logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2022
28m 14s

53 - Why We Need a Theory of Quantum Gra...

DAN HOOPER, SHALMA WEGSMAN
About this episode
Quantum mechanics and general relativity are two of the most successful theories of science ever, but they don't necessarily fit together. Learn why physicists are trying so hard to discover a quantum theory of gravity, and why it's been such a challenge. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whyth ... Show More
Up next
Jan 2026
98 - An Improbable Quantum Ghost Story (Ft. David Kaplan)
An unlikely change in the theory of quantum mechanics would lead to bizarre new conclusions. Our guest talks us through non-linear quantum mechanics, and how physicists like him are testing it.For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a mont ... Show More
41m 21s
Dec 2025
97 - The Schrödinger Equation: The Heart of Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is full of surprises. But somehow, the theory is captured almost entirely in a single equation. Today we explore the Schrödinger equation: how it works, what it says about nature, and why it revolutionized physics.For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anythi ... Show More
29m 52s
Nov 2025
96 - The Making of Particle Fever (Ft. David Kaplan)
<p>In the years leading up to the Large Hadron Collider turning on, the physics community was buzzing with curiosity and excitement about what they were about to discover. These moments were captured in the documentary Particle Fever, created by the particle physicist David Kapla ... Show More
53m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2000
Grand Unified Theory
Melvyn Bragg examines 20th century physics’ quest for the ultimate theory of everything. Einstein left us with his theory of General Relativity, which explained how gravity works on the scale of stars, galaxies, and the universe itself and Schroedinger left us with the equation t ... Show More
28m 13s
Apr 2023
Theory of everything: do we really need one?
The quest for a theory of everything – explaining all the forces and particles in the universe – is arguably the holy grail of physics. While each of our main theories of physics works extraordinarily well, they also clash with each other. But do we really need a theory of everyt ... Show More
57m 29s
Feb 2001
Quantum Gravity
Melvyn Bragg examines Quantum Gravity. Early in the 20th century physicists were startled by the realisation that the smallest things in the universe do not obey Newton’s laws of gravity. Ripe apples fall from trees, billiard balls roll mostly on the table and the moon orbits the ... Show More
28m 19s
Apr 2021
170. Michio Kaku — The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything
Synthesizing relativity and quantum theory would be the crowning achievement of science, a profound merging of all the forces of nature into one beautiful, magnificent equation to unlock the deepest mysteries in science. In this episode, Michael Shermer speaks with professor of t ... Show More
1h 36m
Apr 2024
What is gravitoelectromagnetism?
Daniel and Katie bushwack their way between theories of gravity and electromagnetism, looking for the elusive connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
50m 6s
Sep 2022
Cosmic Queries – Fixing Physics with Sabine Hossenfelder
<p>Can a whole universe fit inside a black hole? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Paul Mecurio explore grand unification, dark matter, wave function collapse, and other problems in physics with theoretical physicist and author of “<i>Existential Physics</i>,” Sabine Hossenfelder. </p><p>N ... Show More
47m 11s