Last time, we introduced the biggest open problem in theoretical physics - the problem of combining gravity with quantum mechanics. In this first part of a three-part series, we introduce the leading candidate for how to do that: String Theory. For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse ... Show More
Aug 24
100 - What is Light? A Journey from Ancient Philosophy to Quantum Physics
Modern physics tells us a lot about light; that it's both a wave and a particle, and that it sets the speed limit of the universe, for example. But how did we come to understand light in this way?In Dan's first solo episode, he takes us through theories of light through the ages, ... Show More
36m 41s
Aug 3
99 - The 7 Most Exciting Developments in Physics Today + a WTU Update
It's been a while! To make up for lost time, today's episode is a rundown of all the physics news you should know. Hear what is keeping physicists at the edge of their seat, and what physics news you should keep your eyes out for in the coming years.Also, this episode comes with ... Show More
36m 7s
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
Dec 2017
Cosmic Queries: Mysterious Cosmology, with Sean Carroll
<p>String theory, the fabric of spacetime, the multiverse, quantum mechanics, and much more – explore the cosmological mysteries of the universe with Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and theoretical physicist Sean Carroll.<br />NOTE: StarTalk All-Access subscribers ... Show More
48m 36s
Jun 2025
The musical structure of the universe
If matter is a result of vibration, what causes the vibration? Our friends at The Gray Area ask, “Is the universe behaving like an instrument?” Guest: Stephon Alexander, theoretical physicist at Brown University For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts For ... Show More
53m 2s
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
Jun 2017
Episode 83: Advanced Quantum Mechanics Part I
An examination of some more advanced concepts of quantum mechanics, focusing on describing Dirac's bra-ket formulation of quantum theory. I discuss the formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of vectors in Hilbert spaces, Hermitian operators as corresponding to observables, ort ... Show More
58m 56s