Breaking Down the Universe: David Jackson’s 'All Things Physics' Brings Complex Science to Life
David Jackson, in a still from his most popular video, "The Most Mind-Blowing Aspect of Circular Motion," in which he explains what happens when a ball is swung in a circular motion on the end of a string. As he notes, "This phenomenon turns out to be quite surprising!"
Dickinson physics & astronomy professor makes advanced concepts accessible—and fun—through his fast-growing YouTube channel
by Tony Moore
When Professor of Physics & Astronomy David Jackson set out to launch a YouTube channel, he wasn’t looking for viral fame—he wanted to make physics make sense.
“I decided to start All Things Physics after watching a few videos on the YouTube channel 3Blue1Brown,” Jackson says. “The videos there are very technical, and yet there are millions of subscribers. That made me realize there’s a large audience for highly technical content, as long as it’s done well.”
The result is All Things Physics, a channel “dedicated to taking an in-depth look at all things physics in a rigorous yet spirited manner.”
Physics for the Masses!
Among Jackson’s most popular videos are The Most Mind-Blowing Aspect of Circular Motion—which has racked up more than 850,000 views—and Schlieren Imaging: Seeing the Invisible, which reveals how scientists visualize air movement and other unseen phenomena. Each video breaks down complex ideas into digestible pieces, using thoughtful visuals and clear explanations to make even advanced concepts approachable.
“Any physics topic that is surprising and can be explained to a curious non-physicist is a candidate for a video,” Jackson says. “I currently have dozens of topics on my list. The hard part is finding the time—it can take several months of dedicated effort to complete a single video.”
Here, taken from the schlieren imaging video, Adi Chacko '27 fills a beaker with carbon dioxide gas. "Normally, the gas isn't visible," Jackson explains, "but with the schlieren imaging system, you can see the carbon dioxide being poured from the beaker."
Jackson doesn't confine his YouTube work to his own efforts, often involving students in his projects—both to help with filming and to give them valuable hands-on experience.
“Students learn a lot by helping,” he says. “Not just the physics, but also how to break down a complex topic so it can be understood by almost anyone.”
Surprising Beauty
One of his current projects—a video filmed at Harvard last summer with Adi Chacko ’27 (physics)—has been a year in the making. That level of care and precision is part of what gives All Things Physics its appeal: rigorous content presented with creativity and enthusiasm. The care he's taken on with the channel's content has even earned Jackson some unexpected recognition.
“I’ve had a few old acquaintances contact me after one of my videos showed up in their feed,” he says. “And at conferences, people sometimes come up to ask if I’m the guy who makes those physics videos, which is fun.”
With more videos in the works and an ever-growing audience, Jackson is proving that curiosity—and good teaching—travel far beyond the classroom.
“Physics is full of surprising beauty,” he says, “and I find it extremely gratifying that I’m able to share this beauty with so many people!”
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published October 13, 2025