Alle afleveringen
117 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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101 — How Will AI Change Physics? (Ft. Yoni Kahn)
12 oktober 2026 · 56 min
In 2023, Dan made a bet with physicist Yoni Kahn about whether AI would be able to pass a graduate-level quantum field theory course by 2026. Today on the show, they revisit their bet and discuss what AI is capable of in physics today, and how it might change the field moving forward. Lees meer
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100 - What is Light? A Journey from Ancient Philosophy to Quantum Physics
24 augustus 2026 · 37 min
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? Lees meer
In Dan's first solo episode, he takes us through theories of light through the ages, starting from the earliest accounts of ancient ideas and bringing us all the way to modern times.
Let us know what you think about this new format!
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99 - The 7 Most Exciting Developments in Physics Today + a WTU Update
3 augustus 2026 · 36 min
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. Lees meer
Also, this episode comes with an update from us at WTU: This will be Shalma's last episode as co-host and editor (though she'll continue to help out with production behind the scenes).
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98 - An Improbable Quantum Ghost Story (Ft. David Kaplan)
19 januari 2026 · 41 min
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. Lees meer
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97 - The Schrödinger Equation: The Heart of Quantum Mechanics
22 december 2025 · 30 min
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. Lees meer
For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
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96 - The Making of Particle Fever (Ft. David Kaplan)
24 november 2025 · 53 min
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 Kaplan. On today's episode, he recounts these historic years from the perspective of both physicist and filmmaker. Lees meer
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95 - Would Aliens Have the Same Physics? (Ft. Daniel Whiteson)
4 november 2025 · 43 min
If we met aliens, could we communicate through physics? Daniel Whiteson explores this question on today's episode. For more, check out his new book, Do Aliens Speak Physics? Lees meer
For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
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38 - The Nobel Prize's Greatest Misses (2025 Update)
13 oktober 2025 · 34 min
In honor of Nobel prize season, we remember some people whose important work in the past has been overlooked by the Nobel committee. Lees meer
For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
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94 - Inside the Hubble Tension (Ft. Adam Riess)
29 september 2025 · 32 min
Our universe is expanding. But when physicists measure how fast this expansion rate is, they get two different answers. Hear what this crisis means from Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess. Lees meer
For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
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93 - The Moment Dark Energy Appeared (Ft. Adam Riess)
15 september 2025 · 40 min
Adam Riess recounts the moments of his Nobel prize-winning discovery that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, powered by a mysterious energy source called dark energy. Lees meer
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AUA: Changing Dark Energy, Twin Paradox, and What's Next for CERN
2 mei 2025 · 55 min
We answer your questions. To listen to our backlog of ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to submit your questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Lees meer
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AUA: The Early Universe, Quantum Interpretations, and Asteroids
9 maart 2025 · 29 min
To listen to our backlog of past ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to ask us questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Lees meer
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92 - What Cosmology Has in Store for 2025 (Ft. Dan Scolnic)
13 januari 2025 · 46 min
Learn what exciting cosmology results and potential discoveries await us in 2025!For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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91 - What Neutrinos Reveal About the Milky Way
23 december 2024 · 31 min
A discovery last year reveals our galaxy in a whole new light - except it's not light, it's neutrinos! Learn what this discovery can teach us about the Milky Way and beyond.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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90 - Quintessence: Is Dark Energy Changing? (Ft. Sean Carroll)
4 november 2024 · 42 min
Is it possible that dark energy is not a constant, but rather is changing over time? Sean Carroll talks to us about how our understanding of dark energy evolved in recent history, and what is still left unknown.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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89 - A Dark Matter Vibe Check
14 oktober 2024 · 37 min
Dan and Shalma have a candid conversation about the state of dark matter research, and the ways the field has changed over the last few years.For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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88 - Why Does Our Universe Exist At All? (Ft. Sean Carroll)
23 september 2024 · 28 min
Why does something exist, rather than nothing? Special guest Sean Carroll helps us explore this deep philosophical question.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse.Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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87 - The Good and the Bad of Peer Review
2 september 2024 · 40 min
