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Watch this one together

~5 min · materials: a tv remote, a closed door, and a phone with wifi or bluetooth (optional, for the real-world check)

WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared — why does a TV remote need to point, but your phone doesn't?

Closing your bedroom door: the TV remote suddenly stops working but your phone music and earbuds keep playing right through the door — same closed door, three different fates.

Talk about it

  • Before we close the bedroom door, guess: which keeps working — the TV remote, the WiFi, or the earbuds?
  • Infrared is light you can't see. What else around the house might be using invisible light?
  • Why do you think the remote has to point but your phone doesn't?
Watch it together

no login · nothing saved · pass the phone around

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