Can physics alone lift a human being off the ground?

Nature · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Host Rick Edwards attempts a lifelong ambition: to levitate. Alongside science enthusiast Dianna Cowern and inventor Colin Furze, this video explores whether human flight is possible through the application of pure physics.

In this scientific exploration, Rick Edwards joins forces with YouTuber Dianna Cowern, known as Physics Girl, and inventor Colin Furze. Together, they experiment with physical principles to determine if it is possible to achieve levitation using only the laws of physics.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The secret to flight is not how you jump, but how you land
• Can a spinning wheel defy gravity and become light as a feather?
• Can a human truly defy gravity? Elizabeth Streb says master the landing.
• The physics of flight is often misunderstood by the public
• Can the right kind of fire actually heal the land?
• Climate action requires connecting the dots between history and environment
• Why the ancient Egyptians invented the art of mummification
• The intersection of skill, necessity, and personal joy
• The delicate chemistry that keeps your skeleton from snapping or sagging
• Can climate action actually increase your personal happiness?
• Stop chasing the big climate story and start talking about mangoes instead
• Feeding 10 billion people requires a revolution in how we produce protein

More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics