Discreteness in Physics and Analogies with Vibrating Strings

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Exploring the concept that the world may not be smooth but discrete, the chapter uses vibrating guitar strings as an analogy to delve into the origins of quanta and discreteness in physics. By comparing the harmonics of a plucked string to the energy levels of an electron in an atom, the discussion highlights how discreteness arises from fundamental frequencies rather than being inherent in the system itself.

Publication week! Say hello to Quanta and Fields, the second volume of the planned three-volume series The Biggest Ideas in the Universe. This volume covers quantum physics generally, but focuses especially on the wonders of quantum field theory. To celebrate, this solo podcast talks about some of the big ideas that make QFT so compelling: how quantized fields produce particles, how gauge symmetries lead to forces of nature, and how those forces can manifest in different phases, including Higgs and confinement.

Blog post with transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2024/05/13/275-solo-quantum-fields-particles-forces-and-symmetries/

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