology = the study of the human race, its culture and society, and its physical development

mammals = animals such as humans, dogs, lions, and whales. Female mammals give birth to babies rather than laying eggs.

artificial = made by people and not occurring naturally

glimpse = an occasion when you see something or someone for a very short time

frame-dragging = an effect on space time, predicted by Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity

Gravity Probe B = a satellite-based experiment

Roman = referring to a person who lived in ancient Rome

to salt = to add salt to or put salt on something

Carthage = an ancient city state, on the North African coast near present-day Tunis

(definitions taken from the Cambridge Dictionary, the Collins Dictionary and Wikipedia)

 

Another funny scene from Big Bang Theory:

Penny asks Leonard to do her a favor

The group is arguing over trivia