There has been some criticism of the process scientists use to check each other's work. Today we take a deep dive into peer review to determine how broken it really is.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse.Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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28 - How Noether's Theorem Changed Physics (Rerun)
5 augustus 2024 · 24 min
Learn how Noether's profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe. Enjoy this rerun of an earlier episode as we take our summer break.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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86 - The Life and Death of Stars
2 juli 2024 · 41 min
We explore the diverse world of stars in the universe, from those similar to our Sun to those totally unrecognizable.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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85 - Our Sun: Present, Past and Future
17 juni 2024 · 37 min
Today's episode is all about the star in our front yard - the sun. Learn how it came to be, how it has changed, and how will it change in the future.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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84 - The Search For New Worlds (ft. Josh Winn)
3 juni 2024 · 45 min
Hear how the search for exoplanets has developed, and what surprises it has brought so far.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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83 - Witnessing a Revolution in Particle Physics (Ft. Chris Quigg)
13 mei 2024 · 32 min
Today we hear from someone who bore witness to the so-called “November Revolution” of particle physics in 1974.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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82 - Science Vs. Pseudoscience
29 april 2024 · 36 min
Pseudoscience can sometimes be hard to distinguish from the real thing. Today we discuss how philosophers of science have thought about this problem.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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81 - Ancient Greek Astronomy
15 april 2024 · 43 min
The first episode in a new mini-series on philosophical problems in cosmology - Today we start with the origins of Western science and learn what the ancient Greeks thought about the cosmos.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology
1 april 2024 · 17 min
Hear how a recent discovery of the motions of galaxies is changing how cosmologists are thinking about our universe.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli)
18 maart 2024 · 41 min
Last year, an experiment called NanoGRAV made a surprising discovery of gravitational waves using pulsars around the universe. Special guest Chiara Mingarelli explains.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe Lees meer
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78 - The Life of a Science Journalist (Ft. Katrina Miller)
4 maart 2024 · 38 min
What's it like bringing science to the most general public audiences? How do you distill complex results into short news-worthy articles without getting lost in clickbait? Today we hear the perspective of New York Times science journalist Katrina Miller. Lees meer
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77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm)
5 februari 2024 · 41 min
Quantum computing makes big promises, but how does it work? What is the real state of quantum computing today? Special guest Henry Lamm answers our questions. Lees meer
Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
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76 - Do We Live in a Simulation?
22 januari 2024 · 38 min
Is the world around us real, or are we living in someone's computer program? Lees meer
Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
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75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin)
8 januari 2024 · 42 min
We hear two physicists describe their lives collecting data in remote locations, from deep underground in an active mine and from the South Pole. Lees meer
Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse
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8 - Is Space Flat or Curved?
18 december 2023 · 24 min
Learn how the geometry of space defies our intuition, and why it gave Einstein so much anxiety. Lees meer
Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
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74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman)
4 december 2023 · 58 min
Today we visit a turning point in the history of science: the discovery that the Earth is not at the center of the cosmos. Lees meer
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73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival)
20 november 2023 · 1 uur 9 min
Dan moderates a lively discussion on extraterrestrial life at the Chicago Humanities Festival. Lees meer
Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe
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72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)
6 november 2023 · 44 min
Where does the musical octave come from? What makes a C note a C? Why do different instruments sound different? Special guest Tim Cohen comes on to answer these questions and more.
For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse Lees meerSupport the show
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71 - How the Universe Got Its Structure
23 oktober 2023 · 20 min
We tell the story of how the Universe developed large scale structure, starting from the Big Bang to today. It could have all turned out very differently, if not for some key players. Lees meer
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70 - WTU Live: Will Intelligent Life Persist in the Universe? (ft. Daniel Holz and Diana Powell)
10 oktober 2023 · 58 min
Why This Universe hosts it's first ever live episode taping featuring guests Daniel Holz and Diana Powell. We discuss the possibility of intelligent life out in the Universe, the existential risks faced by humans on Earth, and the chance the intelligent life can persist in the Universe. Lees meer
This conversation took place during the University of Chicago Podcast Network festival.
