Tumble Science Podcast for Kids Was There Ever Nothing?
Apr 11, 2025
Jessica Esquivel, a particle physicist at Fermilab, dives into the extraordinary idea of 'nothing' and what existed before our universe. She reveals how quantum particles may have burst forth from this void, likening it to an electrifying dance party sparking the Big Bang. Esquivel also discusses particle detectors and their vital role in unveiling the universe's subatomic secrets. The conversation challenges listeners to rethink existence and embrace the failures inherent in scientific discovery.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Was There Ever Nothing?
- Before the Big Bang, if nothing is defined as the absence of air and mass, then yes, there was nothing.
- But this 'nothing' is more complex than it appears and depends on how we define it.
Quantum Foam in Nothingness
- The quantum realm exists even within what we think of as nothing.
- Subatomic particles pop in and out of existence like soda bubbles, making 'nothing' actually teeming with activity.
Macroscopic vs Quantum Worlds
- The macroscopic world is what we see and touch, while the microscopic quantum world behaves very differently.
- Both worlds coexist and interact, but quantum phenomena are invisible to our eyes and everyday experience.