In this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast, we chat about the physics involved in some of the things we do while on holiday – from surfing to slapping on sunscreen. Holiday food and drink will also get the physicist’s treatment as we learn why wood-fired brick ovens make the best pizza and talk about an online calculator for chilling beverages to perfection.

We also chat about a new brain-machine interface that could someday help people suffering from paralysis, brain injuries or disorders such as locked-in syndrome. And, we learn how the vibrations of Saturn’s rings have revealed a big surprise about the interior of the giant planet.