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Special Announcement + ChatGPT On Unifying Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
28 september 2023 · 10 min
CORRECTION: We misspeak about the time of the event in the episode, we are really on at 3-4 pm CST! Apologies! Lees meer
Why This Universe is going live on October 3rd in Chicago, IL!
RSVP for *free* here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ucpn-podcast-festival-tickets-717455076447?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
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69 - An Update on Modified Gravity (MOND)
28 augustus 2023 · 47 min
While physicists overwhelmingly agree about the existence of dark matter, a select group of people aren't convinced. Instead, they believe we must be wrong about gravity, and claim we need a theory of modified gravity (MOND) instead. Recent press releases have claimed "smoking gun" evidence for this underdog theory, should we take them seriously? Lees meer
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68 - The Age of the Universe
14 augustus 2023 · 29 min
Today we are debunking the recent paper that claims our universe is much older than previously thought. Lees meer
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For fun dinosaur facts and research, check out I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast, on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-know-dino-the-big-dinosaur-podcast/id960976813?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=2
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6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness (Rebroadcast)
31 juli 2023 · 30 min
We are celebrating our 3 year anniversary with a throwback to one of our earliest episodes! Entanglement, wave-particle duality, and uncertainty - here's a breakdown of the weirdest and wildest things about quantum mechanics. Lees meer
To support our show and access exclusive ask-us-anything segments and more, join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse.
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67 - When Science Meets Spirituality (Ft. Alan Lightman)
17 juli 2023 · 43 min
Special guest Alan Lightman takes us through a fascinating discussion of consciousness, and tells us how he reconciles spirituality with his materialist views.
Todays episode is sponsored by the International Space Station. Join the ISS National Laboratory this August in Seattle at the 12th annual ISS Research and Development Conference. Visit ISSconference.org to register now. Lees meerSupport the show
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66 - When Space Was Filled With Music
3 juli 2023 · 26 min
Shortly after the Big Bang, space was densely packed with enough stuff for sound to travel through it. What was producing sound in this era, and how can we hear it today? Lees meer
Todays episode is sponsored by the International Space Station. Join the ISS National Laboratory this August in Seattle at the 12th annual ISS Research and Development Conference. Visit ISSconference.org to register now.
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65 - Should We Build a Muon Collider? (Ft. Cari Cesarotti)
22 mei 2023 · 42 min
Special guest Cari Cesarotti tells us why so many particle physicists are itching to build a whole new type of particle collider. Lees meer
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64 - The Journey to the Big Bang
8 mei 2023 · 30 min
The Big Bang is well accepted today as the leading theory of how our universe evolved over time - but in today's episode, we talk through all the very wrong theories that came before it.
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63 - The Question of Consciousness (Ft. David Chalmers)
17 april 2023 · 50 min
Can consciousness be explained by physics, or does it appeal to something beyond materialism? Philosopher guest star David Chalmers talks to us about how we can think about consciousness from a philosophical and scientific perspective. Lees meer
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47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion? (Rebroadcast)
27 maart 2023 · 28 min
A whirlwind of questions brings us to an odd conclusion: could reality be an illusion created by a quantum fluctuation of a brain? This is a rebroadcast of a past favorite. Lees meer
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62 - JWST and the Earliest Galaxies in the Universe (ft. Mike Boylan-Kolchin)
13 maart 2023 · 24 min
Astronomers' newest telescope, JWST, just discovered galaxies that formed earlier than previously thought possible. What does this discovery mean for our understanding of the early universe? Lees meer
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61 - Could the Large Hadron Collider Destroy the World?
27 februari 2023 · 24 min
Before the LHC turned on in 2008, many feared that it would create a dangerous black hole that would destroy the world. Were any of those fears well-founded, and how seriously did scientists take these claims? Lees meer
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60 - The Search for Extra Dimensions
13 februari 2023 · 24 min
Learn how extra dimensions of space might appear to us, and what physicists have done to try to find them. Lees meer
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